As December winds down and rosters start tightening heading into January, opportunity matters more than name value. This week's group focuses on players whose roles are actively trending up through increased ice time, power play responsibility, or stable top six deployment rather than short term box score spikes. Some are strong waiver adds, others are ideal streamers, and a few sit firmly in the monitor closely tier, but all have clear fantasy relevance right now based on how their teams are using them.

Data Sources:

Player Data From Natural Stat Trick.

Yahoo roster percentages via Frozen Tools.

Line combinations and power-play deployment via Daily Faceoff and Frozen Tools.

All information current as of December 17th, 2025.

Minnesota Wild — Danila Yurov (2%, F)

Yurov's rookie season is quietly trending in the right direction, even if the raw totals remain modest. Through 27 games he has 11 points while averaging just over 12 minutes a night, but the usage shift is the real story. After opening the year in a low-event bottom-six role, his Quarter 2 ice time has climbed toward 15 minutes per game, with power-play usage rising to over a minute per night and far better offensive looks.

The recent Quinn Hughes trade adds important context, and its impact has already shown up in deployment. Minnesota moved out Marco Rossi and Liam Öhgren as part of that deal, and the willingness to deal both signals organizational confidence in Yurov's long-term place in the forward group. That belief has translated into real opportunity, with Yurov spending stretches alongside Kirill Kaprizov, while Mats Zuccarello (currently on IR) and Vladimir Tarasenko have rotated in. That is a massive step up from his early-season usage. The three-point night against Washington was the flash, but the steady trust in offensive situations is the meaningful takeaway.

There is still risk. Minnesota is widely expected to explore adding another top-six center at the deadline, which could easily push Yurov back down the lineup in the short term. His leash is longer now, but not permanent.

Takeaway: Yurov is a watch-list name or speculative add in redraft leagues while the usage climbs, with clear downside if Minnesota adds another center. In dynasty formats, the recent trade activity and growing responsibility reinforce his long-term value as a future top-six piece.

Edmonton Oilers — Vasily Podkolzin (29%, F)

Podkolzin is quietly putting together his most fantasy-relevant stretch since arriving in Edmonton. Through 34 games he has 9 goals and 16 points, already well ahead of last year's pace, and the improvement is coming from a very specific profile: finishing, physicality, and elite linemate access. He is averaging just over 15 minutes a night, firing 1.6 shots per game, and throwing a heavy three hits per night, which gives him a sturdy multi-cat floor even when the points are quiet.

December is where things have tilted up. Six goals in his last 11 games, with his shooting rate jumping while his usage remains steady, signals a player getting to better areas rather than just riding luck. The line combinations explain why. Podkolzin has spent extended time next to Leon Draisaitl, rotating between McDavid, Zach Hyman, Matt Savoie, and Andrew Mangiapane. That is premium exposure, even without meaningful power play time, and Edmonton has been comfortable keeping him in those looks because he retrieves pucks and does the heavy lifting.

There is still volatility baked in. He is not a power play piece, and his role can shift quickly if the Oilers start juggling wingers again. But the year-over-year jump matters. His goals per game, shot quality, and confidence with the puck are all clearly up compared to last season, and the plus-12 reflects that he is not getting buried defensively in this role.

Takeaway: Podkolzin is a strong streamer or depth hold while he remains attached to Edmonton's stars. In multi-cat leagues, the hits plus improving goal pace make him especially useful. Long term, he profiles as a complementary top six winger whose fantasy value spikes whenever he sticks next to Draisaitl or McDavid.

San Jose Sharks — John Klingberg (36%, D)

Klingberg's bounce-back season has become one of the clearest role-driven fantasy stories in the league. Through 25 games with San Jose he has 8 goals, 7 assists, and 15 points, good for a 49-point pace, while logging over 21 minutes a night and fully reclaiming a PP1 quarterback role. The usage is doing the heavy lifting. He is averaging more than 3.5 minutes of power-play time per game and controlling over 60 percent of the Sharks' man advantage, which immediately puts him back on the fantasy radar regardless of team quality.

The quarter split shows momentum building rather than fading. Quarter 1 was solid but unspectacular. Quarter 2 has exploded, with 10 points in 11 games, increased shot confidence, and consistent PP production. The game log backs it up with multi-point outings against Pittsburgh, Toronto, and Carolina, plus several games pushing past 23–25 minutes. San Jose is leaning on him offensively in every situation that matters.

Context matters here. The Sharks lead the league in power-play opportunities, creating volume even if the efficiency itself is only middle of the pack. Klingberg benefits directly from that environment. His 22% shooting rate will cool, but his assist rate, PP touches, and ice time are all very real, and his block rate keeps him afloat on quieter nights.

Takeaway: Klingberg is a strong hold, and a priority add where available. PP1 volume, heavy minutes, and San Jose's penalty-heavy game style give him reliable short-term value. He is unlikely to return to peak Dallas form, but in this role, a 45–55 point pace with steady power-play production is well within reach.

St. Louis Blues — Jake Neighbours (22%, F)

Neighbours is the rare case where the team context is ugly, but the fantasy role is clean. Through 23 games he has 8 goals and 15 points, which is a 53-point pace, while holding steady top-line minutes next to Robert Thomas and rotating elite wingers like Pavel Buchnevich or Jordan Kyrou. He is also getting real PP1 run at just over two minutes a night and north of 40% of the Blues' man advantage share, so the path to points is obvious even if St. Louis' five-on-five offense drags.

The production shape looks legit. Quarter 1 was a heater (6 goals in 9 games) with a shooting percentage that was never going to survive. Quarter 2 cooled naturally, but the points did not disappear: 7 points in 14 games, with the same PPTOI and slightly higher overall ice time. In other words, this is less "he fell off" and more "the finishing stopped being cartoonish."

Fantasy takeaway is format-dependent. In standard points leagues he's a fine hold while he stays stapled to Thomas and PP1, because St. Louis funnels so much of its scoring through that top unit. In multi-cat leagues he adds real value with heavy hits (2.7 per game) on top of the goals.

Takeaway: Neighbours is a hold and a solid add if your waiver wire is thin. The Blues are not a great offensive team, but his deployment is as good as it gets in St. Louis, and that's enough to keep him on a 50-plus point track with strong banger-category support.

Buffalo Sabres — Josh Doan (31%, F)

Doan's move to Buffalo has quietly unlocked a much more fantasy-friendly profile. Through 32 games, he is producing at a 0.72 points-per-game pace with strong shot volume at 2.6 shots per game and consistent power-play usage around 2:40 per night. The key change is role stability. He has rotated through the top six with Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch, and his power-play share has jumped significantly compared to last season. The production has followed, especially in Quarter 2 where his power-play points, shot volume, and ice time all increased. He is benefiting from better line mates, more offensive-zone touches, and a clear green light to shoot.

Takeaway: Doan profiles as a legit mid-term hold in deeper leagues and a strong streamer in standard formats. The shot rate and growing PP role give him a real floor right now, and at his age, there is still upside for dynasty managers if the top-six usage continues.