Fantasy: Top 10 waiver wire pickups for Week 17

Every Monday during the season, NHL.com will provide the top 10 players to add off the fantasy waiver wire. Based on Yahoo transaction data and other factors including production, lineup and/or injury trends, we have identified appealing options at each position for fantasy owners in season-long leagues.

MORE FANTASY COVERAGE:
Buzz: Bishop returns Monday
|
Projected lineups
|
31 trends

FORWARDS

Kevin Fiala, LW/RW, NSH (20 percent):The Nashville Predators forward has thrived on their second line and has been particularly productive over his past eight games, totaling seven points (five goals, two assists; two power-play points), a plus-6 and 25 shots on goal. He had two goals, one on the power play, against the New York Rangers on Saturday and should be considered in all formats down the stretch of the fantasy season. Nashville has four road games this week, but two are against non-contenders in the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens.

Nolan Patrick, C, PHI (7 percent):The Philadelphia Flyers rookie scored one goal on five SOG in their 4-3 shootout loss against the Senators on Saturday. The second pick in the 2017 NHL Draft has not had the offensive season many expected with 12 points (five goals, seven assists) and 55 SOG in 43 games, but Patrick has three points (two goals, one assist) and seven SOG in his past three games and has serious fantasy upside for the rest of the season on a line with wings Jakub Voracek (7th in Yahoo) and Wayne Simmonds (76th).
Bryan Rust, LW/RW, PIT (6 percent):The Pittsburgh Penguins wing should see an uptick in fantasy value after being promoted to their first line with Sidney Crosby (10th in Yahoo) in place of injured forward Conor Sheary. Rust has one power-play goal and seven SOG in two games skating on this line and five points (three goals, two assists) and 12 SOG since returning to the Penguins lineup Jan. 23. If Rust maintains exposure to Crosby at even strength and produces occasionally on the second power-play unit, he will become fantasy relevant in all formats in a matter of time.
Jack Roslovic, C, WPG (1 percent):The Winnipeg Jets forward scored his second goal of the season in their 3-0 win against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. Roslovic has been skating on their first line with Blake Wheeler (9th in Yahoo) and Patrik Laine (39th) and has two goals and eight SOG in his past four games. Roslovic's lineup placement could change once center Mark Scheifele eventually returns from injury, but the rookie is a short-term streaming option with three home games this week, two against favorable opponents in the Arizona Coyotes and New York Rangers.
Alex Iafallo, C/LW, LAK (1 percent):The Los Angeles Kings rookie has started to see his production pick up over the past month. Iafallo has seven points (three goals, four assists) and 19 SOG in his past 11 games and has been skating on the first line with star forward Anze Kopitar (26th in Yahoo) and forward Tyler Toffoli (102nd). The Kings have three games this week, two against non-contenders in the Edmonton Oilers (home) and Florida Panthers (road).
Vinnie Hinostroza, C/LW, CHI (2 percent): The Chicago Blackhawks forward has remained productive despite being dropped into the bottom six of their forward rotation. Hinostroza scored a power-play goal against the Calgary Flames on Saturday and had two SOG, giving him points in four of his past five games totaling three goals, two assists, two PPP and 10 SOG. Hinostroza played on a power-play unit with forwards Patrick Kane, Nick Schmaltz, Artem Anisimov and defenseman Brent Seabrook on Saturday and skated on the third line at practice Monday.
Darren Helm, C/LW/RW, DET (1 percent): The Detroit Red Wings forward had a big weekend with back-to-back multipoint games against the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers. Helm had five points (one goal, four assists) and five SOG in the two games. Helm is skating on their third line with forwards Frans Nielsen (C, 2 percent) and Tomas Tatar (LW/RW, 11 percent) and gets an added boost with tri-eligibility in Yahoo. He sustained a lower-body injury against the Panthers on Saturday but is probable for their game against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday.
Others to consider: Erik Haula, C/LW, VGK (48 percent); Kyle Palmieri, RW, NJD (43 percent); Kevin Labanc, LW/RW, SJS (9 percent); Alex Killorn, LW, TBL (7 percent); Ryan Spooner, C/LW, BOS (7 percent); Lars Eller, C, WSH (5 percent); Sonny Milano, LW, CBJ (2 percent); Matthew Peca, C, TBL (1 percent)

DEFENSE

Ryan Pulock, NYI (4 percent): The New York Islanders defenseman had two assists and four SOG in their 4-3 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. He has eight points (one goal, seven assists; two PPP) and 17 SOG in his past six games. Pulock gets a value boost in that span in leagues that count plus/minus (plus-6), blocked shots (nine) and hits (13). The rookie has been moved up and down the Islanders' defensive rotation but has 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) in 39 games. Pulock has settled in on the second pair with Thomas Hickey and is running the point on their second power-play unit with fantasy-relevant forwards Jordan Eberle and Anthony Beauvillier.

Jonas Brodin, MIN (2 percent): The Minnesota Wild defenseman has been overshadowed by some of his fantasy-relevant teammates, but has seen his production increase over the past month. Brodin is averaging 22:36 over his past 12 games and has eight points (two goals, six assists), a plus-6 and 20 SOG in the span. He has added value in leagues that count blocked shots (18 in span). Brodin is fourth on the Wild averaging 21:34 of ice time and leads them with a plus-18.
Others to consider: Cam Fowler, ANA (50 percent); TJ Brodie, CGY (40 percent); Travis Dermott, TOR (2 percent); Troy Stecher, VAN (fewer than 1 percent)

GOALTENDER

Petr Mrazek, DET (34 percent): The Detroit Red Wings goaltender has been one of the most-valuable fantasy goalies over the past month. Among those with at least eight starts since Jan. 1, Mrazek is tied for the second-best save percentage (.941) with Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators behind Carter Hutton (.948) of the St. Louis Blues. Mrazek appears to have taken the starting job from Jimmy Howard, making him a prime waiver candidate in all leagues for those in need of goaltending help. It's worth noting Mrazek is in a contract year, and Detroit has three games this week against the Bruins (home), New York Islanders (road) and Washington Capitals (road).
Others to consider: Darcy Kuemper, LAK (21 percent); Kari Lehtonen, DAL (12 percent); Keith Kinkaid, NJD (8 percent)
GAMES THIS WEEK:
MOST: ANA, BOS, BUF, CGY, COL, DAL, EDM, NJD, NYI, NYR, NSH, PHI, SJS, STL, VAN (4 each)
FEWEST: FLA, MTL (2 each)