NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Forwards Pickups Jan. 4 - Is Byfield Finally Breaking Out?

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.

Pavel Buchnevich, C/LW, STL at CLB (46% rostered)

I like the deployment - L1 and PP1 - and Buchnevich has notched an assist in each of his past two games. He's still not scoring as much as I'd expected and his shot volume is quite low despite playing with a pass-first playmaking center in Robert Thomas, but the Jackets are also allowing the second-most goals per game.

Patrick Kane, RW, DET at WPG (45% rostered)

Kane hasn't gotten this much ink in years, but the Red Wings look like they might be turning it around under Todd McLellan with three straight wins. Leading the charge is Kane, who's scored a goal in all three games and increased his shot volume slightly. Interesting Kane scored three of his five points on the power play, and the Jets have a middling PK that's ranked 19th.

Quinton Byfield, C/LW/RW, LA vs. TB (43% rostered)

I'm kicking myself a little for not picking up Byfield in one of my own leagues, but he's played over 20 minutes in five straight games and scored five goals and seven points in his past six games. That's the type of production many expected in what should've been a breakout season for Byfield - perhaps it's just happening now.

Jonathan Huberdeau, C/LW, CGY vs. NSH (42% rostered)

It was a really quiet game for Huberdeau on Thursday against Utah, but he has a good chance to get back on the score sheet playing a team that's playing their second game of a back-to-back and expected to start their backup. Huberdeau has been historically good against the Preds, scoring 15 goals and 31 points in 31 career games.

Marco Rossi, C, MIN at CAR (31% rostered)

With 33 points in 39 games, 71 shots and 234 faceoff wins, I'm surprised Rossi is rostered in so few leagues halfway through the season. He's playing PP1 and also displaced Joel Eriksson Ek as their top center with Matt Boldy and Mats Zuccarello on his wings.

Jonathan Drouin, LW, COL vs. MON (24% rostered)

A potential revenge game against his former team? L1 and PP1 deployment with Nathan MacKinnon? Sign me up! Drouin has scored four points in two games since returning, and he remains frighteningly efficient despite not providing not much else (not even shots). Drouin's great in points leagues and should be rostered as long as he's healthy.

Jason Zucker, LW, BUF at VEG (17% rostered)

When it rains, it pours for Zucker. He's coming off a hat-trick performance and now has scored six goals in his past five games. The Sabres have stacked their top line with Zucker on the left wing with Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens, with Zucker and Thompson also on PP1. It's done wonders for their offense so far.

Matty Beniers, C, SEA vs. EDM (11% rostered)

It's worth noting Beniers has scored a goal in three straight games though I still have a tough time trusting him. The upside is the Oilers are playing the second game of a back-to-back and expected to start backup Calvin Pickard.

Honorable mention:

Dmitri Voronkov, LW, CLB vs. STL (29% rostered)
Pierre-Luc Dubois, C/LW, WSH vs. NYR (26% rostered)

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