NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Player Pickups Oct. 27 - Kovalenko Getting a Chance on Second Line

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 can be used in standard fantasy leagues or for daily fantasy games

Forwards

Viktor Arvidsson, LW/RW, EDM @ DET (29% rostered)

Arvidsson finally broke his scoring schneid as a member of the Oilers, notching three assists, including one on the man-advantage, Friday. Skating on the second line next to Leon Draisaitl while also playing on the second power-play unit. Arvidsson has topped 50 points three times in his 10-year career and his current deployment should give him a decent shot at hitting that mark again.

Michael Rasmussen, C, DET vs. EDM (0% rostered)

Rasmussen scored his second of the season Saturday and has notched points in three of his last four contests. He is not a major offensive weapon, but has seen his point total rise from 27 to 29 and 33 points the last three seasons. Rasmussen is a good source of hits, notching at least 119 each of the past three seasons as well, rounding out his value in deeper leagues.

Cutter Gauthier, LW, ANA @ NJ (13% rostered)

Gauthier finally dented the scoresheet in the 2024-25 season, notching a pair of assists Thursday. He is still looking for the first goal of his NHL career, as he did't light the lamp in his one contest as a Duck last season. Gauthier, taken fifth overall by Philadelphia in 2022, "forced" his way to Anaheim in January. He is viewed as a cornerstone piece, showing his scoring touch, scoring 38 goals and 65 points across 41 contests for Boston College last season before he turned pro.

Erik Haula, C, NJ vs. ANA (15% rostered)

Haula at your boy continues to produce early this season. With three goals and four assists through the first 11 contests of 2024-25, Haula is on track to reach the 20-goal amrk for the first time since the 2017-18 campaign when he scored 29 with the Golden Knights. Haula has settled in as the perfect third-line pivot in New Jersey with the ability to move up the lineup if needed.

Sean Couturier, C, PHI vs. MTL (2% rostered)

Score a hat trick, get the bold treatment. Saturday's three goal output was Couturier's first hat trick since January 16, 2019. In addition, Couturier had just one assist in seven outings this season before breaking out offensively with five points Saturday. Expecting similar production today would be fool's gold, but popping the top could result in Couturier getting on a little roll.

Nikolai Kovalenko, RW, COL vs. OTT (1% rostered)

Kovalenko, drafted in the sixth round, 171 overall in 2018, joined the Avalanche's AHL team at the end of last year, scoring four points in six games, He earned a roster spot out of training and is skating on the second line at even strength for the Avalanche. Kovalenko has three assists in eight games this season despite topping 15 minutes of ice time in just one game so far.

Defensemen

Erik Gustafsson, DET vs. EDM (3% rostered)

Gustafsson has yet to have the impact offensively that the Red Wings hoped for when they signed him to a two-year, $4 million contract in July. Both of his points have come on the man-advantage as he mans the point on the first power play. Gustafsson will likely eventually cede that spot as the year rolls on. But for now, take a change that he dents the scoresheet.

Radko Gudas, ANA @ NJ (28% rostered)

Gudas' placement on this list is not because i think he will notch his first point of the season. Rather, due to a light schedule, if you are in next of either hits or blocks of both, adding Gudas to your roster makes way too much sense. He no longer is in the 300+ hits range for a season, but a few of each category should help your chances of winning.

Jamie Drysdale, PHI vs. MTL (7% rostered)

Drysdale has yet to his his stride as a member of the Flyers. He notched five points in 24 games last season after coming over from Anaheim, and has just a goal and a pair of helpers in eight games this season. Drysdale still has tremendous upside, but has been beset by injuries the last two seasons. Just 22 years old, the future is still very bright for Drysdale, though it may take time before he reaches it.

Nick Jensen, OTT @ COL (0% rostered)

Very quietly, Jensen has dished out five apples in seven games this season. That scoring will mostly certainly slow substantially, as Jensen's career in points in 29 set in 2022-23 in Washington. Jensen is skating on the second pair and is on pace to top 100 hits for the third time in his career. Enjoy the uptick in production while it lasts.