This article is part of our NHL Waiver Wire series.
Here is your weekly waiver update with trendy grabs and four-game streamers to consider in weekly settings. Additionally, make sure to check in on the players highlighted in previous editions who are still moving the fantasy needle.
Derek Stepan, NYR: The pivot has scored at an 82-game pace of 63.7 points since the 2012-13 season, and he's still in the heart of his offensive prime. Stepan is the No.1 center in all situations for the Rangers, and his track record alone makes him a solid own in all settings. It's actually surprising to see him available in so many leagues as he really is a set-and-forget center.
Nikolaj Ehlers, WPG: The sophomore broke out with a four-point game in his latest outing to up his numbers to three goals and eight points through the first 12 games of the season. He's also registered 29 shots on net thus far and averaged 3:12 of power-play time per game. Many cut ties with Ehlers a little too early so scoop him up if you can.
Matthew Tkachuk, CGY: There are likely to be many ups and downs throughout his rookie season, but currently, Tkachuk is riding high. He's showcasing his cross-category upside of late with two goals, five points, a plus-4 rating, eight PIM, 11 shots and eight hits over his past six games. The freshman is also locked into a top-six role with power-play time, which should help him mitigate the potential of lengthy slumps.
Here is your weekly waiver update with trendy grabs and four-game streamers to consider in weekly settings. Additionally, make sure to check in on the players highlighted in previous editions who are still moving the fantasy needle.
Derek Stepan, NYR: The pivot has scored at an 82-game pace of 63.7 points since the 2012-13 season, and he's still in the heart of his offensive prime. Stepan is the No.1 center in all situations for the Rangers, and his track record alone makes him a solid own in all settings. It's actually surprising to see him available in so many leagues as he really is a set-and-forget center.
Nikolaj Ehlers, WPG: The sophomore broke out with a four-point game in his latest outing to up his numbers to three goals and eight points through the first 12 games of the season. He's also registered 29 shots on net thus far and averaged 3:12 of power-play time per game. Many cut ties with Ehlers a little too early so scoop him up if you can.
Matthew Tkachuk, CGY: There are likely to be many ups and downs throughout his rookie season, but currently, Tkachuk is riding high. He's showcasing his cross-category upside of late with two goals, five points, a plus-4 rating, eight PIM, 11 shots and eight hits over his past six games. The freshman is also locked into a top-six role with power-play time, which should help him mitigate the potential of lengthy slumps.
Kevin Hayes, NYR: After finishing the 2014-15 season with 29 points -- 11 goals -- over his final 36 games, Hayes was a popular breakout candidate last year. However, a sophomore slump hit and kept him off the fantasy radar in most settings leading into 2016-17. Now, he's back. New York is the highest-scoring team in the league, and Hayes has eight points -- three goals -- through his past four games with an incredible plus-9 rating.
Colton Sceviour, FLA: While his numbers are beefed up by a single three-goal, four-point night, Sceviour has averaged 19:23 per game with 3:14 of power-play time over his past three. Currently locked into a top-six role, the 27-year-old winger is well on his way to a career-best showing and provides a boost in the shots and PIM columns.
Damon Severson, NJD: Off to an excellent start with nine points -- two goals and five power-play assists -- through 10 games, Severson is thriving and warrants a roster spot across all formats. He's averaging 2:53 of power-play time per game, and he's posted 3.98 assists per 60 minutes with the man advantage since entering the league — 12th best among defenseman with at least 200 minutes. Best of all, Severson is only 22 and just entering his prime.
Dennis Seidenberg, NYI: The 35-year-old veteran is cruising to start the campaign with eight points, a plus-10 rating, 12 PIM, 14 shots and 31 blocked shots. The cross-category contributions are impressive, but Seidenberg's best fantasy seasons are five years in the rearview mirror. Still, if you're looking for a hot hand, perhaps Seidenberg has been rejuvenated with his new team.
Brady Skjei, NYR: Currently sporting a three-game assist streak with four total, Skjei is an excellent skater that's benefiting from being attached to the best offense in the league. He's a low-volume shooter (12 shots through 12 games) and receiving minimal power-play time (1:02 per game), but in deep leagues, Skjei has upside as your final defenseman. Additionally, there is room for his role to grow as the season progresses.
Calvin Pickard, COL: Coming off a 32-save shutout and a winner of each of his three outings this season, Pickard is pushing to steal more starts from Semyon Varlamov. Pickard also owns a .940 save percentage at five-on-five since entering the league, which ranks second to only Carey Price among goalies with at least 1,000 minutes. Plus, Varlamov's numbers have declined in each of the past two seasons, and he sports an atrocious .891 save percentage and 3.30 GAA through seven starts this year.
Jimmy Howard, DET:Petr Mrazek has allowed 12 goals through his past three starts and owns an unimpressive .904 save percentage and 3.18 GAA for the campaign. His struggles should provide Howard with an opportunity to grab a few more looks going forward, and if you're selective with who you start him against, the veteran adds depth to your goaltending stable. Howard has been strong to start the year with a .973 save percentage and a 0.86 GAA through three games, too.
Antti Raanta, NYR: The Rangers have a back-to-back set next weekend at Calgary and Edmonton on Saturday and Sunday. Raanta is going to see semi-regular starts, has proven to be one of the more reliable backups in the league and owns a 14-5-2 record, .921 save percentage and a 2.26 GAA as a Ranger.
Players to consider from previous articles: Charlie Coyle, Nazem Kadri, J.T. Miller,Alex Killorn, Jonathan Marchessault, Nick Foligno, Victor Rask, Alexander Wennberg, Travis Konecny, Mitch Marner, Victor Arvidsson, Brock Nelson, Zach Werenski, Jeff Petry, Connor Hellebuyck, James Reimer, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Juuse Saros
Four-game streamers
The Sabres, Stars, Kings, Canadiens, Senators, Canucks and Jets all play four games next week, and the Bruins have five games. Here are a handful of additional players to consider adding in weekly setups.
Tomas Plekanec, MON: A line juggle had Plekanec centering Max Pacioretty and Brendan Gallagher on Saturday, and the pivot scored his first goal of the campaign. He's been slow out of the gate, but this line combo is encouraging, and Plekanec stuck with Pacioretty and Gallagher with the man advantage Saturday.
Andrew Shaw, MON: While it's been a slow start offensively (three points through 12 games), Shaw notched an assist Saturday and tips the scales across all categories. For the year, he's posted a plus-5 rating, 18 penalty minutes, 18 shots and 25 hits, and he's averaging 2:19 per night with the man advantage.
Patrick Eaves, DAL: Another third wheel, Eaves has averaged 18:18 per game with 4:26 on the man advantage while spending the majority of his ice time with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin over the past six games. Additionally, Eaves has registered 21 shots on net with two goals during the stretch. With the Stars ravaged with injuries, his role is secure.
Matt Moulson, BUF: The veteran has settled into a top-line gig with Ryan O'Reilly and Kyle Okposo, which is reason alone to take a speculative flier on him. It's worth noting that Moulson has a single assist over his past six games, but he's also averaged three shots per contest during that span, too. In deep leagues, chasing the shot volume and increased role should reward.
Stephen Johns, DAL: Riding a three-game point streak with a plus-4 rating, four PIM and 12 hits, Johns brings cross-category upside in deep settings. He's being deployed in more of a defensive role thus far but it hasn't curbed his production. Dallas' road dates with Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver aren't daunting, either.
Kyle Clifford, LOS: If you're looking for a boost in peripherals, Clifford has 22 shots, 21 PIM and 27 hits thus far. He also boasts a two-game point streak, but with an average of just 9:49 per game, any offensive production should be viewed as a bonus.
