Week 3 of the NHL fantasy hockey season is in full swing, and, as always, we need to keep an eye on that waiver wire. It can be the difference between winning and losing every week.

Let’s dive in and identify some new waiver wire targets that will help you now and into the future.

*Roster percentages courtesy of ESPN

Check out our 2022-2023 Fantasy Hockey Rankings

NHL Week 3 Waiver Wire Advice

Shane Pinto (C – OTT) 19.3% rostered

Pinto has long been viewed as a potential star in the NHL, and this season he’s made good on that progress.

Pinto has collected five goals and six points in as many games for the Sens, and his opportunity to contribute has increased under rather unfortunate circumstances. With fellow young center Josh Norris hitting the shelf for at least the next several months, Pinto should see a bump in his 14:31 of average ice time per game moving forward. He’ll be hard-pressed to sneak onto the Sens’ top power-play unit, but he should move up the pecking order with Norris sidelined.

A cautionary tale in the immediate term of the fact he’s scored on 38.5% of his shots so far this season — a wildly unsustainable figure. However, the 21-year-old has produced immediately at the NHL level after two years of domination at the University of North Dakota.

Pinto should be a serious target in dynasty leagues but is ready to contribute right now in various formats.

Brandon Montour (D – FLA) 16.2% rostered

Like Pinto, Montour’s value has increased due to the long-term injury of a teammate, but Montour’s value is on steroids at the moment.

Aaron Ekblad is out for the next few weeks — at least — and Montour has taken over as the team’s No. 1 defenseman both at even strength and on a dangerous Panthers top power-play unit. He missed a pair of games himself with an upper-body injury, but upon his return sans Ekblad, he’s collected three points in as many games, handling big minutes in the process. He logged a massive 28:26 Tuesday in Chicago and 26:06 against the Islanders on Sunday.

Clearly, the Panthers will lean heavily on Montour in all situations. Overall, he’s tallied a goal and four points in five games while also recording nine shots, nine blocks, seven hits, four penalty minutes, and a plus-two rating.

He’s a must-add if you have a hole in your blueline.

Jeff Carter (C, RW – PIT) 10.6% rostered

Due to solid production and a big shot total, Carter was once a staple in fantasy leagues, but father time seemingly caught up with him over the last couple of seasons. However, he should be back on your fantasy radar with how he’s producing right now.

Through seven games, Carter has collected two goals and six points. He’s also added 16 shots, nine hits, and three power-play points. However, his fantasy impact right now is aided by the fact that he’s skating on the Penguins’ second line alongside Evgeni Malkin on a dynamite Pens offense in the early going.

Whether that remains the case in the long term remains to be seen. However, Carter logs nearly 17 minutes a game on the season, and the point production is there. He might not be shooting the puck as much as he used to, but as long as he’s with Malkin, he’s worth a look on the wire.

Alexis Lafreniere (LW, RW – NYR) 32.6% rostered

One of the most highly-touted prospects in recent memory, Lafreniere hasn’t exactly burst onto the scene at the NHL level to this point. However, he will get a fine opportunity to contribute alongside some talented players for the New York Rangers.

With an injury to Vitali Kravtsov, there was a spot open on the team’s second line, and it appears Lafreniere will get a shot to stick there. He’s notched just a goal and three points in eight games, but he’s also recorded 26 shots on goal and 12 hits on the season. He’s also averaging 16:42 of ice time in his third NHL season, a jump of nearly three minutes from his 13:59 mark from a season ago.

The former junior star must be in a top-six role to succeed in the NHL. He hasn’t had that opportunity much to this point in his NHL career, but skating with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck at 5v5 action should help his cause. If he can maintain that roster spot, he should be a consideration, especially in dynasty formats.

Jack Roslovic (C – CBJ) 49.2% rostered

Like Lafreniere, Roslovic’s stock is tied to his spot on his team’s pecking order, and he just got a major boost in that department.

It looks like the former first-round pick will skate in between Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine on the Blue Jackets’ top line and top power-play unit. That, in itself, makes him an attractive waiver wire target.

Roslovic was just promoted to those top-line duties, but he’s still off to a solid start with a goal and five points across eight games. He’s not shooting the puck a ton with just 14 shots in that time, but he also has a decent seven hits and a plus-one rating on the season. His zero power-play points are set for a notable increase if he can stay on that top unit with the club’s top offensive weapons.

This player should be scooped up if you’re looking for help at the center-ice position.

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