The first month of the 2022 NHL season has been filled with dazzling displays of scoring and goaltending, with some off-the-ice controversies mixed into the fast-paced start. There has been palpable energy amongst players, as there are no longer restrictions forcing interdivisional play for the entirety of the regular season. The fans returning and making themselves heard is undoubtedly another factor that has impacted teams, as the pace of play and aggressiveness of teams has seemed a bit stronger than in years past.
There are quite a few talented skaters, some even on the first-line, who remain readily available on fantasy waiver wires with the floor to stabilize your roster and the upside to win a matchup outright. Unfortunately, these players are mostly found on offenses capable of generating goals. Several teams such as Arizona, New Jersey, and Montreal have yet to reach 25 goals through the first three weeks of action. Therefore, looking at players hidden on the second and third lines of talented offensive teams is the key to finding good value on waiver wires. However, do not dismiss the upside of a good player on a bad team, especially if it’s due to poor goaltending, as seen with franchises like Chicago, Seattle, Vegas, and Detroit.
Here are some of the best players to target on fantasy hockey waiver wires to close out an exciting first month to begin the season.
View our expert consensus fantasy hockey rankings
Center
Trevor Zegras (C – ANA): 18.6%
Despite playing on the second line of an Anaheim Ducks team that sits comfortably in the middle of the Pacific Division, Trevor Zegras remains overlooked by many fantasy managers at this point in the season. While the 20-year old is in his second year with the Ducks, Zegras has five points, including two goals, in their first 11 games. He has been held without a point in his last two outings but is soon due for a bounce-back effort. Zegras has two multi-point games this season, each yielding a goal and an assist, meaning he will continue to contribute to the team’s winning streak amidst the 35 goals scored thus far, which ranks sixth-most in the league. So stash Zegras and wait for more consistency on the offensive end before rolling him into lineups.
Ryan Johansen (C – NSH): 15.3%
The Predators are another team that sits in the middle of their division through the first month of play, but their offense has shown it can be relatively lackluster in crucial moments. However, 11th-year veteran Ryan Johanssen anchors the second line in Nashville and is rounding into form, with at least one point in four of his last five games, which includes a two-goal outing against the Minnesota Wild. Johansen averages over 17 minutes of time on ice per game but is featured on the top powerplay unit, which presents lucrative scoring opportunities for him to contribute. Stash Johansen off of waivers before his demand rises in the coming weeks.
Wing
Jakub Voracek (RW – CBJ): 19.5%
Columbus has exceeded expectations early to start the season, as they are 6-3 through nine games with a plus-two goal differential. Jakub Voracek began his career with the Blue Jackets and returned to the team this offseason from Philadelphia, where he developed into the prime of his career. Voracek still has gas left in the tank, as he skates as the right-winger on the first line and top powerplay unit, which has yielded back-to-back games with him earning two assists apiece. Voracek doesn’t take many shots on goal but doesn’t need to in order to return value in fantasy lineups. So stash Voracek off of waivers and consider him a Utility play moving forward.
Alexander Radulov (RW – DAL): 14.2%
Alexander Radulov is riding a four-game point streak and is consistently involved in the Dallas Stars’ offense. He averages over 18 minutes of time on ice and is featured on the top powerplay unit for the Stars, which always bodes well for production opportunities. However, their offense has not been stellar, as the team sits at a minus-seven goal differential and needs to continue winning games to avoid dropping to the bottom of the Central Division. The ninth-year winger only played 11 games for Dallas last season but finished 2018 and 2019 with 72 points, showing the upside he carries. Stash Radulov, and don’t be concerned if his point streak comes to a brief halt, as he still has ten blocked shots and 11 hits this season, creating a safe floor for games when he is unable to produce points.
Defense
Gustav Forsling (D – FLA): 11.3%
While the Florida Panthers suffered their first loss in overtime to end their undefeated season, grabbing pieces of their roster is a great decision to bolster roster depth. For instance, second-line defenseman Gustav Forsling benefits from the elite offensive personnel around him. Forsling also earns minutes on the second powerplay unit for the Panthers, but his primary appeal is his ability to stay hot in a game and produce multiple assists. Two of his last four games have resulted in at least two or more assists, while he tacks on extra value through 14 blocked shots and at least two shots on goal in his last six contests. Forsling is everything to want in a defenseman off of waivers, so go ahead and stash while feeling free to deploy him in future lineups.
P.K. Subban (D – NJ): 13%
It’s challenging to suggest rostering any New Jersey Devils player who has scored only 21 goals. While the team has a 4-3-1 record, they are currently amid a two-game losing skid. So why would anyone want to tap into the Devils’ personnel for fantasy purposes? He still plays nearly 19 minutes per night and is not reliant upon shots on goal to retain good value, as he netted two assists against the Columbus Blue Jackets despite being held without a shot. He’s a bruiser and uses his physicality to yield sneaky fantasy upside, as seen in the 16 blocked shots and 12 hits he has racked up through New Jersey’s first eight games. His lack of points in their first five games has kept him available on 87 percent of ESPN waiver wires, so take advantage and stash Subban before others catch on to his increased level of play.
Goalie
Jeremy Swayman (G – BOS): 19.4%
This season, Boston has a true dynamic duo in the crease, as Linus Ullmark (G – BOS) has the starting nod over 22-year old goaltender Jeremy Swayman. However, Swayman has started in four games, with only one poor outing where he gave up five goals to the Philadelphia Flyers in their second game of the season. However, since that performance, Swayman has only allowed three goals across two starts and has a .933 save percentage. The Bruins will continue to get him in between the pipes as their offense continues to find itself after pouring in five goals against the Detroit Red Wings this past Thursday. Stash Swayman is one of the best “back-up” goalies in the league and finds himself in more of a 1B role than a full-time reserve position on the bench.
View daily consensus odds from all major sportsbooks for the NHL at BettingPros
Matthew MacKay is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Matthew, check out his archive and follow him @Matt_MacKay_.