With the tail end of the NHL regular season approaching, most fantasy hockey managers find themselves in crunch time! Usually at this point the free agency pool/waiver wire in all competitive leagues are quite thin.

Here at RotoBaller, our goal is always to help you win your league!

With that in mind, here are some helpful/widely available players that should garner your interest.

NHL Waiver Wire Targets

Craig Smith (RW, NSH)

Stat Line: (61 games played, 20 goals, 12 Power Play points, 15:39 Average time on ice, 179 Shots on goal, 43 hits, 18 PIM)

If you’re in need of a red-hot fantasy hockey commodity, look no further than the Nashville Predators Craig Smith. Currently sporting an eight-game point streak, the 28-year-old right winger is quietly getting the job done for Nashville. During even strength play he’s living life on the second line alongside Kyle Turris & Kevin Fiala. His recent outburst of 13 points in his past 15 games has also earned him a promotion onto the Predators first Power Play Unit. Playing on the leagues fourth most successful Power Play unit always bodes well for a high-volume shooter. Although he doesn’t average first line minutes, he’s in red hot form & has shown no signs of regression as of late. PICK UP IMMEDIATELY!

Chris Kreider (LW, NYR)

Stat Line: (39 games played, 11 goals, 11 assists, 7 Power Play points, 15:37 Average time on ice, 100 Shots on goal, 81 hits, 29 PIM)

To say the 2017/18 NHL season has been brutal to the Rangers organization would be an understatement. Multiple key injuries have been a very substantial factor for this year’s results. None more so than the disruption of the Rangers first line flow. When healthy it would consist of Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, & Pavel Buchnevich. All three of those players have faced significant time away from the ice for various health reasons, but Kreider is finally back. Kreider’s physical presence has been sorely missed for almost two months. Even if he doesn’t get on the scoresheet right from the get go, his peripheral stats help ease the burden of those fantasy owners in banger leagues. Kreider is back to skating regular minutes on the first line as well as reassuming his role on the first power play unit also. It is baffling how he is still not owned in most fantasy hockey leagues. Look for this line to replicate the great chemistry they showed earlier this season. There won’t be a better buy low opportunity all season.

Paul Stastny (C, WPG)

Stat Line: (64 games played: 13 goals; 29 assists: 9 Power Play points, 18:37 Average time on ice, 138 SOG, 36 Hits, 14 PIM)

The trade involving St. Louis and Winnipeg seemingly came out of nowhere. The Winnipeg Jets' low key might have the best forward depth in the West heading towards the tail end of the regular season. Projected to be playing on the third line centering Patrik Laine & Nikolaj Ehlers, Paul Stastny is going to remain playing alongside top caliber talent.  Known primarily for his excellent distribution, Stastny is going to at least match, if not better, his Blues totals whilst playing for Winnipeg.  There’s not many scenarios where a move away from an elite linemate such as Tarasenko doesn’t weaken a player’s fantasy hockey value, but gaining Laine and Ehlers sure helps shoulder the burden for Stastny owners. Pick him up from the waiver wire if it’s still possible.