The National Hockey League has resumed after a week off due to a rise in Covid-19 cases. The rest and time off have benefitted seemingly every team, ranging from the inept Arizona Coyotes, who scored seven goals, while the red-hot Florida Panthers scored nine goals in a rout of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Parity has filled the league this season. Second and third-line players are receiving more opportunities to contribute in the offensive zone, creating hidden value inside a team’s depth chart.

This means that the Week 12 waiver wire contains valuable players with massive upside to stash on your fantasy roster. I’ve gathered a few of these prospects and will explain why each one deserves consideration as we begin to approach the halfway mark of the 2021-22 NHL season.

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Center

Jeff Carter (C – PIT): 21.7%
The veteran center skates behind Sidney Crosby (C – PIT) on Pittsburgh’s second-line attack but recently tested positive for Covid-19, making him ineligible to play for the immediate future. While it’s an unfortunate circumstance, fantasy managers will either be dropping Carter to waivers or staying away from him if he’s available. However, Carter is a quality prospect to add if you have a clogged roster and want to strengthen the depth. He has been active within the offense, attempting 14 shots on goal across his last three games, yielding a goal and an assist. The 36-year old has nine goals and eight assists and will help bolster your roster and be a quality asset to deploy in future lineups.

Anton Lundell (C – FLA): 3.7%
20-year old Anton Lundell has been fantastic for Florida during his rookie season. Centering the Panthers’ third-line and featured on their second powerplay unit, Lundell earns valuable opportunities in the offensive zone, which has led to him scoring seven goals and eight assists during the first 27 games played of his career. He has three points in his last two games, including a multi-point outing in his most recent performance against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Lundell managed to do this with only two shots on goal. His efficiency and skillset on offense, while surrounded by excellent personnel, make Lundell a great player to stash off the waiver wire. He can be valued as a Utility option depending on the matchup and health of the Panthers.

Wing

Tanner Jeannot (RW – NSH): 11.1%
24-year old Tanner Jeannot earns his time on Nashville’s third-line attack, where he has racked up 18 points through 32 games. The Predators have improved as a collective unit, going 7-2-1 in their previous ten games to rank third in the Central Division. Jeannot is only in his second season in the league, but he has been reliable when called upon, despite not being featured on either powerplay unit. Jeannot had a three-game point streak with four total points accrued before his last game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night, where he was held to two shots without a point. He has a low floor but high ceiling upside due to his prowess on offense. Prioritize adding Jeannot to your roster off of league waiver wires.

Alexander Barabanov (LW – SJ): 1%
Traded from Toronto during his rookie year last season, Alexander Barabanov has been a steal for the San Jose Sharks. He is sixth in total points (17) and has produced multiple assists per game while skating on the Sharks’ first-line attack. Alongside Timo Meier (RW – SJ) and Logan Couture (C – SJ), Barabanov receives lucrative possessions and opportunities to navigate the offensive end and find either of his talented linemates big reason for his 13 assists. Barabanov buried his fourth goal of the season against Arizona in their first game back from the Covid-19 delay while also racking up an assist. It’s not often you find a first-line winger available on 99 percent of waiver wires. Add Barabanov to your roster before his demand rises.

Defense

Radko Gudas (D – FLA): 12%
The Florida Panthers have a ton of quality players that fill their roster, and one of them has been heating up as of late. 31-year old defenseman Radko Gudas quietly has eight assists this year and has racked up an assist in each of his previous two games. The second-line defenseman does not take more than one or two shots per game, but he does make up for his lack of shots with a couple of blocked shots on the defensive end during most games. He has been earning over 20 minutes average time on ice since Florida’s return to action, even without being on either powerplay unit. Gudas has been around the league for a decade on four teams, so he has proven to possess the ability and IQ to set up high-percentage shots on offense. He’s a high-floor, low-ceiling stash that can be deployed if you’re desperate and need a couple of points.

Zach Whitecloud (D – VGK): 24.3%
Fourth-year defenseman Zach Whitecloud has been a quality player for Vegas this season. Skating on their first-line defense alongside Alex Pietrangelo (D – VGK), the 25-year old has an assist in three straight games entering Friday’s New Year’s Eve matchup against the Anaheim Ducks. This consistency is a great sign, as Whitecloud previously showed an ability to score multiple goals or assists in a game followed by five to ten “dud” games that failed to net a point. Whitecloud is pretty active with his shot-taking when the Golden Knights are on the attack and also is a monster in blocked shots, finishing with at least three in his last five games. Whitecloud is one of the highest-rostered players in this recommendation article. If he is still available, add him immediately and use him as potential trade bait for other interested fantasy managers. If you opt to hold onto Whitecloud, his ability to set up scoring possessions and rack up assists makes him a good enough value to insert into most lineups.

Goalie

Charlie Lindgren (G – STL): 7.9%
28-year old reserve goaltender Charlie Lindgren has been a menace defending the crease for St. Louis this year. Despite starting in only four games, Lindgren has only allowed more than one goal once and has a win in all four starts. He does not get much opportunity to play behind Jordan Binnington (G – STL), but he is a great goaltender to stash due to the fantastic results he delivers when called upon. Lindgren can also be viewed as a great trade piece if you are looking to acquire other skilled players from fantasy managers in your league who are shallow at goalie. Even if you love your primary goaltender, insuring him with a quality back-up like Lindgren is a great depth decision and won’t hurt anything.

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Matthew MacKay is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Matthew, check out his archive and follow him @Matt_MacKay_.