NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Defensemen Pickups Jan. 4 - Byram Keeps Scoring Despite Lack Of Power Play

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.

Bowen Byram, BUF at VEG (36% rostered)

Byram's fifth goal of the season Thursday in Colorado extended his points streak to four games. The Sabres' late-game collapse aside, their offense has actually been quite good lately. This is a tough matchup, but Byram tends to score in bunches and now would be a good time to take advantage. While Byram plays with Rasmus Dahlin at even strength, note he's not currently on either power play unit, which dampens his fantasy value.

Ty Smith, CAR vs. MIN (3% rostered)

Smith is still on the Hurricanes top PP unit even though he's scored just one goal in three games. He's almost being used exclusively as a PP specialist, and his fantasy value boils down to just points. Normally, I'd shy away from Smith because his floor is so low, but note the Wild have the league's third-worst PK but on the flip side have taken the seventh-fewest penalties. As long as Smith is playing on PP1, he will have some fantasy value.

Darren Raddysh, TB at LA (1% rostered)

If Victor Hedman does not play - he took a puck to the ear last game - look for Raddysh to quarterback the Lightning's top power play. He's played in that role earlier this season when Hedman was hurt, and he's been fairly effective in that role. The Kings have a very stingy defense so it's a tough matchup, but you can't argue against the deployment when Raddysh is sharing the ice with Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point.

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