We’re onto Week 12 of the fantasy hockey season, and it’s a truncated week due to Christmas taking place on the 25th. The NHL will have no games on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, so streaming players this week could prove to be a valuable choice.
Below, I’ve listed a few under-the-radar players who are solid long-term options for any fantasy team looking to rack up wins. Here are my top fantasy hockey waiver wire pickups heading into Week 12.
NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Advice (Week 12)
(Rosterships courtesy of ESPN)
Josh Norris (F – BUF) | 41.5% Rostered
Buffalo’s Josh Norris has done nothing but score points since returning from his upper-body injury at the beginning of the month. In seven games back, the second-line centerman has three goals, six assists and 16 shots on goal (SOG).
Being that he’s also logging top-unit power-play time, this is a no-brainer. The Sabres have rebounded from their slow start to the campaign, and with their offense specifically, they’re seventh in goals per 60 minutes (G/60 minutes) with a mark of 3.27 over the last 20 games. Pick up Norris before the masses discover this hidden gem.
Boone Jenner (F – CBJ) | 40.5% Rostered
The Blue Jackets acquired left-winger Mason Marchment over the weekend, and adding a middle-six forward is going to jumble up the lines a bit. Currently, Boone Jenner is on the second line with centerman Charlie Coyle and winger Kirill Marchenko.
If Jenner continues getting ice time with the crafty Marchenko, then we should see his production skyrocket. Jenner is already off to a solid start with five goals and nine assists in 21 games. He’s also averaging 2.2 shots on goal per game (SOG/G).
Mats Zuccarello (F – MIN) | 21.1% Rostered
I’m surprised to see Mats Zuccarello is available in nearly 80% of ESPN leagues. He’s nearly a point-per-game player this season with two goals and 12 assists in 14 outings.
Zuccarello is getting first-line playing time and top-unit power-play minutes, meaning he’s on the ice with top-tier playmakers in Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes on the man-advantage. Considering he’s in the company of those two, I see no reason why his production won’t continue.
Carter Hart (G – VGK) | 22.4% Rostered
The Golden Knights currently have the third-shortest odds to win the Stanley Cup (+1000), meaning they’re going to win plenty of games this season. I also think we’ve seen enough of Carter Hart to suggest he’s going to be a viable option between the pipes for Vegas. The 27-year-old is 3-0-2 with an impressive 2.27 GAA and a .917 SV%.
Vegas’ crease is completely up-for-grabs with Adin Hill sidelined and Akira Schmid owning a sub-.900 SV% of .896. If Hart continues playing well, there’s a good chance he takes over the top netminding position. This seems like a good buy-low spot on Hart, or at the very least, we should keep him in the back of our minds for streaming purposes in favorable matchups.
