NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Players to Target - Wednesday, Dec. 13

Anders Lee, LW, NYI vs. ANA (36% rostered)

I like Lee’s upside against a slumping team that doesn’t defend particularly well. Lee’s minutes aren’t what it used to be, but playing with the duo of Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal certainly gives him plenty of offensive upside. Lee has scored two goals on 13 shots in his past three games.

Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, WPG at LA (36% rostered)

With Kyle Connor (knee) potentially out up to eight weeks, look for the Jets to lean on Ehlers for offense. No longer kept on a leash by Rick Bowness, Ehlers’ ice time has jumped up significantly, playing close to 21 minutes against the Ducks and 20 against the Sharks after averaging 15 on the season. This is a tough matchup and the Jets are playing the second half of a back-to-back, and even if Ehlers is quiet, he’s worth holding for the next couple of months.

Charlie Coyle, C, BOS at NJ (34% rostered)

Morgan Geekie may be lining up next to David Pastrnak, but I’d bet (almost) anything that Coyle ends up with more ice time. Coyle is a very streaky scorer because offense really isn’t his calling card, but if he's on the ice long enough the puck might just bounce your way. Coyle’s played 20 minutes in consecutive games and gets shots on goal and wins plenty of faceoffs. Interesting to note, however, that in 30 career games against the Devils, Coyle has never scored a goal against them. Maybe it's time he snaps that streak. 

JJ Peterka, RW, BUF at COL (33% rostered)

Peterka’s scored three points in four games with 15 shots on goal. The Avs offense is scary but their goaltending definitely is not. We could see a high-scoring affair and Peterka’s been the bright spot on the second line. Dylan Cozens is having a tough season and Zach Benson is still very green, but Peterka should be productive nonetheless. He ranks second on the team with 21 points, trailing Jeff Skinner and Casey Mittelstadt, both of whom have scored 22.

Leo Carlsson, C, ANA at NYI (11% rostered)

There’s no reason to be fearful of the Isles’ goaltending anymore, although the Ducks’ own offensive woes means scoring won’t come easily. However, Carlsson’s usage on both L1 and PP1 gives him plenty of upside. He hasn’t scored a point in two straight games, matching his longest drought of the season.

Morgan Geekie, C/RW, BOS at NJ (1% rostered)

Geekie practiced on the top line between David Pastrnak and Jake DeBrusk and, surprisingly, also on PP1. That special teams usage only makes Geekie an even more intriguing streamer. You don’t expect much from a player with 70 points in 200 career games, but Geekie can get shots on goal, win faceoffs and throw his body around a little bit. Geekie likely won’t have a big offensive outburst, but a point or two wouldn’t be surprising.

Valtteri Puustinen, RW, PIT at MTL (0% rostered)

Just… maybe? The 203rd pick from the 2019 draft, Puustinen has now scored two points in two games playing alongside Evgeni Malkin. His minutes will be limited due to his inexperience, but he has shown some ability to cover multiple categories with points, shots, hits and blocks. It’s a good matchup, too.