Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Vasily Podkolzin A Must-add Skating With Connor Mcdavid, Leon Draisaitl

We're back. The fantasy hockey waiver wire column will be here once a week throughout the season to help you fill in your roster gaps. And for anyone new to the format, we'll limit the player selection to those covered in no more than 50% of standard Yahoo! leagues — though exceptions will eventually come up.

But enough of the preamble. Let's see a sample of a few NHLers who've mainly gone under the fantasy radar.

(Rostered rates as of Oct. 2)

Forwards

Vasily Podkolzin, EDM (Yahoo: 54%): Imagine being on a line with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl at both five-on-five and the power play. The fantasy upside alone would be worth adding that player. Podkolzin opened with two goals (one PPG) and seven shots over 18:20 against the Canucks and followed that up Thursday by contributing another marker and assist (both PPPs) alongside four pucks on net from another 18-plus minute game. If this isn't the definition of a no-brainer pickup, I don't know what is.

Dylan Strome, WAS (Yahoo: 47%): Strome can claim a strong rapport with Alex Ovechkin, having been his primary center since arriving in Washington. And the two are set to run it back for what could be the future Hall of Famer's finale. During their time together, Strome hasn't posted less than 58 points, 21 PPPs and 143 shots in any season. With No. 8 by his side, that streak should continue.

Egor Chinakhov, PIT (Yahoo: 33%): Chinakhov made an immediate impact after coming over from Columbus at the end of December by racking up 18 goals, 18 assists and 104 shots. He also got some man-advantage work, which has carried over into a lead role to start this season and he netted a power-play goal on Wednesday. As long as Chinakhov stays within the top-six and first PP, he'll be set to go way past his previous peak of 42 points.

Ivan Barbashev, VGK (Yahoo: 36%): Skating alongside Jack Eichel and Mark Stone at even-strength has its advantages. Just ask Barbashev, as he parlayed that into a pair of assists on Tuesday. His involvement while up a man may be non-existent, though that hasn't previously stopped him from being a solid fantasy producer as he's also proficient in the shot and hit departments. Even if Barbashev slides down the depth chart, anywhere on Vegas's first three lines will do.

Mats Zuccarello, LA (Yahoo: 20%): Despite not finding the scoresheet during his L.A. debut, Zuccarello still logged 17:59 with 5:02 of that on the first power play. There's been some injury concerns as he enters his late 30s on elevated ice time, so the team may eventually concentrate his shifts to maximize his offensive skills. Either way, Zuccarello should be set to help your fantasy rosters.

Mason McTavish, STL (Yahoo: 20%): Maybe McTavish didn't get enough of a chance in Anaheim behind other forwards or maybe it was just a case of bad luck/timing. The Blues obviously liked what they saw, acquiring him during the summer for two first-round picks. McTavish is immediately set to slot in on the top PP and center the second line. Let's see what the 2022 World Junior Championship MVP can do on a promising frontline that struggled to find the back of the net last season.

Viktor Arvidsson, DET (Yahoo: 11%): This will be Arvidsson's fourth franchise over four years following an excellent campaign with the Bruins, when he tallied 25 goals, 29 assists and 175 shots. He arrives in Detroit with high expectations, slated to operate on the top man-advantage and at least be part of the top-six. Add Arvidsson ASAP, as the Red Wings will be hosting their first four games against a few weaker lineups.

Cole Perfetti, WPG (Yahoo: 11%): I thought I was a genius in the RotoWire Staff Keeper Hockey League auction when I grabbed Perfetti for $9 when no one else had a higher maximum bid … before realizing he only registered 32 points last year. He did get up to 50 the previous campaign and boasts tremendous talent, but hasn't yet hit the projected heights after being selected 10th in 2020. I'm banking on Perfetti breaking out next to Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor during all attacking situations.

Defensemen

Devon Toews, COL (Yahoo: 38%): Toews' scoring severely dropped off last season as he went without a point from 19 of his first 24 contests before rebounding in the playoffs (2G, 9A over 13). He's also still at even strength with Cale Makar while handling quarterbacking duties on the Avs' better-than-average second power play, where he delivered two PPAs on Wednesday. Expect Toews to end up back in the 40-plus range within a strong Colorado attack.

Kris Letang, PIT (Yahoo: 13%): Letang will turn 40 in April, and his recent output obviously hasn't been as productive (30 and 34 points the last two), though he remains well-positioned to post decent numbers as a member of Pittsburgh's No. 2 PP, who can also contribute enough shots and hits. His ice time may be reduced, but he still offers more offensive upside than many other blueliners.

Owen Power, BUF (Yahoo: 13%): This is Power's time to step up. The former first-overall selection hasn't necessarily disappointed across four years (137 points represents a solid haul), yet it seems some want more for a player of his pedigree. Power receives top-four minutes with a place on the Sabres' backup man-advantage. He started his surge on Thursday by notching two assists and is primed to earn more attacking opportunities with Bowen Byram now in Chicago, though newcomer Olen Zellweger could cut into that.

Jared Spurgeon, MIN (Yahoo: 2%): It's unknown when Brock Faber (fractured skull) will return, and that's left Spurgeon with the honor of joining Quinn Hughes on the Wild's top pairing (the duo combining for helpers on Kirill Kaprizov's clinching goal Thursday). And if that wasn't enough, Spurgeon continues to maintain places on both special-teams sides — including the point on PP2. Spurgeon is at least worth a flyer in many formats and could compile steady stats if Faber is forced out longer-term.

Goaltenders

Pyotr Kochetkov, CAR (Yahoo: 24%): Brandon Bussi may be Carolina's No. 1, though Kochetkov should earn enough action over the season as a relevant fantasy option. Let's not forget the Canes' defense continues to stifle opponents, having allowed the fewest shots in each of the previous five years. That gives someone like Kochetkov — who's been solid during his NHL tenure — a favorable chance to earn a win anytime he gets the call.

Stuart Skinner, WPG (Yahoo: 20%): It appears Connor Hellebuyck won't be playing again for Winnipeg, leaving a multi-Vezina Trophy-winning void between the pipes. In the meantime, Skinner will be asked to be the top goalie. He wasn't the greatest after moving to Pittsburgh in December (3.00 GAA, .884 GAA through 30 games), yet he offers experience, having gone on three postseason runs with the Oilers — including two straight Stanley Cup Final appearances. If the Jets can return to being a top-10 offense and buckle down on the back end, Skinner could be a steal.