Fantasy hockey Mason Marchment top-line Columbus Blue Jackets pickup analysis

The fantasy hockey waiver wire has been buzzing since Mason Marchment landed in Columbus, and for good reason. The power forward’s immediate promotion to the Blue Jackets’ top line has created one of the most intriguing pickup opportunities of the 2025-26 season. After being buried in Seattle’s bottom six, Marchment has stepped into prime real estate alongside two of Columbus’ most dynamic offensive talents, transforming his fantasy outlook overnight.

Why Mason Marchment’s trade to Columbus changes everything

From Seattle’s depth chart to Columbus’ top six

The trade that sent Mason Marchment from Seattle to Columbus for future draft picks flew under many fantasy radars initially, but its impact has been immediate and dramatic. In Seattle, Marchment had been grinding away in the bottom six, seeing limited offensive opportunities and fighting for ice time in a deep forward group. The Kraken’s system simply didn’t have room to utilize his power-forward skill set in a scoring role.

Columbus, however, viewed him as an ideal complement to their young core. The Blue Jackets desperately needed veteran support for Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko, who had been carrying a disproportionate share of the offensive load. Marchment’s arrival immediately addressed that need, as coach Dean Evason wasted no time inserting him into the top line. The results speak for themselves: three goals in his first three games, with points in every contest.

The fantasy hockey implications are significant. According to ESPN’s fantasy hockey analyst Sean Allen, Marchment has delivered 1.27 fantasy points per game since the trade while remaining available in 52.4% of leagues. That level of production from a player with such high availability is increasingly rare at this stage of the season.

The perfect linemate for Fantilli and Marchenko

What makes this situation particularly compelling is the chemistry that’s developed immediately between Marchment and his new linemates. The trio of Marchment-Fantilli-Marchenko combines size, skill, and shooting ability in a way that creates matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. Marchment’s physical presence and net-front ability opens up space for Fantilli’s playmaking and Marchenko’s lethal shot.

Fantasy hockey managers should note that this isn’t a temporary arrangement. Coach Evason has been explicit about his intention to keep this unit together, recognizing that Marchment’s style perfectly complements the two younger stars. The line’s early success suggests they’ll be given an extended runway to develop chemistry, which bodes well for consistent fantasy production.

Marchment’s role extends beyond even-strength play. While he hasn’t yet cracked the top power-play unit, his presence on the first line suggests it’s only a matter of time. The current second-unit deployment still provides value, but the potential for promotion to the primary man-advantage group represents significant untapped upside.

Fantasy hockey Mason Marchment top-line Columbus Blue Jackets pickup value

Category coverage and peripheral stats

One of Marchment’s most attractive attributes for fantasy managers is his multi-category production. In leagues that count hits, shots, and penalty minutes alongside traditional scoring stats, Marchment delivers across the board. His physical style of play ensures consistent hit totals, while his offensive role guarantees shot volume and scoring opportunities.

Dobber Hockey’s analysis highlights his all-around contributions, noting that he “contributes all across the board in leagues that count peripheral stats.” This versatility makes him more valuable than players who provide scoring alone. While a pure point-producer might be subject to cold streaks, Marchment’s hit totals provide a reliable floor that keeps him fantasy-relevant even when the goals aren’t coming.

The 29-year-old’s physical maturity also means he’s ready to handle the increased workload that comes with top-line minutes. Unlike a younger player who might need time to adjust to the demands, Marchment has the experience and conditioning to thrive in his expanded role immediately.

Ownership percentages and waiver wire priority

Despite the obvious upside, Marchment remains curiously under-owned across fantasy platforms. At 52.4% availability on ESPN and only 10% ownership in Yahoo leagues according to Dobber Hockey, he represents a market inefficiency that savvy managers can exploit. The disconnect between his production and ownership suggests many fantasy players either missed the trade news or are skeptical about his ability to sustain his early success.

This presents a window of opportunity. As more fantasy analysts highlight his value and his production continues, his ownership percentage will inevitably rise. Managers who act now can secure a potential top-line forward before the rest of their league catches on. The combination of immediate production and long-term upside makes him an ideal waiver wire addition for teams looking to solidify their forward depth.

The timing is particularly advantageous. With many fantasy leagues entering their playoff push phase, securing a player with Marchment’s profile could be the difference between advancing and going home early. His eligibility at left wing provides roster flexibility, allowing managers to deploy him in multiple lineup configurations depending on matchup and schedule.

What to expect from Marchment in the second half

Sustainable production or just a hot streak?

The natural question for any fantasy manager considering Marchment is whether his early success in Columbus represents sustainable production or merely the proverbial “new team bump.” Several factors suggest the former. First, his underlying metrics support his scoring, with strong shot attempt rates and high-danger chance generation from his line.

Second, his role is secure. Unlike a player skating on borrowed time, Marchment fits a specific need for Columbus. His power-forward style isn’t easily replaced within the organization, and the coaching staff has been vocal about their satisfaction with his play. This job security translates to consistent ice time and linemate stability—two critical components for fantasy success.

Third, Marchment’s track record shows he can produce when given opportunity. While his time in Dallas and Seattle saw him in more limited roles, his per-60-minute scoring rates have always been respectable. The difference in Columbus is the quality and quantity of his minutes, which amplifies his natural scoring ability.

The power-play potential

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Marchment’s fantasy outlook is his untapped power-play potential. Currently skating on the second unit, he has yet to crack the top group that features the team’s primary offensive weapons. However, power-play configurations are fluid throughout the season, and strong even-strength play often leads to man-advantage promotions.

Should Marchment earn time on the top power-play unit, his fantasy value would skyrocket. The Blue Jackets’ power play has been decent but not elite, creating room for a net-front presence like Marchment to make an impact. His size and hand-eye coordination make him ideal for tip-ins and rebounds, exactly the type of goals that come in bunches on the power play.

Fantasy managers should monitor Columbus’s special teams deployment closely. Any sign of Marchment moving to the top unit should trigger immediate action, whether that means adding him from waivers or adjusting your lineup to maximize his starts. The potential for power-play points adds a layer of upside that isn’t yet reflected in his ownership percentage.

Comparing Marchment to other waiver options

When evaluating Marchment against other available forwards, his situation stands out for several reasons. While players like Aliaksei Protas and Eeli Tolvanen offer solid production, neither enjoys the top-line certainty that Marchment has in Columbus. Protas plays in a deeper Washington lineup where ice time can fluctuate, while Tolvanen’s role is more complementary in Seattle.

Marchment’s combination of line stability, category coverage, and untapped potential is rare for a player with such high availability. Most forwards still on waivers at this stage of the season come with significant warts—either inconsistent ice time, poor linemates, or limited category coverage. Marchment’s profile lacks these red flags, making him a relatively low-risk, high-reward addition.

The trade deadline acquisition cost—mid-round draft picks—also signals that Columbus views him as more than a rental. They’ve invested assets to bring him in and are committed to integrating him into their long-term plans. This organizational commitment translates to fantasy reliability that can’t be said for many waiver-wire targets.

Final analysis: should you add Mason Marchment?

The evidence overwhelmingly supports adding Mason Marchment in fantasy hockey leagues where he remains available. His immediate production, premium deployment, and multi-category contributions make him one of the most attractive waiver wire options of the season. With more than half of fantasy leagues still showing him on the wire, the opportunity cost is minimal while the potential reward is significant.

The key is acting before his ownership percentage catches up to his production. As fantasy managers become more aware of his situation in Columbus and his early success continues, that 52.4% availability will shrink rapidly. The Blue Jackets’ schedule, combined with Marchment’s role stability and linemate quality, provides a foundation for consistent fantasy production through the critical second half of the season.

For teams looking to make a playoff push or strengthen their forward depth for a championship run, Marchment represents the type of value play that championship rosters are built on. His physical style, offensive opportunity, and untapped potential make him a must-add in most league formats.

Fantasy hockey Mason Marchment top-line Columbus Blue Jackets pickup analysis shows a player perfectly positioned for sustained success. The combination of opportunity, talent, and situation alignment doesn’t happen often with waiver-wire players, making this a rare chance to add a genuine difference-maker without sacrificing existing roster strength. As the season progresses and Columbus continues to develop chemistry among their top line, Marchment’s value may increase even further, making now the ideal time to secure his services for your fantasy championship run.