Fantasy Hockey Top 10 Waiver Wire Pickups - IHM Metrics Edition
Date: December 2025 Author: IHM News
While we wait for the final NHL results to close the slate, this is the optimal window for fantasy managers to attack the waiver wire. Below is our fully reworked Top 10 add list based on opportunity, deployment, underlying IHM Metrics and recent production trends.
FORWARDS
Patrick Kane (DET) - 40% Rostered
Kane is once again driving offense at an elite rate. He has points in four straight games and in seven of his past eight overall, totaling 10 points over that stretch. Detroit is currently tied for eighth in the NHL in 5-on-5 shot attempts percentage (52.1), which supports sustained offensive volume.
IHM Metrics: 88th percentile in long-range shots on goal and elite power-play offensive zone time at 62.3%. This combination signals strong puck possession with shooting volume upside.
Anton Lundell & Eetu Luostarinen (FLA) - 37% / 5% Rostered
Lundell is tied with Brad Marchand for the Panthers’ team lead in assists (15) and sits third in total points with 22 in 28 games. His skating workload remains one of the heaviest among middle-six forwards league-wide.
Luostarinen remains a pure efficiency add. Both of his non-empty net goals this season have come from high-danger areas, and his even-strength offensive zone time sits at an elite 43.3%.
IHM Metrics: Lundell ranks in the 91st percentile in total skating distance and 85th percentile in long-range shots. Luostarinen ranks in the 86th percentile in offensive zone time at even strength.
Elias Lindholm & Alex Steeves (BOS) - 28% / 2% Rostered
Steeves has exploded with six points in his last six games, while Lindholm continues to stack assists with eight helpers over his past five games. Both are currently skating on Boston’s top line with Morgan Geekie and receiving power-play deployment.
With David Pastrnak sidelined, this line holds massive short-term fantasy leverage.
IHM Metrics: Lindholm ranks in the 84th percentile in hardest shot velocity and is finishing primarily from high-danger zones. Steeves has four of six goals from high-danger areas this season.
Mikael Granlund (ANA) - 27% Rostered
Since returning from injury, Granlund has logged at least 17 minutes in both games with four shots and three blocks. He already has nine points in 11 games this season after posting 66 points last year between San Jose and Dallas.
IHM Metrics: Granlund ranks in the 88th percentile in offensive zone time this season and finished last year in the 98th percentile for long-range goals.
Matt Savoie (EDM) - 2% Rostered
Savoie is the highest-upside speculative add on the list. He has scored three goals on seven shots across his past two games and is currently skating on Edmonton’s second line with Leon Draisaitl due to the Jack Roslovic injury.
IHM Metrics: Ranks in the 81st percentile for offensive zone start rate, indicating attacking deployment.
Jason Zucker (BUF) - 10% Rostered
Zucker has quietly produced 16 points in 20 games with goals in three straight contests. His power-play usage remains steady, and his shot location profile remains elite.
IHM Metrics: 95th percentile in offensive zone start rate, 91st percentile in high-danger shots, and 93rd percentile in high-danger goals.
Key Injury Return Watch: Matt Duchene (DAL) - 53% rostered
DEFENSEMEN
Kris Letang (PIT) - 30% Rostered
Letang continues to fill every category with five points in five games, 33 hits, and 34 blocks on the season. His multi-category floor remains elite for fantasy formats.
IHM Metrics: 93rd percentile in high-danger shots and 91st percentile in offensive zone starts.
Sam Malinski (COL) - 12% Rostered
Malinski has emerged as a true puck-transport defender for Colorado with 15 points in 29 games. He is one of only 12 Avalanche players to hit double-digit scoring.
IHM Metrics: 96th percentile in max skating speed, speed bursts above 20 mph, and 94th percentile in midrange shots on goal.
Key Injury Return Watch: Drew Doughty (LAK) - 48% rostered
GOALIE STREAMER
Dennis Hildeby (TOR) - 20% Rostered
With Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll sidelined, Hildeby has seized the crease with a .927 save percentage across eight games this season.
IHM Metrics: Ranks third in the NHL in 5-on-5 save percentage (.932) among goalies with at least eight appearances.
Key Injury Return Watch: Pyotr Kochetkov (CAR) - 59% rostered
Coach Mark’s Fantasy Comment
From a coaching and deployment perspective, this waiver cycle is not about chasing raw point streaks. It is about recognizing temporary structural promotion. Players like Savoie and Steeves are not suddenly elite talents overnight, but when you are placed next to a superstar center or elevated because of injuries, your expected value jumps immediately.
Granlund, Lundell, and Zucker represent sustainable middle-core production backed by heavy offensive zone usage. These are not flash adds. These are usage-driven assets that keep scoring floors intact even during cold stretches.
Letang and Malinski represent two fantasy archetypes: category coverage versus pace-driven offense. Both win matchups differently depending on league format. Hildeby is the short-term swing factor. When a goalie enters rhythm with structural protection, fantasy managers must act before regression arrives.
IHM Q&A - Fantasy Waiver Wire (IHM Metrics)
Q1: Why is Matt Savoie a priority add despite low roster rate?
Because deployment overrides history. Skating with elite linemates instantly increases shot quality and power-play exposure.
Q2: Is Patrick Kane’s production sustainable?
Yes. His puck touch rate, offensive zone time and shot generation remain elite at five-on-five and on the power play.
Q3: What separates Lundell from typical middle-six fantasy centers?
Total skating distance, transition involvement and sustained inside-zone possession.
Q4: Is Steeves real or only a streak add?
As long as Pastrnak is out and his high-danger role remains intact, Steeves stays fantasy relevant.
Q5: Why is Letang still valuable at his age?
Because hits, blocks and offensive zone starts create stability beyond raw point scoring.
Q6: Why does Malinski matter even without PP1?
Because pace, zone transport and shot creation define modern transitional defensemen.
Q7: Can Hildeby be trusted short-term?
Yes, as long as Toronto maintains layered defensive support in front of him.
Q8: What is the key fantasy strategy this waiver cycle?
Exploit injury-driven role amplification before market correction.
IHM Fantasy Takeaway
This waiver cycle is defined by opportunity concentration. Short-term deployment upside now outweighs long-term name value. Attack usage before regression catches up.
IHM Fantasy Lab - We don’t chase streaks. We chase deployment and IHM Metrics.