Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Targets: Andre Burakovsky, Anthony Mantha, Akira Schmid and More

Hey folks, there are several surging players who are taking advantage of opportunities that are not rostered in a lot of leagues that you could take advantage of and pick up on your waiver wire.

Let's take a look at these players and break down how they are doing so far, and why they might be a good short-term fit for your roster.

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Andre Burakovsky - Chicago Blackhawks

Talk about taking advantage of opportunities - Burakovsky is making the best of his promotion to the top line alongside superstar Connor Bedard, as well as a spot on the top powerplay unit.

A mostly undrafted player now finds himself skating next to one of the best up-and-coming players in the league, getting special teams time, and helping produce to boot. 

Rostered only in about 11% of leagues, Burakovsky should be picked up as long as he is producing. While I would normally warn against an abysmal +/-, given the state of the Blackhawks' roster, Buakovsky along with Bedard are both still plus players, somehow. Pick up without hesitation and ride the hot streak until it ends!

Burakovsky has four goals, five assists, and four powerplay points in 11 games played as a forward. He also has 15 shots on goal, five hits, and three blocked shots.

Anthony Mantha - Pittsburgh Penguins

Riding the still somehow surging Penguins, who are still also playing way above expectation, Mantha finds himself on the second line alongside Evgeni Malkin, as well as on the second powerplay unit. Mantha is stacking up points, is a plus player, and given the defensive side of his game, is also blocking shots to give some decent peripherals.

Mantha is getting picked up quick, trending as one of the most picked-up players in the league. I would scoop him so long as the Pens continue to win games and generate offense.

Mantha has six goals, seven assists, and one powerplay point as a forward in 14 games played as a forward. He also has 24 shots on goal, six hits, and 10 blocked shots.

Troy Terry - Anaheim Ducks

Is Terry going to have another one of his typical up years where he just puts up a ton of points, and you keep thinking he is going to come back to reality, but doesn't? So far, that's what it looks like. While he has been a 50+ point player every year, he has seen a lot of ups and downs.

This year, he has seen himself up and down the lineup, with his ice time fluctuating from 14 minutes of TOI to as high as 20+. Another thing to consider with Terry is that his peripherals are nearly non-existent, so if he is not producing offensively he is likely to lose you points, instead of gaining.

I would also consider that despite the Ducks' strong start to the season, they are still a rebuilding team and their season collapse is imminent. Every player on that team's +/- rating should be considered at that time. That said, ride the hot streak for now.

Terry has five goals, eight assists, and four powerplay points in 11 games played as a forward. He also has 26 shots on goal, zero hits, and one blocked shot.

Nicholas Robertson - Toronto Maple Leafs

I am just as surprised as you are that we are adding the other Robertson (not Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars), but his Maple Leaf brother. A constant trade bait player who struggles to maintain a roster spot throughout the year, is often a healthy scratch, and is someone who you do not expect to be on an opening night roster.

Robertson can score goals in bunches, but his defensive play is miles away, and has none of the consistency or elite talent that his brother has, but...

But somehow he can play up and down the lineup, still manage to contribute, and currently is being given an opportunity on the top Maple Leafs line with superstar captain Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies. Robertson is also being given second powerplay unit opportunities.

He does shoot the puck a lot, and can play a physical game and throw the body. Currently he is only worth a streamer add because he is being given icetime on the top line with Matthews, and as soon as he goes back down in the lineup he may not even be worth a streaming spot on your roster. Pick up with caution, and continue to watch daily lineups.

Robertson has three goals, three assists, and zero powerplay points in 12 games played as a forward. He also has 20 shots on goal, 12 hits, and two blocked shots.

Akira Schmid - Vegas Golden Knights

Let's look at the blue paint in Sin City: Adin Hill is hurt. He may be back this week, but this is unconfirmed.

Carter Hart is still suspended and is not eligible to play until December 1, although he has not played professional or meaningful hockey since January 2024. Even if he was to start to push within the organization, it's likely he'll be a while to condition, shake off the rust, and would still have to battle for a spot in the big leagues.

Carl Lindbom has played two games this season, and lost both. While his overall numbers were not terrible, it's clear he is not ready.

That leaves Schmid, who is taking a lot of starts, and is overall not rostered and has a winning rate much higher than Hill so far this year. Granted this is a small sample size, I always say that goalies are unpredictable, and to ride the hot glove.

Until Hill returns and establishes himself, it's possible that Schmid's play as of late may have earned him at least a tandem role for a while and will be worth a hold until Hill can take back the crease, Schmid may have long term value. Worth a look if you are in need of a tendy, with potential long-term value here.

Schmid has five wins in just four games started as a goaltender (not a typo, Schmid came in relief of Hill and won a game). He also has a .892 save percentage, 2.73 goals against average, and zero shutouts.