Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Targets: Brandon Bussi, Zeev Buium, Vladimir Tarasenko and More

Hey folks. Today, we're digging into waiver wire targets that go a little deeper than the usual December auto-adds. 

With the schedule heating up and games coming fast, this is the time of year where short-term deployment changes, hot streaks, and opportunity spikes can quietly swing matchups in your favor.

This week's list features a mix of players you might not expect to see sitting on your wire, including a goaltender fresh off a league record-setting performance, a defenseman stepping into a potential top powerplay quarterback role, and two players benefiting from a recent blockbuster trade. None of these adds require a long-term commitment, but all of them bring immediate upside if you're willing to act quickly, especially if you're hunting for help in the crease.

Let's dive into this week's top waiver wire pickups who carry low roster percentages, strong recent usage, and the kind of short-term value that matters most during a packed December schedule.

Make sure to check out our new Fantasy Hockey Projections. Outlooks at your fingertips that always give you an in-depth snapshot and an accurate outlook of what you expect from every player -  all season long. Powered by AI; refined by our experts.

Brandon Bussi - Carolina Hurricanes

If you're hunting for goalie help, this may be your only real window to act. Bussi has won 11 of his last 12 starts, is fresh off a league record-setting performance, and is very clearly catching lightning in a bottle right now. More importantly, he's passing the ‘eye test' with calm, confident play that suggests this run isn't pure luck.

Carolina's defensive structure does cap shot volume, so you may be sacrificing raw save totals for wins and strong ratios, but that tradeoff is well worth it in most formats. The Hurricanes simply don't give up many high-danger looks, and that stability gives Bussi a high floor whenever he's in net.

Rod Brind'Amour's “Blend-Amor” approach always leaves some room for rotation, but as long as Bussi keeps winning, he should continue to see the majority of starts. This isn't just a short-term streamer anymore, there's legitimate potential for this to turn into a long-term hold.

If he's still on your wire, add him now. Chances are that window is already closing, if it hasn't shut entirely.

Bussi has 11 wins in 12 games started as a goaltender. He also has a .911 save percentage, 2.05 goals against average, and one shutout. 

Fun fact: he also holds the NHL record for fastest goaltender to get 10, and 11 wins upon their NHL debut, in 11 and 12 games respectively.

Zeev Buium - Vancouver Canucks

Buium is a waiver wire add who could immediately pay dividends for your fantasy roster. He was already seeing top powerplay unit time in Minnesota, but now with Vancouver, he's stepping right into a similar role and scored in his very first game after the blockbuster trade.

Deployment is everything here, and Buium is getting top powerplay unit looks alongside Vancouver's skill players, giving him a real chance to produce points quickly. He's clearly being trusted by the coaching staff to quarterback the unit, and early returns suggest he's embracing the opportunity.

Off the ice, Buium spoke with the media, and stated that he doesn't want to be compared with Quinn Hughes and insists he wants to be his own player. That mindset could bode well for his confidence and fantasy value, as he looks to carve out a unique role rather than following in someone else's shadow.

If he's still on your wire, this is the kind of high-floor, high-usage add that can pay off immediately, especially with a busy December schedule and PP time guaranteed. That said, be mindful of his +/-, as it was already dreadful with the Wild, and will likely get worse, going from a hockey club that is trying to contend, to one that is very clearly trying to rebuild. Keep an eye on him - this could be one of the more impactful moves of the week.

Buium has four goals, 12 assists, and 10 powerplay points in 32 games played as a defenseman. He also has 33 shots on goal, 10 hits, and 16 blocked shots.

Jamie Benn - Dallas Stars

Benn has been quietly rolling under the radar this season since returning from his collapsed lung, but with Dallas continuing to stay competitive, he's a great waiver wire target for managers looking for an experienced forward with strong peripheral stats.

While his point production hasn't been off the charts, his role on the top line with Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz ensures he's getting plenty of chances to contribute offensively. Benn's playing with elite linemates and remains a fixture on the top powerplay unit, which gives him immediate value even in a busy December schedule.

Where Benn really shines, though, is his ability to chip in with hits and blocks, making him a solid addition in leagues that value peripherals. With 40+ penalty minutes already and over 100 hits on the season, Benn's fantasy value doesn't just come from his scoring - he's a multi-category contributor. If you're looking for a forward who can balance offense with physical play, Benn is the type of veteran you can plug into your lineup for immediate depth and stability.

Benn has four goals, five assists, and zero powerplay points in 14 games played as a forward. He also has 17 shots on goal, 23 hits, and four blocked shots.

Vladimir Tarasenko - Minnesota Wild

Tarasenko is quietly becoming a strong waiver wire streamer this December. He's getting top powerplay unit time alongside newly acquired Hughes, as well as Joel Eriksson Ek, Matt Boldy, and of course Kirill Kaprizov.

This gives him immediate value for points and powerplay production. Even if his even strength numbers are middling, his powerplay deployment ensures he remains a threat to generate points quickly in a busy schedule.

Beyond special teams, Tarasenko's experience and scoring ability make him a reliable contributor when Minnesota needs a spark. For fantasy managers looking for short-term upside or a streamer to plug into the lineup this month, he's worth picking up now, especially given his low roster percentage and the high ceiling inherent to his role on the top powerplay unit.

Tarasenko has three goals, 10 assists, and seven powerplay points in 26 games played as a forward. He also has 47 shots on goal, 21 hits, and 13 blocked shots.

Matt Coronato - Calgary Flames

Coronato has quietly stepped into a more prominent role with Calgary and is starting to show why he's worth monitoring on the waiver wire. He's getting consistent middle-six minutes and looks to be earning trust on the Flames' powerplay, which immediately boosts his short-term fantasy appeal. For managers hunting depth or a streamer during this packed December schedule, Coronato is the type of forward who can chip in points without needing top-line deployment.

You will have to be mindful of his +/- as well, as his even strength is not good, however a lot of this was compiled at the start of the season before he started producing as projected.

What makes him particularly interesting is his ability to produce offensively while maintaining responsible play. He's not just scoring, he's generating chances and showing the kind of high-energy play that can translate into at least one peripheral - shots on goal. Don't expect him to hit or jump in front of a puck to block, though. He will suffice if you're considering him for a short-term plug-in or even a longer hold in deeper leagues.

Coronato has 10 goals, nine assists, and seven powerplay points in 32 games played as a forward. He also has 93 shots on goal, five hits, and 11 blocked shots.