The 2025-26 NHL season is officially underway, with all teams having completed at least two contests in the opening week. For managers in daily or weekly leagues, monitoring the waiver wire and adjusting rosters based on the upcoming schedule is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge.
Every Monday, we analyze the waiver pool for players with low ownership percentages who show potential to significantly contribute to fantasy teams across various league formats. We also highlight key streaming candidates for the immediate week ahead.
Forwards
Anton Lundell, LW/C, Florida Panthers
While overreacting to early season success is unwise, it’s important not to overlook potential breakouts, especially when there`s an underlying cause. Lundell`s ownership is rising rapidly, but he may still be available as a replacement for the likely long-term absence of Aleksander Barkov. His dual eligibility (LW/C) is a huge bonus for customized leagues, essentially offering an extra center slot in your lineup. (FPPG: 2.87, Available: 38.0%)
Elias Lindholm, RW/C, Boston Bruins
If you can look past Lindholm’s disappointing first campaign with the Bruins, you`ll see a player who has been immediately reinstated as the top center on a highly effective line. With two goals and two assists early on, he appears to be in sync with David Pastrnak, making him a crucial pickup atop Boston’s depth chart. (FPPG: 3.43, Available: 35.9%)
Shane Pinto, C, Ottawa Senators
Beyond his clear role on Ottawa`s primary power-play unit, Pinto`s effectiveness at even strength is impressive. His line with Claude Giroux and Ridly Greig has already accounted for three goals in two games and ranks among the top-10 lines league-wide for shot attempts. Adding him means getting a highly deployed center who benefits from Ottawa`s top offensive catalysts. (FPPG: 5.10, Available: 69.9%)
Matty Beniers, C, Seattle Kraken
Given his past results, it’s surprising to see Beniers highly available in most leagues. However, the 23-year-old is operating as Seattle’s undisputed No. 1 center. He is receiving top-tier 5-on-5 minutes alongside Jared McCann and Jordan Eberle, and this trio is sticking together on the power play. (FPPG: 3.00, Available: 85.9%)
Marco Kasper, C, Detroit Red Wings
Kasper finds himself in a position of high potential, centering Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. Although his wingers are veterans, this line ranks fourth in the league for shot attempts rate. While scoring has been even (two goals for, two against), Kasper’s game includes a physical component, ensuring he remains fantasy relevant through a combination of points and hits. (FPPG: 2.00, Available: 30.1%)
Other Noteworthy Forwards:
- Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning (FPPG: 2.25, Available: 79.5%)
- Dmitri Voronkov, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets (FPPG: 2.60, Available: 35.3%)
- Andrei Kuzmenko, LW, Los Angeles Kings (FPPG: 2.27, Available: 82.5%)
- Leo Carlsson, C, Anaheim Ducks (FPPG: 2.60, Available: 77.4%)
Defense
Zeev Buium, D, Minnesota Wild
The optimistic view is that Buium is receiving complete control of the Wild’s power-play blue line, and the results have been strong. However, caution is advised: his minus-4 rating is concerning. At 5-on-5, Buium and Jared Spurgeon have been outpaced, allowing three goals while scoring zero, a significant contrast to other successful Wild defensive pairs. (FPPG: 3.05, Available: 70.3%)
Alexander Nikishin, D, Carolina Hurricanes
Ignore his third-pair designation. Nikishin, skating with Shayne Gostisbehere, has averaged substantial 5-on-5 time and has been on the ice for a league-leading five even-strength goals among defensive pairs. This offensive output makes him an immediate addition. (FPPG: 2.25, Available: 90.1%)
Aaron Ekblad, D, Florida Panthers
Perhaps the collective fantasy community focused too much on other defensive targets and overlooked Ekblad. He is firmly entrenched on the Panthers’ top power-play unit, a role that should hold true until Matthew Tkachuk returns. Ekblad and Gustav Forsling form a formidable top pair, dominating possession early (61.8% Corsi For) and generating four goals while on the ice together. (FPPG: 1.87, Available: 62.8%)
Andrew Peeke, D, Boston Bruins
Peeke has quickly established an early season high-water mark, accumulating 6.7 fantasy points derived solely from hits and blocked shots. If you need a cost-effective defender who specializes in peripheral statistics to bolster the bottom of your lineup, he is the ideal candidate. (FPPG: 2.73, Available: 93.3%)
Sam Rinzel, D, Chicago Blackhawks
Rinzel is averaging nearly four minutes of power-play time per game, almost all of which is spent with Connor Bedard and the top unit. Furthermore, he and his regular partner, Matt Grzelcyk, have allowed only one 5-on-5 goal. This combination of top deployment and solid defense makes him highly attractive. (FPPG: 2.03, Available: 81.0%)
Other Noteworthy Defensemen:
- John Klingberg, D, San Jose Sharks (FPPG: 2.45, Available: 96.8%)
- Simon Edvinsson, D, Detroit Red Wings (FPPG: 2.40, Available: 34.5%)
- Artem Zub, D, Ottawa Senators (FPPG: 3.60, Available: 92.6%)
Goaltenders
Karel Vejmelka, G, Utah Mammoth
Vejmelka faces a highly favorable schedule this week, including matchups against Chicago, Calgary, San Jose, and Boston, none of which are in back-to-back sets. Given his solid current performance (5.0 fantasy points per game), he could see his value significantly increase by next week. (FPPG: 2.50, Available: 67.9%)
Scott Wedgewood, G, Colorado Avalanche
With Mackenzie Blackwood expected to miss at least two more games, and potentially longer, Wedgewood is currently enjoying a 100% crease share. He has been highly effective in the interim, scoring 11.8 fantasy points. Favorable matchups against the Sabres and Blue Jackets kick off the week. (FPPG: 3.93, Available: 59.8%)
Other Noteworthy Goaltenders:
- Joel Hofer, G, St. Louis Blues (FPPG: 5.40, Available: 98.4%)
- Jakub Dobes, G, Montreal Canadiens (FPPG: 8.00, Available: 95.3%)
Short-Term Streamers
These players are excellent choices for managers looking for volume or favorable matchups this week:
Justin Brazeau, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins
Brazeau`s short-term fantasy viability is tied directly to the hot start of Evgeni Malkin. While Malkin’s pace is unsustainable, Brazeau offers upside in deeper leagues as long as he maintains his current deployment. (FPPG: 2.97, Available: 88.1%)
Ryan O`Reilly, C, Nashville Predators
The Predators boast one of the best schedules on paper, embarking on a four-game road trip through Canada against the Senators, Maple Leafs, Canadiens, and Jets. O’Reilly is worth starting based on volume alone, and the soft slate of opponents only strengthens the case. (FPPG: 1.70, Available: 35.2%)
Frank Nazar, C, Chicago Blackhawks
Nazar provides a strong center option for daily starts this week. Even when playing away from Connor Bedard at even strength, he is highly productive alongside Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi, with the trio recording three 5-on-5 goals so far. (FPPG: 3.00, Available: 59.3%)
Jack McBain, C, Utah Mammoth
If Barrett Hayton continues to be sidelined, McBain will continue to play an elevated role in the lineup, skating with top players like Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz. (FPPG: 2.30, Available: 94.8%)
Tristan Jarry, G, Pittsburgh Penguins
This is a cautious recommendation. Jarry looked sharp in his initial start, and on paper, matchups against the Ducks, Kings, and Sharks present a solid schedule for a goaltender. While the Ducks have dominated possession, finding available goaltending help early in the season is challenging, and Jarry is a calculated risk worth taking. (FPPG: 4.80, Available: 71.0%)
