NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Forwards Pickups Jan. 10 - Utah Offense Cools, But Cooley Stays Consistent

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.

Logan Cooley, UTA vs. SJ (48% rostered)

The main issue with Cooley's fantasy value is that he isn't always their top center. He is, at least, still their top pivot on PP1, which can bring immense value even though Utah's scoring has dried up a bit.

Cooley's been very consistent for Utah this season, scoring five points in his past six games and since Nov. 21 has not gone consecutive games without registering a point. It would not be surprising to see him be rostered in over 50 percent of Yahoo leagues for the rest of the season. This may be your last chance to roster him.

Conor Garland, VAN at CAR (41% rostered)

What I like most about Garland's fantasy value in this matchup is the imminent return of Elias Pettersson. He should be considered a game-time decision in this game, just as he was in their previous game though he did not play. If Pettersson dresses, he will likely replace Pius Suter on Garland's line, and that will instantly provide both the Canucks and Garland with a huge offensive boost.

Aliaksei Protas, C/LW, WSH vs. MTL (41% rostered)

Protas still doesn't shoot the puck very much, but he's been an excellent complementary player for their top line. He's on a three-game point streak with four goals and six points in his past five games. His fantasy value has been steadily rising, and he has plenty of ROS value in deeper leagues as long as managers can withstand the occasional, short-term drought.

William Eklund, SJ at UTA (15% rostered)

Eklund has scored three points in two games since returning from a four-game absence, and he's going to get top deployment in the top six and on PP1. Macklin Celebrini is getting all the headlines but Eklund has been very productive with 30 points in 38 games so far this season. If he continues this pace - which he certainly can - he's going to draw a lot more attention in leagues going forward.

Honorable mention:

Quinton Byfield, C/LW/RW, LA at WPG (41% rostered) - 5 G, 2 A in 7 GP
Tyler Bertuzzi, LW, CHI at DET (14% rostered) - 4-game points streak
Kirby Dach, C/RW, MTL at WSH (3% rostered) - 4 G, 1 A in 6 GP
Alex Wennberg, C, SJ at UTA (2% rostered) - 2 A, 11 FOW in 2 GP

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