If you’re in a head-to-head league, it’s quite likely that your playoffs are around the corner. You may be looking to secure a top seed, or battling for the last playoff spot. In any case, your opponent will be looking at the waiver wire to find a boost. Best you take a look too, as the player to put you over the top just might be found here.
Week 24 Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire
Forwards
Kailer Yamamoto, RW, Edmonton Oilers (50% Rostered)
Yamamoto has had a bit of a roller-coaster type of season. He’s had multiple seven-game point droughts, including one to start the campaign. After going from 26 points in 27 games in his rookie 2019-20 season, to 21 points in 52 contests last year, add in a slow start and it seemed like the rookie season was a flash in the pan. But he’s recently rediscovered his old form. In the past 10 matchups, he has seven goals and 13 points. He’s one of the hottest players in the league right now, and should certainly be claimed from the waiver wire. He has three games remaining this week, having the rare schedule of Wednesday, Friday, Sunday to help maximize your games played.
Evgenii Dadonov, RW, Vegas Golden Knights (31% Rostered)
What a story it’s been for Dadonov. He gets dealt to the Anaheim Ducks on trade deadline day in a move to clear cap space, only for the deal to be vetoed by the league. He, unfortunately, had to miss a couple of games while that got sorted out. You’d think we might have seen a dejected Dadonov as he returned to suit back up for a club that just tried to get rid of him, but it’s been the opposite. He has two goals and five points in the two matches since returning. Two of his points were tallied from the power play, and he also had an overtime game-winner. With so many injuries in Vegas, Dadonov will be leaned on to provide offense, playing first line and top power play.
Alexander Barabanov, LW/RW, San Jose Sharks (29% Rostered)
Barabanov is doing fairly well in his first full season as a Shark. His 36 points in 57 games puts him fifth in team scoring. After a bit of a dry spell, he’s picked up six points in his past five outings. It isn’t just the stats with Barabanov though, it’s the opportunity. The Sharks have three games remaining this week, on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. You can stream him for those games, then drop him for another waiver wire claim for Sunday. Being able to squeeze out four more games can make a big difference. Especially when the player you’re getting is playing on the top line and first power-play unit.
Taylor Raddysh, RW, Chicago Blackhawks (19% Rostered)
Raddysh is playing his rookie season at age 24. He was buried on a deep Tampa Bay Lightning roster, where he posted 12 points in 53 games while averaging 11:03 of ice time. Acquired by Chicago at the trade deadline, he’s getting a bigger opportunity in the Windy City. His ice time has risen to 16:09 per contest, and he has five points in six meetings. Raddysh is playing in a top-six role while seeing time on the first power-play unit. We’ve seen what can happen when a Lightning player is given a bigger role elsewhere, could Raddysh become the next Carter Verhaeghe?
Defense
Sean Durzi, D, Los Angeles Kings (44% Rostered)
His rostered percentage has been decreasing recently, and I understand why. He had a minus-4 rating during a 6-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken Monday night. He’s had a minus rating in seven of his past 10 matchups, so he’d be a better target for leagues that don’t score plus/minus. Even if you do, he does provide value almost everywhere else. In 50 appearances he has 23 points, 41 PIM, 86 shots, 52 hits, and 80 blocks. The Kings are decimated with injuries to their defense, most notably missing Drew Doughty. Durzi is relied on heavily as a result, playing 20 plus minutes a night. He’s filling in on the top defense pair and top power-play unit. Similar to Barabanov, Durzi’s Kings have three games remaining this week, on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Goaltending
Logan Thompson, G, Vegas Golden Knights (26% Rostered)
Robin Lehner and Laurent Brossoit are both sidelined indefinitely, so Thompson became the next man up for Vegas. Thompson has a 5-4-0 record, with a 2.89 GAA and .914 save percentage. Funny enough, he has the highest save percentage of the three netminders. Not bad for a 25-year-old with 11 career appearances at the NHL level. Goaltending has been an issue for Vegas all year, but Thompson is giving the team respectable performances. In their next six matchups, Vegas plays Arizona once, Seattle twice, and Vancouver thrice. Those are all games that Thompson can be started with confidence.