# Waiver wire, October 12–18: usable dates and individual goalie choices

October 11 review: Buffalo Monday volume, Pittsburgh Friday coverage, Carolina Sunday roles and four individual goalie decisions for October 12–18.

Published: 2026-10-11T13:15:00+00:00
Last substantive update: 2026-10-11T13:15:00+00:00
Information verified: 2026-10-11T12:23:52.456878+00:00
Language: en
Author: Dav Czar
Reviewed by: Dav Czar

## Key takeaways

- Buffalo Monday, Pittsburgh Friday and Carolina Sunday matter only when the player fits an active slot.
- Pay for recorded role and your scoring categories; early points do not justify a core-player trade.
- Oettinger, DeSmith, Bussi and Kochetkov require separate decisions; team dates never guarantee individual starts.

The October 12–18 waiver decision is about playable dates and repeatable deployment. Buffalo offers four team games, Pittsburgh offers a Friday opening, and Carolina offers a Sunday opening. Those advantages matter only when your incoming player can enter your active lineup. A three-game winger who sits behind your regular starters can contribute less than a two-game replacement who actually plays for you.

This edition was researched on October 11, before that day's games. Player totals below include completed regular-season games through October 10; Seattle's latest completed game was October 9. Current roster listings and dated club reports were checked separately. A roster listing is not medical clearance, a projected unit is not a confirmed future assignment, and no October 12–18 goalie start has been assumed.

## October 12–18 calendar: three different ways to gain a start

| Eastern date | Scheduled NHL games |
| --- | --- |
| 2026-10-12 | 3 |
| 2026-10-13 | 16 |
| 2026-10-14 | 2 |
| 2026-10-15 | 11 |
| 2026-10-16 | 2 |
| 2026-10-17 | 14 |
| 2026-10-18 | 2 |

The official schedule contains 50 games, counted by puck-drop date in Eastern Time. Wednesday October 14, Friday October 16 and Sunday October 18 have two each; Monday October 12 has three. Tuesday has 16, Thursday 11 and Saturday 14. Buffalo plays October 12, 13, 15 and 17: the Monday game is the practical edge, while the other three can collide with a full roster. Pittsburgh plays October 13, 16 and 17, so a cheap forward can fill Friday. Carolina plays October 13, 17 and 18, giving you a Sunday decision after Saturday's results.

Seattle and Philadelphia both play October 13, 15 and 17. They offer role-based holds but no light-date bonus in this window. Dallas plays October 13, 14 and 17, with consecutive games against Colorado on the 13th and 14th. That is a reason to monitor announcements, not to assign the second game to a backup. Today's October 11 games fall outside next week's scoring period.

Open the [weekly NHL schedule](/en/weekly-nhl-schedule/) and mark free positions before making a claim. In daily leagues, count starts you can use. In weekly locks, prioritize the player's role and health across the entire period. Keep an acquisition available for a late injury or a confirmed goalie opportunity instead of spending every move on crowded dates.

## Forwards: inexpensive claims with a defined purpose

| Player | Team dates | GP / P / PPP |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Jack Quinn | 2026-10-12, 2026-10-13, 2026-10-15, 2026-10-17 | 5 / 2 / 0 |
| Tommy Novak | 2026-10-13, 2026-10-16, 2026-10-17 | 6 / 5 / 2 |
| Jackson Blake | 2026-10-13, 2026-10-17, 2026-10-18 | 6 / 7 / 4 |
| Shayne Gostisbehere | 2026-10-13, 2026-10-17, 2026-10-18 | 6 / 4 / 4 |
| Owen Power | 2026-10-12, 2026-10-13, 2026-10-15, 2026-10-17 | 5 / 5 / 0 |

### Jack Quinn — a modest Monday claim for shots

Recorded through 2026-10-10: 2 points (2 goals, 0 assists), 14 shots and 0 power-play points in 5 games. Average ice time: 20:00 overall and 3:28 on the power play; NHL-recorded average PP share: 67.0%.

Quinn's 14 shots in five games and 3:28 average power-play time support a low-cost claim in leagues counting shots or rewarding power-play production. Zero recorded power-play points limits the case for paying a premium in points-only pools. Add him for an expendable bench winger if Monday creates an actual open slot; do not trade a dependable starter for the extra team game. Availability varies by pool, and Buffalo's next lineup still needs checking. Reverse the claim if he is scratched, loses the meaningful power-play share, or cannot enter your active roster.

### Tommy Novak — Friday coverage rather than a bidding chase

Recorded through 2026-10-10: 5 points (3 goals, 2 assists), 10 shots and 2 power-play points in 6 games. Average ice time: 15:14 overall and 2:44 on the power play; NHL-recorded average PP share: 47.4%.

The [October 10 projected lineup](https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/dallas-stars-pittsburgh-penguins-game-preview-october-10-2026) placed Novak with Malkin and Chinakhov. That is dated role evidence, not next week's confirmed line. His two power-play points and 2:44 average PP time provide a points-oriented reason to use him on Friday. Make a waiver-level claim or swap an unused bench forward; five points in six games does not justify a core-player trade. He offers little contact-category support with one recorded hit. Pass if another option fits your scoring better, or if the line and PP usage fall before the October 16 game.

### Jackson Blake — Sunday flexibility with a power-play ceiling

Recorded through 2026-10-10: 7 points (1 goals, 6 assists), 16 shots and 4 power-play points in 6 games. Average ice time: 17:50 overall and 5:19 on the power play; NHL-recorded average PP share: 81.9%.

The [October 10 projected units](https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/projected-lineup-october-10-at-chicago) included Blake on PP1. His 16 shots, seven points and four PP points support an add for points and PPP formats at a moderate waiver cost. Reserve space for Sunday's Carolina game rather than buying three automatic personal starts. If he is already rostered, use a comparable bench-winger offer; do not attach a protected pick or a productive starter. A reduced PP role or a scratch reverses the decision. Jarvis's eventual return is a role risk; verify deployment again before relying on the final game.

## Defensemen: keep total minutes separate from PP opportunity

### Shayne Gostisbehere — add for PPP when Sunday is usable

Recorded through 2026-10-10: 4 points (1 goals, 3 assists), 10 shots and 4 power-play points in 6 games. Average ice time: 18:39 overall and 4:34 on the power play; NHL-recorded average PP share: 70.4%.

Gostisbehere also appeared on Carolina's October 10 projected PP1. All four of his recorded points came on the power play, making him a more targeted choice for PPP scoring than for broad physical categories. Claim him over a replaceable low-PP defenseman if Sunday's slot is free. A trade should stay at comparable depth-defenseman cost; the early conversion rate is not a scoring forecast. Two hits and two blocks offer little category cushion. Stop chasing if the PP assignment disappears, an injury changes his availability, or your outgoing defenseman supplies more of the categories you need.

### Owen Power — hold the broad role; do not purchase a PP1 promotion

Recorded through 2026-10-10: 5 points (1 goals, 4 assists), 5 shots and 0 power-play points in 5 games. Average ice time: 26:02 overall and 1:37 on the power play; NHL-recorded average PP share: 31.1%.

Power's 26:02 average ice time and five points support a hold in defenseman scoring. His five shots, three blocks and zero PP points do not turn that heavy workload into a universal category advantage. Buffalo's Monday game can make a depth-level claim useful, but his 1:37 average PP time and 31.1% recorded share do not establish the lead unit. Keep a reliable offensive defenseman rather than paying extra for an unannounced promotion. Lower minutes, lost availability or an unusable Monday slot would remove the marginal streaming benefit.

## Deeper pools: three alternatives with specific limits

**Bobby McMann:** 18 shots, 11 hits and two goals in five games make him a low-cost shots-and-hits hold. His 1:48 average PP time supplies some special-teams exposure, but Seattle's Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday dates are crowded. Add only over an interchangeable bench winger who can play fewer useful games. Current lineup availability and reduced shot or contact volume are the reversal checks; a points-only pool should demand a stronger offensive role.

**Ryker Evans:** nine hits, four blocks and two assists in five games support a cheap depth-defense claim for physical categories. His 21:55 overall average contrasts with 0:14 on the power play. Do not buy him as a PPP replacement. Seattle's projected October 11 lineup pairs Evans with Montour, but that is not confirmation for next week. Keep the acquisition at waiver cost and reassess if minutes fall, he misses the lineup, or your league rewards only points.

**Owen Tippett:** 16 shots and 18 hits in six games support a category-based bench hold despite just one point. His 1:49 average PP time does not warrant a top-unit price. Philadelphia offers no light-date bonus next week, so swap only an equally replaceable winger when those shots and hits can count. The club's latest report identifies injuries elsewhere in the lineup; do not assume those absences automatically improve his role. Lost minutes, a scratch or an exclusively points-based need would reverse the add.

## Goalies: four individual decisions

| Goalie | Starts | Saves / shots | Last start |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Jake Oettinger | 4 | 78 / 81 | 2026-10-10 |
| Casey DeSmith | 1 | 24 / 26 | 2026-10-03 |
| Brandon Bussi | 4 | 81 / 93 | 2026-10-10 |
| Pyotr Kochetkov | 2 | 34 / 38 | 2026-10-08 |

The save percentages here use combined saves divided by combined shots, with starts checked against each goalie's game log. A team game is not a personal start. Dallas's October 13–14 and Carolina's October 17–18 sequences are monitoring opportunities; keep room to respond to a real announcement.

### Jake Oettinger

4 recorded starts, 78 saves on 81 shots (.963), 2 wins; last start 2026-10-10.

Hold an established Oettinger roster spot in wins and ratio formats. Four recorded starts and 78 saves on 81 shots support the role, while two wins show that strong saves do not guarantee victories. Do not exchange him for a calendar-only streamer or pay an acquisition cost when he is already yours. An injury, a confirmed workload change or a scoring system that makes another starter clearly preferable would change the decision. No particular Colorado start is promised here.

### Casey DeSmith

1 recorded starts, 24 saves on 26 shots (.923), 0 wins; last start 2026-10-03.

Watch for a confirmed start before adding. One start and 24 saves on 26 shots are a small sample; Dallas playing on consecutive dates does not allocate either game to him. Use a minimal claim over an expendable bench spot when the start and your need for saves or wins are known. Protect a strong ratio lead if one extra outing could do more harm than good. No announcement, an injury or a blocked active slot reverses the pickup.

### Brandon Bussi

4 recorded starts, 81 saves on 93 shots (.871), 2 wins; last start 2026-10-10.

Bussi actually started October 10 and stopped 24 of 26 shots; his season total is now four starts and 81 saves on 93 shots, or .871. Hold or make a modest conditional claim for confirmed-start volume, but avoid an aggressive ratio-focused bid. Two wins do not erase the save-percentage risk. A confirmed next-week assignment can make him useful; an unconfirmed turn, changed availability or a need to protect ratios makes waiting preferable.

### Pyotr Kochetkov

2 recorded starts, 34 saves on 38 shots (.895), 2 wins; last start 2026-10-08.

Hold an existing spot, or consider a modest claim when a confirmed assignment fits your pool. Two starts, 34 saves on 38 shots and two wins remain too small a sample to establish a safe ratio baseline. The [October 11 Carolina preview](https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/preview-october-11-at-philadelphia) projects Kochetkov tonight, October 11; that is neither confirmation nor an October 12–18 start. Future announcements, health and the observed division of work with Bussi determine the next decision. Do not pay a guaranteed-volume price.

## Make the replacement comparison before the claim

Compare your outgoing player in the [player comparison tool](/en/fantasy-hockey-player-comparison/) using your pool's scoring. Rank usable dates first, then the role that earns your categories, then the cost of dropping someone. Recheck club availability and goalie announcements close to lock. Current roster checks support these conditional decisions; they do not certify anyone for every game. This week's recommended cost is deliberately modest because early totals and projected deployments can change quickly.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which dates are least crowded?

October 14, 16 and 18 have two NHL games each. October 12 has three. Count your free positions rather than the team total.

### Does a back-to-back guarantee a backup start?

No. Wait for the individual announcement and check your goalie categories, active slot and ratio risk before claiming.

## Sources

- [schedule-week — checked October 11](https://api-web.nhle.com/v1/schedule/2026-10-12) — NHL
- [powerplay — checked October 11](https://api.nhle.com/stats/rest/en/skater/powerplay?isAggregate=false&isGame=false&start=0&limit=-1&cayenneExp=seasonId%3D20262027%20and%20gameTypeId%3D2) — NHL
- [realtime — checked October 11](https://api.nhle.com/stats/rest/en/skater/realtime?isAggregate=false&isGame=false&start=0&limit=-1&cayenneExp=seasonId%3D20262027%20and%20gameTypeId%3D2) — NHL
- [club-SEA — checked October 11](https://api-web.nhle.com/v1/club-stats/SEA/20262027/2) — NHL
- [club-CAR — checked October 11](https://api-web.nhle.com/v1/club-stats/CAR/20262027/2) — NHL
- [club-PIT — checked October 11](https://api-web.nhle.com/v1/club-stats/PIT/20262027/2) — NHL
- [club-DAL — checked October 11](https://api-web.nhle.com/v1/club-stats/DAL/20262027/2) — NHL
- [club-PHI — checked October 11](https://api-web.nhle.com/v1/club-stats/PHI/20262027/2) — NHL
- [club-BUF — checked October 11](https://api-web.nhle.com/v1/club-stats/BUF/20262027/2) — NHL
- [game-log-8481611 — checked October 11](https://api-web.nhle.com/v1/player/8481611/game-log/20262027/2) — NHL
- [game-log-8483548 — checked October 11](https://api-web.nhle.com/v1/player/8483548/game-log/20262027/2) — NHL
- [game-log-8479193 — checked October 11](https://api-web.nhle.com/v1/player/8479193/game-log/20262027/2) — NHL
- [game-log-8479979 — checked October 11](https://api-web.nhle.com/v1/player/8479979/game-log/20262027/2) — NHL
- [BUF availability — checked October 11](https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-injuries-transactions-roster-news-contracts) — NHL
- [CAR October 10 projected units — checked October 11](https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/projected-lineup-october-10-at-chicago) — NHL
- [CAR October 11 preview — checked October 11](https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/preview-october-11-at-philadelphia) — NHL
- [Jarvis contact status — checked October 11](https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/injury-report-jarvis-sheds-no-contact-sweater) — NHL
- [PIT October 10 projected lineup — checked October 11](https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/dallas-stars-pittsburgh-penguins-game-preview-october-10-2026) — NHL
- [DAL latest completed game — checked October 11](https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/heika-s-take-flat-offensive-effort-leads-stars-to-2-1-shootout-loss-in-pittsburgh-101126) — NHL
- [SEA October 11 projected lineup — checked October 11](https://www.nhl.com/kraken/news/seattle-kraken-at-washington-capitals-game-preview-projected-lines-101126) — NHL
- [PHI latest completed game — checked October 11](https://www.nhl.com/flyers/news/postgame-rav4-flyers-fall-to-bruins-5-1) — NHL
- [PHI dated units — checked October 11](https://www.nhl.com/flyers/news/postgame-rav4-flyers-fall-to-sens-2-1) — NHL