Fantasy Hockey Risers & Fallers: Waiver Help by Team Need

This week’s risers and fallers piece is all about targeting the right waiver adds for what your roster actually needs. Instead of a generic list, we’ll group options by scoring, power-play exposure, peripherals, and short-week streaming, with a heavy emphasis on schedule edges and current roles.

What’s New & Why It Matters

Nick Schmaltz has caught fire as the Utah Mammoth’s first-line center, riding a goal streak while anchoring the top power play. That combination of deployment and form makes him one of the most actionable short-term adds in fantasy right now, especially in leagues that reward pure offense.

In Pittsburgh, Thomas Novak has stepped into a bigger role on the second line and PP1 while Bryan Rust is sidelined. As long as he’s stapled to that unit, he’s a classic hot-hand streamer with meaningful power-play exposure.

Edmonton offers two big storylines. Vasily Podkolzin is thriving on the Oilers’ top line alongside their superstars, while defenseman Evan Bouchard is on a blistering early scoring pace from the blue line. Any time the Edmonton Oilers offense is rolling, you want pieces of their top unit for both scoring and man-advantage upside.

On the flip side, some early-season overperformers and underperformers create trade windows. Cole Perfetti has started well for the Winnipeg Jets but still profiles as a buy-low in many leagues if managers doubt his staying power. Meanwhile, Paul Cotter is flagged as a potential sell-high, with current production outpacing his underlying profile and role.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

If you’re chasing raw points, Schmaltz and Podkolzin are the priority adds. Schmaltz’s combination of first-line center duties and PP1 time for Utah gives him multiple paths to offense: even-strength chemistry with top wingers and prime touches on the man advantage. As long as his goal streak continues and his ice time stays heavy, he’s more than just a streamer in points-only formats.

Podkolzin’s value is tied directly to his linemates. Skating on Edmonton’s top line with elite talent means he can rack up goals and assists even without driving play himself. That kind of exposure can turn a mid-tier talent into a must-roster winger while the deployment holds. He’s the type of player who can swing weekly matchups when the Oilers have a heavy schedule.

Perfetti belongs in the conversation for managers looking beyond the next week or two. Slotted as a top-line winger for Winnipeg, he’s already showing signs that he can outperform past seasons. If a frustrated manager in your league is skeptical, this is the time to inquire. His blend of opportunity and skill suggests his early production is more foundation than fluke.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat formats, you still want Schmaltz and Podkolzin, but the calculus shifts slightly. Schmaltz’s value leans toward goals, assists, and power-play points, with less emphasis on hits or PIM. He’s ideal if you’re strong in peripherals but need a boost in scoring and PPP.

Podkolzin can help in shots and possibly some physical categories depending on how aggressive he plays alongside Edmonton’s stars. The real draw, though, is stacking counting stats on nights when the Oilers’ top line explodes. Pairing him with Bouchard or another Edmonton piece can create mini-stacks that tilt your weekly categories.

Novak is a more classic categories streamer. His current value is driven by PP1 usage in Pittsburgh and a short-term bump in offensive opportunity with Rust out. He’s less of a long-term hold and more of a plug-and-play option when you need a surge in assists, PPP, and maybe some faceoff wins in deeper formats.

Cotter is the cautionary tale. His early scoring spike for Vancouver makes him a tempting hold, but the underlying concern is that his second-line role and past track record don’t fully support his current pace. In categories leagues, that screams sell-high: flip him for a more stable contributor in hits, shots, or PPP before regression hits.

Dynasty / Keeper

Dynasty managers should view Perfetti as the main target. His top-line role in Winnipeg and strong early performance suggest a player still on the upswing of his development curve. If you can acquire him at a modest price, the long-term payoff could be substantial as he grows into a consistent top-six scorer.

Podkolzin also deserves dynasty attention. Anytime a young winger earns top-line minutes on a high-octane offense, it signals organizational trust. Even if he eventually moves down the lineup, this stretch can be a springboard for his long-term trajectory. Consider him a hold or speculative add where available.

Schmaltz and Novak are more win-now pieces. Schmaltz has enough track record and current role to hold dynasty value as a mid-tier scorer, but he’s more of a supporting asset than a core building block. Novak profiles as a short-term spike player whose value is tied closely to injury situations and power-play deployment.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Nick Schmaltz – Add (scoring, PP exposure): First-line center and PP1 for Utah with a current goal streak; ideal for points-only and PPP-needy teams.
Vasily Podkolzin – Add (scoring, schedule stacking): Riding shotgun on Edmonton’s top line, giving you high-ceiling exposure whenever the Oilers have a busy week.
Thomas Novak – Short-term stream (PP exposure): Elevated to Pittsburgh’s second line and PP1 while Bryan Rust is out; deploy while the role and production last.
Cole Perfetti – Trade target / Watchlist (long-term scoring): Top-line winger for Winnipeg with a strong start; explore buying low before his value fully catches up.
Paul Cotter – Sell-high (categories): Second-line role in Vancouver but current scoring looks unsustainable; shop him for a more reliable multi-cat piece.
Evan Bouchard – Trade target (elite PP quarterback): On a historic early scoring pace from Edmonton’s blue line and running PP1; premium asset if you can acquire him.

Fantasy Takeaways

Prioritize Nick Schmaltz if you need immediate scoring and top power-play exposure; his current role in Utah is too good to ignore.
Use Vasily Podkolzin as a way to tap into Edmonton’s top-line firepower, especially in weeks when the Oilers play frequently.
Thomas Novak is a classic short-term streamer while he holds PP1 duties in Pittsburgh; be ready to move on once Bryan Rust returns.
Target Cole Perfetti as a buy-low in trades, banking on his top-line role in Winnipeg and room for further growth.
Shop Paul Cotter as a sell-high before his early scoring cools, turning temporary production into a steadier fantasy asset.
Lean into PP1 roles and favorable schedules rather than chasing unsustainable hot streaks without strong deployment.

Source: Rotowire. See the original for full details.