Fantasy hockey pickups: Assessing Hellebuyck and Nichushkin for 2026

The NHL returns to action after the holidays, Olympic selections and Winter Classic, settling into a routine stretch before the February Olympic break. This week features busy slates on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, with lighter schedules otherwise. Weekday games start at 7 p.m. ET or later, while weekends kick off in the early afternoon. Utah Mammoth and Washington Capitals stand out for streaming due to their four-game weeks against minimal opposition.

Fantasy managers should scour the waiver wire for under-rostered players offering immediate value. This column highlights key pickups across positions, with a focus on goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and forward Valeri Nichushkin, both showing signs of rebound potential amid shifting lineups and matchups.

Forwards

Valeri Nichushkin of the Colorado Avalanche tops the list at 1.65 fantasy points per game, available in 60.3% of leagues. Reinstated on the top power-play unit, he faces reduced competition with Gabriel Landeskog sidelined. Nichushkin has a history of hot streaks, making him a free-agent grab rather than a trade target for active starters.

Alexander Wennberg, centering the San Jose Sharks, posts 1.66 FPPG and is free in 83.6% of leagues. His recent form earned a three-year extension, pairing him consistently with Macklin Celebrini on the power play. Even without special-teams scoring, his even-strength output hits 2.13 FPPG over the last 10 games.

Blake Coleman on the Calgary Flames delivers 1.70 FPPG, rostered in 66.2% of leagues. Teamed with Mikael Backlund, they’ve sustained 5-on-5 production despite rotating wingers. The current trio with Matt Coronato boasts a perfect 4-0 goal differential in 58 minutes, fueling Coleman’s 2.14 FPPG lately.

Jordan Eberle of the Seattle Kraken rides a six-game point streak at 1.77 FPPG, available in 70.0% of leagues. He’s producing at even strength and on the power play alongside Matty Beniers and Kaapo Kakko, who hold a 4-2 edge since forming post-Mason Marchment trade.

Other notables include Eeli Tolvanen (1.90 FPPG, 47.7% available) and Igor Chernyshov (2.06 FPPG, 81.9% available), both offering multi-category upside. Mason Marchment, Anthony Mantha, Ivan Demidov and Nikolaj Ehlers round out value plays in deeper formats.

These forwards provide a mix of power-play exposure and even-strength reliability, ideal for bolstering scoring in standard leagues.

Defense

Sean Durzi of the Utah Mammoth generates 1.88 FPPG, available in 49.8% of leagues. Despite defensive struggles with Mikhail Sergachev—outscored 6-15 at 5-on-5—Durzi racks up assists and blocked shots for 2.33 FPPG over 10 games. Leagues ignoring plus/minus will value his peripherals.

Brandt Clarke on the Los Angeles Kings scores 1.73 FPPG, rostered in 41.2% of leagues. Emerging as the primary power-play quarterback ahead of Drew Doughty, he’s on ice for six of the Kings’ seven PP goals in their last 10 games.

Noah Hanifin (1.74 FPPG, 37.5% available), Denton Mateychuk (1.67 FPPG, 88.4% available) and Thomas Chabot (2.12 FPPG, 35.3% available) offer additional options. Hanifin’s Vegas deployment and Chabot’s Ottawa resurgence highlight matchup-driven value.

Durzi’s volume stats offset risks, while Clarke’s PP role signals long-term hold potential. These defensemen excel in blocks, assists and power-play points.

Prioritize Clarke in PP-heavy leagues, where his quarterback duties could accelerate production further.

Goaltenders

Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets, at 1.45 FPP60 and just 0.6% rostered, warrants a start despite eight straight team losses. Early matchups against Vegas and Edmonton challenge, but closing games versus Los Angeles and New Jersey rank among the league’s best for goalies. For more matchup details, check the ESPN fantasy goalie depth chart.

Karel Vejmelka anchors Utah at 1.55 FPP60, available in 64.4% of leagues. Three of four starts pit him against top-10 fantasy matchups: New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues and Columbus Blue Jackets.

Darcy Kuemper returns for Los Angeles at 2.39 FPP60, 13.3% rostered, but proceed cautiously. Facing Minnesota, San Jose and Edmonton offers limited relief beyond Friday’s Jets tilt.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Carter Hart and Philipp Grubauer provide streaming depth. Luukkonen’s Buffalo crease and Grubauer’s Seattle hot streak stand out.

Hellebuyck’s pedigree shines through tough stretches; pair with Vejmelka for volume.

Recent NHL.com fantasy waiver trends echo this goaltending focus amid rotation shifts.

Short-term streamers

Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals, 1.51 FPPG, 87.2% available) thrives if Tom Wilson or Aliaksei Protas sit, elevating his even-strength and PP role during a three-game streak.

Jeremy Lauzon (Vegas Golden Knights, 1.50 FPPG, 97.0% available) gains minutes with Shea Theodore out and Brayden McNabb week-to-week, boosting hits.

Aaron Ekblad (Florida Panthers, 1.64 FPPG, 70.0% available) ascends to top PP if Seth Jones misses time post-Winter Classic injury.

Calvin Pickard (Edmonton Oilers, -1.00 FPP60, 98.3% available) streams well versus Nashville, Winnipeg and Los Angeles—top-10 goalie matchups.

Fraser Minten (Boston Bruins, 1.30 FPPG, 98.7% available) leverages top-line time with David Pastrnak for four points in two games.

Tom Willander (Vancouver Canucks, 1.06 FPPG, 99.8% available) edges Zeev Buium on PP, on ice for two goals Friday.

Arturs Silovs (Pittsburgh Penguins, 0.75 FPP60, 90.0% available) eyes Saturday’s Flames start, the week’s premier matchup.

These streamers target injury ripples and soft schedules for quick returns.

As the grind resumes, prioritize Hellebuyck’s late-week upside and Nichushkin’s PP reinstatement for roster edges. Waiver adds like these can pivot slumping teams toward playoffs, especially with Utah and Washington’s light slates aiding streams. Monitor lines via ESPN daily lines for adjustments.