Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Targets by Team Needs and Schedule Edge

This week’s waiver wire isn’t about chasing random hot streaks; it’s about matching your roster needs to players with real opportunity and a favorable schedule. Whether you’re short on goals, power-play points, or just need a goalie to grind through a light week, there are a few clear standouts worth your attention.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The biggest theme is opportunity created by role and schedule. Tyler Bertuzzi is rolling as a top-six finisher in Chicago, boosted by Connor Bedard’s return and a heavy shooting profile. In New York, Tony DeAngelo has re-emerged as an offensive defenseman for the NY Islanders, giving managers a blue-line scoring option with strong power-play exposure. Up front, Kasperi Kapanen is producing alongside Leon Draisaitl in Edmonton, while Marat Khusnutdinov has landed a plum assignment as Boston’s top-line center next to David Pastrnak.

In net, Kevin Lankinen steps into a starting role for Vancouver with Thatcher Demko sidelined, and the upcoming slate features weaker opponents. That combination of volume and matchup quality makes him one of the better short-week goalie streamers available. Grouping these options by category need and schedule angle helps you prioritize which moves actually move the needle in your standings.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

If you’re chasing pure offense, Bertuzzi and Khusnutdinov are the primary forward adds. Bertuzzi’s value is tied to his goal-scoring and shot volume in a top-six role; as long as he’s stapled to Bedard at even strength or on the man advantage, he carries legitimate multi-point upside in any given week. Khusnutdinov is more of a playmaking center but benefits from elite linemates in Boston, and top-line usage gives him a strong floor for assists with room for more if the chemistry with Pastrnak sticks.

Kapanen is more of a short-term scoring play. His production is driven by riding shotgun with Draisaitl in Edmonton’s top six, which can produce quick bursts of points. However, his track record suggests streakiness, so he’s best used as a flexible roster spot rather than a locked-in rest-of-season starter. On the back end, DeAngelo’s recent surge in offensive production is exactly what you want from a waiver defenseman in points-only formats: heavy offensive deployment and the potential for power-play involvement.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat leagues, Bertuzzi’s appeal grows because his scoring is paired with strong shot volume and the potential for some physical peripherals. Even if his finishing cools, the shot totals can help stabilize your SOG category, and his role with Chicago’s top talent keeps his ceiling intact. DeAngelo is a high-variance categories play: he won’t help much in hits or blocks, but he can spike power-play points, shots from the blue line, and overall offense from a position where many managers are scraping for production.

Kapanen’s value in bangers formats is more modest; he’s primarily a scoring streamer, though exposure to Edmonton’s top players can bring secondary benefits in plus-minus and shots during hot stretches. Khusnutdinov’s main appeal in categories is volume and deployment—top-line minutes in Boston mean more opportunities for shots and points, even if he’s not a heavy hitter. For goalie categories, Lankinen is the clear schedule-based target: starting volume plus soft matchups can swing wins and save percentage in a short sample, especially in leagues where streaming goalies is viable.

Dynasty / Keeper

Khutnutdinov is the standout long-term piece. A young center already trusted on Boston’s top line with Pastrnak is exactly the type of profile you want to stash in dynasty. Even if his current deployment shifts later this season, the organization’s willingness to give him prime minutes suggests they see him as a core piece, and early scoring success reinforces that trajectory.

Bertuzzi and Kapanen are more win-now assets. Bertuzzi’s game is built for immediate fantasy impact as long as he’s in a scoring role, but his long-term value is tied to maintaining top-six and power-play exposure. Kapanen’s inconsistency makes him more of a streaming weapon than a cornerstone in keepers. DeAngelo is a classic volatile dynasty defenseman: high offensive ceiling when he’s in the coach’s good books and on the power play, but role instability makes him risky as a long-term hold. Lankinen is strictly a short-term play while Demko is out; he’s not a priority stash once Vancouver’s crease returns to normal.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Tyler Bertuzzi – Add (scoring + peripherals, schedule neutral-to-positive): Top-six in Chicago with Bedard, strong goal and shot volume make him a must-add in most formats.
Tony DeAngelo – Add (PP exposure, offensive D): Offensive defenseman for the Islanders with recent production and power-play upside, ideal if you need blue-line scoring.
Kasperi Kapanen – Short-term stream (scoring, schedule dependent): Riding with Draisaitl in Edmonton’s top six; use him when you need a quick scoring boost, but be ready to move on if the line changes.
Marat Khusnutdinov – Add/Watch (points-only, dynasty priority): Centering Boston’s top line with Pastrnak gives him immediate scoring potential and strong long-term upside.
Kevin Lankinen – Short-week streamer (goalie volume + soft matchups): Starting for Vancouver while Demko is injured and facing weaker opponents, making him a prime short-term goalie add.

Fantasy Takeaways

If you need goals and shots, prioritize Bertuzzi; his role with Bedard and current form give him one of the higher ceilings on the wire.
Managers starving for power-play and blue-line offense should look hard at DeAngelo, who’s back to driving production for the Islanders.
Kapanen is a classic hot-hand streamer: ride his time with Draisaitl for short bursts of scoring, but don’t hesitate to churn the spot.
In dynasty and deeper points leagues, Khusnutdinov’s top-line role in Boston makes him a high-upside stash with immediate usability.
Lankinen is a schedule-driven goalie solution; use him while Vancouver’s matchups are soft and Demko remains out, then reassess quickly.

Source: RotoWire. See the original for full details.