With fantasy hockey playoffs just around the corner, the waiver wire becomes even more important. It’s taken weeks for us to get here, and now it’s time to finish the job. Injuries at this time of the year can cripple a fantasy team, but if you look for value on the waiver wire, you can survive the loss and still make a push for the championship. With that, let’s take a look at which players you should be looking to add this week off the waiver wire.

Andreas Athanasiou - Detroit Red Wings - Center

With Dylan Larkin still not ready to return, Andreas Athanasiou is getting a chance to showcase his skill on the top line with Mantha and Bertuzzi. He’s also seeing time on the top power play unit, so the opportunity for him to rack up points is there. The 24-year-old has set career highs in goals (23), assists (18), points (41) and will most likely play more than 71 games this season. Athanasiou has a really chance to break the 50-point plateau, which isn’t terrible considering the team he plays for. As long as Larkin is out of the lineup, the Ontario native deserves to be on a fantasy team.

Filip Zadina -Detroit Red Wings - Winger

Sticking with the Red Wings, Filip Zadina has now played six games in the NHL and he hasn’t looked too out of place playing with men. The 19-year-old has two points in those six games, but with Detroit having nothing left to play for, Zadina should sick with the club till the end of the season and see a ton of ice time. The rookie has an NHL shots, and fantasy owners are hoping he can find the net a couple of times before the end of the season. He won’t win you a fantasy hockey championship, but he’s a nice depth player to have if you want to make a fun at a fantasy championship.

Christian Dvorak - Arizona Coyotes - Center

Remember Christian Dvorak? Maybe you forgot about him because he hasn’t played very much this season due to injury, but the kid is back and just in time to help a fantasy team make a run in the playoffs! The 23-year-old has three points in six games this season. The Coyotes still have an outside chance at making the playoffs, so they will be playing every game from now till the end of the season like it’s a playoff game. Dvorak is healthy and he has enough skill to keep up with the big boys in this league. You can get him for free across both platforms, so if you need some scoring depth, he’s the perfect player to add.

Filip Hronek - Detroit Red Wings - Defence

Yes, another Red Wings’ player you should be looking to add off the waiver wire. The former second-round pick in 2016 is going to get a chance to run the top power play unit, and that can only help him rack up more points. With Mike Green done for the season due to illness, no one is going to challenge Hronek for that top PP spot. He has 16 points in 32 games this season, which isn’t terrible considering this is his first taste of NHL action since being drafted. As long as the rookie continues to see top power play minutes, he’s worth a roster spot on a deep fantasy hockey team. The opportunity is there, now the kid just needs to produce.


Kenny Agostino - New Jersey Devils - Winger

We are going REALLY deep this week into the waiver wire, but that’s how you win championships. Kenny Agostino could barely stay in the lineup when he was with the Canadiens, but now, he’s a top line winger on a terrible Devils’ team. New Jersey’s roster is basically an AHL roster due to all the injuries they are dealing with, but this gives Agostino a chance to prove that he can in the NHL. The 26-year-old has proven he can score in the AHL, but he’s never gotten a real chance to play in the top league. This is his moment to prove that he belongs here. The Devils have nothing left to play for, so these players that are getting a chance to play now are going to want to make the most of this opportunity. Agostino is a long-shot to do anything down the stretch, but as long as he’s seeing top line minutes and power play time, in deep leagues, he’s a high risk/high reward. Any production you get from him is a bonus to your team.

Darcy Kuemper - Arizona Coyotes - Goalie

As mentioned earlier, the Arizona Coyotes still have an outside chance at making the playoffs, so every game from now till the end of the season is a “must win”. Kuemper has filled in nicely for the injured Antti Raanta, posting a 22-15-5 record, with a 2.48 GAA and a .920 SV%. His  record isn’t exactly all that impressive, but his GAA and SV% tell a different story. The 28-year-old is only 22% owned on ESPN, so he is very much available on the waiver wire. Back up goalie Calvin Pickard isn’t a threat to steal many starts from Kuemper, so that shouldn’t be a concern for fantasy owners who may need some help in the goaltending department down the stretch. Again, he may not win you a championship, but he certainly won’t hurt your chances.