Hope your fantasy results haven't been too scary. And if things haven't worked out yet, there's always time to spook up some new strategies. But make sure to act quickly while you still have a ghost of a chance.
Whether you're looking for a (hat) trick or a treat to decorate your rosters, we've got you covered with our latest batch of waiver wire goodies.
(Rostered rates as of Oct. 31)
Forwards
Kiefer Sherwood, VAN (Yahoo: 49%): Sherwood earned headlines last season after he racked up 462 hits, which broke the league record by 74. He was fairly proficient in other areas with 19 goals, 21 assists, and 141 shots while skating just under 15 minutes a night. Sherwood continues to lay out opponents by the boatload and hasn't registered any helpers, yet has found the back of the net nine times – including a hat-trick on Thursday. Even if your league doesn't count hits, he's a must-add based on prominent special-teams positioning and a place in the top-six while Conor Garland is out.
Dawson Mercer, NJ (Yahoo: 45%): Despite elevated ice times and playing every game the last two years, Mercer only combined for 69 points following 98 over the first two. He's generally hung within the middle-six during his career but has mainly appeared in the upper half so far. That's led to Mercer going off for six goals, five assists and 20 shots while rotating between the Devils' man-advantage units (four PPPs, including two PPGs
Hope your fantasy results haven't been too scary. And if things haven't worked out yet, there's always time to spook up some new strategies. But make sure to act quickly while you still have a ghost of a chance.
Whether you're looking for a (hat) trick or a treat to decorate your rosters, we've got you covered with our latest batch of waiver wire goodies.
(Rostered rates as of Oct. 31)
Forwards
Kiefer Sherwood, VAN (Yahoo: 49%): Sherwood earned headlines last season after he racked up 462 hits, which broke the league record by 74. He was fairly proficient in other areas with 19 goals, 21 assists, and 141 shots while skating just under 15 minutes a night. Sherwood continues to lay out opponents by the boatload and hasn't registered any helpers, yet has found the back of the net nine times – including a hat-trick on Thursday. Even if your league doesn't count hits, he's a must-add based on prominent special-teams positioning and a place in the top-six while Conor Garland is out.
Dawson Mercer, NJ (Yahoo: 45%): Despite elevated ice times and playing every game the last two years, Mercer only combined for 69 points following 98 over the first two. He's generally hung within the middle-six during his career but has mainly appeared in the upper half so far. That's led to Mercer going off for six goals, five assists and 20 shots while rotating between the Devils' man-advantage units (four PPPs, including two PPGs Thursday). As someone who can be trusted in all areas and hasn't yet been injured, he should be able to help any fantasy squad.
Troy Terry, ANH (Yahoo: 23%): Terry is a regular in this type of column as he's always been a scorer, though not enough of one to be taken in most leagues. It's hard to believe a forward who's often in the 50s/60s would mainly be avoided, but its understandable given the subpar state of the Anaheim offense for most of his time with the club. That perception could be changing, as a few of their younger up-and-comers are now key contributors to their 3.44 goals per game and 5-3-1 record. Terry has also been vital during that upswing with 10 points – four of those PPAs – and a place on both lead attacking lines. Get him now before his next breakout.
Victor Olofsson, COL (Yahoo: 13%): There's usually a knee-jerk reaction whenever a player posts five points in an outing, yet the coverage for Olofsson hasn't increased as much as one would think. He arrived in the summer on a one-year deal and has fit in well on the third line. But more importantly, Olofsson is part of an Avs' power play that had surprisingly underperformed before Tuesday as their four PPGs that night doubled their season tally. It may be hard to determine whether he can maintain his spot there, though he should supply decent numbers based on a positive track record in other locations.
Mackie Samoskevich, FLA (Yahoo: 11%): While much younger than Olofsson, Samoskevich shares a connection in that both are third liners who also participate on the top power play. He finished his rookie campaign strong by reeling off eight goals, seven assists, eight PPPs, 56 shots, and 61 hits across the last 25 regular-season contests. The 2021 first-rounder has carried over similar production, highlighted by five points while up a man on three-plus minutes (and 15:04 overall) per outing. Florida may be without Matthew Tkachuk, but Samoskevich is doing a fine impression.
William Karlsson, VGK (Yahoo: 9%): We all know how Karlsson has been in Vegas since Day 1. And even though his lofty initial returns have never been matched, he can still snipe. Last year he only netted nine goals, but Karlsson has already potted four. He's teamed up once again with Reilly Smith, and both see significant shifts on the PP and penalty kill. On a solid top-nine that's been known to score in bunches, Karlsson is at least worth a shot.
Jordan Eberle, SEA (Yahoo: 8%): Other than a pelvic injury last season, Seattle has rejuvenated Eberle's career. And just when you think the 35-year-old can't get any better, he goes out and registers eight points on 24 shots while continuing a prime role next to Matty Beniers. Eberle's also hanging around the top-50 forwards when it comes to ice time (19:33). He may be more appealing if he were on a better offensive club, yet there's no shame in picking up a reliable player.
Barrett Hayton, UTA (Yahoo: 4%): Hayton established personal-bests last year with 20 goals, 26 assists and 15 PPPs. The man-advantage output hasn't materialized as of yet, but there's plenty of action remaining, and a five-on-five gig between Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz isn't a bad place to be. As long as Hayton increases his pucks on net, stays healthy and sticks somewhere on the top-six, he's bound to have a () Mammoth season.
Defensemen
Brock Faber, MIN (Yahoo: 42%): Jared Spurgeon is currently preferred on Minnesota's top power play, and Zeev Buium has excelled while up a man, but let's not forget about Faber. After all, he racked up 26 PPPs the previous two seasons and notched three from his last three games where he also produced five points, 14 shots and six blocks. Faber is also logging around 23 minutes a night while leading the shorthanded unit and getting more work of late on PP2.
Filip Hronek, VAN (Yahoo: 40%): While Quinn Hughes is injured, Hronek will continue to thrive. But it's not as if he struggled before the captain was sidelined, having already posted five assists at 23:52 per outing. The 24 hits and 18 blocks overall should boost Hronek's fantasy profile, yet it's his added PP time that'll get more attention. And even when Hughes comes back – which could be as early as Saturday – Hronek will get to reunite with his regular even-strength partner.
Jeremy Lauzon, VGK (Yahoo: 17%): Lauzon's hold on the NHL hits record lasted all of one season before that Sherwood fella obliterated it. And while he won't get you much offense, there's more than enough in the physical department (37 hits, 16 blocks, 17 PIM). Lauzon should also benefit in Vegas from a few mini-scoring runs on one of the best offenses and the promise of a stable plus-minus.
Bowen Byram, BUF (Yahoo: 12%): There's no questioning Byram's attacking talent after he set a career-high last season with 38 points. And while the Sabres' lead man-advantage dominates the action, their second group lists a few noticeable names. Byram has already matched his 2024-25 PPP haul – albeit it's only two – and had a four-game scoring streak that was snapped on Thursday. With that type of output and a 22:29 average, he shouldn't be available in one of every eight Yahoo! leagues.
Goaltenders
Jakub Dobes, MON (Yahoo: 57%): Honestly didn't think we'd get our first 50-plus percent entry in the first month, but Dobes needs to be featured based on his 6-0 record alongside a sparkling 1.97 GAA and .930 save percentage. Sam Montembeault hasn't looked like his 2024-25 self so far, with a 3.81/.842 line across five appearances that includes giving up six goals last time out. Dobes may have slipped last season following an impressive debut, and his current stats will inevitably balance out, though he should be Montreal's No. 1 for an upcoming stretch where the club will play eight of its next 10 games at home.
Elvis Merzlikins, CLS (Yahoo: 24%): Jet Greaves (33 percent) was touted as a potential starter coming into the campaign. And other than one poor outing, he's been fairly solid in the other four by not allowing more than three goals. Greaves and Merzlikins have been splitting the starts, with the latter earning more wins while posting a better save percentage and slightly higher GAA. The Blue Jackets seem content to let the duo continue alternating, yet Merzlikins appears to carry the edge based on performance and seniority. Both make for decent fantasy additions on a franchise that may have finally pushed through its prolonged netminding issues.
Players to consider from past columns: Dylan Cozens, Leo Carlsson, Frank Nazar, Elias Lindholm, Nick Schmaltz, Zach Benson, Jonathan Huberdeau, Andrei Kuzmenko, William Eklund, Will Cuylle, Zachary Bolduc, Marco Rossi, Anton Lundell, Conor Garland, Teuvo Teravainen, Jake DeBrusk, Dmitri Voronkov, Pavel Zacha, Jimmy Snuggerud, Josh Doan, Matthew Coronato, Ryan Leonard, Matias Maccelli, Brandt Clarke, Kris Letang, Travis Sanheim, Sam Rinzel, Brent Burns, Philip Broberg, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Justin Faulk, Simon Edvinsson, Dmitry Orlov, Cam York, Spencer Knight, Alex Lyon, Jake Allen, Cam Talbot, Akira Schmid, Charlie Lindgren
