This week’s waiver wire report highlights several players to target for fantasy leagues. Jackson Blake of the Carolina Hurricanes, currently available in 99.5% of leagues, has seen a surge in value following the acquisition of Mikko Rantanen, allowing him to join a potent line with Sebastian Aho. Jonathan Drouin, now on a line with Nathan MacKinnon after a trade, provides job security and power-play opportunities. Morgan Geekie is making waves with the Bruins, scoring six goals in seven games after moving to the top line. Meanwhile, Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks is also on the rise following a goal streak.

On defense, Tony DeAngelo and Alexander Romanov from the New York Islanders are worth considering due to their increasing roles in the wake of injuries. In goal, Jake Allen steps up as the starter for the New Jersey Devils after Jacob Markstrom's injury. Cam Talbot continues to show potential with the Detroit Red Wings. Short-term streaming options include Chandler Stephenson and Brock Nelson, who have favorable matchups coming up.

NHL DFS analysis for January 23, 2025, is here as the season heats up with a packed eleven-game slate. Key matchups include the Carolina Hurricanes, Nashville Predators, and New York Rangers, with the Hurricanes leading the implied team totals at 4.3. Goalie Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks is highlighted against the Edmonton Oilers, who are coping without star center Connor McDavid due to suspension. Demko has shown potential value despite a record of 1-3 in his last five games.

In the center position, Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins is positioned for a standout performance against the Anaheim Ducks, who struggle defensively. Meanwhile, Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning is expected to capitalize on his matchup with the San Jose Sharks, where he has the potential for significant point production.

On the wings, Andrei Svechnikov of the Hurricanes aims to break out against the Columbus Blue Jackets, while Marco Kasper from the Detroit Red Wings serves as a budget-friendly option with a favorable matchup against the Montreal Canadiens. The defensemen's slot features Shayne Gostisbehere of the Hurricanes, providing added value with his top power-play role.

Top stacks to consider include Carolina’s Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho, and Blake, as well as Nashville’s Forsberg and Stamkos. Monitor injury news as several players, including Adam Fantilli and Jacob Markstrom, are making headlines. Best of luck in your lineups!

The injury report from various NHL teams reveals significant player updates as the season progresses. Boston Bruins forward Mark Kastelic is day-to-day, while Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere has made a comeback after an eight-game absence due to an upper-body injury.

In Florida, Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad and forward Jonah Gadjovich will not accompany the team on their upcoming road trip for back-to-back games, pending a reevaluation post-trip. Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine returned after missing four games due to illness, alongside defenseman David Savard, who also missed four games due to an upper-body issue.

Pittsburgh Penguins saw the return of forward Philip Tomasino after four games out with an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, a car accident involving forward Michael Bunting caused him to miss a game, although he was not hurt. Evgeni Malkin, however, was placed on the IR, missing his fourth game.

In Vegas, Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel’s absence was attributed to illness, but coach Bruce Cassidy anticipates his quick recovery. Finally, Nicolas Roy returned for the Golden Knights after an 11-game hiatus from an upper-body injury, while the Washington Capitals placed goaltender Charlie Lindgren on the IR.

Frederik Andersen, the Carolina Hurricanes goaltender, has returned to team practices after undergoing knee surgery and missing seven weeks. His participation in practice is viewed as a positive sign, although a full comeback is not expected imminently. Andersen expressed satisfaction with his return, indicating it as a fruitful first step. His statistics from the prior season and previous two years have been impressive, with a record of 3-1, a 1.49 GAA, and a .941 SV% in his last four games before injury.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes' current starter, Pyotr Kochetkov, is struggling with an .897 save percentage over his last five outings. Andersen is projected to be a valuable asset in fantasy leagues if he remains healthy. Additionally, Shayne Gostisbehere is recovering from an upper-body injury and has yet to join the team in practice, which is a concern for the team's power play effectiveness, currently one of the worst in the league.

Across the league, the Vancouver Canucks are hopeful for the return of Filip Hronek from an AHL conditioning stint, as his presence significantly boosts the team's performance. Elias Pettersson’s potential return is also noteworthy, as he has been sidelined since before Christmas. In Columbus, Sean Monahan’s injury poses a challenge, but he is expected to return soon. The New York Rangers are optimistic about Igor Shesterkin's return, while the Colorado Avalanche face a goalie shortage with Scott Wedgewood out injured. Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars are benefiting from contributions by Matt Duchene and Evgenii Dadonov despite injuries to key players. The status of several other players like Kirill Kaprizov and Linus Ullmark remains uncertain, causing fantasy managers to stay vigilant.

Buffalo Sabres forward Jiri Kulich is sidelined for a week due to a lower-body injury, highlighting the ongoing challenges for the team. Meanwhile, Calgary Flames are monitoring Connor Zary's knee, with further imaging expected as the swelling subsides. Carolina Hurricanes also face setbacks with William Carrier out and Shayne Gostisbehere leaving practice early.

Frederik Andersen of the Hurricanes made his return to practice following knee surgery, while Colorado Avalanche's Jonathan Drouin missed a game due to an upper-body issue. The Blue Jackets are dealing with wrist concerns for Sean Monahan, and the Red Wings have placed Jeff Petry on IR.

New York Rangers are evaluating Filip Chytil's upper-body injury, and Igor Shesterkin has been practicing. The Penguins' Evgeni Malkin is day-to-day, and the Sharks face a similar situation with Fabian Zetterlund. Vancouver Canucks coach Rick Tocchet hinted at a possible return for Thatcher Demko, but Elias Pettersson continues to miss games.