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

If you’re grinding the waiver wire, you shouldn’t just ask “Who’s hot?”—you should ask “What does my roster actually need this week?” Using role, usage and schedule edges, we’ll sort this week’s top options into buckets: pure scoring help, power-play exposure, category juice, and short-week streamers. All of these names are widely available in many leagues but skating in fantasy-friendly situations right now.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The common thread among this week’s pickups is upgraded deployment plus favorable schedules. Mason Marchment has landed on the top line for the Columbus Blue Jackets with power-play usage, giving him steady exposure to elite talent. Ridly Greig is locked into a top-six role for the Ottawa Senators, bringing multi-category production that plays up in bangers formats.

In Colorado, Victor Olofsson is riding shotgun in a top-line role for the Colorado Avalanche and seeing prime power-play time, which is gold for managers chasing goals and shots. On the blue line, Simon Nemec is pushing offense from the third pair for the New Jersey Devils while working on the second power-play unit—ideal for managers who need defense scoring without punting upside.

In net, Anton Forsberg is a backup for the Los Angeles Kings but benefits from a busy upcoming schedule. Even if he doesn’t start every game, more team volume means more chances at spot starts, saves and wins for streaming managers.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

If you’re chasing pure offense, Marchment and Olofsson are your priority adds. Marchment’s top-line deployment in Columbus means consistent minutes with the team’s best forwards plus secondary power-play time. That combination gives him a stable floor of assists with room for spikes when the line gets rolling. He’s less reliant on peripherals, so his value is concentrated in goals, assists and plus-minus in friendlier formats.

Olofsson is the higher-ceiling swing in points leagues. A top-line, top-unit power-play role in Colorado is about as good as it gets for shot volume and goal-scoring chances. Even if his ice time fluctuates a bit, his role with elite teammates and on the man advantage means he can stack multi-point nights quickly. In shallow and standard points-only leagues, he’s the kind of winger who can flip a matchup with a single big game.

On defense, Nemec is a strong add if your blue line is thin on scoring. Even from the third pair, his offensive instincts and power-play usage give him a path to steady assists and occasional goals. He’s especially useful in leagues that reward power-play points, where a PP2 quarterback can quietly keep pace with more famous names.

Categories / Bangers

Greig is the headline add for multi-cat managers. Slotted in the top six for Ottawa, he contributes in goals and assists while also bringing hits and blocks. That blend is rare on the wire: you’re not just getting a grinder, you’re getting a legitimate scoring forward who also pads your physical categories. He’s ideal if you’re competitive in offense but need to close gaps in hits and peripheral stats without sacrificing scoring.

Marchment also has some category appeal. His style of play lends itself to decent shot totals and physical engagement, so while he’s more of a scoring add, he won’t leave you empty in bangers. In deeper leagues that count shots, hits or even PIM, he can be a sneaky way to fill multiple boxes.

Nemec offers a different kind of category help from the back end. While he’s not a pure banger, he can chip in shots and blocks while giving you valuable power-play production. For managers who are already strong in hits but weak in defense scoring and PPP, he’s an excellent fit.

Dynasty / Keeper

Nemec is the clear long-term prize. As a young defenseman already trusted with power-play time in New Jersey, his trajectory points toward a future as a top-four, PP-running blueliner. In dynasty or deep keeper formats, you want to be early on that curve. Even if his current even-strength minutes are modest, the combination of age, role and offensive upside makes him a priority stash.

Greig also deserves attention in dynasty. A top-six forward who already contributes across categories at a young age is the type of player who can grow into a core piece for years. If he sticks alongside high-end teammates in Ottawa, his counting stats should climb as the team matures.

Olofsson and Marchment are more win-now pieces than long-term centerpieces, but they still have value in deeper keeper formats where 40–60 point wingers with PP exposure are worth holding. Forsberg, as a backup goalie, is more of a short-term streaming asset than a dynasty cornerstone unless your format heavily rewards volume and you can afford to stash secondary starters.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Mason Marchment – Add (Scoring/PP exposure): Top-line winger in Columbus with secondary power-play time; strong fit if you need goals and assists with a solid weekly schedule.
Victor Olofsson – Add (Scoring/PP exposure): Top-line, PP1 role in Colorado gives him elite shot and goal upside, especially valuable in weeks where the Avalanche have multiple games.
Ridly Greig – Add (Peripherals + scoring): Top-six role in Ottawa with contributions in points, hits and blocks; perfect for bangers managers needing across-the-board help.
Simon Nemec – Add (Defense scoring / Dynasty): Offensive-minded defenseman on New Jersey’s PP2; provides blue-line points now with significant long-term upside.
Anton Forsberg – Short-term stream (Goalie volume): Backup in Los Angeles with a busy upcoming slate; stream for spot starts, saves and potential wins when the schedule compresses.

Fantasy Takeaways

If you need pure scoring, prioritize Marchment and Olofsson for their top-line roles and power-play exposure.
Greig is a must-add in categories leagues thanks to his mix of points, hits and blocks from a top-six spot.
Nemec is both a short-term blue-line scoring boost and a premium dynasty stash with growing power-play responsibility.
Forsberg is a schedule-driven goalie stream; use him when the Kings have heavy weeks to squeeze out extra volume.
Match your waiver moves to team needs—scoring, PP, peripherals or streaming—rather than chasing names without a plan.

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