NHL Waiver Wire: Early Pickups

Moving forward, this column will be published on Thursdays with an emphasis on the week ahead. Most of the waiver recommendations from last week still stand as strong adds, so double-checking the availability of those players is advised.

Here are a handful of more noteworthy considerations following the first few games of the season. Make sure to check back again Thursday for a more in-depth look at candidates to pluck off the waiver wire…

Forwards

Vladislav Namestnikov, TB (Yahoo: 29%, ESPN: 23%, CBS: 42%): The 2011 first-round selection has started the season strong with two power-play goals, an assist, six shots and six hits through two games. Namestnikov projects to remain a solid contributor lining up with Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov in all situations, too.

Kevin Labanc, SAN (Yahoo: 29%, ESPN: 11%, CBS: 30%): The 21-year-old winger has scored at every stop of his career and netted two goals in the season opener. Labanc got his feet wet at the highest level last year and has started 2017-18 on the No. 1 line with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski. Considering his offensive track record in the lower levels, he has tremendous upside.

Sean Couturier, PHI (Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 13%, CBS: 28%): Centering the top line between Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek, Couturier recorded a goal and two helpers through Philadelphia's three-game California road trip. The 24-year-old center has flashed offensive upside in spurts throughout his career, and now he's positioned in a scoring role.

Anthony Mantha, DET (Yahoo: 31%, ESPN: 55%, CBS: 79%): Following a solid rookie campaign with 1.1 goals and 2.3 points per 60 minutes over 60 games last year, Mantha should be owned in most settings. He has a goal and two helpers through two games to start 2017-18, and the 23-year-old winger is locked into an offensive role with the Red Wings.

Artem Anisimov, CHI (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 37%, CBS: 73%): With Nick Schmaltz (upper body) out, Anisimov returns to the second line to center Patrick Kane and Ryan Hartman. Anisimov has spent the majority of the past two seasons centering Kane, and the 29-year-old pivot has had the best two fantasy campaigns of his career.

Martin Frk, DET (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 3%, CBS: 12%): After posting consecutive 27-goal showings in the AHL, Frk finally cracked the Red Wings and has scored in two straight games to start the season. The 24-year-old winger is a seasoned professional with 258 games in the minors, so the transition to the highest level shouldn't be as difficult. His shooting arsenal is legit, too.

Ryan Hartman, CHI (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 50%, CBS: 69%): Continuing the theme of siphoning fantasy value off of Patrick Kane, Hartman has gelled with No. 88 to the tune of a goal and five helpers through the first two games of the season. It's worth noting that Hartman adds a physical element with seven hits, and he had 70 PIM last year, so the 23-year-old winger has cross-category appeal for the duration of his stay on the opposite flank of Kane.

Leo Komarov, TOR (Yahoo: 15%, ESPN: 11%, CBS: 14%): While likely nothing more than a deep-league option, the Maple Leafs are scoring in bunches, and Komarov offers a cross-category profile. The winger has a goal and two assists with four shots, six hits and a minor penalty through the first two games of the season.

Defensemen

Will Butcher, NJD (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 40%, CBS: 48%): The Hobby Baker winner recorded three power-play assists in his first professional game, and he looked like a seasoned veteran with the puck on his stick. Butcher also started 75 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, so he's going to be deployed in favorable situations for fantasy upside.

Kris Russell, EDM (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 5%, CBS: 10%): A must-own asset in formats including blocked shots, Russell also moves the needle enough in other categories to be a serviceable option in most setups. He is receiving power-play looks and recorded two points during Saturday's loss to Vancouver. Just note that Russell checks out as a high-floor, low-ceiling contributor.

Alex Goligoski, ARI (Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 70%, CBS: 46%): After topping 35 points in four consecutive seasons while averaging triple digits in shots, hits and blocked shots, it's surprising to see Goligoski surfing on so many waiver wires. The Coyotes have sneaky scoring upside, and the veteran defenseman's year-to-year consistency shouldn't be undervalued.

Jan Rutta, CHI (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 0%, CBS: 15%): The 27-year-old Czech has found the scoresheet in consecutive games to start the year and owns a plus-7 rating. The Blackhawks are scoring in bunches, and Rutta posted 32 points through 48 games in the Czech League last season. He's likely to have a number of peaks and valleys throughout his freshman campaign in North America, though.

Goaltenders

Aaron Dell, SAN (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 1%, CBS: 10%):Martin Jones has surrendered four goals in consecutive losses and owns a dismal .864 save percentage and 5.17 GAA. Dell is coming off a solid rookie campaign with .931 and 2.00 marks, and he stopped all nine shots he faced in relief of Jones on Saturday. Expect Dell to push for a larger workload this season, and it could be sooner than later if Jones doesn't turn it around.

Joonas Korpisalo, CLM (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 1%, CBS: 12%): A potential streaming option against Carolina on Tuesday, Korpisalo is also expected to receive roughly one start per week this season. That's enough of a workload for him to be a serviceable netminder to round out a fantasy goalie corps. Don't underestimate the value of plugging in a backup for approximately 10 cushy matchups.