We’re approaching crunch time in the fantasy hockey season. If you’re looking to make a late push toward the playoffs and need a bump in scoring production, you’ve come to the right place. Below I’ve listed four waiver wire pickups that could be worth an add to help propel you up the standings.
NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Advice (Week 16)
(Rostership percentages courtesy of ESPN)
Tyler Bertuzzi (F – CHI) | 26.5% Rostered
Chicago has been shuffling its lines all season. Their top line now features the trio of Tyler Bertuzzi, Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar. I like this veteran-skillful duo of Bertuzzi and Bedard, and it has been paying off recently. Over the last two games, Bertuzzi has scored two goals and added two assists.
The veteran winger now has 13 points (eight goals, five assists) over his last 14 games, bringing him to 26 points (16 goals, 10 assists) on the year. His 16 tucks tops all Blackhawks. As long as Bertuzzi continues getting time on the first line and top power-play unit he could be a deep-league diamond in the rough.
Pavel Dorofeyev (F – VGK) | 25.9% Rostered
Speaking of players who lead their team in goals, Pavel Dorofeyev does so for the Vegas Golden Knights. The second-line winger has amassed 19 goals (24th-most in the NHL), and he’s averaging three shots on goal per game (SOG/G) this season.
The Russian-born forward is coming off of a monster week. He lit the lamp five times while adding two helpers in his last four games. Dorofeyev likely continues producing since he’s slotting in next to an excellent centerman in Tomas Hertl.
Adam Fantilli (F – CBJ) | 18.7% Rostered
I’ve been banging the drum on Adam Fantilli ever since top-line center Sean Monahan (upper body) went down with an injury. Fantilli enters the new week with 23 points, which have come via 11 goals and 12 assists. However, eight of those points (four goals, four assists) have come over the last eight games, which signals he’s taking advantage of the ice time and opportunity to play with Columbus’ first-line wingers.
Fantilli is averaging 17:51 time on ice per game (TOI/G) this month, which is at least 1:00 more than any other month this season. I expect him to continue producing at roughly a point-per-game pace as long as Monahan is sidelined, which makes him a fantasy-worthy candidate.
Darcy Kuemper (G – LAK) | 50.9% Rostered
If you’re still looking to fix a hole in net, look no further than Los Angeles’ Darcy Kuemper. Kuemper, who won a Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2022, is putting together a fantastic season. The 34-year-old is 13-4-5 (20th-most wins) with a 2.10 GAA (third) and .922 GAA (fourth).
Kuemper’s two shutouts are the ninth-most in the NHL. What I love most about Kuemper is the underlying numbers support him continuing to excel. The Kings have faced the fewest high-danger shots (108) this season, meaning they’re doing well to protect their goalies. Kuemper could be worth a look as a second goalie or a streaming option.