The NHL is back in action following the All-Star break. It has been a little slow moving, however, with many teams still set to return to action this weekend. Nevertheless, let’s get down to it and check out some names worth adding off the waiver wire for a second-half push.

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NHL Fantasy Hockey Week 18 Waiver Wire Advice

*Rosterships courtesy of ESPN

Anthony Beauvillier (LW, RW – VAN) 2.6% rostered

Given the new situation Beauvillier finds himself in following a trade from the Islanders to the Canucks, he’s certainly worth a flyer for those looking for points and power-play production.

The 2015 first-round pick hasn’t recorded a point across his first two games with the Canucks, but he’s averaged 18:25 of ice time while skating alongside Elias Pettersson and Andrei Kuzmenko on the team’s top line and top power-play unit. Right then and there Beauvillier is an attractive asset and one that should certainly be seeing increased rostership.

Still just 25, Beauvillier has yet to hit his prime. It looked like he might be on his way following an 18-goal season at age 22 in the 2019-20 season, but he managed just nine goals and 20 points in 49 games with the Islanders prior to the trade. The problem from a fantasy perspective is he delivers very little outside of goals and assists upside as he’s collected just 10 penalty minutes, is a minus-six and did not record a power-play point in his time with the Isles.

I mean, Pettersson has 60 points in 49 games with Kuzmenko coming in at 44 points in 50 contests. Skating with those two should help Beauvillier rack up some points and become a solid fantasy contributor down the stretch.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (G – BUF) 11.8% rostered

Once again I have failed to get a goaltender suggestion out there enough. It’s tough to do with little change on the goaltending wire every week, but Luukkonen is a nice option right now for those with an injury or an open spot between the pipes.

Between Luukkonen, Eric Comrie and Craig Anderson, it’s been the former getting the bulk of reps in the Sabres’ crease these days. Now, a 3.30 goals-against average and .899 save percentage isn’t anything to write home about, but he’s been better of late, turning in a 2.77 GAA and .912 Sv% in going 3-1-1 over his last five games.

The Sabres currently sit just three points back of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second Wild Card spot in the east and four points back of the Washington Capitals — the owners of the top Wild Card spot — with three games in hand. They’re very much in the race and are seemingly labeling Luukkonen as the preferred option between the pipes, possibly to give the 23-year-old valuable experience in playing meaningful games down the stretch.

Despite his poor overall numbers until late, Luukkonen is still a healthy 13-6-2 on the season. He’s racking up wins on the back of a Sabres offense that ranks third in the NHL in overall offense. If he can continue his superior work of late, he should be able to get enough goal support to help out in the wins category.

He’s certainly my preferred goaltending option off the wire as it stands today.

Filip Chytil (RW, C – NYR) 26.6% rostered

I’ve always cautioned against adding a player in what should be the tail end of a white-hot stretch, but I’m also buying into the overall breakout for Chytil this season.

The 21-year-old is scorching hot right now with seven goals and eight points over his last five games, giving him 19 tallies and 32 points across 43 games for the season. He recorded either 22 or 23 points in each of his previous four seasons while maxing out at 14 goals in any single season in that time, so yes, this is a significant breakout for the 2017 first-round pick.

The hot stretch has come at a time when the Rangers’ “Kid Line” has been reunited. He’s skating on the third line with fellow youngster Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko, a unit that should stay intact following the team’s trade for winger Vladimir Tarasenko. Gerard Gallant would be wise to not fix what isn’t broken.

He will cool off, of course. His 20.2% shooting rate is quite elevated and nearly double his 10.6% career mark. Additionally, he doesn’t shoot the puck much with 2.19 shots per game on the season. If he’s going to transition to an above-average goal-scorer moving forward, he’ll need to get more pucks on goal.

Barring an injury or two, he’s not going to get first-unit power-play minutes. He is, however, a plus-18 and contributes solidly with 31 hits and 26 penalty minutes in his 43 contests, but otherwise, Chytil isn’t exactly tearing it up across the board.

Nonetheless, he’s a very young player coming into his own, making him an especially attractive fit for dynasty leagues moving forward.

Scott Laughton (C, RW – PHI) 22.7% rostered

Laughton is probably best suited as a streaming option in favorable matchups, especially because John Tortorella jumbles his lines up constantly.

That said, he’s a solid contributor across the board and, for now, is skating as the No. 1 center at even strength and on the Flyers’ top power-play unit. The Flyers rank 27th in offense and 30th on the power play, so Laughton hasn’t racked up a ton of points but the big picture is certainly enough to warrant consideration.

The veteran has notched 12 goals and 29 points in 48 games on the season while getting 106 shots on goal, or 2.21 per game. He’s a quality contributor in the hits department with 106 of those on the season while chipping in eight power-play points and adding 20 penalty minutes to his resume. His minus-six isn’t helping, however.

Nonetheless, Laughton’s 18:51 of average ice time this season is by far a career-high, about two and a half minutes more than his previous high of 16:25 from a season ago. It’s worth noting that if your league counts special teams points rather than power play points that his seven short-handed points lead the entire NHL. His 15 special teams points are a solid figure.

If he can maintain his spot atop the Flyers’ depth chart down the middle, Laughton is a solid complementary piece that can chip in anywhere on any given night.

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