In fantasy hockey, it’s generally impossible to acquire proven stars via trade without giving up meaningful assets of your own, but the waiver wire is a different breed. Indeed, when utilized effectively, the wire can be a goldmine – somewhere managers catch lightning in a bottle for free.
Since league sizes and settings vary, the term “waiver wire hero” can be difficult to define. For this article, however, the definition is simple: anyone who started the season with no Yahoo ADP at all. These players weren’t trendy late picks; rather, they were largely overlooked but have since emerged as bona fide fantasy contributors.
(Statistics courtesy of Frozen Tools and current to the morning of November 16, 2025)
10. Conor Garland, RW, Vancouver Canucks (ADP: N/A)
Selected 123rd overall and standing at 5’10”, 165 lbs., Conor Garland has made a career out of proving naysayers wrong. Now in his eighth NHL season, Garland is off to the most productive start of his career, recording 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 16 games while skating on Vancouver’s top line and powerplay unit and, as always, doing whatever it takes to help his team win. Currently on pace for his first 60+ point output of his career, Conor Garland is used to being overlooked – so keep ignoring him to your own detriment.
9. Shane Pinto, C, Ottawa Senators (ADP: N/A)
Shane Pinto has taken time to find his groove at the NHL level, but he’s stepped up in a big way since Sens captain Brady Tkachuk went down with a wrist injury earlier this year. With 15 points (nine goals, six assists) in 19 games, Pinto has gelled with veteran Claude Giroux and 2023 Cup champ Michael Amadio on Ottawa’s third line. Together, the trio trails only Pavel Dorofeyev–Tomas Hertl–Mitch Marner in Expected Goals% among forward lines (68%) (min. 100 minutes played). Remarkably, Pinto has a grand total of zero powerplay points this year, but with continued even‑strength production, he’ll remain fantasy-relevant even after Captain Tkachuk gets back in the mix.
8. Kyle Palmieri, RW, New York Islanders (ADP: N/A)
Kyle Palmieri has been consistent from coast-to-coast since breaking into the NHL 15 years ago, beginning his career in Anaheim before moving eastward to New Jersey and eventually Long Island. With 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 18 games, Palmieri is currently on pace for the highest point total of his career (59). He’s skating alongside Mathew Barzal and Anthony Duclair at even strength and playing on the Islanders’ top powerplay unit, which looks rejuvenated with rookie standout Matthew Schaefer manning the point. With a depressed 9.6 SH%, don’t be surprised to see more goals down the road for Country Mile Kyle.
7. Marcus Johansson, LW, Minnesota Wild (ADP: N/A)
While Marcus Johansson has been steady throughout his career, he’s rarely produced enough to be fantasy-relevant due to his lengthy injury history. This year, however, JoJo has looked rejuvenated in Minnesota, posting 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 19 games while skating on the Wild’s second line with Joel Eriksson Ek and Matt Boldy. While his exorbitant 23.3 SH% suggests regression may be coming, with 12 points in his last 11 games, managers should continue riding the wave.
6. Jack Roslovic, C/RW, Edmonton Oilers (ADP: N/A)
Having entered training camp without a contract, Jack Roslovic now finds himself locked into Edmonton’s second line alongside Vasili Podkolzin and Leon Draisaitl while sticking on the Oilers’ loaded top powerplay unit. With deployment like that, it’s no surprise Roslovic has erupted for 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 18 games. Zach Hyman returned to the lineup in Edmonton’s 4-3 overtime win in Carolina this past Saturday night, yet Roslovic held onto both his L2 and PP1 roles. It’s unclear what will happen once Ryan Nugent-Hopkins returns from injury, but even if Roslovic eventually loses his spot on Edmonton’s top powerplay, he’ll remain fantasy-relevant as long as he continues to ride shotgun with Leon. Going from without a contract to pacing for a career year, Jack Roslovic is the definition of a waiver-wire hero.
5. Dawson Mercer, C/RW, New Jersey Devils (ADP: N/A)
Selected 18th overall in 2020, Dawson Mercer never fully found his offensive game at the NHL level, until this year. With 15 points (nine goals, six assists) in 18 games so far, Mercer has been steady while skating in New Jersey’s top six and on the top powerplay unit. Currently on pace for 68 points, Mercer’s scoring pace is just one point shy of his total production from his past two seasons combined. Along with his consistent production, Mercer has never missed a game in his NHL career, giving him an added layer of reliability. The Devils’ future became a little murky after franchise cornerstone Jack Hughes suffered a freak finger injury this past weekend, but if Mercer continues to produce offence, the Devils are in good hands (pardon the pun).
4. Tyler Bertuzzi, LW/RW, Chicago Blackhawks (ADP: N/A)
Tyler Bertuzzi was not particularly productive in his first year as a Blackhawk last season, finishing just 46 points (23 goals, 23 assists) in 82 games. But what a difference a year can make. After posting just five points in his first 10 games, Bertuzzi is now up to 15 points (nine goals, six assists) in 16 games, putting him on pace for a career-high 77 points. Bert already has strong seasons on his resume – including a 30-goal campaign in just 68 games with Detroit in 2021-2022 – but this season he’s become a fixture on Dobber’s Hot Players list and cemented himself as one of the most impactful waiver wire finds of the young season.
3. Pavel Zacha, C/LW, Boston Bruins (ADP: N/A)
At 6’4″, 211 lbs., Pavel Zacha has the frame to be successful, but it’s taken some time to find his footing at the NHL level. Entering this year, Zacha had only topped 40 points twice in his first nine seasons, but he’s been excellent so far, recording 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 20 games. Zacha has become a fixture on the Bruins’ top powerplay unit and has played an important role in the team’s early-season success, with nine powerplay points (tied for the fifth most leaguewide). So long as he and his Bruins teammates continue to exceed expectations, Pavel Zacha will maintain his status as a fantasy diamond in the rough.
2. Dmitri Voronkov, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets (ADP: N/A)
Last season, Kirill Marchenko was the ultimate waiver-wire hero, emerging as one of the most dangerous snipers in the NHL and winning countless fantasy leagues along the way. A big part of Marchenko’s breakout was his chemistry with fellow Russian Dmitri Voronkov, and that partnership has carried over into this season. The two have stuck together on Columbus’ top line, centered by Sean Monahan and, more recently, Adam Fantilli. Voronkov has been excellent this season, posting 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 18 games, a 64-point scoring pace over a full season. He may not reach Marchenko’s league-winner level from last year, but Voronkov still a reliable, productive piece who should not be overlooked in most fantasy pools.
1. Emil Heineman, LW/RW, New York Islanders (ADP: N/A)
The Islanders acquired Emil Heineman this past offseason in a blockbuster deal with Montreal that also brought in two first-round picks, later used to select highly touted prospects Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson. While the long-term value of those picks will take time to assess, the trade is already paying dividends thanks to Heineman’s strong start. The 23-year-old winger has recorded 12 points (eight goals, four assists) in 18 games and delivered 65 hits, giving him added multi-cat value. Skating alongside Jonathan Drouin and Bo Horvat and earning minutes on the Islanders’ second powerplay unit, Heineman has quickly established himself as a full-time NHLer, and one of the early steals of the 2025-2026 NHL season.
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That’s all for this week! Follow me on X @SmoothE27 for more fantasy hockey content and analysis, and feel free to DM me with any questions about your team.
Stay tuned for the next Top 10 on Monday, November 24. Have a great week everyone!