NHL Fantasy Hockey Week 22 Waiver Wire: Rasmus Sandin explodes offensively for Washington
Welcome to another edition of the Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Report. The only way to win a championship in any fantasy league is to be active on the waiver wire. If you aren’t checking the wire at least once a week, then you’re doing it wrong. Each week, we’ll look at some players you should be adding to your watch list, or adding right away. Let’s take a look at who we are keeping an eye on for this week.
Jakub Vrana - St. Louis Blues - Winger
Since joining the St. Louis Blues, Jakub Vrana has two goals and 14 shots on goal in four games. We know that he has a ton of skill, but for whatever reason, he just didn’t find his place in Detroit. Now he’s on a bad St. Louis team and is getting a chance to see quality minutes. There’s a ton of upside here for Vrana and for fantasy owners as long as he stays in the top six.
Barrett Hayton - Arizona Coyotes - Center
I don’t know what Barrett Hayton has been eating over the last two weeks, but it’s turned him into a goal-scoring machine. The Arizona centerman has three goals and five assists in the last five games, including four against Minnesota on Sunday. We know the Coyotes are a mess of a franchise, but Hayton has been red hot of late and he’s entering the conversation as a player who needs to be on a fantasy roster down the stretch. He’s going to cool off at some point, but right now, he should be owned in deeper formats.
Tyler Bertuzzi - Boston Bruins - Winger
Tyler Bertuzzi only has one point since joining the Boston Bruins, but he’s seeing over 16 minutes of ice time and is playing on the second line with some pretty good players. With Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno out of the lineup, Bertuzzi was brought into Boston to contribute, and he’s capable of doing so. The Bruins are elite in every offensive category, so it’s only a matter of time before Bertuzzi starts to rack up some points. I’m willing to take a risk on him in deeper formats.
Rasmus Sandin - Washington Capitals - Defence
It’s amazing what a little confidence will do for a player. Since being traded from Toronto to Washington, Rasmus Sandin has a goal and seven assists in four games. He’s finished with three assists in two of those contests and is playing well over 24 minutes a night. Sandin has a ton of skill, but for whatever reason, the Leafs just didn’t give him the ice time or consistent playing time. Now he’s in Washington and he’s producing on an elite level. That might change should John Carlson make a return to the lineup at some point, but for now, the young defenseman needs to be on EVERY fantasy hockey team.
Cam Fowler - Anaheim Ducks - Defence
Cam Fowler continues to be a defenseman that provides a limited amount of fantasy value. He doesn’t shoot the puck much, doesn’t block shots and doesn’t get too many power play points, but he has seven assists in the last five games, which is better than nothing. His upside will always be limited considering the team he plays for but in leagues where points matter, he a nice depth add. He’s still going to see a ton of minutes every night, so, at some point, he’s going to be able to get better in those other categories, right?
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.