NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Player Pickups Nov. 3 - Maxim Tsyplakov The One to Target

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

Maxim Tsyplakov, LW, NYI @ NYR (4% rostered)

With Mathew Barzal out for 4-6 weeks, the Islanders' secondary players will need to step up even more. One player who has outperformed expectations is Tsyplakov, who notched a goal and an assist Friday, giving the winger two goals, five assists, 10 PIM, 16 shots, 33 hits, three blocks, three takeaways and a plus-3 rating through 11 games. Look for New York to rely on Tsyplakov even more with Barzal sidelined.

Kaapo Kakko, RW, NYR vs. NYI (3% rostered)

Kakko, the second overall pick in 2019, certainly has not panned out like New York hoped when they drafted the Finnish winger. What Kakko does bring is some physicality from the third line and he has been much better this season offensively thanks to the return of Filip Chytil. Kakko and Chytil will be skating next to Chris Kreider on Sunday as coach Peter Laviolette has shuffled the lines.

Vladislav Namestnikov, WPG vs, TB (5% rostered)

Namestnikov is in a catbird seat, centering Nikolaj Ehlers and Cole Perfetti. While that hasn't yet translated to massive production, you could do way worse than having those two wingers as your linemates. Namestnikov won't light up the scoresheet but he has the potential thanks to who is skating next to him.

Matty Beniers, C, SEA @ BOS (10% rostered)

Beniers' struggles last season are reflected in his low roster percentage. While Beniers isn't all the way back to his 2023 Calder Trophy form, he certainly looks far better than he did in 2023-24. Beniers is averaging two shots per game, up from last season, and has notched six of his seven points on the season during his current four-game point streak. Stay with Beniers while he is hot,

Connor McMichael, C/LW, WSH vs. CAR (19% rostered)

Yes, Jason Chen profiled McMichael yesterday and I am doubling down today. Do you blame us? McMichael will eventually slow down, but he lit the lamp twice Saturday, giving him seven goals on the season, all of which have come in his past seven games. McMichael is entrenched on the second line at even-strength and seeing time on the first power play unit.

Jack Roslovic, C/RW, CAR vs. WSH (1% rostered)

We may need to start calling Roslovic Cy Young. His pair of goals Thursday gave Roslovic six on the season, albeit with zero assists. Those who took a flier on the winger who saw his production decline last season have been happily rewarded. As long as Roslovic remains on a line with Sebastian Aho, keep him in your lineup.

Yegor Sharangovich, C/RW, CGY vs. EDM (30% rostered)

Yegor has struggled since returning from injury, He is scoreless in the four games he has played since coming back to the lineup after missing the first seven contests of the season. Despite the rough start, positive signs exist. First, he has seen more than 19 minutes of ice time in two of the games. Second, Sharangovich is on the first power-play unit, which should also eventually result in him breaking through. Stay he course and/or buy low on him.

Trevor Zegras, C, ANA vs. CHI (10% rostered)

Like Matty Beniers, the bloom is certainly off the rose with Zegras. Questions about his work ethic and fit in Anaheim persist due to the among of young talent around him, Zegras is on the Ducks' third line with Alex Killorn and Cutter Gauthier, all of whom have scuffled. Sooner or later that trio will get it together, versus the Blackhawks might be that time.

Defensemen

Ryker Evans, SEA @ BOS (17% rostered)

Evans came into the season playing for a full-time role. His solid training camp landed Evans a roster spot and the injury to Vince Dunn moved him to a top pairing role. Evans has thrived with the move, also seeing first unit power play time on ice while Brandon Montour was away from the team. Evans could end up with 100+ hits and blocked shots, adding to his value.

Jacob Middleton, MIN vs. TOR (32% rostered)

Minnesota was looking for a Robin to go with their Batman, Brock Faber, Jared Spurgeon needs to have his game action managed, allowing Middleton to assume a larger role. Playing opposite Faber on the top pairing, Middleton is up to eight points, 15 shots on net, 15 hits, 31 blocked shots and a plus-9 rating over 10 contests. Enjoy the ride for as long as it lasts..

Alex Vlasic, CHI @ ANA (2% rostered)

Seth Jones is the clear No. 1 blueliner in the Windy City, Very quietly, Vlasic has been highly productive. Vlasic is scoreless in his last four games, but still has a goal and sis assists in 11 contests, showing just how strong his start was. Vlasic contributes 25 minutes of ice time nightly and has 18 blocked shots in those 11 contests, adding to his value.