NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Defensemen Pickups Dec. 23 - Matt Grzelcyk Remains Hot

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

Brenden Dillon, NJD vs. NYR (17% rostered)

Dillon's signing this offseason has helped the Devils' improve and lengthen their blueline. While not known for scoring, Dillon has four points over his eight games, giving the blueliner two goals and eight assists in 36 contests this season. Dillon is skating 18 minutes a night on the top D-pairing while dishing out 91 hits and blocking 57 shots.

Mason Lohrei, BOS vs. WAS (1% rostered)

Lohrei has been a dishing fool in this month, handing out six assists in nine contests played, Ironically, Lohrei was also a healthy scratch once this month, showing that his lineup spot is not fully secured. Despite that, Lohrei has shown he is a bottom-four blueliner with upside who should be in the roster for each game. He has already set a new career-high in points in 11 fewer games played than as a rookie last season.

Nate Perbix, TB @ FLA (0% rostered)

Perbix saw his three-game point streak end Sunday but is up to 10 points in 26 games after posting 20 and 24 points the last two seasons. He should remain in the lineup with J.J. Moser (lower body) out 8-10 weeks skating on the third line. Perbix may not reach the 69 games he posted as a rookie but his roster spot seems secure with Moser sidelined and few other ready options.

Matt Grzelcyk, PIT vs. PHI (6% rostered)

Grzelcyk is on a major heater, posting a goal and eight assists his last 10 games. No one saw this coming, as Grzelcyk notched just 11 points last season and has a career-high 26 points set two years ago in Boston. Grzelcyk is up to 17 points in just 35 games, but based on prior history, be ready to jump when his production falls off.

David Savard, CLM vs. MTL (1% rostered)

Savard is the classic defensive defenseman even though he has a pair of assists his last three games. He has seven assists, 18 shots on net, 22 PIM, 30 hits, 80 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating across 31 appearances this season. Savard's main value in blocked shots and the close to 19 minutes he plays nightly. If your league uses those categories, jump on board.

Owen Power, BUF @ NYI (37% rostered)

Power came into the season with a consensus view that he is a better real life rather than fantasy blueliner. He has flipped the switch a little this season with his play. Power has been productive of late, cracking the scoresheet in five of the Sabres' last eight games, tallying two goals and five assists over that stretch. That fine play has given Power five markers and 17 apples in 34 games after he posted 35 and 33 points the last two seasons, respectively.

Isaiah George, NYI vs, BUF (0% rostered)

George tallied his first NHL goal in his hometown Saturday. He is not yet a major offensive threat, posting just three assists plus that marker in 20 games since his promotion, George has added 27 blocked shots while averaging 17:31 a game in ice time, skating on the third pairing for the Islanders.

Jackson LaCombe, ANA @ LV (11% rostered)

I profiled LaCombe this week and he continues to excel. LaCombe was shut out Sunday and has been held off the scoresheet in back-to-back games but has five points his last five contests. LaCombe continues to see copious ice time on the man-advantage, which bodes well for his potential future production.

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