Fantasy hockey pickups: Look to Anthony Cirelli, Cam York and Mason Marchment

The NHL schedule shifts back to its familiar feast-or-famine pattern this week, with three or fewer games on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, contrasted by 14 or more on Thursday and Saturday. Teams like the Penguins, Senators and Flames see just two games, while the Kings boast five opportunities. Fantasy managers should prioritize players from high-volume squads such as the Kings, Columbus Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers.

Anthony Cirelli of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Cam York from the Flyers and Mason Marchment of the Blue Jackets stand out as prime waiver wire targets. These players combine recent hot streaks, favorable roles and team schedules ripe for production. With roster percentages leaving them available in many leagues, they offer immediate value across various formats.

Navigating the week’s schedule

Columbus enters the week with a particularly enticing slate, facing the Kings on Monday, Flyers on Wednesday, Blackhawks on Friday and Blues on Saturday. This lineup hits three of the four lighter nights, maximizing exposure for Blue Jackets like Marchment.

Philadelphia matches that volume with four games, including dates against the Islanders and Blue Jackets on low-action evenings. York’s role as the Flyers’ top fantasy defender makes him a lock for heavy minutes in these matchups. Managers in deeper leagues can exploit these edges by streaming or adding peripheral contributors.

The Kings’ five-game stretch favors veterans like Trevor Moore and Corey Perry, who remain widely available despite strong line placements. Moore scored upon returning from injury, while Perry skates with Adrian Kempe on a top line and power play. In net, Anton Forsberg of Ottawa merits a look, rostered in under 2% of leagues with multiple starts expected.

Light schedules hurt low-volume teams, so avoid over-relying on Penguins or Flames assets unless they stream well. Focus shifts to multi-game teams for hits, blocks and peripheral stats in categories leagues.

This volatility rewards proactive waiver work. Track daily lines via ESPN’s daily lines to confirm roles before lock.

Forward waiver targets

Anthony Cirelli (1.7 FPPG, 44% available) has rebounded sharply, posting two goals and four assists over his last three games as Tampa’s top center alongside Nikita Kucherov. Brayden Point’s absence secures his spot, blending scoring with faceoff prowess and penalty-kill minutes.

Mason Marchment exploded for a hat trick plus an assist in Columbus’ 8-5 thriller over Tampa on January 24, ending the Lightning’s 15-game point streak. Traded from Seattle in December, he thrives on the top line and power play with Kirill Marchenko, rostered around 50% in ESPN leagues. For deeper analysis on his Blue Jackets fit, see our fantasy hockey Mason Marchment top-line Columbus Blue Jackets pickup analysis.

Mats Zuccarello (1.8 FPPG, 65.8% available) rides a tear with three goals and six assists in five games, boosted by linemates Kirill Kaprizov and Quinn Hughes. Lawson Crouse (1.6 FPPG, 82.9% available) notched four goals and seven assists post-Christmas alongside Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz before illness sidelined him.

Boone Jenner averages 0.68 points, 2.3 hits and leads Columbus forwards in blocks, ideal for multi-cat leagues. Deeper options include Justin Sourdif (1.2 FPPG, 95.7% available) and Collin Graf (1.5 FPPG, 94.4% available).

• Cirelli: Elite center stability.
• Marchment: Post-trade surge.
• Zuccarello: Point-per-game pace.

These forwards provide balanced production amid Columbus and Tampa’s solid slates.

Defensive options to watch

Cam York (1.8 FPPG, 66.3% available) leads Flyers fantasy defensemen, averaging 2.02 blocks and 0.49 points per game. Philadelphia’s four games, including soft matchups, amplify his value in blocks-heavy formats.

Erik Gudbranson (1.2 FPPG, 97.7% available) returns from injury with two assists, 10 hits and 12 blocks in five games. Columbus’ favorable schedule—Kings, Flyers, Blackhawks—positions him for peripheral stats on light nights.

York’s consistency edges him ahead, but Gudbranson suits ultra-deep leagues chasing volume. Both benefit from teams playing multiple games versus rested opponents.

Flyers and Jackets defensemen rack up blocks against high-shot foes. Pair with offensive D for balance.

Monitor usage; York’s top-pair role is secure.

Goaltending and streaming gems

Lukas Dostal (1.4 FPPG, 44.4% available) flipped a seven-game skid into six straight wins for Anaheim. Expect starts Thursday versus Vancouver and Sunday against Vegas.

Jet Greaves shines at 4-0 in five outings for Columbus, widely available amid their busy week.

Short-term streamers:

• Anthony Duclair (0.2 FPPG, 93.9% available): Eight goals in nine games with Mathew Barzal; Isles face leaky defenses (Flyers 4.00 GA/GP, etc.).
• Alex Nedeljkovic (1.2 FPPG, 98.4% available): 5-1, .913 SV% in 2026 for Sharks.
• Joonas Korpisalo (1.4 FPPG, 97.7% available): 4-0, .948 SV% versus Rangers and Flyers.

These netminders target weak offenses. For complementary bets, review NHL.com fantasy waiver wire.

Wrapping up the waiver priorities

Cirelli, York and Marchment top the list for sustained impact, leveraging roles and schedules. Act swiftly—Marchment’s ~50% ownership climbs fast post-hat trick.

Monitor injury returns like Point and Columbus’ depth chart. Use tools like ESPN projections and player rater for edges. Prioritize multi-cat contributors this feast-or-famine week to push for playoffs.