As we approach the Christmas roster freeze in the NHL, we still need to ensure we head into the break with our eye on the wire.

Let’s check out some names that can help us now and into the future!

*Rosterships courtesy of ESPN

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NHL Fantasy Hockey Week 9 Waiver Wire Advice

Max Pacioretty (LW – CAR) 10.3% rostered

Pacioretty is still on the sidelines due to an offseason Achilles’ tendon tear; however, now is a good time to grab him off the wire and stash him on injured reserve until he returns.

There is no updated timeline for his return, but Pacioretty has been back on the ice. His original timeline was early February, but something tells me we will see him back in action in the month of January.

Nonetheless, he’s a potential monster add for a contending fantasy team down the stretch. We’ve yet to see him suit up for the Hurricanes following an off-season trade from the Vegas Golden Knights, but he’s been a fantasy stud in the past. Last season, Pacioretty notched 19 goals and 37 points across 39 contests, but the guy is a shot-on-goal machine at the same time.

Pacioretty fired 148 shots on goal last season, good for a hefty 3.79 per game. He’s eclipsed the 300-shot barrier three times in his NHL career and averaged 3.37 shots per game across 14 campaigns. Injuries have consistently hampered Pacioretty along the way, but he’s been dynamite when healthy.

A spot on the top line alongside Sebastian Aho is the likeliest of landing spots for the former Montreal Canadiens captain upon his return, and you’d be wise to stash him now before someone beats you to it.

Cole Perfetti (C, LW, RW – WPG) 14.5% rostered

One player trending in the right direction right now is Cole Perfetti, who has been promoted to the Winnipeg Jets’ top line as a result.

Perfetti is skating to the left of Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler on the said top line while getting some second-unit power-play reps as well. The results of late speak for themselves, as Perfetti has tallied six points — all assists — over his last five games. He’s up to four goals and 16 points in 25 games on the season but has picked up his production lately.

There’s little doubt the 10th overall pick from the 2020 draft has plenty of talent. Perfetti posted a whopping 111 points with the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit in his final junior season in 2019-20 and has also gone on to record 41 points across 49 AHL games. Now, he’s taking his skill and production to the NHL level and is being put in an optimal spot in the lineup to keep the points coming.

He’s not dominating many categories outside of assists right now, but there’s reason to believe he is a point-per-game threat alongside two of the teams’ best offensive weapons.

Pyotr Kochetkov (G – CAR) 14.4% rostered

If you need some help between the pipes, look no further than Kochetkov, who is getting the lion’s share of starts for a very good Carolina Hurricanes team.

Frederik Andersen‘s health issues continue to bother him as he’s on the sidelines with a lower-body injury. He’s reportedly back at practice but without a timetable to return.

While Kochetkov might be a short-term option, he’s a strong one. He’s started seven of the Hurricanes’ last nine games and won three of his last four. He owns a 2.44 GAA and .914 Sv% on the season but is also 5-1-4 on the campaign. He should get consistent wins if Andersen remains out of the lineup moving forward.

A 2019 second-round pick, he’s already ahead of Antti Raanta in the pecking order. While he might get sent to the AHL upon Andersen’s return in the spirit of consistent playing time, he’s an excellent short-term option in the crease at this juncture.

Stuart Skinner (G – EDM) 26.3% rostered

Playing time moving forward is up in the air for Skinner, but he’s certainly the preferred option over the well-compensated Jack Campbell in the Edmonton Oilers’ crease right now.

Skinner has started three in a row and five of the last six for the Oilers, and for good reason. Campbell owns a disastrous 4.12 GAA and .872 Sv% through his first 13 appearances with the Oilers, while Skinner owns a 2.86 GAA and .915 Sv% in his 15 outings. Skinner is 8-6-0 on the season but has also won four of his last five as he’s settled into the starter’s role for the time being.

There’s little doubt the Oilers will give Campbell an opportunity to find his game at some point. However, there’s no guarantee that will continue, and head coach Jay Woodcroft has not been shy in going with the hotter hand already. Edmonton needs to win games, and right now, it’s Skinner who is giving them the best opportunity to do so.

If Kochetkov’s playing time is a concern, Skinner is another fine option as he continues to outplay Campbell in Edmonton.

View daily consensus odds from all major sportsbooks for the NHL at BettingPros _