Each week of the National Hockey League regular season, we will take a look at some of the most interesting names that may appear on the waiver wire in various fantasy leagues. It may be NHL players whose situation has improved because of injury, minor-league players recently recalled (or on the verge of a recall) or off to fast starts in the AHL. Here is this week's batch:

1. James Reimer, G, Panthers

The Panthers have been on a roll lately, with five wins in their last six games. They are also doing this without No. 1 goaltender Roberto Luongo (who remains out of action due to a lower-body injury). Reimer has picked up the slack and has gone 3-1-0 with a 1.38 goals-against average and .962 save percentage in his last four appearances. The 29-year-old Reimer could be on the verge of overtaking the 38-year-old Luongo in Florida.

2. Nick Schmaltz, C/LW, Blackhawks

In case he has slipped under the radar in some fantasy leagues, do not hesitate to grab Schmaltz if he is still available. The injury to veteran center Artem Anisimov has opened the door for Schmaltz to slide over to his natural center position on Chicago's top scoring line alongside Patrick Kane. The 21-year-old Schmaltz seems to be more comfortable down the middle, so he could remain there even after Anisimov returns from injury.

3. Antoine Vermette, LW/C, Ducks

A veteran face-off specialist, Vermette was recently moved to left wing on the top line next to captain Ryan Getzlaf and Rickard Rakell. It has resulted in four points in his last two contests. The 35-year-old Vermette might lose his current spot in the lineup once Corey Perry returns from injury. Therefore, Vermette is mostly a short-term solution in most fantasy leagues. Grab him now, before he winds up centering the fourth line again.

4. David Backes, RW/C, Bruins

Boston is starting to rocket up the standings and they are doing it with strong offensive contributions from several sources. Veteran Backes had not shown much production since signing with the Bruins (after spending his first 10 seasons in St. Louis) and has also dealt with several injuries. Healthy again, Backes is producing fantasy-worthy numbers again (last 5 GP, 3-5-8) on a line with center Riley Nash and left-winger Danton Heinen.

5. Jared Spurgeon, D, Wild

Minnesota is another club that is starting to show signs of offensive life. Finally healthy, the Wild are getting solid contributions from Spurgeon (with 3 points in his last 2 games)--who is back playing with regular defense partner Ryan Suter. Spurgeon, a diminutive defenseman at only 5'9”, 164 pounds, sees time on the power play and while Minnesota is short-handed (which makes him an interesting fantasy pickup if he is still available).

6. Alex Tuch, RW/LW, Golden Knights

The top rookie scorer on the first-year NHL squad is former Minnesota Wild prospect Tuch, who now boasts eight goals and 20 points in 34 games thanks in part to a recent stretch of three points in two games. The 21-year-old has great size and good skating ability, so he is starting to make his mark on Vegas's third line alongside Cody Eakin and fellow rookie winger Brendan Leipsic. Tuch should be added in all keeper leagues.

7. Jordan Oesterle, D, Blackhawks

The former Oilers defender has been a healthy scratch for Chicago 25 times so far this season. Twenty-five! However, he has dressed for the last 10 games and played over 20 minutes eight times. Go figure. Paired with Blackhawks' No. 1 blueliner Duncan Keith, Oesterle is starting to generate some offense (last 3 GP, 2-2-4). A great skater, Oesterle could be a decent, albeit short-term, pickup in a lot of non-keeper-league formats.  

8. Christian Djoos, D, Capitals

Rookie defensemen are never an easy fantasy choice in most leagues, so proceed with caution here. That said, Washington is starting to look like the Capitals of the last two or three regular seasons. Therefore, it may be time to grab Swedish defenseman Djoos (who has some offensive upside and plays a sound, responsible game too). The 23-year-old Djoos has eight points (including 2 in his last 2 GP) and a plus-9 rating in 32 games.

9. Filip Zadina, RW/LW, 2018 draft eligible

Remember this name! One of the top players available in this June's 2018 NHL Draft, Zadina has performed very well on the big stage of the 2018 WJC in Buffalo, New York. A sniper with the QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads, Zadina is expected to be a top-five pick in the draft. The Czech winger may not be eligible to be added to fantasy rosters in some leagues, so check the rules first. If eligible, he is a must-own right now.

10. Malcolm Subban, G, Golden Knights

While he has lost playing time now that Golden Knights' No. 1 goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has returned from his concussion, Subban remains a strong fantasy option because of the current plight of the first-year Vegas franchise (8 wins in a row, currently second overall in the NHL). Subban is a great handcuff for all Fleury fantasy owners, but is also a decent option for fantasy leaguers currently struggling to find consistent goaltending.