The fantasy hockey regular season is winding down, and while the waiver wire is typically thin on quality defensemen, this is not one of those weeks. Three players stand out as strong additions, so let’s dive into the top picks for Week 20.
Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Defensemen to Target for Week 20
Mason Lohrei, Boston Bruins
With long-term injuries sidelining Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy, Mason Lohrei is being heavily relied upon to generate offense from the blue line for the Boston Bruins. He and David Pastrnak are featured on both power-play units, providing additional fantasy value. Lohrei is currently on the second pairing, and his ice time has increased significantly with the team’s top two defensemen out.
Since the Bruins returned from the Four Nations Face-Off break and McAvoy was sidelined, Lohrei’s average time on ice (ATOI) has jumped from 18:40 to 23:01—a substantial increase. Playing full power-play shifts makes him a must-add, even on a struggling Bruins team. He is on the ice for much of the team’s offensive production. Over the past five games, Lohrei has recorded one goal and five points, with three coming on the power play. He contributes in multiple categories, including shots, blocked shots, and occasional hits. Boston still has matchups against the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning this week, but Lohrei is a strong candidate to remain on your roster beyond just a short-term stream.
Alex Vlasic, Chicago Blackhawks
With Seth Jones traded, Alex Vlasic is stepping back into the top defensive role and power-play responsibilities for the Chicago Blackhawks. Earlier this season, when Jones was injured, Vlasic thrived in a similar role, making him a valuable fantasy addition once again. Since Jones’ departure, Vlasic has averaged more than 24 minutes of ice time per game and is a fixture on the top penalty-killing unit.
Vlasic has two points in his last three games and six points in his past eight. At a minimum, he should maintain this level of production. The Blackhawks are scoring more than they did earlier in the season and are in a better position to win games, particularly with the addition of goaltender Spencer Knight. No other defenseman is challenging Vlasic’s ice time, making him a reliable streaming option for this week and beyond. Chicago faces the Ottawa Senators, Utah Hockey Club, and Nashville Predators this week, presenting an easier schedule.
Jackson LaCombe, Anaheim Ducks
Among Anaheim’s promising young defensemen, Jackson LaCombe has emerged as the best fantasy option. He is not just a strong streaming candidate but also worth holding onto. The Ducks have performed better than expected, and LaCombe has 11 goals and 30 points in 52 games, despite not playing a prominent role for part of the season.
LaCombe had to earn his opportunities this year, and he has maximized them. He enters Tuesday’s games on a five-game point streak, with two goals and six points in that span. Currently on the top pairing, he is not featured on the team’s first power-play unit due to Anaheim’s experiment with a five-forward setup, but he is typically a fixture there and should return soon. The Ducks have remaining matchups this week against the Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, and New York Islanders, making LaCombe a strong short-term pickup.
Looking Ahead
The trade deadline will bring changes next week, but these three defensemen should remain unaffected and retain their prominent roles for the rest of the season. Be sure to check back next week for updated waiver wire recommendations following the trade deadline.
