NHL Waiver Wire: Catch 'Em While They're Hot

Finding and riding the wave of a hot streak is an invaluable skill to develop as a fantasy GM. If you're able to string together enough of them, a bunch of hot streaks makes a hot team. As we've seen from players like Sidney Crosby this year, your most precious draftees might not pan out for you quite as expected; supplementing their downturn with a player riding a hot hand is the difference between a playoff contender and a team in the league's doldrums. We're only now seeing Sid emerge from his lull from the beginning of the season -- if you were wise enough to offset some of that performance loss, you're probably sitting pretty for the rest of the year.

Below are players who are on rather hot streaks and who should be a member of any deep-pool team. Their recent production is not likely to last the rest of the way, but they should be able to wrap up your calendar year with a nice surge.

Jeff Skinner W, CAR - Easily the hottest player in the league, it's astounding that his ownership rates are as low as they are. In the last month, Skinner has put up 11 goals and two assists, with a plus-one, six PIM and two PPG. During that time, he has two hat tricks and has been a dynamic force in very nearly every shift for the Hurricanes. Yet, for all that production, he's only owned in about half the leagues, giving an indication that many GMs don't like riding streaks. Don't make the same mistake. Skinner is likely one of the few available elite-level snipers in your waiver wire, and any hot streak by him equates to pucks in the back of the net for your team. Even if this is a flash in the pan for a month, it's a good flash to capture. I'm of the belief that we're finally seeing the old Skinner emerge from the concussion problems he's dealt with for much of his career. While I'm certainly not buying that he's on pace for a 50-plus goal season, he's nearly eclipsed his previous year mark in less than half the number of games. It's completely reasonable to forecast a 30-plus goal season based on his performance to date.

Ryan Spooner C/W, BOS - Considering Spooner's 18-percent ownership rate, you'd be forgiven if you believed this diamond in the rough was something to be overlooked. His career numbers to date prior to this season have been marginal at best. With 22 points in 31 games, including 11 points in the last month, he's showing that there's a lot more to him than his past performance. His season-to-date rankings are typically in the 80s, and he's in the top 10 for the last two weeks. It's anybody's guess as to whether he can maintain a similar level of performance in the future, but he's on the archetypical hot streak right now, and he's readily available. While his five-on-five play is done on the third line, he's getting top line power-play time, and his 10 PPP indicate he'll have plenty of opportunity to keep this streak alive. He's a gamble, but a solid one.

Alexander Wennberg C, CLS - If there's a team out there that needs someone to catch fire badly, that team is the Columbus Blue Jackets. In his second year in the NHL, Wennberg has finally started to put together the formula for success, and it's shown the last month. With two goals and eight assists, he's one of the hottest players in the league, yet, few have taken notice, and almost no fantasy GMs have bought in. His ownership rates are at 1 percent - meaning all but the savant leagues have him sitting in the free-agent pool. Looking at his career numbers in junior and overseas, it's rather plain to see that he's not going to be a force to be reckoned with. He's riding a hot hand, and his presence on Scott Hartnell's line is giving him secondary points to the elder Blue Jacket's hot streak of his own. Nonetheless, Wennberg's inclusion in the top unit power play is sure to give him opportunity to continue this streak well into the New Year. But, make no mistake -- investors would be wise to buy and watch like a hawk.

Jussi Jokinen C/W, FLA - Possibly one of the perennially underrated players by fantasy GMs, I'm glad that Jokinen is still readily available. He's always helped every team I've ever put him on, and given his performance for the last month, it's little wonder I have him on many that I manage right now. Since mid-November, Jokinen has put up three goals and eight assists for 11 points along with a plus-four rating, two PPG and a wonderfully scrappy 20 PIM. That level of production has him in the top 50 for the last 30 days, yet his ownership rate has hovered at 20 percent. No matter where he's gone, he's been able to consistently put up 45-50 points given a reasonable amount of ice time. He's also shown in the not-to-distant past that he can hit the 60-plus point mark if given power play time. In Florida, he's being utilized on the top unit with the Panther's big guns, and he's making the most of it. If you're unconvinced by some of the more risky hot streaks listed above, Jokinen would give you a veteran hot streak, one that is unlikely to fall below 50 points given this level of performance for the year.

Victor Rask C, CAR - If you'd really like to get on the Jeff Skinner train, but you arrived too late to the game to board, consider the alternative in Victor Rask. His last 30 days hasn't been quite as goal-proficient as his winger, but his four goals and seven assists for 11 points is nothing to scoff at. He's ranked in the top 75 in most leagues, and ownership rates are incredibly low at 30 percent. The biggest problem other GMs have told me with Rask is the disbelief in the Hurricanes as a whole. As I've mentioned, the biggest indicator of success is not team success, but opportunity. Rask is playing center to the hottest player in the league and is playing on the top unit power play with Eric Staal, Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin and Justin Faulk -- a very potent collection of players. Even when Skinner slows down, it's unlikely that Rask will (appreciably).

Jason Pominville W, MIN - If there was an award for the player in the league I traded for most frequently at the trade deadline, I'm fairly certain Pominville would win. His point totals for his career have been exceptional, yet his ownership levels and desired retainability by other GMs has been exceptionally (and inexplicably weak). This year is no exception. His four goals and 14 assists for the season has been nothing to write home about, but his four goals and six assists in the last month have been fantastic. While he hovers at just over the 100 ranking in most leagues, he's trending toward the 60s, and he's only owned in one-in-four leagues. If you look at his career numbers, he's a lock every year for mid-50s in points and mid-teens in power-play performance. Consider how hot Minnesota gets every year just after the Christmas break, and it's a wise investment indeed to grab ahold of him for at least a few weeks.

Shayne Gostisbehere D, PHI - If you're in need for a streaking defenseman, I believe I have a candidate for you in Gostisbehere. After being called up mid-November, the young Flyer blueliner has put up some very impressive numbers. In just 16 games, he has six goals and five assists for 11 points and a plus-three. His numbers distinctly remind me of John Klingberg's entrance into the league last year, and we all see how he's been doing lately. It remains to be seen how long he can keep up this production -- he's only 22, and at 5-foot-11, 186, he's rather small to be a rearguard in the league. Nonetheless, he's owned in less than half the leagues, and he gets time on the power play. While Philadelphia has had a mediocre start to the season, all indications are that the big guns are starting to wake up, and the Flyers are advancing up the standings. If that's the case, Gostisbehere likely will continue to put points on the scoresheet. Unlike some of the others on this list, Gostisbehere has the ability to turn this streak into a full-season performance, should he continue to be given the opportunity.