Browsing: Pickups

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  André SnellingsNov 3, 2025, 01:52 PM ET

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  Dr. André Snellings is a senior writer for men’s and women’s fantasy basketball and sports betting at ESPN. André has a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Michigan. He joined ESPN in 2017 after a 16-year career as a neural engineer, during which time he was also a writer and analyst for Rotowire.

Even though it is early in the season, we have already seen a slew of injuries to big name players that have changed team rotations and opened up opportunities for teammates to step in to fill the breach.

Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks is the most recent star player to be sidelined, joining a veritable All Star team’s worth of absences. Young players are also making their marks in the league, showing that they have the chops to produce more at the NBA level than they have in the past.

Let’s look deeper to identify a group of lightly-rostered players that deserve more attention and can help your fantasy hoops squads.

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Point guard

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Cole Anthony, PG, Milwaukee Bucks (48.9% rostered in ESPN leagues): Anthony has been getting consistent minutes and production as the sixth man for the Magic. He’s an instant offense scorer but has also shown himself capable of solid all around numbers. He is a plus assist contributor and also notches contributions in steals, rebounds, 3-pointers and even blocks.

Brandin Podziemski, PG/SG, Golden State Warriors (26.9%): Podziemski has alternated between starting and coming off the bench this season, but in either role has proven himself capable of double-digit scoring, plus steals, plus 3-pointers and solid rebound/assist numbers. He is right on the edge between a fantasy streamer and a low-flex play in deeper leagues.

Shooting guard

Ryan Rollins, PG/SG, Milwaukee Bucks (48.9%): Rollins blasted into the fantasy landscape last week when he followed up a 25-point effort against the Knicks with 32 against the Warriors. He has stepped into the starting point guard slot with Kevin Porter Jr. sidelined, and is proving that he has definite every-game starter upside while in that role.

Bilal Coulibaly, SG/SF, Washington Wizards (21.7%):Coulibaly made his season debut last week after missing the first several games due to a thumb injury. He responded by immediately joining the Wizards starting lineup, moving Bub Carrington to the bench, and dropping 16 points with strong peripheral numbers in only 24 minutes. Coulibaly was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, and was picked based on his upside as a young wing with star potential. The Wizards are deep in their rebuild, and Coulibaly should get every opportunity to show what he can do this season.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SG, Atlanta Hawks (33.9%): Alexander-Walker has alternated between sixth man and starting, getting about 30 MPG in either role. He most recently moved into the starting lineup when Young was injured, and immediately notched his first 20-plus point scoring effort. Alexander-Walker is a consistent upper-teens scorer whether starting or not, with strong defensive and shooting numbers and solid contributions to assists and boards.

Quentin Grimes, SG, Philadelphia 76ers (27.8%): Grimes was a breakout star last season when almost the entire 76ers starting lineup was injured. He is coming off the bench this season but still getting more than 30 minutes per game early. At that level of minutes, he has shown himself to be a near-20 PPG contributor with plus rebounds, assists and especially 3-pointers. His role could shrink when Paul George or Jared McCain return, but in the meantime Grimes is proving he should be rostered whenever he’s getting 30 MPG.

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Quentin Grimes fights off defender for and-1

Quentin Grimes fights off defender for and-1

Small forward

Tari Eason, SF/PF, Houston Rockets (38.0%): Eason struggled in his first two games of the season, but since has returned more to his expected value. In his third game, he dropped 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in 26 minutes off the bench. While the scoring was a bit higher than expectation, Eason does project to a middle-teens scorer with a 3-and-D skillset and solid contributions in rebounds and assists.

Simone Fontecchio, SF, Miami Heat (3.4%): Fontecchio is a shooter. Pure and simple. He only averages just over 20 MPG, but in those minutes he’s on the court to knock down open looks from behind the arc. And he does that well, averaging more than three 3-pointers per game and thus notching double-digit points scored. His biggest fantasy value is as a consistent source of 3-pointers in category leagues.

Editor’s Picks

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De’Andre Hunter, SF/PF, Cleveland Cavaliers (28.4%): Hunter missed the first two games of the season due to injury, but since his return he has slotted right back into his typical role and production. Whether starting or coming off the bench, Hunter can be relied upon for upper-mid teens scoring, a handful of rebounds and a couple of 3-pointers per game. This season he has teased an uptick in assists, though the bulk of those assists came in one game against the Pistons. He has the opportunity to dish the ball when he’s playing without Darius Garland and sometimes Donovan Mitchell, and if he adds that consistently it would give him another layer of fantasy hoops value.

Power forward

Jabari Smith Jr., PF/C, Houston Rockets (39.1%): Smith has held onto his starting role even as the Rockets have experimented with moving Steven Adams into and out of the starting unit. Smith is a plus scorer with upside to tease into the 20’s at any time, like he did when dropping 25 against the Raptors last week. He also is good for a handful of rebounds, strong defensive numbers, mainly steals so far this season, though he has a shot-blocking pedigree, and plus 3-point shooting from the power forward slot.

P.J. Washington, PF, Dallas Mavericks (42.3%): Washington has quietly flirted with a double-double in just about every game this season. While Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg get much more attention, Washington also remains in the starting lineup and averages in the upper-high teens as a scorer with almost 10 boards, two combined steals and blocks and almost two 3-pointers per game. His upside is higher when Davis is out, but either way his floor and base production have stayed roughly the same thus far this season.

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P.J. Washington denies vs. Detroit Pistons with stuff

P.J. Washington denies vs. Detroit Pistons with stuff

Center

Neemias Queta, C, Boston Celtics (21.9%): Queta projected to be a nightly low-double-double threat with plus defensive numbers, and thus far that is precisely what he has been. He’s a high-efficiency finisher around the rim, and his 70% free throw shooting on low volume doesn’t really hurt those in category leagues all that much. All-in-all, Queta is a rosterable fantasy center in a year where there seem to be fewer of those than usual.

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  Sean AllenNov 3, 2025, 12:00 PM ET

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  Sean Allen is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. He was the 2008 and 2009 FSWA Hockey Writer of the Year.

It’s a pretty typical NHL week from a fantasy perspective. There are at least four games per night, ranging to Saturday’s high of 13.

All weekday start times are the expected 7 p.m. Eastern, with games starting around the lunch hour on the weekend.

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Only the Columbus Blue Jackets and New Jersey Devils are in the two-game club for this week. Jack Hughes, Zach Werenski and Kirill Marchenko can arguably stay in lineups regardless, thanks to their consistent fantasy production. You can make a judgement call on benching others in leagues with weekly lineup locks.

The Chicago Blackhawks’ schedule makes them ideal for daily lineup streaming, as their four games fall on nights with relatively fewer other teams in action, averaging 9.5. For comparison, the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars also have four games, but they coincide with busier nights, averaging 19.0 teams in action.

Every Monday, we’ll mine the waiver wire for lesser-rostered performers who have the potential to help fantasy teams in a variety of leagues. We’ll also present several strong streaming candidates for the immediate week ahead.

Resources: Goalie depth chart | Daily lines | Projections | Play for free | Player rater | Most added/dropped | Mock draft lobby | How to watch

Forwards

Marcus Johansson, LW, Minnesota Wild (1.74 FPPG, 93.1% available): Get Johansson into lineups while the getting’s good. His top-line stint with Kirill Kaprizov won’t last forever — Mats Zuccarello could be back within a week — but Johansson’s made the most of it with points in five straight.

Andre Burakovsky, RW, Chicago Blackhawks (1.68 FPPG, 95.3% available): Connor Bedard may have found his ideal linemates in Ryan Greene and Burakovsky. The trio is dominating 5-on-5, combining for five goals for and one against in nearly 36 minutes together. Burakovsky has also posted multi-point efforts in two of his last three games.

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Jaden Schwartz, LW, Seattle Kraken (2.17 FPPG, 61.9% available): Schwartz kicks off a four-game week against Chicago, who allow the most power-play chances in the league, followed by favorable matchups versus the San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues, and a finale against Dallas. He’s rolling on Seattle’s top power-play unit, and his per-game fantasy average remains above 2.0.

Leo Carlsson, C, Anaheim Ducks (2.80 FPPG, 31.1% available): Consider this a final, Hail Mary check for Carlsson in your league, as his rostership has already climbed past two-thirds of leagues. He’s taken the next step and deserves a spot on any fantasy roster. Excluding a slow season opener, Carlsson has averaged a formidable 3.04 FPPG across the past 10 games.

Josh Doan, RW, Buffalo Sabres (1.82 FPPG, 90.0% available): This isn’t just about Doan’s power-play opportunities. His 5-on-5 line with Alex Tuch and Ryan McLeod has already combined for 10 goals this season. Among the 44 lines averaging at least five minutes per game at 5-on-5, this Sabres trio ranks second in shot attempt rate.

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Leo Carlsson notches short-handed goal for Anaheim Ducks

Leo Carlsson notches short-handed goal for Anaheim Ducks

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Defense

Alexander Nikishin, D, Carolina Hurricanes (1.95 FPPG, 70.0% available): If you were on the fence about this 24-year-old rookie, now’s the time to jump in. His role with the Hurricanes keeps expanding, and he’s contributing on the scoresheet. Don’t overlook his 11.4 fantasy points just from hits and blocks. This week’s four-game slate includes favorable matchups for defense against Minnesota and Toronto.

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Ian Cole, D, Utah Mammoth (1.94 FPPG, 81.2% available): With four games on tap, including two against fantasy-friendly offenses in Montreal and Toronto, Cole’s value spikes this week. Still, his 15th-place standing in points from hits and blocks (15.6) shows he’s contributing well beyond the scoresheet.

Brandt Clarke, D, Los Angeles Kings (1.82 FPPG, 39.7% available): Clarke isn’t seeing the power-play time we hoped, with Los Angeles running a five-forward unit, but he’s still making fantasy noise. At 5-on-5, he and Joel Edmundson have been on for nine goals for and five against, posting a solid 55.1% shot attempt share.

See also:

• Jake McCabe, D, Toronto Maple Leafs (1.96 FPPG, 84.1% available)

• Justin Faulk, D, St. Louis Blues (1.99 FPPG, 77.7% available)

• Brayden McNabb, D, Vegas Golden Knights (1.83 FPPG, 59.3% available)

• John Klingberg, D, San Jose Sharks (1.64 FPPG, 94.7% available)

Goaltenders

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Arturs Silovs, G, Pittsburgh Penguins (2.71 FPPG, 84.6% available): While Jarry leads in fantasy points, Silovs is the one to target this week. If Pittsburgh sticks to a strict 50-50 rotation, he should draw both of the team’s softer matchups (Capitals and Kings) across their four-game slate.

See also:

Short-term streamers

Vitek Vanecek, G, Utah Mammoth (2.87 FPPG, 98.8% available): The Mammoth have not one, but two back-to-back sets this week, meaning Vanecek could start twice as the team rests Karel Vejmelka. Just beware the matchup against Montreal, who have forced -1.22 fantasy points per game upon opposing goalies.

Editor’s Picks

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Easton Cowan, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs (1.01 FPPG, 98.7% available): With William Nylander questionable, Cowan should remain alongside John Tavares in the top six. He’s been active offensively, firing seven shots on goal over his past two games.

Alex Iafallo, LW, Winnipeg Jets (1.42 FPPG, 97.3% available): Two of Winnipeg’s three games this week come against soft penalty kills, and with Cole Perfetti not expected back until mid-month, Iafallo should remain on the top power-play unit.

Viktor Arvidsson, RW, Boston Bruins (1.13 FPPG, 99.5% available): Arvidsson is a shooter, and with Elias Lindholm out for a few weeks, he’ll see plenty of opportunity on Boston’s top power-play unit. He is among the top 50 NHLers this season in shots per minute.

Cam York, D, Philadelphia Flyers (1.92 FPPG, 72.8% available): Philadelphia has three favorable matchups this week for both defenders and top power-play options — Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, and Ottawa Senators — and York qualifies as both.

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  Sean AllenOct 27, 2025, 01:00 PM ET

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  Sean Allen is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. He was the 2008 and 2009 FSWA Hockey Writer of the Year.

Every Monday, we’ll mine the waiver wire for lesser-rostered performers who have the potential to help fantasy teams in a variety of leagues. We’ll also present several strong streaming candidates for the immediate week ahead.

Get ready for a week of feast or famine when it comes to NHL action. Tuesday’s Frozen Frenzy headlines the schedule with 16 games — with one starting every 15 minutes beginning at 6 p.m. ET — while Thursday and Saturday also deliver heavy slates with 11 and 13 games, respectively.

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As for the famine, there are only two games on Monday and one on Wednesday, giving most teams a breather from back-to-backs around the Frenzy.

The first lineup lock for weekly leagues comes Monday, when the St. Louis Blues visit the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7 p.m.

Daily lineup managers should also note the slightly earlier 6 p.m. start for Frozen Frenzy, along with an unexpected Friday matinee at 4 p.m. between the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights.

Forwards

Emmitt Finnie, C, Detroit Red Wings (2.24 FPPG, 72.4% available): His emergence roughly coincides with Patrick Kane’s injury, but the two have little to do with each other. Finnie is riding shotgun with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond on the Red Wings’ top line. While he’s getting some power-play run in Kane’s absence, only one of his eight points has come with the man advantage.

Dmitri Voronkov, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets (2.33 FPPG, 32.4% available): Kirill Marchenko is the fuel for the Blue Jackets’ top attack, but Sean Monahan and Voronkov deserve plenty of credit. The trio is still pitching a shutout at 5-on-5 this season, with seven goals for and none against.

Editor’s Picks

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Jack Roslovic, C, Edmonton Oilers (0.95 FPPG, 99.3% available): An in-season addition to the Oilers attack, Roslovic didn’t get the benefit of competing with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl in training camp. Naturally, he’s now part of the only Edmonton line with more than one 5-on-5 goal this season. Roslovic, Draisaitl and Vasily Podkolzin picked up a pair against the Canucks on Sunday to become the first Oilers trio with multiple even-strength tallies.

Emil Heineman, LW, New York Islanders (2.23 FPPG, 85.8% available): While we’re on the subject of lines, the Islanders deserve a nod. The previously mentioned Blue Jackets trio is one of three NHL lines to play at least 60 minutes together at 5-on-5 without allowing a goal. The other two both belong to the Isles. Anthony Duclair, Mathew Barzal and Kyle Palmieri haven’t been scored on at even strength (though they have only three goals for), while Bo Horvat, Jonathan Drouin and Heineman have also been perfect defensively and have scored five times.

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Emil Heineman nets goal for Islanders

Emil Heineman lights the lamp for Islanders

See also:

• Owen Tippett, RW, Philadelphia Flyers (2.01 FPPG, 32.7% available)

• Dylan Cozens, C, Ottawa Senators (2.90 FPPG, 30.4% available)

• Kiefer Sherwood, LW, Vancouver Canucks (2.24 FPPG, 38.9% available)

• Valeri Nichushkin, RW, Colorado Avalanche (1.81 FPPG, 57.2% available)

• Zach Benson, LW, Buffalo Sabres (2.05 FPPG, 73.2% available)

• Aliaksei Protas, C, Washington Capitals (2.02 FPPG, 41.2% available)

Defense

Justin Faulk, D, St. Louis Blues (2.10 FPPG, 82.8% available): Six different five-player units have accounted for a single power-play goal each for the Blues, so it’s safe to say they’re still feeling out their setup. Three of those goals came with Cam Fowler quarterbacking, and three with Faulk running the point. With Faulk also piling up numbers in blocked shots, he’s a worthwhile pickup with added upside if he fully takes over Fowler’s role on the advantage.

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Cam York, D, Philadelphia Flyers (2.14 FPPG, 77.3% available): The second unit for the Flyers is getting more looks than the first of late — probably because they picked up three goals across the past three games, with York factoring into all three from his role on the point.

See also:

• Simon Edvinsson, D, Detroit Red Wings (2.28 FPPG, 37.6% available)

• Dmitry Orlov, D, San Jose Sharks (2.00 FPPG, 82.9% available)

• Alexander Nikishin, D, Carolina Hurricanes (1.79 FPPG, 71.2% available)

• Jacob Trouba, D, Anaheim Ducks (2.50 FPPG, 32.0% available)

Goaltenders

Joseph Woll, G, Toronto Maple Leafs (77.5% available): Back with the club after a personal leave of absence, Woll might need a few more days before he’s ready to start. But his return comes at just the right time. Anthony Stolarz is showing signs he isn’t built for a heavy workload. The two formed arguably the best tandem in the league last season, with both delivering enough in their split duties to merit fantasy roster spots.

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Elvis Merzlikins, G, Columbus Blue Jackets (3.40 FPPG, 73.1% available): Given today’s fantasy goaltending landscape, a goals-against average creeping toward 3.00 is hardly disqualifying as long as the goal support is there. The Blue Jackets have stepped up for Merzlikins, twice winning games in which he’s allowed four goals. Merzlikins and Jet Greaves have turnstiled the crease so far, but both can offer value if Columbus keeps converting those outings into wins.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G, Buffalo Sabres (-3.40 FPPG, 88.5% available): There’s been real value in the Sabres crease this season, with Alex Lyon ranking eighth in fantasy points and waiver-claim pickup Colten Ellis stealing the spotlight in a win over the Red Wings. Luukkonen is back in the mix now, though his return came with an unceremonious start against the Leafs on Saturday. Buffalo has no back-to-back sets in its three-game week, so we should get a clearer sense of the team’s current goaltending hierarchy based on who gets the nods.

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Elvis Merzlikins makes big-time save vs. Penguins

Elvis Merzlikins makes big-time save vs. Penguins

See also:

• Dan Vladar, G, Philadelphia Flyers (3.72 FPPG, 87.8% available)

Short-term streamers

Morgan Geekie, C, Boston Bruins (1.94 FPPG, 58.1% available): With so many light nights this week, there’s no perfect combo to cover all seven days. But a Bruin paired with players from the Ducks, Blue Jackets, Red Wings or Islanders gets you close. Geekie deserves consideration even without the schedule hack, as he’s locked in alongside David Pastrnak both at even strength and on the power play.

Cam Talbot, G, Detroit Red Wings (1.40 FPPG, 74.7% available): He didn’t help his cause with a brutal -9.4 fantasy-point outing against the Islanders, but the Red Wings have one of the week’s best goalie schedules. Their four-game West Coast swing features opponents allowing a combined average of 6.91 fantasy points to goalies. Talbot should get at least one start in the back-to-back against the Kings and Ducks, and maybe a second if he rebounds well.

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Jake Allen, G, New Jersey Devils (4.03 FPPG, 66.7% available): The Devils can afford to ease Jacob Markstrom back into action thanks to Allen’s personal five-game win streak. Markstrom backed up on Sunday and should see the crease again no later than the back-to-back with the Kings and Ducks. Sound familiar? The Devils also have a four-game Western trip, with an even juicier fantasy setup than Detroit’s (6.93 FP combined average from opponents).

Ville Koivunen, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins (0.35 FPPG, 99.3% available): Hand surgery for Rickard Rakell opens up several weeks of opportunity on Sidney Crosby’s wing. There are plenty of applicants, and Koivunen’s brief AHL stint doesn’t exactly bolster his case, but he was recalled to fill Rakell’s spot and entered camp as a favorite for a top-six role.

Arseny Gritsyuk, RW, New Jersey Devils (1.40 FPPG, 98.4% available): The Devils have shuffled their second line repeatedly, but the latest look has rookie Gritsyuk skating with Timo Meier and Nico Hischier — a combo worth monitoring for streaming upside. It’s a four-game week for the Devils, after all.

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  André SnellingsOct 27, 2025, 12:08 PM ET

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  Dr. André Snellings is a senior writer for men’s and women’s fantasy basketball and sports betting at ESPN. André has a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Michigan. He joined ESPN in 2017 after a 16-year career as a neural engineer, during which time he was also a writer and analyst for Rotowire.

We are almost a week into the NBA season, and we’re already seeing huge storylines start to play out. Luka Doncic set an all-time Los Angeles Lakers record with 92 points in their first two games; then he sat out the third game, and Austin Reaves exploded for 51.

Victor Wembanyama looks like a walking impossibility on the court, blocking seemingly every shot on defense while dropping more than 30 PPG on offense. Nikola Jokic has triple-doubles in his first two games despite struggling with his shot, and somehow the Philadelphia 76ers start this week in first place in the Eastern Conference despite Paul George sitting out and Joel Embiid playing on a strict minutes limit.

And of course, we are also already seeing players outproducing expectations in their early season production. This all leads to a really exciting product on the court, and a plethora of players that you should really be paying attention to.

Let’s go through some of the lightly rostered players who are worth picking up this week.

Point Guard

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Dylan Harper, PG/SG, San Antonio Spurs (41.8% rostered in ESPN leagues): Harper, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, was one of the more talented and polished rookies I saw this summer at the Las Vegas Summer League. He is getting more opportunity to start the season with De’Aaron Fox sidelined, but his level of play, in addition to his 6-foot-7 size that lets him defend all three perimeter positions, seem likely to continue to get him run as long as he continues to perform.

Egor Demin, PG, Brooklyn Nets (43.7% rostered): Demin was the most talented and NBA-ready of the five rookies the Nets chose in the first round of this year’s NBA draft. He was injured for most of the preseason, but played well in his last preseason game and has gotten off to a good start early in his NBA career. He seems poised to be an impact fantasy hoops producer moving forward, particularly as a rebounding guard who can flat out shoot the 3.

Ajay Mitchell, PG, Oklahoma City Thunder (26.1% rostered): Mitchell was a second-round draft pick in 2024, but he has already played himself from a two-way deal up to a standard NBA contract. He is making the most of extra opportunity early in the season with Jalen Williams out. Mitchell can create his own shot off the dribble and gets to attack an unbalanced unit when the defense focuses on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He is solidifying his role as someone the Thunder can rely on to produce when called upon.

Shooting guard

Ben Sheppard, SG, Indiana Pacers (15.8% rostered):Sheppard was already set for a larger role this season due to the absence of Tyrese Haliburton, but in the first game of the season Andrew Nembhard also injured his shoulder and has had to miss time. Sheppard is getting major minutes now, and he is able to contribute across the board as long as the Pacers ask him to carry this larger role.

Walter Clayton Jr., SG/PG, Utah Jazz (5.8% rostered):Clayton made his name with a dominant effort in last season’s NCAA tournament, knocking down 3-pointers and big shots to lead Florida to the National Championship. At the pro level, Clayton had a strong preseason that has carried over into the regular season. With Isaiah Collier battling a hamstring injury, Clayton is getting meaningful minutes early in his rookie season and establishing himself as a rotation player with upside on the rebuilding Jazz.

Small forward

Dillon Brooks, SF/SG, Phoenix Suns (31.0% rostered):The Suns start Brooks as a 3-and-D power forward, but he is the second-most established healthy scorer on the Suns with Jalen Green out. So, while Devin Booker remains the offensive focal point for the Suns, Brooks is called upon to step up into the second scorer slot. He has been a mid-upper teens scorer for the past five-plus seasons and should continue to produce at this level for at least as long as Green is out.

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Herbert Jones, SF/PF, New Orleans Pelicans (30.9% rostered): Jones is a known as a 3-and-D wing. He has averaged at least a steal and a block, with at least 2.9 combined, in each of the past two seasons. But he has shown some flashes as a scorer and rebounder, and when you added in a few assists and a rounded block per night Jones becomes a valuable across-the-board contributor, particularly in category leagues.

Ronald Holland II, SF, Detroit Pistons (7.9% rostered):Holland was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft and had a solid rookie season in limited minutes off the bench. But the Pistons did not bring back a couple of their veteran wings from last season, opening up more space for the developing Holland. Holland has upside across-the-board, particularly as a scorer, and has been productive to start the season.

Power forward

Jerami Grant, PF, Portland Trail Blazers (39.8% rostered): Grant is a career scorer; over the five seasons leading into this one, he averaged 19.5 PPG and 2.1 3PG. The Trail Blazers are bringing him off the bench this season, but he has already shown that he can still heat up and put big points on the board whether he is starting or not.

Center

Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Charlotte Hornets (14.9% rostered):Kalkbrenner was drafted in the second round of this year’s NBA draft but already has earned the starting center job for the Hornets. He was a dominant rebounder and defender at Creighton, and he notched a double-double in his first NBA game.

Isaiah Stewart, C/PF, Detroit Pistons (21.3% rostered):Stewart is the backup center for the Pistons, but he should still get at least sixth-man minutes this season. Starter Jalen Duren tends to get into foul trouble on a regular basis, and Stewart already took advantage of extra minutes in his first game to drop a 20-point/10-rebound double-double.

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  Sean AllenOct 13, 2025, 03:00 PM ET

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  Sean Allen is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. He was the 2008 and 2009 FSWA Hockey Writer of the Year.

The 2025-26 NHL season is underway, and every team has played at least twice in the league’s first week, with the New York Rangers playing a league-leading four times.

If you’re in daily leagues, paying attention to the upcoming schedule and player pickups is essential to keeping your roster competitive.

Every Monday, we’ll mine the waiver wire for lesser-rostered performers who have the potential to help fantasy teams in a variety of leagues. We’ll also present several strong streaming candidates for the immediate week ahead.

Resources: Goalie depth chart | Daily lines | Projections | Play for free | Player rater | Most added/dropped | Mock draft lobby | How to watch

Forwards

Anton Lundell, LW, Florida Panthers (2.87 FPPG, 38.0% available): While the best advice is to not overreact to early-season results that get amplified by the excitement of the return of hockey, you don’t want to sleep on a potential breakout when there are other reasons to buy in. Lundell’s availability is slipping quickly, but there might still be time to pickup the Panthers’ answer to Aleksander Barkov’s likely season-long absence. Bonus for custom leagues: Lundell’s LW eligibility is like getting a free extra center in your lineup.

It’s your league. Run it how you want.

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Elias Lindholm, RW, Boston Bruins (3.43 FPPG, 35.9% available): While we are on centers you can sneak into your lineup at other positions, can you find it in your heart to forgive Lindholm’s disappointing first season with the Bruins? The Bruins have seemingly forgiven him and trotted him back as the center atop their very top-heavy depth chart. Lindholm has two goals and two assists across the first three games, and looking like he’s in sync with David Pastrnak this season.

Shane Pinto, C, Ottawa Senators (5.10 FPPG, 69.9% available): Set aside for a moment Pinto’s role as a member of the Senators top power-play unit; his even-strength line with Claude Giroux and Ridly Greig already has three goals across two games when on the ice together. They are also one of the top 10 lines early in the season for shot attempts rate. Now, recall that Pinto also gets to take the ice with Ottawa’s top catalysts on the advantage.

Matty Beniers, C, Seattle Kraken (3.00 FPPG, 85.9% available): It makes sense when you consider the results to this point of his career, but it still looks weird to see Beniers available in the vast majority of fantasy leagues. Before you get completely tired of him, remember he isn’t 23 until November and the early returns from this season show him as the Kraken’s true No. 1 center. His line with Jared McCann and Jordan Eberle is getting top-tier 5-on-5 minutes and staying together on the power play.

Marco Kasper, C, Detroit Red Wings (2.00 FPPG, 30.1% available): Just like the 2021-22 version of Dylan Strome, Kasper finds himself between Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. While Kasper’s wingers are on a different team and a little longer in the tooth, there is still a lot of potential. This line is fourth in shot attempts rate in the league at this stage, but is also a wash on scoring with two goals for and two against. Kasper also has a physical component to his game and should remain fantasy relevant through a combo of points and hits.

See also:

• Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning (2.25 FPPG, 79.5% available)

• Dmitri Voronkov, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets (2.60 FPPG, 35.3% available)

• Andrei Kuzmenko, LW, Los Angeles Kings (2.27 FPPG, 82.5% available)

• Leo Carlsson, C, Anaheim Ducks (2.60 FPPG, 77.4% available)

• Artturi Lehkonen, LW, Colorado Avalanche (2.33 FPPG, 62.0% available)

• Owen Tippett, RW, Philadelphia Flyers (2.00 FPPG, 35.5% available)

Defense

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Zeev Buium, D, Minnesota Wild (3.05 FPPG, 70.3% available): The optimist wants to recommend a pickup of Buium because he is getting full control of the blue line for the Wild power play and the results have been great. But that minus-4 rating is very real. Buium and Jared Spurgeon have been on the ice for zero goals and allowed three at 5-on-5. It’s made more stark by two other Wild D pairs both sitting in the top five for shot attempts rate in the league, as Spurgeon and Buium rank 61st.

Alexander Nikishin, D, Carolina Hurricanes (2.25 FPPG, 90.1% available): Third pair, schmird pair. Nikishin and Shayne Gostisbehere have averaged 12:41 together at 5-on-5 and have been on the ice for five — yes, a league-leading five for a defensive pair — goals at even strength.

Aaron Ekblad, D, Florida Panthers (1.87 FPPG, 62.8% available): Maybe we got a little too hyped on the shiny new toy by collectively drafting Seth Jones and mostly ignoring Ekblad. But they are both on the Cats’ top power-play unit, and that will probably stay true at least until Matthew Tkachuk returns later this season. Ekblad and Gustav Forsling are a formidable first pair and have been dominating the shot attempts through three games (61.8% Corsi for), with four goals while they are on the ice together.

Andrew Peeke, D, Boston Bruins (2.73 FPPG, 93.3% available): His 6.7 fantasy points from only hits and blocked shots is the early high-water mark for the season. If you are looking for a cheap defender that can contribute at the bottom of your lineup, look no further.

Sam Rinzel, D, Chicago Blackhawks (2.03 FPPG, 81.0% available): Averaging 3:43 per game on the power play? Almost all of that with Connor Bedard and the top unit? And only one goal allowed at 5-on-5 with his regular defense partner, Matt Grzelcyk? Sign us up.

See also:

• John Klingberg, D, San Jose Sharks (2.45 FPPG, 96.8% available)

• Simon Edvinsson, D, Detroit Red Wings (2.40 FPPG, 34.5% available)

• Matt Roy, D, Washington Capitals (2.10 FPPG, 86.6% available)

• Artem Zub, D, Ottawa Senators (3.60 FPPG, 92.6% available)

Editor’s Picks

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Goaltenders

Karel Vejmelka, G, Utah Mammoth (2.50 FPPG, 67.9% available): The Blackhawks, Flames, Sharks and Bruins are on tap for this week and none of the games are in back-to-back sets. Vejmelka might be seen in a much more positive light at this time next week, and his 5.0 fantasy points per game aren’t exactly shabby at the moment.

Scott Wedgewood, G, Colorado Avalanche (3.93 FPPG, 59.8% available): Mackenzie Blackwood is likely out for at least two more games, perhaps longer. Wedgewood is reaping the benefit in the meantime, with 11.8 fantasy points and 100% crease share. The Sabres and Blue Jackets are on tap to start the week.

See also:

Short-term streamers

Justin Brazeau, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins (2.97 FPPG, 88.1% available): The potential for Brazeau to continue earning his fantasy keep depends entirely on Evgeni Malkin. Can Geno keep up this pace? Probably not. Still, you could do worse in the short-term in deeper leagues.

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Ryan O’Reilly, C, Nashville Predators (1.70 FPPG, 35.2% available): Defensive fantasy metrics don’t mean too much this early in the season, but it’s at least worth noting that the Predators have the best fantasy schedule on paper, with a four-game road trip through Canada against the Senators, Leafs, Canadiens and Jets. It’s worth starting O’Reilly on his volume alone, but the opponents also bode well.

Frank Nazar, C, Chicago Blackhawks (3.00 FPPG, 59.3% available): Combine O’Reilly with Nazar and you have a center to start every day of the week. Playing away from Bedard at even strength, Nazar is more than holding his own with Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi on his flanks. The trio has three goals at 5-on-5 (granted, also two against).

Jack McBain, C, Utah Mammoth (2.30 FPPG, 94.8% available): If Barrett Hayton continues to miss time, McBain gets to continue playing up the lineup alongside Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz.

Tristan Jarry, G, Pittsburgh Penguins (4.80 FPPG, 71.0% available): This is a very cautious recommendation. Jarry looked good in his start against the Islanders and, on paper, the Ducks, Kings and Sharks are collectively a solid schedule for a goaltender. But there are concerns. The Ducks have dominated possession through two games, and the Sharks have handed out negative fantasy points to opposing goaltenders. That said, looking for goalie help in the early season isn’t easy and Jarry will be available.

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Injury Report and Waiver Wire Targets

The Dallas Cowboys won’t have CeeDee Lamb back this week to face the Carolina Panthers, but he could potentially return in Week 7. KaVontae Turpin, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, Calvin Austin III and Christian Watson have also been ruled out.

Ja’Marr Chase is listed as questionable with an illness, while Quentin Johnston is questionable with a hamstring injury. Those are two of the more impactful situations to follow at any position this week.

Jauan Jennings, Jonathan Mingo and Van Jefferson are also questionable.

On the waiver front, managers should find a handful of options. Indianapolis Colts wideout Josh Downs, for example, is still available in more than 50 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues. He’s caught 10 passes on 13 targets over the last two weeks and has a fair matchup with the Cardinals, who have allowed the 18th-most fantasy points to opposing receivers.

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Marquise Brown has averaged just over five receptions and 50 yards this season and has a terrific Sunday night matchup. The Detroit Lions have been solid defensively this season but have surrendered the third-most fantasy points to opposing WRs.

Brown is still available in roughly 50 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Kendrick Bourne is coming off of a 10-catch, 142-yard outing and is still available in over 60 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues. Troy Franklin, Tre Tucker, Darnell Mooney and Isaiah Bond are other waiver targets to consider this week.

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Several quarterbacks suffered injuries in Week 1, notably Justin Fields (concussion), Jayden Daniels (knee), J.J. McCarthy (ankle) and Joe Burrow…