Sport: NHL

Next week, the NHL will be on pause for 20 days with some of its top stars heading to the 2026 Olympics, making now the perfect time for fantasy hockey managers to start thinking about the underperformers they should part ways with ahead of the playoffs. Listed below are three players who are still rostered in many leagues, but should be dropped to the waiver wire before they cost managers the most important weeks of the season.

More Fantasy Hockey Analysis: | Goalie Streamers | NHL Usage Trends | Buy-Low, Sell-High | NHL Schedule Preview | Fantasy Hockey Cold List | Prospect Report | NHL Injury Report | Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire

Week 17 Fantasy Hockey Cold List
Jesper Wallstedt – Minnesota Wild

Earlier this season, there was no better netminder than Jesper Wallstedt in the NHL. During every game that he played in November, Wallstedt collected three shutouts and never lost a game. The following month, the 23-year-old continued his strong play, but he hasn’t been the same goaltender since the Christmas break.

In his last nine starts, Wallstedt has posted a save percentage below .900 in seven games. Additionally, his goals against average has skyrocketed to a staggering 4.11 in the new year. For managers hoping Wallstedt will turn it around, it’s best to drop him for a more consistent goalie, especially since the Swede is splitting time in net with Filip Gustavsson.

Aliaksei Protas – Washington Capitals

After failing to meet expectations for most of the season, Aliaksei Protas was finally starting to heat up in December, but has struggled to produce again after returning from injury earlier this month. In his last 11 games, Protas has logged just 4 points, and is currently sitting at a -9 throughout January. Additionally, the 25-year-old provides minimal fantasy value for hits and blocks, and isn’t featured on the Washington Capitals’ power-play. Going forward, any managers holding onto Protas should replace him with a winger who targets several fantasy categories, while being a reliable scoring option.

Dustin Wolf – Calgary Flames

Dustin Wolf has been great for fantasy managers who look for consecutive starts in net from their goaltenders, but his numbers have plummeted as of late due to playing on a poor Calgary Flames team. Throughout January, Wolf has only tallied 1 win and is averaging a save percentage of .879. That said, Wolf manages to accumulate a high volume of shots per game for fantasy owners, but his 3.76 goals against average in the last month has made it difficult to focus on the positives. With the Flames showing no signs of improving, managers shouldn’t rely on Wolf as the fantasy hockey playoffs approach.

At this point in the season, fantasy managers cannot afford to roster talent like Wallstedt, Protas, or Wolf on their team, as they could be the difference between winning and losing a week in the near future. Make sure to return after the Olympic break for another edition of the Cold List.

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