There’s just one more month in the NHL regular season. Chances are you’re in the final matchup before the Fantasy Hockey playoffs begin. A win this week could be the difference between making or missing the playoffs, or impacting your seeding. Whether you need to replace an injured or slumping player, or just want to give yourself a boost, the fantasy hockey waiver wire is here to assist you.
Week 23 Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire
Forwards
Wyatt Johnston, C, Dallas Stars (40% Rostered)
Johnston is quietly having a quality rookie campaign. He has 18 goals and 33 points through 68 games, which ties him for 4th in rookie scoring. He’s centering the second line with Jamie Benn and new addition Evgenii Dadonov on his wings. Johnston had an incredible jump in development, going from 30 points to 124 points with the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL, before making the jump to the NHL. He continues to get better and better, even at the NHL level, as evidenced by his nine points over the past 10 games.
Barrett Hayton, C, Arizona Coyotes (39% Rostered)
Hayton has 13 goals and 35 points in 68 games this season. That’s good for a new career high, but that isn’t why he’s on this list. His play over the past month and a half is the reason. He has 21 points in his last 21 games. Playing on a line with Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz has brought out the best in all three players. Hayton is starting to show why he was a 5th overall draft selection. His high level of play is perfect for helping you down the stretch this season, and Hayton could be a worthwhile keeper.
Taylor Raddysh, RW, Chicago Blackhawks (22% Rostered)
Chicago was already a team lacking offensive firepower, then they traded their top scorers in Max Domi and Patrick Kane at the deadline. Someone has to score, and that leaves Raddysh as the club’s top scorer. He has six goals and seven points in his last four tilts, including a hat trick over the defensively sound Boston Bruins. Raddysh will have a top-six role with time on the power play for the remainder of the season. He has 20 goals, 33 points, 13 power-play points, and 68 hits through 67 games this year.
Pavel Dorofeyev, LW/RW, Vegas Golden Knights (12% Rostered)
The 22-year-old winger was held off the scoresheet in his first three games this season, but he’s scored 3 points in his last two contests. He’s playing on the second line with Reilly Smith and William Karlsson. Dorofeyev is unlikely to hold this position for long, especially when Vegas starts to get healthier, so consider him a streaming option. As a player with very limited NHL experience receiving a prime opportunity, it’s worth taking a waiver wire chance on him. He’s available in the vast majority of leagues, and he just might have more to give.
Vladislav Namestnikov, C/LW, Winnipeg Jets (9% Rostered)
Namestnikov had been falling out of favor with the Tampa Bay Lightning, so for the second time, they traded him out. That’s a positive for Namestnikov, as he went from being a depth option to having a bigger role with Winnipeg. He has five points in six games as a Jet. He’s filling in as the second-line center with Pierre-Luc Dubois out of the lineup. With Nikolaj Ehlers and Blake Wheeler as his linemates, Namestnikov is in a good position to put up some points. With such a low rostered percentage, he could be a good waiver wire acquisition in a deeper league.
Defense
Damon Severson, D, New Jersey Devils (38% Rostered)
Severson has six goals and 24 points this season. Not bad, but nowhere near as good as last year’s 11 goals and 46 points. As the Devils have improved, and Dougie Hamilton is healthy this year, Severson has seen his ice time decrease, in both even strength and on special teams. However, he’s been picking it back up lately. He has six points in his past eight appearances, including two points on the man advantage. Severson is capable of bringing a decent amount of offense, so take advantage while he’s putting up the points.
Juuso Valimaki, D, Arizona Coyotes (37% Rostered)
Even though Jakob Chychrun had been healthy scratched for many games, with him and Shayne Gostisbehere traded out, Valimaki will have the No. 1 role the rest of the way. Valimaki has eight points over his past eight games, thanks to four multi-point efforts. He’s up to 28 points in 64 outings this year. He’s on the top power-play unit, helping him reach 11 power-play points. Recommending multiple Coyotes may sound strange at first glance, but they have players doing very well lately, and could be a pleasant surprise.
Goalies
Pyotr Kochetkov, G, Carolina Hurricanes (54% Rostered)
Antti Raanta is hurt, so Kochetkov is back up with the big club. He fared well earlier this season when called upon. The Hurricanes have four more back-to-backs this season. If Raanta isn’t ready to return anytime soon, there’s plenty of opportunity for Kochetkov to get game time. The next upcoming back-to-back features games against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers. If Kochetkov gets the latter game, it will be against the same team he shut out in his most recent victory.