NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Defensemen Pickups Jan. 18 - Grzelcyk Returns to PP1

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.

Cam Fowler, STL at UTA (34% rostered)
Justin Faulk, STL at UTA (20% rostered)

The momentum has not stopped for Fowler, who again has points in consecutive games and now has 12 points in 16 games with the Blues. Utah is in a huge slump, having lost 10 of their past 12 games and allowing the fourth-most goals per game (3.58) and the seventh-most shots per game (29.8).

Faulk is also an option and note he quarterbacks PP1 but, generally, Fowler skates more minutes and he's been more productive.

Nikita Zadorov, BOS at OTT (22% rostered)

If you're looking for banger stats - blocks and hits - Zadorov is a good option. He played just 18:24 against the Lightning but that was a blowout win and Zadorov spent seven minutes in the box. With Charlie McAvoy on IR, Zadorov stands to play a lot of minutes, and I'm sure he'll be seeing a lot of Brady Tkachuk. There is some upside for points just based on the big minutes Zadorov's expected to play, but it's not very high.

Matt Grzelcyk, PIT at WSH (6% rostered)

Grzelcyk was back on PP1 and responded with two helpers with the man advantage Friday against the Sabres. I don't think the Penguins are very committed to Grzelcyk as their PP QB - they employ Erik Karlsson, after all - but there's no denying he's been very productive in that spot and it gives the Pens' second unit more balance if Karlsson's the QB. The Caps have the league's third-best PK; Grzelcyk is a good option because of his role but this matchup will have its challenges, so Grzelcyk wouldn't be at the top of my list.

Mason Lohrei, BOS at OTT (2% rostered)

If you're looking for points on the B's blueline, Lohrei's taken over as their PP1 QB. He's a steady defenseman and and doesn't possess game-breaking offensive skill; he's more of a placeholder and a defenseman who can skate, pass and shoot because the Bruins don't really have anyone else. Lohrei's a boom-or-bust play because other than power play usage he doesn't offer much in shots, blocks or hits.

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