Happy holidays, fantasy hockey fans! Welcome back to the weekly Fantasy Hockey waiver wire article. We’ll be taking a look at the teams with the most favorable fantasy hockey schedules and the fantasy hockey waiver wire. Below are a few players that should be available on waivers for each squad.
The NHL is back from the break with a wonky schedule in this shortened fantasy hockey week. Over half of the league is playing on Wednesday (14 games), Friday (9), Saturday (9), and Sunday (9). That leaves Thursday (4 games) as the only light night.
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 Schedule Week 12: Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds (Week Ending Dec. 31)
With only four games on Thursday, we’ll be looking at a few teams that play that day. The Carolina Hurricanes, Edmonton Oilers, and Los Angeles Kings have the most favorable schedules this week in terms of easiest opponents. They all play thrice this week, including on Thursday night.
Carolina Hurricanes
- Wednesday at Nashville
- Thursday @ Montreal
- Saturday @ Toronto
Teuvo Teravainen (LW, RW – 44% Rostered)
Veteran forward Teuvo Teravainen has had a solid start to the season with 21 points (13 goals) in 34 games. He went into the break with goals in two straight games to end a long goal drought. That could spark something as the Canes return to action.
Teravainen plays on the top line with Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis. He also gets some ice time on the second power-play unit and top penalty-kill unit.
The Hurricanes aren’t an especially offensive team, but Teravainen could be worth a look this week.
Michael Bunting (LW – 31% Rostered)
The Hurricanes added former Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting this offseason, and he’s starting to settle in in Carolina.
He has 14 points (four goals) in his last 17 games, including six points in his last five games heading into the break. While he moves up and down the lineup, the pest has found himself in front of the net on the Hurricanes power play.
Bunting isn’t afraid to go to the dirty areas and do the dirty work. Give him a look this week.
Edmonton Oilers
- Thursday @ San Jose
- Saturday @ Los Angeles
- Sunday @ Anaheim
The Oilers return from the break with the California road trip. This should provide for some high-scoring games in San Jose and Anaheim. Unfortunately, the Oilers have five players rostered in 97%+ of leagues and two more in the 80s.
Mattias Ekholm (D – 45% Rostered)
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm came up from Nashville last trade deadline and has given his new club a steady presence on the blue line.
Ekholm isn’t on the Oilers’ lethal top power-play unit, but he does quarterback the second unit if it happens to get on the ice. He’s also a good bet to rack up a few shots on goal and blocked shots as well.
The veteran defenseman will look to extend his point streak to four games when the Oilers take on the lowly Sharks on Thursday night.
Warren Foegele (LW – 1% Rostered)
Look, there aren’t many Oilers players that are available in most leagues. Warren Foegele at least plays with Leon Draisaitl on the second line and can back into a goal every now and then.
Foegele had a goal and an assist in the game before the break and will look to keep that up in California. If he does, you’ll be McLovin it.
Los Angeles Kings
- Wednesday vs. San Jose
- Thursday @ Vegas
- Saturday vs. Edmonton
The Kings are a defense-first squad, but there are still a few players to look at this week.
Quinton Byfield (C, LW – 48% Rostered)
Quinton Byfield is breaking out on the top line for the Kings. The second overall pick in the 2020 draft has already set career highs in goals (10) and points (25) in just 30 games.
Byfield plays on the top line with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe. He’s also on the Kings’ top power-play unit. He needs to be rostered in more than half of leagues.
Phillip Danault (C – 20% Rostered)
Second-line center Phillip Danault personifies the Kings’ defense-first strategy, but he’s been putting up decent numbers this year. Flanked by Kevin Fiala and Trevor Moore, Danault has 20 points in 30 games this season.
Danault has shown off his goal-scoring ability with 45 goals in his first two seasons with the Kings. He’s slightly under that pace, but it could pick up against teams like San Jose and even Edmonton this week.
