All posts by Corey Abbott

Fantasy Hockey Category Waiver Wire: Seeking depth and upside for the home stretch

Fantasy managers looking to tinker with their rosters will benefit from zeroing in on specific categories. Whether you are looking for long-term fits or short-term options, there should be a plethora of potential pickups to help your fantasy squad. 

Let's get into this week's suggestions for your consideration.

Nick Schmaltz #8 of the Utah Hockey Club
Nick Schmaltz has been delivering for fantasy hockey, but remains widely available. (Photo by Hunter Dyke/NHLI via Getty Images)
Hunter Dyke via Getty Images

Despite amassing six goals and 16 points in his last 14 outings, Schmaltz is still widely available in fantasy leagues. He is worth adding from the waiver wire ahead of a four-game week for Utah. Schmaltz has been productive on the top line alongside Clayton Keller at even strength, though his lack of power-play points (one goal, three assists) during that 14-game stretch is slightly concerning. Still, the 29-year-old Schmaltz ranks third on his team with 20 points on the man advantage. He also sits third on the club with 156 shots on target. For fantasy managers seeking an offensive boost, Schmaltz is a great option. 

Marchment's four-game point streak ended in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win over Philadelphia, but his production in March still makes him an attractive pickup option for potential fantasy managers. He has accounted for three goals (two on the power play), four assists, 18 shots and 15 hits through 10 appearances this month. While the team has missed the presence of injured forward Tyler Seguin, Marchment has been productive alongside Matt Duchene this season. Had Marchment stayed healthier, he could have flirted with the 60-point mark in 2024-25. Dallas plays four times this week, including games on Monday and Wednesday, making Marchment a solid roster choice. 

DeAngelo has collected one goal, six helpers, 15 shots and eight blocks in his past eight appearances. Due to two multipoint efforts, he has five assists in the last four contests while logging more than 23 minutes in each game. DeAngelo has been playing on the top unit power-play combination alongside Noah Dobson. The 29-year-old DeAngelo offers decent category coverage going into a four-game week for the Islanders. 

Since returning from an eight-game suspension, Hartman has produced three goals and three assists in nine appearances. He hasn't gone more than one outing without finding the scoresheet during that nine-game run while posting eight hits and four power-play points (two goals, two assists). Despite being bumped from a top-six spot, Hartman still plays on Minnesota's first unit in man-advantage situations, giving him fantasy value ahead of a four-game week for Minnesota. 

McMann has already reached career highs in 2024-25, tallying 19 goals and 31 points through 62 games. He has two goals, one assist, 12 shots and five hits in the past four contests. McMann has been skating on the second line with red-hot forwards John Tavares and William Nylander. The Maple Leafs play four times this week, including a three-game road trip in California. The 28-year-old McMann has plenty of fantasy upside if he maintains a spot in Toronto's talented top six. 

McLeod also appeared in last week's installment before racking up two goals and four assists in four games. Granted, he erupted for one goal and four points in a 5-3 win over Winnipeg on Sunday. Still, McLeod has been all over the scoresheet since January, generating 11 goals and 24 points in his last 25 outings. He has earned three goals and 11 points in nine appearances ahead of a four-game week for the Sabres. McLeod has been a fixture in the top six at even strength while seeing time on the power play and penalty kill. 

Perron has been a steady source of offensive production in March, accumulating five goals and three assists in 11 games. He has added 11 shots and 27 hits over that stretch to supplement his fantasy appeal. Perron has been building momentum on Ottawa's second line alongside Dylan Cozens and Drake Batherson. The 36-year-old Perron was among last week's recommendations and remains a solid under-the-radar option. The Senators play four times this week against opponents below them in the standings. 

Holmstrom has registered three goals on nine shots and one assist during his four-game point streak. He has earned career highs in 2024-25, notching 17 goals and 38 points through 62 appearances. Holmstrom has topped 20 minutes of playing time in eight of the last 12 games. He has been skating on the top line with Bo Horvat and Kyle Palmieri at even strength and the first power-play combination. It's a big four-game week for the Islanders, including matchups on Monday and Wednesday, as the team battles for a playoff spot. Holmstrom possesses under-the-radar fantasy upside if he remains hot offensively. 

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Since being acquired from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline, Glass has been a great addition for the Devils. He has supplied two goals, four assists, six shots, three blocks and six hits in seven matches. With Jack Hughes out for the remainder of 2024-25 following shoulder surgery, Glass has been centering the second line alongside Jesper Bratt, who has a team-leading 81 points through 71 games. The 25-year-old Glass has failed to earn at least one point on only two occasions since joining the Devils. If Glass' newfound consistency and category coverage continue, he will have plenty of upside in deeper leagues during a busy week for New Jersey. The team plays four times, including contests on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 

Gallagher has compiled two goals on nine shots and three assists across a three-game point streak. He has struggled with offensive consistency in 2024-25, but he's tied for third on the team with 17 goals and has 129 shots on the net. Montreal plays four times this week as the team attempts to secure a playoff berth, and Gallagher has emerged as a solid contributor. 

Fantasy Hockey Category Waiver Wire: Deep leaguers, look to Brayden Schenn

Fantasy managers looking to tinker with their rosters will benefit from zeroing in on specific categories. Whether you are looking for long-term fits or short-term options, there should be a plethora of potential pickups to help your fantasy squad. 

Let's get into this week's suggestions for your consideration.

Brayden Schenn #10 of the St. Louis Blues
Brayden Schenn could provide value for 12+ team fantasy hockey leagues. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
David Berding via Getty Images

Schenn has been a fringe fantasy option in deeper leagues for most of 2024-25, but his offensive production has improved since February. He has five goals and 14 points in his last 15 appearances, putting him back on track to surpass the 50-point plateau for the eighth time in his career. Schenn has added 122 shots on net and 164 hits in 68 games this season. His category coverage for banger formats makes him an intriguing option during a busy four-game week for St. Louis. 

Spurgeon has registered one goal, eight helpers, 15 shots, 26 blocks and 11 hits in his past 13 outings. He has two multipoint efforts in the past six games, recording 1 goal, 4 assists, 7 shots, 14 blocks and 4 hits. Minnesota has struggled recently, but Spurgeon has logged heavy minutes and has been a solid contributor in multiple categories. Minnesota begins a three-game homestand versus Los Angeles on Monday, and the team plays seven games over the next 13 days. Six contests in that stretch are on home ice, where Spurgeon has four goals and 18 points in 29 appearances. 

After being waived and demoted to the AHL in mid-January, Jarry has returned to the NHL with a vengeance. He has stopped 120 of 129 shots for a 2.24 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage during his four-game winning streak. Jarry earned wins over Minnesota, Vegas, St. Louis and New Jersey over that stretch. Pittsburgh plays three times this week, including home matchups versus the Islanders and Blue Jackets, and a road contest against the Panthers. The red-hot Jarry will likely be leaned on for more starts, and he is a solid option for fantasy managers seeking depth or a spot starter. 

Neighbours has accounted for five goals and 11 points in his past 10 contests. He has chipped in 10 shots, 14 hits and 7 blocks over that time. Neighbours is trending toward his first 40-plus-point campaign. His spot on the top power-play unit and top-line role alongside Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich at even strength should help him conclude the campaign on a high note. Due to his category coverage, Neighbours has plenty of upside going into a four-game week for St. Louis. 

Foegele has generated five goals and nine points in the last 11 games. He has been credited with 30 shots and 11 hits during that stretch. Foegele is still on pace to reach new personal bests in goals and points this season but could finish short of the 25-goal and 50-point plateaus. Still, it's been a productive campaign for the 28-year-old winger in his first season for the Kings, especially since all his points have come at even strength. Foegele has a spot on the second power-play unit, but Los Angeles has struggled with the man advantage in 2024-25, ranking 28th in the league. However, he remains a solid choice to roster down the stretch. The Kings own one of the busier schedules in the next 14 days with eight games, including four this week. 

Domi has contributed 2 goals, 4 helpers, 12 shots, 6 blocks and 8 hits in the past 10 games. Offensive consistency has been an issue for the 30-year-old forward in 2024-25, but he played alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies in Saturday's 4-2 loss to Ottawa. Domi heated up down the stretch last season, generating 15 assists and 17 points in 21 games while seeing the bulk of his playing time on the wing with Matthews. If Domi maintains a spot in the top six and continues to produce hits and blocks, he could be a solid depth add. Toronto plays four times this week, and the club has another four games scheduled a week later. 

Gourde's return to Tampa Bay after he spent two and a half seasons with Seattle has been a seamless transition. He has four assists, including one on the power play, through five games since being acquired by the Lightning on March 5. Gourde has also contributed nine shots and 18 hits while winning 25 of 47 faceoffs. He could slide back into a bottom-six role, but his presence on a line with Brayden Point and Jake Guentzel in Saturday's 6-2 win over Boston makes him all the more compelling as a potential pickup. The 33-year-old Gourde has showcased his versatility and possesses under-the-radar fantasy value entering a four-game week for Tampa Bay. 

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Perron has accumulated four goals on 10 shots and six points in the last eight games. He has one goal on the man advantage and 16 hits during that stretch. Perron has meshed nicely with Dylan Cozens and Drake Batherson on Ottawa's second line. The 36-year-old Perron played only nine of 47 matches to begin the season, missing most of that time due to a back injury. However, he has settled into an offensive rhythm, and his physical style will benefit fantasy managers during a three-game week for the Senators. Ottawa also plays four times the following week. 

McLeod has been all over the scoresheet since early January, amassing nine goals and 18 points in 21 games. He has 31 shots, 10 blocks, a shorthanded goal and one power-play helper over that period. McLeod has gone more than two games without earning at least one point once during that span. He has been a great fit as the team's second-line center, a role he will probably keep once Josh Norris returns from an injury. The 25-year-old McLeod has a team-high 469 faceoff wins and a career-high 52.1 winning percentage. He has notched one goal and two assists in a three-game point spree ahead of a busy Buffalo schedule. The Sabres play eight times in 14 days to finish March, including four times this week on a four-game road trip. 

After covering linemates Ryan Donato and Teuvo Teravainen in previous features, it's time to give Mikheyev his moment in the sun. The 30-year-old Mikheyev has five goals on 18 shots and two assists in the last nine games. He had been productive in spurts this season, but this is the best he's looked offensively in a while. If Mikheyev's production remains steady during a four-game week for Chicago, he will provide an undervalued boost to fantasy lineups.