Welcome back to the weekly Fantasy Hockey waiver wire article! We’re highlighting the best pickups and adds off waivers for Week 6 of the 2023-24 NHL season!
The NHL once again has a regular week in Week 6. The light nights are Monday (2 games), Wednesday (4), Friday (3), and Sunday (5). Meanwhile, most teams are playing on Tuesday (9 games), Thursday (9), and Saturday (13)
In this article, we’ll be highlighting a few teams that play on lighter nights in order for you to maximize your roster for any given week. The Fantasy Hockey waiver wire is key!
Optimizing your lineup is crucial in any fantasy sports league, and fantasy hockey is no different. Given the NHL’s unbalanced scheduling, there are certain teams that have better schedules on certain weeks throughout the year.
If you are in a shallower or deeper league –– or just have a question or comment –– feel free to reach out to me on Twitter (@RGilbertSOP) or in the SGPN Discord!
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Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Week 6 Schedule
The upstart Anaheim Ducks are the only team to play on three light nights this week and four times in total.
The New York Islanders and Seattle Kraken are among several teams playing four times as well, but they’re the only two playing on two light nights.
Anaheim Ducks
- Tuesday @ NSH
- Wednesday @ COL
- Friday vs. FLA
- Sunday vs. STL
The Ducks are starting to see an uptick in rostered percentage, but there are still a handful of players to choose from in 50%+ of leagues.
Leo Carlsson (C – 19% Rostered)
Rookie forward Leo Carlsson is centering the Ducks’ top line, and it doesn’t look like his load management is impacting too much. The young Swede has a chance to enter the Calder Trophy conversation after a hat trick on Friday against the Flyers.
Carlsson had 20 shots on goal in nine games heading into Sunday’s contest with the Sharks — five of them came against the Flyers as well.
Give Carlsson a look if you’re in need of some offense this week. He also centers the top power-play unit.
Ryan Strome (LW, RW – 31% Rostered)
Veteran forward Ryan Strome has cooled off after we highlighted him a few weeks ago. He only has one assist in his last three games after piling up 11 points in his first nine games of the season.
Strome is still very much a part of the Ducks’ offense. He’s on the second line with Frank Vatrano and Mason McTavish and gets some time on the second PP unit, too.
Alex Killorn (LW, RW – 29% Rostered)
Offseason addition Alex Killorn is finally healthy and made his Ducks debut last week. He recorded two assists — both on Carlsson’s goals against the Flyers — in his first three games.
Killorn was given a massive contract this summer, and he’s going to be put in positions to put up points. He’s on the first line with Carlsson and Troy Terry, and he’s the netfront presence on the power play.
He’s no longer in Tampa Bay, but Killorn is a sneaky add for fantasy hockey purposes.
New York Islanders
- Monday @ EDM
- Wednesday vs. VAN
- Thursday @ SEA
- Saturday @ CGY
The Islanders’ defensive style doesn’t bode well for fantasy hockey, but there are still a few players on our radar.
Simon Holmstrom (RW – 1% Rostered)
Former first-round pick Simon Holmstrom may finally be finding something at the NHL level.
After a lackluster start to the season, Holmstrom has three goals in his last five games. He’s getting a crack on the top line with Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat now, as well. Take a look at Holmstrom in the deepest of leagues during this busy week for the Isles.
Semyon Varlamov (G – 41% Rostered)
The Islanders have one of the best goalie tandems in the league, with Semyon Varlamov as the backup. He’s 2-3-0 with a 2.04 GAA and a .940 SV% in five games. Both of his victories have been shutouts.
Varlamov will start at least once this week with the Isles on a back-to-back. He should give his team a chance or a win in Seattle on Thursday, assuming that’s when he starts.
Seattle Kraken
- Monday vs. COL
- Wednesday @ EDM
- Thursday vs. NYI
- Saturday @ VAN
The Kraken are a balanced offensive team with a few players that are severely underrostered.
Jaden Schwartz (C, LW – 47% Rostered)
Veteran winger Jaden Schwartz is currently on a nine-game point streak with six goals and six assists in that span. On the season, Schwartz has 14 points (8 G, 6 A) in 15 games. He’s also one to rack up the shots on goal with 41 SOG in 15 games.
Schwartz is one of the key parts of Seattle’s offense on both the top line and power-play unit. Add him if he’s available in your league.
Oliver Bjorkstrand (RW – 24% Rostered)
Bjorkstrand is another winger who deserves to be rostered in more leagues.
He has 12 points (6 G, 6 A) in his last 13 games, including five points (four goals) in his last six contests.
Bjorkstrand plays down a bit in the lineup on the third line, but that doesn’t stop him from contributing offensively.
