With the trade deadline now in the rearview, many fantasy managers have already made moves to strengthen their rosters. If you have not done so yet, now is the time to review your fantasy playoff schedule. This week's article highlights waiver-wire pickups with low roster percentages (20% or below) who are well-positioned for the upcoming fantasy playoffs.

I am focusing on 10 players available in at least 80% of Yahoo! leagues as of Sunday night, with an emphasis on teams that have favorable schedules starting March 17th. As a bonus tip, players like Mason Lohrei and Filip Chytil (not on this list) should be considered if available. Also, be sure to check out last week's Top 10: Budget Players Who Can Carry You to the Finish Line. Many of those names remain valuable down the stretch, even if their roster percentages have climbed slightly above the 20% threshold.

Below are 10 players who are available in at least 80% of Yahoo leagues (as of Sunday night).

10. Will Smith – C/RW – 10%

       (San Jose Sharks)

Will Smith is not in the Calder conversation alongside his rookie peers, but he is quietly putting together a solid season with 31 points (11G, 20A). His upside remains high, and he has been heating up as of late with four goals and six assists over his last 10 games. He should be rostered in all keeper and dynasty leagues. That said, San Jose's schedule from Weeks 22-24 is a nightmare. They only play eight games during that span and mostly on jam-packed nights, making it tough to fit him into your lineup. If you are considering adding him, double-check your schedule first, or you might end up with solid production stuck on your bench when you need it most.

9. Arvid Soderblom – G – 4%

    Alex Vlasic – D – 12 %

    (Chicago Blackhawks)

I am feeling generous this week, so here is a little bonus. Spencer Knight's roster percentage has soared since joining Chicago, so I am leaving him off the Top 10. However, if he is still available, he is worth a pickup. Yes, the Blackhawks are a mess, but their fantasy playoff schedule is solid—hence why Arvid Soderblom is worth a look. Mark Lazerus of The Athletic reported that Knight and Soderblom will likely split starts in a 1A/1B setup. Chicago plays 10 games during the fantasy playoffs, with only one back-to-back and seven off-nights. Meanwhile, Vlasic has stepped into top-pair and power-play duties post-Seth Jones, logging nearly 24 minutes a night. If you need goalie or defensive help, both are worth considering.

8. Jean-Gabriel Pageau – C/RW – 14%

    (New York Islanders)

I could have gone with Kyle Palmieri here, but I am really just splitting hairs. Palmieri has 20 goals and 21 assists with top-line and power-play deployment but has not done much with it. Meanwhile, Jean-Gabriel Pageau has 12 goals and 21 assists on the second line and power play but brings more reliable peripheral stats, giving him the slight edge. There is also a chance he gets a look on the top unit before season's end. While other options on this list might be more stable, Pageau is an easy streaming option—he is unlikely to get scooped up, making him a solid and dependable waiver-wire add when needed. The Islanders play 10 games over the fantasy playoffs with five off nights.

7. Dawson Mercer – C/RW – 7%

    (New Jersey Devils)

Back in early February, I mentioned that Mercer might benefit from a change of scenery, and while that did not happen, he did get an upgrade in line deployment, just not in the way we expected. With Jack Hughes out for the season, Mercer has stepped into the 2C role once held by Nico Hischier and has also found himself on the Devils' top power play. It is not the ideal situation, missing both Hughes and Hamilton, but Mercer has made it work, scoring twice in two games since the trade deadline, including a power-play goal. With a favorable schedule heading into the fantasy playoffs, Mercer could be a sneaky pick if he keeps this role.

6. Jared Spurgeon – D – 14%

    (Minnesota Wild)

Like Chicago, Minnesota has a fantastic fantasy playoff schedule. The Wild are a stronger team, but their ever-changing lineups at the current moment can be tough to predict. Brock Faber currently quarterbacks the top power play, but he has not done much with it. If you are looking to grab a piece of Minnesota's offense, Jared Spurgeon is a solid option. With Faber rostered in 72% of leagues, Spurgeon is the next best bet on defense and he also has a chance to reclaim that top power-play role at any point in time. Given the Wild's schedule, having exposure to their lineup could give you an edge in your fantasy playoffs.

5. Oliver Bjorkstrand – LRW/RW – 19%

    (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Oliver Bjorkstrand's move to Tampa seems to be sparking an uptick in his production. In his recent outings, he has been deployed on the top unit alongside Brayden Point and Jake Guentzel, already netting a goal over two games. His role in Tampa marks a clear improvement over his limited minutes in Seattle, and fantasy managers should take notice. With Tampa slated to play four games in Week 22 (March 17-23) on Yahoo! Fantasy, Bjorkstrand's increased opportunity could boost his roster percentage and overall value.

4. Barrett Hayton – C – 11%

(Utah Hockey Club)

Hayton has been hot lately, with one goal and three assists over his last four games, and all of those points coming on the power play. With 36 points (16G, 20A) on the year and nine power-play points, he is on pace for 47 points. He has had a streaky season with Utah, however if he can continue to get this current deployment on the top powerplay unit, he is worth an add and could potentially have a strong finish. If you are trying to make a late push for your fantasy playoffs, Hayton could be a solid target, especially since Utah plays all their games this week on off-nights (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun).

3. Morgan Geekie – C/LW/RW – 16%

    (Boston Bruins)

Morgan Geekie has stepped up as the Bruins’ top left wing following Marchand’s injury and trade to the Panthers. Not only is he locked into a role on the top power play unit now, but with Boston’s roster a little thinner than before, Geekie's ice time is on the rise. The 26-year-old has already set a career-high with 22 goals this season, including seven in his last 11 games, proving he can thrive next to stars like David Pastrnak. Given his expanded role and strong deployment, Geekie is a solid add for fantasy teams looking to capitalize on his momentum. With a favorable fantasy schedule in Week 22, including four games (two on off-nights), he is a player you will want to keep an eye on.

2. Mackie Samoskevich – RW – 3%

    (Florida Panthers)

Following the Marchand trade, GM Bill Zito confirmed that Marchand will miss a couple of weeks. The deal includes a conditional upgrade to a 2027/2028 first-round pick if Florida advances two playoff rounds and Marchand plays in at least 50% of those games. This ties his value to playoff performance, limiting his usefulness in regular fantasy formats. Meanwhile, rookie Mackie Samoskevich has slotted in as the right wing on the second line and top power play unit. With availability in 97% of Yahoo! leagues, he could be a valuable fantasy asset if he remains consistent. Florida plays nine games from Weeks 22 to 24, with five off-nights and a Thursday start in Week 22—check your team schedule for a possible fit.

1. Jonathan Drouin – 20%

    (Colorado Avalanche)

Jonathan Drouin's fantasy stock is rising after Brock Nelson landed in Colorado. Nelson has taken over as the second line centre alongside Drouin and Valeri Nichushkin, which is a huge upgrade from Casey Mittelstadt, giving Drouin a more proven finisher to work with. That is a win for his playmaking game, which has already been heating up with six points in his last seven outings, including two on the power play. He looks like he is still locked into the top powerplay unit with Nathan MacKinnon, and with the Avalanche loading up at the deadline, his offensive upside is looking even better.

Thanks for reading! See you next week. For more content/fantasy hockey analysis, follow and message me on X @Punters_hockey