Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Alex Lyon and Tony DeAngelo Headline Top Pickups

Hey folks. This week's waiver wire feels especially important with the Olympic break looming, and there are a handful of options that could quietly tip the scales in your favor. 

We're looking at a defensemen who is being added in leagues at a very fast rate, along with a couple of forwards whose recent production is backed by usage and category coverage rather than empty nights.

In the crease, two netminders have recently returned to the picture - one already back in game action and another still waiting to make his first start. Whether you're pushing for a win now or trying to stabilize before the schedule goes quiet, this waiver group offers timely opportunity with some long-term value on the horizon.

Let's dive in and break down five players who you should be eyeing up.

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Tony DeAngelo - New York Islanders

DeAngelo has quickly re-established himself as a fantasy relevant defenseman, and the waiver activity backs it up. He is among the most-added players in the league this week for a reason. The Islanders are leaning on him offensively, and his usage reflects real trust rather than stopgap deployment. He's seeing consistent top four minutes, pushing play at even strength, and most importantly, he's firmly in the powerplay mix.

The big fantasy hook here is his role as a powerplay quarterback, where he's actively bouncing between units and swapping between the top and second unit with franchise cornerstone Matthew Schaefer. That flexibility matters - it keeps DeAngelo insulated from short-term line shuffles and gives him exposure to the Islanders' best offensive talent regardless of which unit is clicking. His shot volume is trending up, which supports the idea that this production isn't just dumb luck.

From a fantasy perspective, DeAngelo is more than a short-term streamer. In leagues that value powerplay points, assists, and shots, he profiles as a legitimate hold while this role sticks. There's always volatility baked into his deployment history, but right now, the opportunity is too good to ignore. If you need backend offense or powerplay juice heading into the break, he's one of the cleaner adds on the wire.

DeAngelo has four goals, 19 assists, and four powerplay points in 53 games played as a defensemen. He also has 104 shots on goal, 21 hits, and 45 blocked shots.

James van Riemsdyk - Detroit Red Wings

JVR has landed in a near perfect fantasy situation on a Red Wings team that's absolutely rolling right now. Detroit has planted him firmly on the top powerplay unit, and that alone keeps him waiver relevant in most formats. Even though his even strength deployment is limited at middle six, the quality of his special teams usage is doing the heavy lifting, and it's translating directly into points.

What's encouraging here is the consistency. This isn't a one-week heater built on soft minutes or fluky shooting. JVR is doing what he's always done best: living around the net, cashing in on rebounds, tips, and second-chance looks with the man advantage. From his time in Philly, to Toronto - JVR has been the most elite tip-in specialist in the league and I am seeing glimpses of deja vu (not the Milkshake spot) watching his net front presence.

The Wings' powerplay is humming, and his role is clearly defined, which gives fantasy managers a high ceiling while his production and deployment remain, but he carries risk with a low floor. From a fantasy lens, this is a classic powerplay first add. 

van Riemsdyk has 14 goals, 10 assists, and nine powerplay points in 45 games played as a forward. He also has 76 shots on goal, eight hits, and 23 blocked shots.

Charlie Coyle - Columbus Blue Jackets

Coyle fits a very similar fantasy profile to JVR, but with a bit more schedule driven appeal this week. At even strength, he's living in the middle six, which caps the raw upside, but the fantasy value comes from his top powerplay deployment - and importantly, he's actually producing in that role. When a player is converting limited usage into points, that's usually a signal worth acting on, even on a weaker team.

Yes, the Blue Jackets sit near the bottom of the league in the standings, but that doesn't automatically disqualify their fantasy relevance. In fact, weeks with a full, dense schedule are exactly when these types of players matter most. Extra games mean extra powerplay reps, more shot volume, and more chances for counting stats to pile up - and Coyle is positioned to benefit from that volume more than most waiver level options on Columbus.

From a fantasy standpoint, Coyle is best viewed as a short-term schedule add with powerplay upside. You're not betting on team strength here - you're leveraging role and opportunity during a busy week. If you need depth scoring, powerplay points, or simply games played to win categories, he's a sneaky add that can outperform expectations in the right window.

Coyle has 12 goals, 23 assists, and six powerplay points in 52 games played as a forward. He also has 86 shots on goal, 71 hits, and 33 blocked shots.

Alex Lyon - Buffalo Sabres

Lyon missed a chunk of time from December 31-January 19 with a lower-body injury, but since returning, he's wasted no time reminding fantasy managers why he mattered earlier in the season. He's already made three starts, including a shutout, and the early results suggest he's back up to speed rather than easing his way in. That immediate effectiveness is key when evaluating short-term goalie adds.

Buffalo has been one of the league's biggest surprises, exceeding expectations and pushing itself firmly into playoff position. With Lyon back in the mix, their outlook between the pipes only improves. Compounding the opportunity is the current absence of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is expected to miss roughly a week. That opens the door for Lyon to take the lion's share of starts until Luukkonen returns (pun fully intended, and fully earned).

From a fantasy perspective, this is a high leverage short-term (potentially long-term) goalie add with real upside. You're getting a goaltender on a confident, competitive team, with volume, momentum, and recent performance all lining up at the right time. Even once the crease starts to normalize, Lyon has a chance to not only stick in tandem consideration if he keeps rolling, but I personally think he will steal the crease completely by the end of the season. If you need wins, saves, or a timely ratios boost before the break, this is one of the strongest waiver plays available right now.

Lyon has 12 wins in 21 games started as a goaltender. He also has a .911 save percentage, 2.69 goals against average, and two shutouts.

Linus Ullmark - Ottawa Senators

Ullmark is back with the team, though he's currently in a backup role and hasn't started a game yet. What makes his return notable goes far beyond ice time: he recently spoke publicly about the reason for his absence, revealing struggles with poor mental health and panic attacks that became severe enough to require professional help. This is a brave and important conversation - mental health affects everyone, even elite professional athletes, and seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Ullmark's willingness to share his experience is a reminder to all of us that taking care of your mental well being is just as critical as physical health, and that help is available and effective.

From a hockey perspective, once Ullmark resumes regular starts, Ottawa will likely have the confidence in net they need to make a strong push for a playoff berth. Fantasy managers can monitor his situation for short-term upside, but the real takeaway here is the human one: mental health matters, and no level of talent or success shields anyone from its impact. Getting help when you need it is vital - don't ignore the signs in yourself or in those around you.

Ullmark has 14 wins in 28 games started as a goaltender. He also has a .811 save percentage, 2.95 goals against average, and one shutout.