Fantasy Hockey Finals: Waiver Wire Targets by Team Need

The fantasy hockey finals are all about squeezing every last point out of your roster. That means attacking the waiver wire with a plan: chase scoring where you’re behind, lock in goalie volume if you’re favored, and lean into schedule edges. With players like Bobby McMann and Patrick Kane heating up, and teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins offering extra games, you can tailor your pickups to exactly what your matchup needs.

What’s New & Why It Matters

This week’s waiver landscape is defined by two things: hot streaks and schedule advantages. McMann has stepped into a top-line role for the Seattle Kraken and is converting that opportunity into goals. Kane is driving offense again for the Detroit Red Wings, looking like a reliable scoring engine at the perfect time. In Pittsburgh, Anthony Mantha is seeing elevated minutes because of injuries ahead of him on the depth chart, and the Penguins’ busy week makes him a prime streaming option.

On the blue line, Philip Broberg has emerged as a power-play quarterback for the St. Louis Blues, giving fantasy managers a rare late-season path to PP production from defense. In net, Jakub Dobes is lined up for favorable matchups with the Montreal Canadiens, making him a viable short-term starter if you need goalie volume or a ratios swing. All of these developments are happening right as fantasy titles are decided, so reacting quickly is critical.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

If you’re in a points-only or heavily scoring-weighted league, your priority should be forwards with strong deployment and high involvement in their team’s offense. McMann’s role as a top-line winger in Seattle means he’s on the ice with the Kraken’s best playmakers and seeing prime scoring chances. His current heater isn’t guaranteed to last, but in a one-week final, riding a streaking winger with top usage is exactly the kind of variance you want to embrace.

Kane’s recent surge for Detroit is equally valuable. His track record as a playmaker and finisher, combined with top-line usage, gives him both a high floor and ceiling in points formats. Even if his long-term durability is a question, that’s irrelevant for a one-week sprint—he’s a plug-and-play scoring upgrade wherever you can fit him.

Mantha is more of a volume and opportunity play. With increased ice time in Pittsburgh due to injuries, he’s getting more touches, more shots, and more chances to pick up secondary points. Add in the Penguins’ busy schedule, and he can outproduce more talented players who only play two or three times this week.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-category leagues, you need to balance raw scoring with peripheral juice. McMann’s top-line role should translate into shots and potentially some hits, helping across multiple categories while you chase goals. Kane is more of a pure offense add—points, power-play points, and shots—so he’s ideal if you’re chasing offensive categories but may not help as much in hits or blocks.

Mantha’s increased usage in Pittsburgh can quietly boost shots and possibly hits, making him a strong streamer if you need across-the-board counting stats. He’s especially useful in leagues where volume (games played) is king; five games from a top-six forward can swing goals, assists, shots, and even plus/minus in your favor.

On defense, Broberg’s value spikes in leagues that count power-play points, shots, and blocks. As the Blues’ power-play quarterback, he’s in line to touch the puck on most man-advantage possessions, which is exactly what you want when chasing PPP. Even if his even-strength offense is modest, that PP role alone can be a difference-maker in tight category battles.

In goal, Dobes is a classic finals-week streamer. His projected matchups against weaker or fantasy-friendly opponents give you a shot at wins and saves without automatically punting ratios. If you’re behind in goalie categories, you may lean into his volume and hope the matchups break your way. If you’re protecting a lead, you’ll need to be more selective about when you start him, but the schedule at least gives you options.

Dynasty / Keeper

In dynasty and keeper formats, the calculus shifts slightly. McMann’s breakout stretch in Seattle is worth monitoring as a potential late-blooming top-six winger. If he finishes the year strong with sustained top-line usage, he could play his way into your long-term plans as a depth scorer, especially in deeper leagues.

Kane remains more of a win-now asset. His age and recent health history cap his long-term appeal, but as long as he’s stapled to prime offensive minutes in Detroit, he’s a valuable short-term hold. Contending teams should be happy to ride his production; rebuilding teams might consider exploring his value in your league’s trade market via tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer in the offseason.

Broberg is the most intriguing long-term piece. A young defenseman trusted to run a power play for St. Louis suggests the organization sees him as a key part of their future. In dynasty, that kind of role can grow into a consistent 40+ point blueliner with strong PPP totals. If he’s still on waivers in deeper formats, he’s a smart stash.

Dobes profiles as more of a streaming or short-term depth option until he proves he can hold a starting job over a full season. However, any young goalie getting starting reps in Montreal with favorable matchups deserves to be on your watchlist; goalie value can change quickly once a team commits to a new starter.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Bobby McMann (Seattle Kraken) – Add (Scoring): Top-line winger on a scoring tear; ideal if you need goals and shots this week.
Patrick Kane (Detroit Red Wings) – Add (Scoring & PP): Riding a strong offensive surge with prime usage, boosting points and power-play categories.
Anthony Mantha (Pittsburgh Penguins) – Short-term stream (Schedule edge): Elevated into a top-six role with a busy Penguins schedule, maximizing games played.
Philip Broberg (St. Louis Blues) – Add (PP exposure): Running the Blues’ power play, offering rare late-season PPP upside from the blue line.
Jakub Dobes (Montreal Canadiens) – Short-term stream (Goalie volume): Projected to face favorable opponents, giving you a shot at wins and saves in the finals.

Fantasy Takeaways

If you’re chasing offense, prioritize McMann and Kane for their top-line roles and current scoring form.
Use Mantha as a schedule hack: his busy week with Pittsburgh can outproduce more talented players on lighter slates.
Broberg is your go-to waiver add if you specifically need power-play points from the blue line.
Dobes is a high-leverage goalie streamer for managers who need volume and are willing to gamble on favorable matchups.
In the finals, lean into short-term opportunity and schedule edges over name value—ride the hot hands and heavy-game weeks.

Source: ESPN.com. See the original for full details.