NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Player Pickups Oct. 12 - Last Call For Dylan Guenther

On every game day this season, THN Fantasy be highlighting players for fantasy managers to stream or roster for the rest of the season. A separate article will be provided for goalies. The recommended players and goalies can be used in standard fantasy leagues or for daily fantasy games.

Dylan Guenther, RW, UTA at NYR (49% rostered)

Guenther's on pace for 164 goals this season, so there's that. Jokes aside, the sharpshooter has been nothing short of clutch and wonderful this season, scoring the winner against the Islanders on Thursday. He's well on his way to a 30-goal season, and perhaps more. This will be a stiff test against Igor Shesterkin, but Guenther has plenty of season-long value even if his goal streak is stalled.

Sam Bennett, C, FLA at BUF (39% rostered)

With Aleksander Barkov sidelined, the Panthers' lines will be in flux, but no doubt Bennett will be the beneficiary of some more ice time. He's scored three goals on eight shots with four hits and three blocks so far this season, and the Sabres are already feeling like the league's worst team with a 0-3-0 start.

Logan Stankoven, C, DAL vs. NYI (37% rostered)

Stankoven was efficient, notching three apples in just 12:29 TOI. Stankoven played in Wyatt Johnston's usual spot on the top line with Johnston centering the third line in Mavrik Bourque's absence. The Stars are hoping Bourque returns this weekend, but if he doesn't, look for Stankoven to stay on that top line. 

He's not getting top-line minutes, however, because the Stars mix it up a little and Stankoven plays PP2, but that L1 assignment certainly gives him a short-term boost. 

Dylan Strome, C, WSH vs. NJ (35% rostered)

Strome is just underrated, period. He's coming off back-to-back 60-point seasons and he will be their L1 and PP1 center with Alex Ovechkin on his wing. There's little reason why Strome is so under-rostered, other than because the Caps aren't expected to be particularly good. 

Matthew Knies, LW, TOR vs. PIT (28% rostered)

Knies didn't score a point but it's very encouraging he's registered eight shots on goal with two hits. He's doing exactly what he should be doing, and the points will come once linemates Auston Matthews (zero goals) and Mitch Marner (also zero goals) snap out of their funk.

Cutter Gauthier, LW, ANA at SJ (24% rostered)
Leo Carlsson, C, ANA at SJ (18% rostered)

Carlsson and Gauthier will form two-thirds of their top line and it's potentially the duo the Ducks will build around down the road. This is the Ducks' first game, so they will be well-rested, and the Sharks showed in their season opener that they are not a good team on defense. 

Anthony Duclair, LW, NYI at DAL (15% rostered)
Maxim Tsyplakov, RW, NYI at DAL (5% rostered)

Tsyplakov had a wonderful NHL debut, scoring the go-ahead goal and also registered six (!) hits and nearly 21 minutes of ice time. He's playing L2 and joined PP1, and the once-mysterious KHL import has now given us a taste of what he's capable of. No wonder Pierre Engvall was bumped for him. 

Duclair has been quite a nice addition for Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal on the top line. His speed was notable and they'll need that against the Stars. For L1 and PP1 deployment, playing with a 30-goal scorer and a point-per-game playmaker, Duclair should be rostered.

Kent Johnson, C, CLB at COL (2% rostered)

Not even considering Johnson's tumultuous prior season, his 2024-25 debut was excellent. He finished with a goal, a power-play assist, four shots on goal and 18 minutes of ice time. The final stat was the big indicator; Johnson's quickly earned the trust of Dean Evason, which will be key in his development and perhaps a breakout season. 

The Avs' defense and goaltending was a mess in their opener, allowing eight goals against the Knights. Suddenly, the Jackets look like they might score more goals than expected.

Nick Foligno, LW, CHI at EDM (2% rostered)

Foligno was moved up to replace Ilya Mikheyev on Connor Bedard's line after just one game. Mikheyev was never going to last there; he's got speed but no playmaking ability and definitely no finish. Foligno has shown he can at least finish, and he's now returned to Bedard's line, where he played much of last season, both at even strength and on the power play. 

Owen Power, D, BUF vs. FLA (35% rostered)

Power took a maintenance day on Friday and did not skate, but he's expected to dress. Power scored one of the Sabres' three goals so far this season and the Panthers will be without one of their top penalty killers in Aleksander Barkov. Power has provided much more offense than expected with seven shots through three games along with two hits and five blocks for multi-category coverage. 

Adam Boqvist, D, FLA at BUF (11% rostered)
Uvis Balinskis, D, FLA at BUF (0% rostered)

Boqvist took a puck to the face in the season opener and his status for this game is to be determined. If he's unable to dress, look for Uvis Balinskis to quarterback PP1. The 28-year-old Latvian notched an assist in the season opener and played 18:20 in their most recent game against the Sens, registering just one shot and and a hit. The upside isn't particularly high, but as long as he's quarterbacking that top PP unit, there's some value.

Jackson LaCombe, D, ANA at SJ (0% rostered)

I think the Ducks power play could be lethal against a poor Sharks PK that went 1-for-2 in the season opener. LaCombe will quarterback the top unit, sharing the ice with Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier, both of whom were very good during the pre-season. The Ducks are expected to have two equal units, but LaCombe is skating with the more talented unit while Pavel Mintyukov quarterbacks the other. 

Honorable Mention:

Dylan Cozens, C, BUF vs. FLA (32% rostered) - L2, PP1
Marco Rossi, C, MIN vs. SEA (8% rostered) - L1, PP2
Kirill Marchenko, RW, CLB at COL (8% rostered) - L1, PP2
Tommy Novak, C, NSH at DET (5% rostered) - L2, PP2
Anthony Beauvillier, LW, PIT at TOR (3% rostered)
Yegor Chinakhov, RW, CLB at COL (1% rostered) - L1, PP1

Jamie Drysdale, D, PHI at CGY (9% rostered) - PP1