NHL action for the 2024-25 season is already underway and we have gotten some valuable information from many teams’ first few games. Whether injuries have sidelined some of your players in fantasy hockey already or you’re looking for some impact players that can help in the short or long term, these are three forwards to consider adding from the Week 2 fantasy hockey waiver wire.
Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Forwards to Consider for Week 2
Evan Rodrigues, Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers have some injuries that you can take advantage of if you don’t have Matthew Tkachuk or Aleksander Barkov, or recover from in the short term while they are out. Tkachuk is out for a week and Barkov is out for at least two weeks. With both of them out of the lineup, Evan Rodrigues moves into a prominent role.
Not only is Rodrigues playing on the top line with Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart, but he slots in on the top power-play unit as well. It’s tough to find a player on the waiver wire that has regular top-unit playing time. This won’t last forever, but Rodrigues has three points in four games and three more games this week against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks, and Vegas Golden Knights. He is known to be streaky and is generally added multiple times during the season, but that’s without the opportunity he has right now. Take advantage while you can.
Paul Cotter, New Jersey Devils
Paul Cotter is currently tied for second in the NHL in goals with a hot start to the season. He came over from Vegas in a trade this summer and is on the New Jersey Devil’s third line. While this isn’t exactly ideal in terms of fantasy, riding the hot hand is a smart move before it wears off.
Cotter has fit in nicely through five games and isn’t with slouches either. He has found chemistry with Stefan Noesen and Erik Haula thus far and has four goals and five points. In fantasy hockey leagues where more stats matter, the young forward has 16 hits and four penalty minutes on top of his points. His efforts should be recognized soon and get him power-play time on the second unit, but consider adding Cotter if you need a quick hit this week. He also has three more games on tap this week against the Carolina Hurricanes, Ottawa Senators, and Washington Capitals.
Logan Stankoven, Dallas Stars
Logan Stankoven hasn’t taken a step back this season after appearing in 24 games during the regular season in 2023-24 and all of the Dallas Stars’ playoff games. He is still considered a rookie because of the games threshold and should be a great pick to win the Calder Trophy. That being said, he will likely be a player that many jump on earlier in the season and hold onto. He has the skill and was generally slept on in the draft.
While Stankoven is playing on the third line, the Stars have put Wyatt Johnston on his line too. Along with veteran Jamie Benn, Stankoven is set for a big first full season. He put up a three-assist game to begin the season and has four assists through his first three games. He will get time on a very good second power-play unit and is playing regularly with arguably the most talented forward. Though Stankoven is on the third line, Dallas’ top all plays relatively the same amount since all three lines are so effective. The Stars have games against the San Jose Sharks, Capitals, and Edmonton Oilers this week. The three opponents haven’t combined for a win yet this season.
Related: Week 2 Fantasy Hockey Goalie Streams
Some forwards you think may just be rentals could turn into long-term fixes and the other way around. It’s not the end of your week or season if you choose incorrectly, but for the time being, you’ll be hard-pressed to find many better options than what these players project to do in the short term.