Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Picks

Draft day is over — now the real game begins. Winning early matchups often comes down to who works the waiver wire best.

Week 1 of the 2025–26 NHL season (Oct 6–12) has only one true four-game team, but there are still valuable opportunities on light nights that can give you the edge over an opponent who isn’t paying attention yet.

How We Pick Waiver Adds

Our process is simple:

Target the teams with the most games in Week 1.
Look for chances to slide skaters into your lineup on nights when you actually have space.
Use the Rankings page filters to dial in which positions you need and which nights you have open roster spots.
The Optimizer can also help you plan ahead, showing which teams play the most games in upcoming weeks.

The goal isn’t just “off-nights” in general — it’s off-nights that matter for your roster. Sometimes you’ll have room even on a heavy Thursday or Saturday, especially for defensemen. The point is to maximize man-games every week.

Teams to Target in Week 1

This week comes down to just a few key schedules. Streamers from these teams can squeeze in extra games and give you an immediate edge.

New York Rangers – 4 Games (Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun)

The only four-game team in Week 1.

They play on both a light Tuesday and the lone Sunday game against Washington.
Adding even a depth Ranger means you’re nearly guaranteed two bonus games on nights when most of your roster is idle.
If you didn’t draft a Ranger, this is your top waiver-wire target.

Los Angeles Kings – 3 Games (Tue, Wed, Sat)

An excellent early-week streaming option.

Playing both Tuesday and Wednesday gives you two man-games from one pickup before benches clog on Thursday’s 14-game slate.
They’re easily droppable on Thursday to pivot to a Ranger or another team.
This combo can net you five games from one roster spot if you play it right.

Washington Capitals – 3 Games (Wed, Sat, Sun)

A strong late-week schedule.

With games on Wednesday and Sunday, Capitals skaters are likely to slot into your lineup without conflict.
Sunday’s lone matchup (vs. Rangers) makes Washington one of the most valuable streaming teams for Week 1.
Picking up a Capital ensures you finish the week with an extra game when your opponent may have no one left to play.

Week 1 Schedule Breakdown

Tuesday, Oct 7 → 3 games
Wednesday, Oct 8 → 4 games
Thursday, Oct 9 → 14 games (heavy)
Friday, Oct 10 → no games
Saturday, Oct 11 → 16 games (very heavy)
Sunday, Oct 12 → 1 game (WSH @ NYR)

👉 The key opportunity is to load up on light-night players (Tue/Wed/Sun), since Thursday and Saturday will leave most rosters full.

Why This Works

Streaming is all about maximizing man-games.

A skater averaging 3 shots and 2 hits per game will give you 12 shots and 8 hits in a 4-game week, compared to only half that if you hold a two-game depth piece.
Off-night players are critical because they ensure your bench isn’t wasted — but sometimes a heavy night works too if you have an open slot at the right position.
By paying attention to the schedule, you can consistently squeeze extra categories out of your roster spot.

In future weeks, we’ll highlight specific player targets once there’s fresh season data to work with. For now, Week 1 is all about exploiting the schedule.

Looking Ahead to Week 2

Smart managers don’t just stream for this week — they set up the next one too.

Week 2 features several four-game teams, including Nashville and Toronto, both of which play Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. That means a skater from either team could slide into your lineup early in the week and give you a fast start.
Other teams with Mon/Tue games include Tampa Bay and Minnesota, both good for early-week volume.
For pure off-night leverage, look at Chicago, Detroit, and Utah, who all play Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun. Those schedules can keep your bench active while your opponent’s sits idle.

👉 Pro tip: If you have a move left on Sunday night in Week 1, don’t waste it. Add a player from one of these Week 2 teams so you start the new week with an edge.

FANATICS PICK

Shop Fanatics →

Get your licensed gear at Fanatics

Officially licensed gear

Final Thoughts

Week 1 is your best chance to lock in a quick win.

Managers who play the waiver wire aggressively from the start usually build an early cushion that pays off later. Your opponent may still be asleep at the wheel — take advantage by streaming Rangers, Kings, and Capitals to maximize man-games.

👉 Use the Rankings page to filter schedules and positions, and sign up for the Newsletter to get updated waiver-wire targets every Monday.