Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Pickups: Jimmy Snuggerud, Zayne Parekh Among Top Adds

It's Friday the 13. Bad luck comes in all shapes and sizes when discussing fantasy hockey. One of your players could be flying along and then, bam, he's gone for multiple weeks. A slightly wrong move on the ice could affect an entire season. And don't forget about that unplanned last-second line change when you aren't looking during the 10-minute window before lineup lock that ended up costing you a head-to-head win.

Any of those scenarios may sound scary. But never fear, because the waiver wire column is here. An oasis of hope to brighten your rosters. It's a safe space … that is, unless the recommendations don't work out. So, um, enjoy?

(Rostered rates as of Nov. 13)

Forwards

Jimmy Snuggerud, STL (Yahoo: 45%): Snuggerud's rookie year saw him post 51 points and 169 shots where his workload continued to grow. He operates on the Blues' lead line and power play and has collected 10 goals, four assists, four PPPs, 42 shots, and 15 hits while logging 18 minutes per game. Snuggerud's 23.8 shooting percentage may be inflated, but he'll still end up finding the back of the net enough times and is on his way to smash his scoring peak.

Brayden Schenn, NYI (Yahoo: 24%): It's nice to see Schenn get back on track after producing his lowest career full-season output (39 points). He's performed well enough on the top PP and top-six to accumulate six goals, 10 assists, 32 shots, 25 PIM, 41 hits and 84 faceoff wins. Ignore the fact that Schenn is 35, and pick him up for his significant cross-category contributions and responsibilities.

Victor Olofsson, VGK (Yahoo: 26%): Olofsson's coverage recently took a big jump, and rightfully so, as he returned from a month-long absence and was immediately reintroduced on favorable units. Like the lead PP, where he scored on Wednesday to go with two assists and six shots. That even-strength trio also isn't bad next to Tomas Hertl and Ivan Barbashev. If Olofsson is still available in your league, add him ASAP.

Owen Tippett, PHI (Yahoo: 18%): Like Schenn, Tippett is known for getting stats in a few areas. The four points so far may be disappointing, though two have come during the last three games, and both were PPPs. Tippett has still fired 35 pucks on net overall with a 5.7 shooting percentage that's well below previous marks and has also dished out 34 hits. If he keeps attempting to score and lay out opponents, his offensive numbers should eventually recover.

Michael Misa, SJS (Yahoo: 17%): Misa is receiving more minutes in Year 2, and that's allowed him to rack up four goals and seven assists. Misa's 22 shots from the last 12 contests is also encouraging, plus he's getting a few five-on-five looks alongside Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith while Igor Chernyshov is out. And there's nothing wrong with being on the second power play, as Misa has generated three PPPs. At least give him a chance while he's in a more advantageous spot.

Jonathan Lekkerimaki, VAN (Yahoo: 13%): Lekkerimaki succeeded in the Swedish Hockey League (top rookie during 2023-24) and AHL (50 points across 63 appearances) after being selected 15th overall in 2022, but hadn't done the same in the NHL until now. And all it took was a regular gig with the Canucks where he could showcase his talent, resulting in seven goals, eight assists, six PPPs and 36 shots. Based on placement and output, Lekkerimaki shouldn't be available in 88% of Yahoo leagues.

Judd Caulfield, ANA (Yahoo: 5%): Caulfield continues the lineage of overlooked players who end up getting a primetime opportunity after skating for a while elsewhere. For him, it was four years at UND and three-plus with the AHL affiliate. Caulfield made the Ducks out of training camp and started to produce on low minutes, which led to more action, better roster positioning, and a run of three goals, three assists, two PPAs, 10 shots and 27 hits over six games. Anyone who has Leo Carlsson as his five-on-five center while slotted on the second PP within an elite offense and ready to do some physical work seems like someone who deserves more attention.

Peyton Krebs, BUF (Yahoo: 3%): No special-teams duty can affect anyone's scoreline — just ask Krebs as he's mainly been left out of the man-advantage since arriving from Vegas five seasons ago. He peaked at 39 points last year and is already at 10 while sharing the ice with Tage Thompson during even-strength. And if that isn't enticing enough, Krebs has delivered 39 hits after averaging 2.5 the previous campaign. As long as he sticks within the top-six, he can fit somewhere lower down in your lineups.

Defensemen

Alexander Nikishin, CAR (Yahoo: 37%): Nikishin was looking to be traded, but ultimately re-upped with Carolina on a one-year deal. And after getting back up to speed, he made his season debut on Saturday, recording a goal, assist, shot, two blocks and a plus-3 on 20:21 of ice time — 1:16 of that on the top power play. Nikishin could eventually land on the second unit and got scratched Thursday for the first of two Global Series matchups versus Seattle, though he will probably return Saturday and remains a solid fantasy blueliner, having supplied 33 points, 122 shots, 132 hits and 94 blocks as a rookie.

Zayne Parekh, CGY (Yahoo: 23%): The Flames may not be the best on the scoring side (bottom-five average of 2.47), yet they have won seven of their last 12. Parekh didn't produce much from the opening two weeks with only one assist — in the form of a PPA — but collected seven points, 18 shots and 12 blocks over the next 11 games that covered another four PPPs. He's also logging more ice time recently due to Kevin Bahl's long-term injury, which can only enhance his upside.

Pavel Mintyukov, ANA (Yahoo: 4%): Mintyukov burst onto the NHL scene in 2023-24 by registering 28 points with seven of those PPPs, yet he has since become less reliant on man-advantage output. His offense this season has been inconsistent, as he's only found the scoresheet in four contests, though the two goals and four assists are decent, and he's skated at least 21 minutes during four of the last six. See how Mintyukov does over the next couple of outings before adding him.

Brady Skjei, NSH (Yahoo: 3%): Speaking of defenders who could once claim serviceable power-play numbers, Skjei hasn't managed a PPP even while quarterbacking Nashville's backup group. He's still been busy the last nine matchups via four assists, seven shots, seven hits and 14 blocks on 20:44 per game. Skjei should eventually contribute while up a man based on his significant involvement and will do enough elsewhere to at least be worth a flyer.

Goaltenders

Devin Cooley/Dustin Wolf, CGY (Yahoo: 48%/27%): We're selecting another goalie tandem as either one can make a case for being Calgary's No. 1. Cooley separated himself by mid-October, notching four consecutive wins before getting hurt. He returned on Sunday and started Wednesday again, when he only allowed a combined five goals. Wolf endured a horrendous first two weeks, as he posted a 4.85 GAA and .834 save percentage from five outings, leaving Cooley to take over the lead job. And while the latter was sidelined, Wolf recovered, with three solid performances during a five-in-six game stretch. If you have one of them, it's probably wise to grab the other.

Joonas Korpisalo, NYR (Yahoo: 17%): Other than a couple of hiccups, Dylan Garand has done well through 13 appearances after Shesterkin's season-ending injury. Korpisalo was acquired in the summer to be the backup and then went on IR before the campaign. He only came back to the club on Saturday, when he turned back 25 of 28 Kraken shots on the road. Korpisalo then notched an impressive victory Wednesday in Calgary (if you haven't already seen it, check out his unbelievable save three minutes in). Garand will ultimately earn more opportunities, but you have to think the Rangers will continue to ride the hot hand with Korpisalo.