NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Forward Pickups January 12 - Kakko Finding Sea Legs with the Kraken

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

Kaapo Kakko, RW, SEA @ DET (3% rostered)

Kakko lit the lamp twice, continuing his fine play since he was traded to the Kraken by the Rangers. The second overall pick in 2019, Kakko is more than benefitting from a change of scenery. Kakko is up to three goals and four assists in 10 games for Seattle while skating as the top-line right winger, A restricted free agent with arbitration rights, Kakko is setting himself up for a nice contract this offseason.

Mavrik Bourque, C, DAL @ OTT (1% rostered)

Bourque has a goal and an assist his last two games, the first time he has scored in consecutive games in the NHL. He centers Dallas' third line, flanked by Sam Steel and Logan Stankoven. Bourque netted 26 goals and compiled a league-leading 77 points in 71 games for Texas last season en route to being named the AHL MVP. He made his Dallas debut at the end of the season and is now entrenched in the lineup.

Michael Bunting, LW. PIT @ TB (11% rostered)

Following a very slow start to his 2024-25 season, Bunting has rounded into form. He has six goals and three assists in his last eight games while serving as a fixture now on the second line. Bunting benefits from his slot on the Penguins' top power play unit and is inching closer to his 2023-24 scoring pace when he tallied 55 points in 81 games between Carolina and Pittsburgh.

Jordan Staal, C, CAR vs. ANA (14% rostered)

Jordan, the only remaining Staal brother in the NHL, is on a role. He tallied a goal and assist Friday and has now recorded points in five of his last six appearances, notching five markers and four apples despite holding a bottom-six role. After posting between 27 and 38 points the last six seasons, Staal is already up to nine markers and 14 helpers with 69 hits in 43 contests this season.

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