NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Defensemen Pickups March 7 - St. Louis' Fowler Needs to Step Up with Parayko Out

On every game day this season, THN Fantasy will highlight players and goalies for fantasy managers to stream or roster for the rest of the season. The recommended players and goalies are rostered in less than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and can be selected in standard fantasy leagues or for daily fantasy games.

Cam Fowler, STL @ ANA (12% rostered)
St. Louis will be without Colton Parayko for the remainder of the regular season after he had a 'scope on his knee Thursday. Fowler, acquired just before the Winter Classic from the Ducks, got off to a hot start with his new start but has slowed since. With Parayko out, the entire Blues blueline will need to raise their game with Fowler potentially seeing additional ice time on the man advantage.

Luke Hughes, NJ vs. WPG (48% rostered)
Luke will likely be playing with a bit of a heavy heart with his brother Jack sidelined for the rest of the season after suffering a shoulder injury last Sunday. He's picked up his game offensively, with six helpers across his last five games. The blueliner is up to 28 points (eight on the power play), 85 shots on net, 47 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating through 54 outings this season. His numbers are significant behind what Hughes posted in 2023-24, though he has been slightly improved in his own zone.

Alex Vlasic, CHI vs. UTAH (10% rostered)
Vlasic has raised his game offensively recently, notching seven assists in his last nine games. The trade of Seth Jones to Florida last week has increased the responsibility for Vlasic, who is not the primary blueliner for Chicago. Vlasic may take a while to grow into the role as the No. 1 defenseman in the Windy City, but in year one of the  six-year, $27.6 million contract he signed with the Blackhawks last April, Vlasic has plenty of time to get there.

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