NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Defensemen Pickups Jan. 9 - Brodin, Grzelcyk Take Over

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.

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Cam Fowler, STL vs. ANA (43% rostered)
Justin Faulk, STL vs. ANA (17% rostered)

Fowler is coming off a minus-2 performance in a 6-4 loss to the Wild, the second consecutive time the Blues have lost by such a score. Not only should Fowler bounce back, this matchup will be extra special as he faces his former team for the first time.

A minor wrinkle is the return of Justin Faulk has eaten into Fowler's PP minutes, and Philip Broberg is seeing time on the power play, too. Faulk scored two assists in his return to the lineup, one of which was on the man advantage. The good news is Fowler continues to log big minutes, mostly at even strength and on the PK.

Jackson LaCombe, ANA at STL (27% rostered)

Keep striking while the iron is hot. LaCombe's assist against the Flames extended his points streak to three games, but the best part is he managed to get seven shots on net. If this is a harbinger of increasing shot volume, LaCombe's fantasy value will climb even higher.

Jonas Brodin, MIN vs. COL (10% rostered)
Declan Chisholm, MIN vs. COL (0% rostered)

Brodin's totally flying under the radar, and if Brock Faber is unavailable, look for Brodin to skate big minutes again. He played 33:02 (!) on Tuesday against the Blues after Faber left, and Brodin will be their default No. 1 option, and potentially with more PP TOI with the second unit with Chisholm quarterbacking the first unit.

Brodin's fantasy value is derived from quantity - because he's on the ice so much, a lot of things happen, and he can be a great source of shots, hits and blocks. He's carrying a four-game points streak and offers multi-category value while Chisholm is a PP specialist who offers boom-or-bust value similar to the Hurricanes' Ty Smith.

Matt Grzelcyk, PIT vs. EDM (7% rostered)

Grzelcyk's 21st assist of the season extended his points streak to three games, and it was his fifth point in six games. Grzelcyk has been so productive he's supplanted both Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang on the power play, both of whom are on the second unit. This likely won't last all season, so take advantage of the situation with a fantastic under-the-radar option.

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