Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Targets: Igor Chernyshov, Valeri Nichushkin, Aliaksei Protas and More

Hey folks. It's a new year, and we have a new list of players to take a peek at.

Today, we're digging into the waiver wire for managers looking to capitalize on opportunity, momentum, and quietly strong play that might be flying under the radar.

From a young winger suddenly elevated alongside a franchise cornerstone, to a hot forward reminding everyone of his ceiling with a statement night, this group offers a mix of short-term upside and potential longer holds. We'll also touch on a consistently productive forward who deserves more fantasy respect, plus two defensemen who are trending in the right direction and starting to deliver usable category value. 

If you're scanning the wire for your next add before the rest of your league catches on, this is the place to start.

Make sure to check out our 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.

Igor Chernyshov - San Jose Sharks

Chernyshov has wasted absolutely no time making an impression since stepping into the lineup due to Will Smith's injury. Thrust directly onto the top line alongside Macklin Celebrini, the rookie forward has shown poise and offensive instincts well beyond his experience level. 

The results have been immediate. Chernyshov is producing at a point-per-game pace, driving play offensively, and benefiting from prime deployment that most waiver wire adds simply do not get.

From a fantasy perspective, this is exactly the type of situation managers should be aggressive on. Top line minutes, exposure to a franchise cornerstone, and confidence with the puck are all aligning right now. Chernyshov is not just riding shotgun either. He's getting involved, creating chances, and holding his own in transition. As long as he remains in this role, he should be viewed as a must hold in standard leagues.

The risk, of course, comes later. Smith is week-to-week, and Michael Misa's strong play for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships puts another wrinkle on San Jose's forward mix. Chernyshov's role could shrink when bodies return. For now, though, this is a classic ride the hot stick scenario. Add him, start him, and reassess when the lineup picture changes.

Chernyshov has three goals, five assists, and two powerplay points in seven games played as a forward. He also has 16 shots on goal, one hit, and two blocked shots.

Valeri Nichushkin - Colorado Avalanche

Nuke has always been an explosive fantasy asset when healthy, and right now he's reminding managers exactly why. Despite skating on one of the deepest rosters in the league, Nichushkin remains surprisingly under-rostered, sitting in roughly a third of leagues. That disconnect creates a clear waiver wire opportunity, especially considering the environment he plays in.

Any exposure to Colorado's elite core is fantasy gold. Nichushkin regularly finds himself alongside players like Nathan MacKinnon and benefiting from the gravitational pull of Cale Makar on the back end. That situation alone raises his floor, but when he's rolling offensively, the ceiling spikes fast. His New Year's Eve hat trick was a loud reminder of his ability to take over games in a hurry and swing fantasy matchups.

From a fantasy standpoint, this is a player managers should not be overthinking. Nichushkin brings goal-scoring upside, strong shot volume, and access to one of the league's most potent offenses. Even without permanent top line deployment, his role is stable enough to trust. Given the talent, team context, and current form, Nuke should be viewed as a hold in most formats and a priority add wherever he's still available.

Nichushkin has 11 goals, 15 assists, and three powerplay points in 31 games played as a forward. He also has 84 shots on goal, 26 hits, and eight blocked shots.

Aliaksei Protas - Washington Capitals

Protas is a fantasy league unicorn, ticking nearly every box a manager could want. He scores goals, racks up assists, generates shots, and contributes physically with hits and blocked shots - a rare all category contributing forward. 

Playing alongside Alex Ovechkin gives him prime offensive opportunity, and the presence of Jakob Chychrun on the back end - who is having a career season despite an Olympic snub - ensures the Capitals' top six forwards have elite support around them.

From a fantasy perspective, Protas is a must hold in nearly every format. He's rostered in roughly half of leagues, meaning plenty of managers are leaving elite production untouched on the wire - essentially a free hit for those looking to upgrade multiple categories. This also means half of the leagues out there are taco leagues. Don't be in a taco league, pick up Protas, now!

Consistency is key here: Protas isn't just flashing upside, he's delivering across the board week to week, making him a high-floor option for teams needing both counting stats and peripheral contributions. If he's available in your league, it's an easy add - the kind of player you don't want to wait on.

Protas has 16 goals, 15 assists, and one powerplay point in 41 games played as a forward. He also has 89 shots on goal, 20 hits, and 26 blocked shots.

Bowen Byram - Buffalo Sabres

Byram has been heating up recently, tallying seven points in his last five games - impressive production for a defenseman on a struggling team. He's paired with Owen Power on the back end and is seeing balanced deployment across all situations, including the second powerplay unit and second penalty kill, giving him ample opportunity to contribute in multiple categories.

From a fantasy perspective, Byram is a solid streaming option and a player trending toward reaching his projected ceiling. His recent uptick in offensive output suggests he can deliver consistent value if this pace continues, making him a worthwhile add for teams needing points and peripheral contributions from the blue line.

The caution here is standard: monitor his +/-, as team performance can affect this stat. Outside of that, Byram's combination of opportunity, production, and versatility makes him a safe bet for managers looking to plug a defenseman into their lineup.

Byram has nine goals, 11 assists, and three powerplay points in 39 games played as a defenseman. He also has 51 shots on goal, 26 hits, and 48 blocked shots.

Jared Spurgeon - Minnesota Wild

The Wild captain has seen his role shift following Minnesota's blockbuster trade that brought Quinn Hughes from Vancouver, now paired with Brock Faber on the top defensive unit. Spurgeon has dropped slightly on the depth chart, but he still sees second powerplay unit time and top penalty kill deployment, keeping him relevant in multiple categories.

While his point production isn't what it used to be, Spurgeon remains a fantasy asset for category managers. He consistently contributes hits and blocked shots, making him a valuable peripheral stat contributor and a steady option for teams looking to round out their defensive scoring.

Spurgeon is not a flashy waiver add in terms of goals or assists, but his consistent presence across multiple categories ensures he provides reliable value, particularly in leagues that reward defensive contributions and peripheral stats.

Spurgeon has three goals, eight assists, and four powerplay points in 41 games played as a defenseman. He also has 47 shots on goal, 51 hits, and 81 blocked shots.