The waiver wire is a great way to add hidden gems and overlooked players to your fantasy hockey club. This remains true whether you plan to have them as short-term or long-term parts of your fantasy hockey roster. Now that we are now roughly four months into the season, we better understand which waiver-wire goalies are worth snagging. As a result, here are three waiver-wire goalies worth adding to your roster in Week 18.
Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Goalies to Consider for Week 18
Jonathan Quick, New York Rangers
During the preseason, Jonathan Quick struggled immensely. New York Ranger fans were concerned that he was no longer good enough to be an NHL backup because of it. Now, fast forward to February, he has been one of the NHL’s top backups. In 18 appearances, he has an 11-4-2 record, a 2.35 GAA, and a .918 SV%. He also has been playing even better as of late, so he is a waiver-wire goalie to consider right now.
Quick, 38, was simply dominant for the Rangers in his last start against the Colorado Avalanche, saving 32 out of 33 shots. Before securing this win against one of the NHL’s best teams, he also had 29 saves out of 31 shots against the Ottawa Senators on January 27th. The Connecticut native is thriving with his childhood team, and it’s time for fantasy managers to add him as a waiver-wire pickup because of it.
Petr Mrazek, Chicago Blackhawks
Speaking of bounce-back seasons, Chicago Blackhawks goalie Petr Mrazek is having one. In 34 games with the Blackhawks, he has an impressive .910 SV% to go along with a 2.92 GAA. He has done well for the NHL’s worst team, and he earned himself a two-year extension because of it. However, what’s more encouraging is that his play is improving, so he’s a clear waiver-wire goalie to bring in.
Mrazek, 31, has a .900 SV% or better in each of his last seven starts. With that, in his last three starts, he had a .968 SV%, a .939 SV%, and a .931 SV%. While each of those starts resulted in losses for the veteran, the Blackhawks’ anemic offense is the reason behind it, as they were shut out in all three games. He has been playing on his head, and he’s exactly the kind of waiver-wire addition to make this week because of it.
Ilya Samsonov, Toronto Maple Leafs
The 2023-24 season has been a tough one for Ilya Samsonov. His immense struggles during it led to him being by the club. However, since rejoining the team, he has shown serious signs of improvement. Because of this, he’s a waiver-wire goalie to consider for Week 18.
Samsonov, 26, was magnificent for the Maple Leafs before the All-Star break. He notably had a 32-save shutout against the Winnipeg Jets and also had a .941 SV% and a .923 SV% in his two previous starts. It is clear that he is feeling it again, and he’s easily among the top waiver-wire goalies this week because of it.
Nevertheless, it is clear that there are some pretty intriguing waiver-wire goalies for this week. It will be fun to see if they each can keep up their hot play from here.