Waiver Wire Targets by Team Need: Scoring, PP Help, Peripherals and Streams

Instead of just listing names, the smartest way to attack the waiver wire is to match pickups to what your roster actually needs. Whether you’re chasing goals, shoring up power-play production, padding banger categories, or squeezing value from a light schedule, this week’s options offer something in every lane. With the New Jersey Devils and Florida both in favorable spots, there are clear schedule edges to exploit.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The big story is opportunity. The Devils have elevated Luke Evangelista into a top-six role with Nico Hischier and Timo Meier, plus prime power-play usage. That’s a massive deployment upgrade and makes him relevant in almost every format. On the same roster, Anthony Mantha has landed alongside Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt on the first line, giving him exposure to one of the league’s most dangerous offensive centers.

On the blue line, Aaron Ekblad is back in a featured power-play role for the Florida Panthers, which historically has been a fantasy goldmine for defensemen who can move the puck. In net, Jake Allen steps in as New Jersey’s clear No. 1 after the Jacob Markstrom trade, turning a former backup into a volume starter on a strong team.

Finally, Chicago has pushed Roman Kantserov up to the top line with Patrick Kane. That kind of usage doesn’t always stick, but when it does, it can create a breakout. For fantasy managers, the common thread is simple: top-line, top-power-play, and starting-goalie jobs rarely sit on the wire for long. This is the week to pounce.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

If you’re in a points-only or heavily scoring-weighted league, prioritize forwards with secure top-six roles and strong linemates. Evangelista checks every box: he’s riding shotgun with Hischier and Meier, and his power-play exposure means he can stack even-strength and man-advantage points. In points-only formats, you care less about hits and blocks and more about whether a player is on the ice with your opponent’s best defenders or feasting on softer matchups. Evangelista’s current deployment suggests he’ll see plenty of offensive-zone starts and high-quality chances.

Mantha is a pure scoring swing. Playing with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt gives him access to elite playmaking; if he’s finishing chances and sticking on that line, he can outproduce his name value. In points-only leagues, that kind of upside is worth an aggressive add, especially while he’s hot and the role is locked in.

On defense, Ekblad’s value in points-only formats is tied almost entirely to his power-play role. If he’s running or heavily involved on PP1 in Florida, his assist and secondary point totals should climb. Even if his even-strength usage is more two-way, the man-advantage work is what makes him a must-add in shallow and standard points leagues.

Roman Kantserov is more of a speculative points-only stash. Top-line minutes with Patrick Kane could lead to streaky but impactful runs of production. In shallower leagues, you can treat him as a watchlist name; in deeper points-only formats, he’s a viable bench add if you can afford to wait a bit on the breakout.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat leagues, you still want scoring, but you also care about shots, hits, blocks, and power-play points. Mantha is especially intriguing in this context. His size and style mean he can contribute some peripheral stats along with goals and shots; on a line with Hughes, he should see plenty of attempts and chances to rack up SOG and PPP.

Ekblad is a classic categories defenseman when he’s healthy and trusted on the power play. He can chip in shots from the point, blocks in his own zone, and power-play points when Florida’s top unit clicks. That combination makes him more than just a specialist; he’s a multi-cat stabilizer who can help you in several columns at once.

Evangelista’s main contributions will be points and power-play production, with some shot volume. He’s less likely to be a big hitter, so he’s more valuable in leagues that emphasize scoring and PPP rather than raw banger stats. Still, any top-six winger with PP1 time is worth a look in 12+ team category leagues, especially if you’re chasing PPP or plus/minus on a strong team.

In net, Allen’s value in categories formats is all about volume and team context. As the clear starter on a good Devils squad, he should help in wins and potentially save volume. If your league counts saves or starts, that extra workload is a big deal. Just be ready to manage ratios if he goes through a rough patch; streaming him selectively against weaker opponents can maximize the upside.

Dynasty / Keeper

Dynasty managers should view these names through a longer lens. Evangelista is the most intriguing long-term piece: a young winger getting early exposure to top-six and top-power-play usage on a strong offensive team. If he cements himself in that role, you’re looking at a multi-year asset who can grow with the Devils’ core.

Kantserov is the pure dynasty lottery ticket. Top-line minutes with Patrick Kane signal that Chicago wants to see what he can do in a prime role. Even if the production is uneven this season, the fact that he’s already getting that look is a strong indicator of how the organization views him. In deep dynasty formats, he’s exactly the type of player you stash before the breakout fully hits.

Ekblad and Mantha are more win-now options. Ekblad’s long-term value depends on how long he holds PP1 and how his health holds up, but as long as he’s in that role in Florida, he’s a reliable veteran piece. Mantha, meanwhile, is riding a prime opportunity window; in dynasty, you’re mostly looking to capitalize on this stretch as a contender rather than banking on him as a cornerstone.

Allen’s dynasty outlook is modest; goalies are volatile, and his value is tied to his current starting role. In keeper formats with limited spots, he’s more of a short-to-medium term hold than a long-range building block.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Luke Evangelista – Add (Scoring & PP exposure): Top-six role with Hischier and Meier plus PP1 time makes him a priority add in most formats, especially if you need goals and power-play points.
Anthony Mantha – Add (Scoring & Peripherals): Riding shotgun with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt gives him high scoring upside, with enough shots and physicality to help in categories leagues.
Aaron Ekblad – Add (PP exposure & Peripherals): PP1 usage in Florida boosts his assist and PPP ceiling while still contributing shots and blocks from the back end.
Jake Allen – Add / Short-term stream (Goalie volume): Newly anointed Devils starter who can rack up wins and saves; ideal if you’re short on goalie starts or want to stream favorable matchups.
Roman Kantserov – Watchlist / Deep-league add (Upside scoring): Top-line deployment with Patrick Kane offers breakout potential; stash in deeper or dynasty formats before the production fully arrives.

Fantasy Takeaways

Evangelista’s combination of top-six minutes and PP1 work on New Jersey makes him a must-add across most league types if you need scoring and power-play help.
Mantha’s first-line role with Jack Hughes gives him short-term goal and shot volume upside, making him an ideal pickup for managers chasing offense and some peripherals.
Ekblad’s return to a featured power-play role in Florida restores his value as a multi-category defenseman who can stabilize your blue line.
Allen’s promotion to clear No. 1 in New Jersey turns him into a high-priority add for anyone needing goalie volume, especially in leagues that reward wins and saves.
Kantserov is a classic dynasty watchlist name: if he sticks with Patrick Kane on Chicago’s top line, he could quickly graduate from speculative stash to everyday starter.

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