Weekly Fantasy Hockey Pickups: Zeev Buium Shines on the Power Play

Welcome to Your Weekly Fantasy Hockey Guide

The 2025-26 NHL season is officially underway! If you're a fantasy hockey enthusiast like I am, you know the importance of making strategic pickups each week. With teams already revealing their strengths and weaknesses, now's the perfect time to dive into the waiver wire and bolster your roster.

Each Monday, I'll highlight players whose performances and potential can significantly enhance your fantasy lineup. Let's kick things off by spotlighting some noteworthy options, including the standout rookie, Zeev Buium.

The Rising Star: Zeev Buium

Zeev Buium, D, Minnesota Wild (3.05 FPPG, 70.3% available): If you haven't tuned into Buium's recent games, you're missing out on some exciting hockey. His role on the power play has showcased his offensive potential, as he is rapidly becoming a key contributor for the Wild. Yet, it's essential to note his minus-4 rating, raising questions about his defensive efficiency. His pairing with Jared Spurgeon hasn't yielded great results defensively (zero goals scored vs. three allowed at 5-on-5).

“Buium's offensive stats are promising, but fantasy managers need to weigh his defensive contribution carefully.”

Despite the negatives, the potential upside from his power-play time is too valuable to ignore. So, consider scooping him up if you need to fill out your defensive roster.

Other Notable Pickups

Now, let's discuss some other players who could make an impact on your fantasy teams this week.

Forwards Worth Watching

• Anton Lundell, LW, Florida Panthers (2.87 FPPG, 38.0% available): As a potential breakout player in the absence of Aleksander Barkov, Lundell's role has increased significantly.
• Elias Lindholm, RW, Boston Bruins (3.43 FPPG, 35.9% available): After a rocky start last season, Lindholm is beginning to find his rhythm with an impressive start to this season.

Defensemen to Consider

• Aaron Ekblad, D, Florida Panthers (1.87 FPPG, 62.8% available): Playing prominently on the Panthers' power play, his contributions could prove essential as the season progresses.
• Andrew Peeke, D, Boston Bruins (2.73 FPPG, 93.3% available): Known for his defensive stats, Peeke has a solid chance to contribute fantasy points through hits and blocked shots.

Goaltenders to Keep an Eye On

In the unpredictable world of goaltending, you could find treasures if you search wisely.

Karel Vejmelka, G, Utah Mammoth (2.50 FPPG, 67.9% available): With a favorable schedule coming up this week, Vejmelka may be worth adding if you're looking for a short-term goalie fix.

Scott Wedgewood, G, Colorado Avalanche (3.93 FPPG, 59.8% available): While Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to miss time, Wedgewood has the opportunity for significant fantasy contributions.

Your Weekly Strategy

This week's focus should be on streaming players who not only have favorable matchups but also the opportunity to contribute consistently. It's early in the season, and trends are still forming—don't hesitate to adapt your strategy.

Final Thoughts