The NHL All-Star Weekend is kicking off in Las Vegas on Saturday, but that doesn’t mean that fantasy waiver wires aren’t updated and accessible. Games won’t return until Monday, but this creates an excellent opportunity to improve your fantasy hockey rosters while a lull is in the schedule.

The 82-game season has officially passed its halfway point, yet the vast majority of teams remain in the mix to earn a playoff bid. Pittsburgh and San Jose are examples of two good teams currently on the schnide with multi-game losing streaks, while some of the bottom feeders like Philadelphia, Seattle, and the New York Islanders are clawing back with improved offensive attacks.

It’s never the wrong time to upgrade your fantasy roster, especially during the grind of the NHL season. These seven prospects offer great consistency or upside to take advantage of during All-Star Weekend. Let’s dive in!

Rostered percentages courtesy of ESPN. 

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Center

Frederick Gaudreau (C -MIN): 0.2% 
Minnesota has one of the league’s best teams, and fifth-year center Frederick Gaudreau finds himself as a beneficiary. Skating on the second-line attack for the Wild, the 28-year old is adjusting nicely to his third team in five seasons. Gaudreau currently has 15 points and has a point in three of his previous four games. He’s heating up at the perfect time and is available virtually everywhere, so prioritize adding Gaudreau as a long-term asset to your bench. Additionally, Gaudreau can be deployed as a Utility in emergencies. Still, he has endured multi-game point droughts, so be aware of the potential for volatility if you want to ride the hot hand immediately.

Anton Lundell (C- FLA): 14.8%
The Florida Panthers are stacked with talent, but one of the most available assets is their third-line center, Anton Lundell. Playing in his rookie season after being drafted as a top 12 pick in the 2020 draft by the Panthers, Lundell is lighting up the lamp and leading the third-line attack with the skill and confidence of a five-year veteran. He was held without a point in his last outing but produced five assists during a rout against Columbus. Lundell does most of his damage via assist, but he also will dive and block a puck or two, raising his floor to a lineup-worthy level. If Lundell is still sitting on league waiver wires, make sure to acquire him and deploy him as needed moving forward.

Wing

Alexander Kerfoot (LW – TOR): 7.1%
Alexander Kerfoot is now in the third year with Toronto and is finally hitting his ceiling, firing 25 assists and scoring six goals on the Maple Leafs’ second-line attack. Alongside veterans John Tavares (C – TOR) and the highly talented William Nylander (RW – TOR), Kerfoot has already surpassed the 23 points he finished with a season ago. He now sits with 31 points and counters his lack of shots on goal with hyper-efficiency and extended usage in the defensive zone. Kerfoot is a solid prospect and can be added with confidence. Take advantage of his availability while you can, as Kerfoot is a quality asset that can turn into a league winner.

Rickard Rakell (RW – ANA): 11.1%
Veteran Anaheim Ducks forward Rickard Rakell is seventh on the team in total points (20), and many have happened in recent games. Rakell has scored two goals in back-to-back games to finally end an insanely long 21-game scoring drought. The 28-year old skates on Anaheim’s top powerplay unit and earns over 18 minutes average time on ice. The Ducks are 4-4-2 in their last ten games and find themselves nursing a slim lead over the Calgary Flames for third place in the Pacific Division. Rakell is an instrumental piece of the offense, particularly if he can extend his scoring momentum coming out of All-Star Weekend. He’s matchup-dependent and disappears for stretches, but he is an aggressor on the ice, racking up a couple of hits and blocked shots per game. Add Rakell as another long-term investment to deploy during emergencies only in the interim.

Defense

Jonas Brodin (D – MIN): 22.5%
I’m heading back up to Minnesota’s snowy fields and lakes to recommend adding Jonas Brodin. The 28-year old is now in his tenth season with the Wild and earns additional minutes on their second powerplay unit, where he can rack up assists. Brodin has only played in 32 games this season but is solid when healthy, totaling four assists across his previous four games played. He’s a classic defenseman in the sense that he fulfills his duty of blocking shots in the defensive zone, racking up four against Chicago with a couple of recorded hits. The goals are few and far between, but that isn’t why you’re rostering Brodin. Instead, he’s active in all facets of the game and has a nose for setting up scores, which adds tremendous appeal to his outlook on a quality team. If Brodin is still available on your league’s waiver wire, I suggest adding him ASAP.

Justin Holl (D – TOR): 12.5%
There’s a theme developing throughout these prospects. The teams who are capable of scoring and relying on their second and third-line attack personnel are the ones who tend to be near the top of their division. For example, Justin Holl skates over 20 minutes average time on ice without being on Toronto’s powerplay units. Still, he makes up for it on their second defensive line, burying assists and other players in the process. Holl spent a few games in the league’s Covid-19 protocols but has been sharp since his return, netting three assists in a four-game stretch. I want as many pieces on a quality team that I can handle as a fantasy manager. There are other prospects out there, but defensemen on good teams tend to rack up points in all statistical categories. Such is the case for Holl, so add him to your bench if there is a roster clogger currently occupying space.

Goalie

Cal Petersen (G – LAK): 11%
The Los Angeles Kings have ground their way out of the bottom of the Pacific Division and currently occupy its second seed. A substantial piece to their success has been the goaltending of veteran Jonathan Quick (G – LAK) and his protegé, Cal Petersen. The 27-year old netminder has recorded a shutout and currently possesses a 2.67 GAA, yielding an 11-6-1 record. Petersen has been victorious in three consecutive starts and has only allowed more than two goals once during this stretch. He’s the future, but his usage is nearly even with Quick, so investing in him now is a wise decision.

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Matthew MacKay is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Matthew, check out his archive and follow him @Matt_MacKay_.