Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Pickups to make to solidify your teams for the playoffs

Now that the real-life hockey deals have been completed, it’s time to turn our attention back to the fantasy hockey stretch run. Time to solidify your lineups for the playoffs with new recruits. While trade deadlines have elapsed in most formats, the waiver wire route is always open. And it’s always free.

With that in mind, here are a few players who can be of service.

(Rostered rates as of Mar. 13)

ForwardsPavel Zacha, BOS (Yahoo: 32%)

Zacha continues to display strong offensive skills and consistency with 45 points overall, which has him on pace to approach — if not break — his previous high of 59. He’s already eclipsed his peak on the power play with seven PPGs and 17 PPPs while working well as Boston’s No. 2 center between Viktor Arvidsson and Casey Mittelstadt. Zacha potted a hat-trick on Sunday on four shots and is primed to maintain this success the rest of the way to help the Bruins get into the playoffs.

Alexis Lafreniere, NYR (Yahoo: 30%)

Lafreniere also found the back of the net three times on Tuesday during a run in which he’s managed nine goals, six assists and 25 shots through 10 games. He’s clearly clicking alongside Mika Zibanejad and Gabe Perreault in all attacking situations while taking on more roles. As the Rangers look to the future, Lafreniere should keep receiving plenty of opportunities to excel. Add him ASAP.

Anze Kopitar, L.A. (Yahoo: 28%)

Linemate upgrades can do wonders for a player’s stat line. Take Artemi Panarin’s LA debut at the end of February and how it’s already benefited Kopitar. The goal and four assists across the last eight appearances may not look like anything special, but consider the fact that he only posted 22 points from the previous 41. The Kings are hanging around the Wild Card spots, so you know Kopitar will give it his all to get them back into the postseason before retiring.

Jimmy Snuggerud, STL (Yahoo: 18%)

Saying Snuggerud has been hot the last six weeks would be an understatement. Eight goals, 11 assists, 37 shots and 18 hits over 14 games on a 17:27 average with the last four multipoint efforts. Snuggerud is locked in on the Blues’ lead trio and power play among the likes of Robert Thomas and Dylan Holloway. Don’t shy away from someone just because they’re on a weaker offensive side. Take Snuggerud before others beat you to him.

Brayden Schenn, NYI (Yahoo: 16%)

Schenn closed out his St. Louis account with a three-assist performance in Seattle. He assumed a decent role with the club over the years, yet recent man-advantage totals were underwhelming. Schenn has joined the Isles and is already on a top PP that boasts Matthew Schaefer, Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat. He also centers the second even-strength line next to Barzal and Ondrej Palat while logging 17-plus minutes from both outings, along with a helper, six shots, three hits and 13 faceoff wins. The upside alone deserves more coverage.

Jason Zucker, BUF (Yahoo: 11%)

When available, Zucker has been playing like the forward who tallied 64 points with the Wild back in 2017-18. He’s been healthy the last two months following a second significant stint on the sidelines and has responded by registering 11 goals, seven assists, five PPPs and 53 shots as part of Buffalo’s top-six and first PP. Even at 34, Zucker is a known commodity within an elite attack.

Yegor Chinakhov, PIT (Yahoo: 8%)

Chinakhov was surplus on a talented Columbus frontline while not earning many minutes, so he was shipped to the Pens near the end of December. And since that transaction, he’s rung up 19 points and 65 shots. Chinakhov originally got paired with Evgeni Malkin, though has recently moved onto the lead line and man-advantage in the spot vacated by Sidney Crosby. And even when the captain comes back, Chinakhov should remain in the fantasy discussion.

Conor Garland, CLS (Yahoo: 8%)

We’ve already brought up a couple of players who’ve moved locations, so let’s suggest another example of someone who hasn’t wasted any time fitting into their new surroundings. Garland struggled on an anemic Vancouver offense before getting traded to the Blue Jackets. And while no scoring came during the debut, he delivered a pair of goals in back-to-back matchups while firing a combined nine pucks on net. As long as Garland sticks within the upper half of the depth chart, he’s good enough to fit in your roster.

DefensemenIvan Provorov, CLS (Yahoo: 17%)

Provorov has been on a mini-March scoring spurt with two goals and four assists in seven games alongside 14 shots and 13 blocks on a 24:29 average. And even though two of those points came on the top power play while Zach Werenski was sidelined, he’s still been active as part of Columbus’s backup man-advantage while continuing as a lead penalty killer and reliable overall contributor.

Tony DeAngelo, NYI (Yahoo: 14%)

The last two months have been pretty solid for DeAngelo as he’s racked up 18 points and 58 shots through his last 24 contests. There’s not much in the rest of the output, yet he’s improved his skill at getting in front of opponents’ pucks. And any blueliner who’s found the scoresheet from six of the last seven — or one who previously topped 50 points twice during their career — should not be available in more than 85% of Yahoo leagues.

Rasmus Sandin, WAS (Yahoo: 11%)

Sandin’s recent production boost may have coincided with John Carlson’s injury and subsequent departure, though the stats are encouraging. Since Feb. 25, the Swede has notched a goal, three assists, 11 shots, 14 hits and 15 blocks. Sandin has also seen more time on PP2, where he supplied a helper last week. He should be able to maintain this type of production based on additional ice time and responsibilities.

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Sam Rinzel, CHI (Yahoo: 9%)

It’s been a strange season for Rinzel as he came in as one of the Blackhawks’ leading defenders before struggling and eventually getting demoted. After accumulating 14 points across 23 AHL appearances, he returned to Chicago and has since registered two goals, two assists and 23 shots on nearly 22 minutes a night — including 2:56 on the man-advantage. Rinzel offers significant fantasy potential if favorably positioned, so it’s probably best to monitor his situation before adding him.

GoaltendersUkko-Pekka Luukkonen, BUF (Yahoo: 45%)

The Sabres continue to pile on the wins as they lead the Atlantic Division. You may have heard about their 8-7 slug fest against Tampa on Sunday where Luukkonen came out on top while allowing all seven goals. And while his 2026 numbers aren’t spectacular (2.97 GAA, .904 save percentage), he’s still gone 8-3-1. You really can’t go wrong with either Buffalo netminder, as Alex Lyon has recorded four consecutive victories, but he’s already appeared here twice this season — the second one right before the Olympic break — while it’s been three months since UPL was last mentioned.

James Reimer, OTT (Yahoo: 3%)

Linus Ullmark has dominated the Ottawa outings since returning at the end of January, starting eight of 11. That hasn’t left a lot of work for Reimer, though he’s looked solid with wins during the last two — including a shutout Monday at Vancouver. Streaming goalies can be key in fantasy for the final few weeks, and the Sens list three upcoming back-to-backs (Mar. 14/15, 18/19, 23/24) where Reimer will probably receive the more favorable matchups.

Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Pickups to make to solidify your teams for the playoffs

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