NHL Fantasy Hockey Week 14 Waiver Wire Pickups: Chandler Stephenson Ready for Expanded Role
Welcome to another edition of the Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Report. The NHL season is in full swing, which means we need to start looking at the waiver wire. This part of the year is critical to be able to claim players that might have been missed in drafts. Some of these players will help you win a championship, so make sure you aren’t asleep at the helm of your fantasy team. Let’s take a look at some players worth targeting this week.
NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Pickups
Pontus Holmberg - Toronto Maple Leafs - Winger
The Toronto Maple Leafs decided to shake up their lines recently and Pontus Holmberg is the player who could benefit the most. The winger is skating on the top line with Auston Matthews and William Nylander and scored a goal in his first game on the top line. He played just under 13 minutes but was still able to be productive. He doesn’t have a ton of upside, but the increased opportunity is something to keep an eye on. As long as he’s seeing an expanded role, he can be an option in deeper formats.
Ross Colton - Colorado Avalanche - Centre/Winger
The Colorado Avalanche are desperate for some secondary scoring. Valeri Nichushkin is stepping away from the team to deal with some personal matters, so there is a spot available on the top power play unit. Ross Colton is going to get the first crack at showing he deserves to be there. He played a season-high 19 minutes against the Leafs and finished with a goal and an assist. His offensive stats aren’t going to blow anyone away, but the increased ice time certainly won’t hurt him. Colorado can’t roll their top line up for 30 minutes a game, so they need others to start picking up the slack. Colton is a nice add in all formats for at least the next couple of weeks.
Chandler Stephenson - Vegas Golden Knights - Centre
With Jack Eichel on IR, the Golden Knights need someone to step up and take over the top centre role. Chandler Stephenson can be that guy and really produce. He scored a goal in his last game and has played over 20 minutes in multiple games this season. He’s also going to get a chance to play on the top power play unit. His numbers this season haven’t been elite, but he has proven the he can contribute offensively at a high level. He’s 18% owned in Yahoo! leagues and is a great way to get some offence on your fantasy team.
David Savard - Montreal Canadiens - Defence
Don’t look now, but David Savard is actually fantasy relevant. We know that he is really good at blocking shots, but he’s also decent at shooting the puck and he has ten points in 20 games this season. That is elite for a defenceman that doesn’t generate much offence. He’s still a stay-at-home defenceman that is going to focus on blocking shots, but Montreal leads the league in points from defencemen and Savard is part of that. He may not win you a fantasy hockey championship, but he certainly won’t hurt your chances.
Nico Daws - New Jersey Devils - Goalie
The New Jersey Devils are looking for any kind of consistency in goal and they may have found it with Nico Daws. The kid is getting a chance to play some meaningful games and has performed pretty well. He’s only started five games this season, but he has three wins and a solid GAA and SV%. As long as he continues to play well, the Devils are going to give him every opportunity possible to shine. He’s a great pick up if your fantasy hockey team is desperate for a goalie.
All stats provided by NHL.com
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.