Fantasy hockey pickups: Frost, Hayton impressing on power play

Waiver Wire Gems and Streamers for Fantasy Hockey Week

Every Monday, we dive into the waiver wire to spotlight under-the-radar players who can help your fantasy team. We also identify top streaming candidates for the week ahead. Here’s who to consider:

Forwards

1. Stefan Noesen, LW, New Jersey Devils (1.91 FPPG, 90.9% available)
   Noesen has been delivering solid numbers this season and is now skating on the Devils’ top power-play unit alongside stars like Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. With two of the Devils’ four opponents this week (Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning) ranking in the bottom five for power-play goals allowed, it’s a prime opportunity to add him.
2. Morgan Frost, C, Philadelphia Flyers (1.88 FPPG, 94.2% available)
   Although matchups aren’t ideal, Frost is establishing himself as the Flyers’ top center at both even strength and on the power play. With four games this week, it’s a good time to lock him in before another manager scoops him up.
3. Barrett Hayton, C, Utah Hockey Club (2.23 FPPG, 52.3% available)
   As a top-line and top power-play contributor, Hayton faces favorable matchups against Colorado and Los Angeles, teams that allow ample power-play points. Nick Schmaltz (2.00 FPPG, 75.7% available) is another solid choice here with similar roles.
4. Ross Colton, LW, Colorado Avalanche (3.62 FPPG, 55.2% available)
   Colton’s hot streak continues as he lines up with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen on Colorado’s top power-play unit. With fewer lineup conflicts than usual due to the Tuesday “Frozen Frenzy,” he’s a top pick for daily lineup leagues this week.

Defense

1. Simon Edvinsson, D, Detroit Red Wings (1.92 FPPG, 98.2% available)
   Edvinsson has joined Moritz Seider on Detroit’s top pairing, and with four games against teams allowing high fantasy points, he’s a strong choice to anchor your defense this week.
2. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, Toronto Maple Leafs (1.90 FPPG, 81.3% available)
   With the Leafs facing four fantasy-friendly matchups, Ekman-Larsson, a leader in even-strength ice time, is well-positioned for production. Daily leaguers can also consider Jake McCabe (2.10 FPPG, 91.5% available) under similar circumstances.
3. Vladislav Gavrikov, D, Los Angeles Kings (2.12 FPPG, 95.0% available)
   While Brandt Clarke handles the power-play duties, Gavrikov is racking up even-strength minutes on the top pairing. Clarke (2.12 FPPG, 79.2% available) is another good option against the Sharks, who are fantasy-friendly for defenders.
4. Shayne Gostisbehere, D, Carolina Hurricanes (2.50 FPPG, 64.6% available)
   Gostisbehere has plenty of power-play time on the Canes’ top unit and faces Edmonton’s struggling penalty kill on Tuesday. He’s a prime streamer for the week.

Goaltenders

1. Joel Blomqvist, G, Pittsburgh Penguins (1.95 FPPG, 94.8% available)
   On Pittsburgh’s Western Canada road trip, Blomqvist is a savvy bench stash. If the Penguins trim their goaltending rotation, he could be in line for future starts.
2. Kevin Lankinen, G, Vancouver Canucks (6.73 FPPG, 90.1% available)
   With only two games this week, Lankinen is the Canucks’ hot hand and could capitalize on favorable matchups against Chicago and Pittsburgh. Keep an eye on Thatcher Demko’s status for longer-term value.

Short-Term Streamers

1. Anton Lundell, LW, Florida Panthers (2.49 FPPG, 69.0% available)
   With Aleksander Barkov sidelined, Lundell is a must-start. Barkov is projected to return before the Nov. 1 games in Finland, so deploy Lundell now.
2. Josh Norris, C, Ottawa Senators (2.88 FPPG, 76.4% available)
   Norris’s power-play prowess makes him a strong streaming option, especially with a Sunday game against Colorado’s weak penalty kill.
3. Erik Gustafsson, D, Detroit Red Wings (2.13 FPPG, 98.1% available)
   Gustafsson’s top power-play spot and Sunday’s game against Edmonton’s penalty kill make him a spot-start asset.
4. Victor Olofsson, RW, Vegas Golden Knights (2.17 FPPG, 94.1% available)
   If Olofsson returns from injury for games on Tuesday or Saturday, he’s a valuable power-play booster.
5. Connor Zary, C, Calgary Flames (2.32 FPPG, 84.6% available)
   Zary is worth starting early in the week against Pittsburgh and Carolina, then swapping out for Josh Norris or Olofsson as the matchups toughen.

Goaltending Matchup Streams

• Sharks Opponents – Consider streaming goaltenders facing San Jose. Potential starters this week include Lukas Dostal on Tuesday, Darcy Kuemper (if healthy) on Thursday, and Ilya Samsonov on Saturday.
• Jake Allen, G, New Jersey Devils (8.20 FPPG, 84.3% available) – Great streaming pick for the Devils’ back-to-back set against Detroit and the Islanders, both fantasy-friendly matchups.
• Logan Thompson, G, Washington Capitals (2.00 FPPG, 57.6% available) – Expected start against Philadelphia on Wednesday, with the Flyers allowing plenty of fantasy points to goalies.