Fantasy hockey top 10 waiver wire pickups
Blake, Drouin potential beneficiaries of Rantanen-Necas trade; EDGE stats, new podcast episodes
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FORWARD
Adam Fantilli, C, CBJ
23 percent rostered in fantasy
With top-line center Sean Monahan (wrist) expected to be out longer term, Fantilli has a chance to continue his recent surge in production for the Columbus Blue Jackets; he has 11 points (six goals, five assists) and 27 shots on goal in 10 games dating back to when Monahan was injured. Fantilli, the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, has had points in nine of his past 12 games (13 points in span), including a hat trick against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 22. The surprising Blue Jackets offense ranks seventh in the NHL in goals per game (3.30) and ninth in shots on goal per game (29.4). Per NHL EDGE stats, Fantilli ranks highly in top skating speed (23.46 miles per hour; 96th percentile) and 20-plus mph speed bursts (176; 97th percentile).
Jackson Blake, RW, CAR
1 percent rostered in fantasy
The Carolina Hurricanes wing was elevated to the top line with center Sebastian Aho and newly acquired wing Mikko Rantanen. Blake, who had three shots on goal in 17:29 during their overtime loss to the New York Islanders, is third among NHL rookies in goals (11) behind only Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks (15) and Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers (14). The 5-on-5 exposure to two elite fantasy players in Rantanen and Aho gives the 21-year-old high upside, and he’s also on the second power play with forwards Taylor Hall (acquired from Chicago Blackhawks as part of Rantanen trade), Jack Roslovic and defenseman Brent Burns. Per NHL EDGE stats, Blake is sixth among all skaters in offensive zone time percentage at all strengths (49.1), and his 42 high-danger shots on goal rank in the 91st percentile.
Jonathan Drouin, LW, COL
30 percent rostered in fantasy
The Colorado Avalanche wing had an assist against the New York Rangers on Sunday and is playing on a new-look top line with NHL points leader Nathan MacKinnon (77 in 51 games) and newly acquired Martin Necas (two assists in first two games since trade). Injuries have limited Drouin to 18 games this season, but he has had at least one point in 10 of those games, including six multipoint games, for a total of 17 points (four goals, 13 assists). Drouin, who played a season-high 24:22 against the Boston Bruins on Saturday, is also playing on the first power play with forwards MacKinnon, Necas, Artturi Lehkonen and elite defenseman Cale Makar. Per NHL EDGE stats, 16 of Drouin’s 23 goals since the start of last season have come from high-danger areas.
Morgan Geekie, C/LW/RW, BOS
10 percent rostered in fantasy
The Boston Bruins forward has a three-game goal streak (four in span) and has scored in five of his past seven games playing mostly on the top line with elite right wing David Pastrnak and center Pavel Zacha. Geekie is quietly third on the Bruins in goals this season (15; behind Pastrnak’s 24, Brad Marchand’s 17), and, per NHL EDGE stats, ranks in the 91st percentile in top shot speed (92.35 miles per hour). Geekie is also among the leaders in midrange shots on goal (40; 89th percentile) and high-danger goals (nine; 85th percentile).
Marco Kasper, C/LW, DET
2 percent rostered in fantasy
The Detroit Red Wings rookie has been playing on the top line with high-scoring forwards Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond and has eight points (five goals, three assists) in his past nine games, including three multipoint games. Especially with Patrick Kane (upper body) day to day, Kasper is taking on an expanded role and also playing on the second power play. Per NHL EDGE stats, Kasper is among the leaders in 20-plus mph speed bursts (96; 86th percentile) and average skating distance per 60 minutes (10.57 miles; 98th percentile).
Mason McTavish, C, ANA
8 percent rostered in fantasy
The Anaheim Ducks forward has scored goals in three straight games, including back-to-back multigoal performances. McTavish has seven points (five goals, two assists) in his past seven games, leads the Ducks with six even-strength points and has their second-most shots on goal (22) over that span. McTavish, the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, is worth prioritizing in fantasy keeper and dynasty leagues, and, per NHL EDGE stats, ranks among the leaders in top shot speed (91.28 miles per hour; 87th percentile) and high-danger shots on goal (37; 85th percentile).
Frank Nazar, C, CHI
1 percent rostered in fantasy
The Chicago Blackhawks rookie has a four-game point streak totaling five points (two goals, three assists) and has been recently elevated onto the top line with elite center Connor Bedard (leads them with 43 points in 49 games) and wing Tyler Bertuzzi. Nazar, the 13th pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, brings plenty of speed to complement Bedard; per NHL EDGE stats, Nazar is among the leaders in top skating speed (23.07 mph; 89th percentile).
DEFENSEMAN
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, TOR
23 percent rostered in fantasy
The Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman has a four-game point streak (one goal, five assists), including two power-play points. He quietly leads Toronto defensemen in assists (18), even-strength points (18) and shots on goal (85) this season. Per NHL EDGE stats, two of Ekman-Larsson’s three goals have come from long-range areas, and his 41 long-range shots on goal rank in the 89th percentile.
Filip Hronek, VAN
42 percent rostered in fantasy
The Vancouver Canucks defenseman assisted on both of their goals against the Washington Capitals on Saturday. Since returning from injury, Hronek has been skating on the top pair with elite defenseman Quinn Hughes (leads NHL at position with 1.23 points per game); Hronek has four points (one goal, three assists) in six games back and is covering hits (seven) and blocks (nine) over that span. Per NHL EDGE stats, Hronek ranks in the 88th percentile in offensive zone time percentage (44.3 percent).
Other defenseman to consider: Tony DeAngelo, NYI (7 percent rostered)
GOALIE
Jake Allen, NJD
31 percent rostered in fantasy
The New Jersey Devils goalie should see the majority of their starts with Jacob Markstrom (knee) out 4-6 weeks. Allen stopped 29 of 32 shots faced in their road win against the Montreal Canadiens and is 2-2-0 with a 1.95 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in his past four games (three starts). Allen also has two shutouts through his first 16 games this season. Per NHL EDGE stats, Allen ranks in the 95th percentile in high-danger save percentage (.848).
Other goalie to consider (previously featured on list): Cam Talbot, DET (42 percent rostered)
