This article is part of our NHL Waiver Wire series.
After discussing a few waiver-wire strategies in the first two editions of this space, it's time for less talk and more players.
Sam Bennett, CGY: The fourth overall pick in the 2014 draft has three goals and three assists over his past four games, but Bennett has also pounded the peripheral categories with a plus-3 rating, eight PIM, eight shots on net and 12 hits. After a 36-point campaign in his rookie year, the arrow is pointing straight up.
Victor Rask, CAR: Now in his third season in the league, Rask is well on his way to increasing his point total for the second straight year. He is the No. 1 offensive center for the Canes and has four goals and five helpers through the first seven games of the season.
Alexander Wennberg, CLM: While likely best left to deep leagues, Wennberg is an excellent playmaker who really moves the needle in the assist column. He is a low-volume shooter and won't help much in the peripheral categories, but he's averaged 3:28 of power-play time over the past two games and has a goal and seven helpers to start the year.
Nazem Kadri, TOR: Despite settling into more of a defensive role to start the season and being overshadowed by the Toronto youth movement, Kadri has three goals and three assists over the past six games, including three power-play markers. Also, after firing 260 shots on net last year, Kadri put four shots on net Saturday,
After discussing a few waiver-wire strategies in the first two editions of this space, it's time for less talk and more players.
Sam Bennett, CGY: The fourth overall pick in the 2014 draft has three goals and three assists over his past four games, but Bennett has also pounded the peripheral categories with a plus-3 rating, eight PIM, eight shots on net and 12 hits. After a 36-point campaign in his rookie year, the arrow is pointing straight up.
Victor Rask, CAR: Now in his third season in the league, Rask is well on his way to increasing his point total for the second straight year. He is the No. 1 offensive center for the Canes and has four goals and five helpers through the first seven games of the season.
Alexander Wennberg, CLM: While likely best left to deep leagues, Wennberg is an excellent playmaker who really moves the needle in the assist column. He is a low-volume shooter and won't help much in the peripheral categories, but he's averaged 3:28 of power-play time over the past two games and has a goal and seven helpers to start the year.
Nazem Kadri, TOR: Despite settling into more of a defensive role to start the season and being overshadowed by the Toronto youth movement, Kadri has three goals and three assists over the past six games, including three power-play markers. Also, after firing 260 shots on net last year, Kadri put four shots on net Saturday, which increased his total to 13 for the year. He's trending in the right direction.
Joel Eriksson-Ek, MIN: With Zach Parise out of the lineup Saturday, Eriksson-Ek received a promotion into the top six alongside Eric Staal and Charlie Coyle. The rookie didn't hit the scoresheet Saturday, but still has five points through five games this year. He's an intriguing option in deep leagues, especially with the Minnesota core aging around him.
J.T. Miller, NYR:After posting a 43-point breakout last year with 22 goals, Miller has continued his strong play this season with six points, six PIM and 21 shots on goal through eight games this year. He's also seen an uptick in ice time -- 17:43 per contest -- over the past three games.
Brock Nelson, NYI: With consecutive 20-goal, 40-point seasons, Nelson is now entering his offensive prime and has kick-started this year with seven points -- two goals -- through the first eight games. His power-play time is down thus far, but as long as he continues scoring, he should see his PP minutes grow.
Nick Foligno, CLM: As long as you keep expectations in check and don't count on a repeat of his 73-point showing from the 2014-15 season, Foligno shouldn't disappoint. He has a goal and seven helpers with four power-play points already and has averaged 3:38 of PP time the past two games. He can also help in the peripheral categories.
Victor Arvidsson, NAS: The 23-year-old winger has collected four goals and 24 shots on net through eight games to start the year, and he's been receiving more offensive minutes of late in the top six. Arvidsson is a proven AHL scorer with 30 goals and 73 points through 87 games there.
Nick Ritchie, ANA: The results haven't been there for Ritchie yet, as he has just two goals and an assist through nine games, but he's locked into a top-line role with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry and has registered 23 shots on net. Ritchie also helps in the hits and PIM columns and owns the upside to start translating his scoring chances into goals.
Jeff Petry, MON: With an average of 21:54 per night and 2:30 on the power play, Petry will continue to benefit from playing on one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. Thus far, he's posted six points with 11 shots, 19 hits and 16 blocked shots through eight games. He can help across the board and owns a nice fantasy floor because of his significant role for Montreal.
Dennis Wideman, CGY: Averaging 3:04 of power-play time and 21:16 overall to start the season, Wideman brings solid statistical coverage along with a sizeable on-ice role. He's already scored two PP goals and has 13 shots, seven hits and seven blocked shots through six games. The 33-year-old defenseman has posted six 30-point campaigns during his career, too, so there is offensive upside.
Philipp Grubauer, WAS: Backing up Braden Holtby won't provide Grubauer with many starts, but he owns a rock-solid .923 save percentage through 42 appearances dating back to the 2013-14 campaign. The No. 2 is a suitable plug-and-play option whenever he takes the net behind a high-end team, and it isn't out of the question to expect him to approach 20 starts this year.
Peter Budaj, LAK: The current No. 1 in Los Angeles has performed well thus far with four wins and a 1.99 GAA. Budaj has a .913 save percentage in 49 starts over the last four seasons, so if you need some short-term volume in net, he can provide it without blowing up your ratios.
Juuse Saros, NAS: The Predators are underachieving, and Pekka Rinne owns a .906 save percentage and a 3.21 GAA. At some point, Saros is going to receive an opportunity, and he might not return the starting reigns to Rinne. Saros notched a shutout in his first start this year, and he has a career .922 save percentage in the AHL. It might not be time to add Saros in shallower settings, but he's a goalie to watch.
Players to consider from previous articles: Charlie Coyle, Alex Killorn, Jonathan Marchessault, Travis Konecny, Lee Stempniak, Mitch Marner, Zach Werenski, Michael Matheson, Connor Hellebuyck, James Reimer, Andrei Vasilevskiy
Four-game streamers
The Ducks, Flames, Blackhawks, Avalanche, Stars, Oilers, Rangers, Blues and Jets all play four games next week, and here are a handful of additional players to consider adding in weekly setups.
Jakob Silfverberg, ANA: Silfverberg has registered 14 shots and scored twice over his last four games, a span where he's averaged 19:07 of ice time and 2:15 on the power play. He also has the potential to notch a shorthanded point, which is particularly valuable in weekly formats that reward that category.
Mikko Rantanen, COL: The rookie has been handed a significant role out of the gate and averaged 17:43 with 3:05 of power-play time through his first two games. While he's yet to hit the scoresheet, Rantanen posted 60 points -- 24 goals -- over 54 games in the AHL last year. There is enough offensive upside that if you grab him for the four-game week, you might keep him for the long haul.
Mikhail Grigorenko, COL: Another option from the Avs, Grigorenko has four helpers to start the season and has played in the top-six for most of the year. The only knock is his low shot volume, which also limits his goal-scoring upside.
Devin Shore, DAL: The rookie has been receiving looks with the No. 1 power-play unit and averaged 15:23 of ice time with 3:09 on the power play. Shore has turned the opportunity into six points -- one goal -- over eight games. It's important to note that Dallas has a number of regulars returning to the lineup soon which could bump Shore down the depth chart, so it's worth keeping an eye on.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, EDM: Still just 23 years old, Nugent-Hopkins is just entering his offensive prime and has three 50-point seasons under his belt. He's provided four assists and 18 shots on net through the first eight games of the year and averaged 17:23 of ice time per night. He doesn't offer much by way of supporting statistics, though.
Jori Lehtera, STL: Playing with Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko can take a player a long way, and Lehtera is a viable grab given his talented linemates. He offers modest offensive upside and is a reliable player in the plus/minus column.
