NHL Fantasy Hockey Week 9 Waiver Wire: Dan Vladar Could be the New Starting Goalie in Calgary
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 that 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.
NHL Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Pickups Week 9
Alex Newhook - Colorado Avalanche - Center/Winger
If Nathan MacKinnon is to miss any amount of time, Alex Newhook is going to be a player to add. He has the skill to score goals, but he just hasn’t done it consistently in his short NHL career. He’s played over 20 minutes in each of the last two games, and with ice time like that, he’s bound to find a way onto the scoresheet.
Matias Maccelli - Arizona Coyotes - Winger
It’s wild to think about adding an Arizona forward to your fantasy hockey team, but Matias Maccelli has certainly earned the right to be considered. The rookie has 17 points in 21 games and has five points in the last four games. Of those 17 points, two of them are goals and he does have 17 shots on goal so far this season. His upside is limited playing on a bad hockey team and not shooting the puck much, but in deeper formats, he can at least collect assists and add to your weekly totals. You can do a lot worse than this kid right now.
Charles Hudon - Colorado Avalanche - Winger
The Colorado Avalanche are just decimated with injuries, so someone is going to have to step up. Charles Hudon is a player who has always been able to score in the AHL, but that just hasn’t translated to the NHL. He played on the second line Monday against the Flyers and finished with seven shots on goal and two hits. The shots are a nice sign for a player who can produce. He also played a healthy amount of ice time, over 15 minutes. He’s free across all platforms and is worth taking a chance on if you need some scoring depth.
Dan Vladar - Calgary Flames - Goalie
If you’re a Jacob Markstrom owner, it’s time to hit the panic button. Dan Valdar has started four of Calgary’s last five games and has played pretty well. Markstrom’s only start in that span was against Montreal, and it was a 2-1 loss. Markstrom hasn’t been able to turn his game around and Calgary may elect to give Vladar the net more often, or worse, become that starter. He’s still only 31% owned in Yahoo! Leagues, so there’s still time to add him before the window closes.
Travis Sanheim - Philadelphia Flyers - Defence
When you think of the Philadelphia Flyers, you think of Ivan Provorov and Tony DeAngelo as defenceman to own in fantasy hockey, but Travis Sanheim is slowly making a case for himself. The defenceman has points in his last four games, including two goals. Sanheim is capable of blocking shots, but his recent offensive production has made him fantasy relevant. His hot streak is going to come to an end at some point, but for now, managers who need some depth can go ahead and add him.
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Player News
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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.
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