If you own Justin Faulk, you know how valuable he is to your team. While a “week-to-week” status doesn’t sound terrible, we’ve seen how long these injuries can last. If you have shares of Faulk, and to a lesser extent Seth Jones, don’t worry – we got you covered.

Below is a list of players who could be sitting on the waiver wire in your pool. Snag them up now and don’t sweat the loss of your star defenseman.

Zach Werenski: As it currently stands, Werenski and Jones are both 65% owned. It won’t be long before Werenski is higher than 80%. He’s quickly become the number one option on the back end on the powerplay. You may have already missed the boat on this one, but if not – pick him up NOW.

Anton Stralman: Although Hedman is clearly (and finally) used as the top defenseman on the powerplay, Stralman still gets a considerable amount of time. Regardless of the unit he goes out with, he has value. 58% owned.

Hampus Lindholm: Lindholm returns from injury tonight and is only 50% owned. That number is going to jump as soon as his name hits the scoresheet. Pick him up now, and you may have a tradeable asset when Faulk returns.

Andrei Markov: Markov is turning 38 next month. Although his game might be slowing down, he continues to be a decent fantasy option. While the Habs are more open to moving him off the top powerplay this year (as they just did for a few games), Markov is back on it and feeding Shea Weber the puck. A good position for any defenseman to be in. Only 39% owned.

Nick Leddy: Despite having 20 minutes more powerplay ice-time than fellow teammate Johnny Boychuk, Boychuk (57%) is still owned in more leagues than Leddy (45%). He’s quarterbacking a powerplay that includes John Tavares…

Niklas Kronwall: Despite Mike Green’s hot start to the season, Niklas Kronwall returned from injury three games ago and took his rightful place on the top powerplay unit. Although Green is next to him and is more of a shooting option on D, Kronwall should start accumulating some powerplay assists. He’s only 25% owned. One good game, and that number will shoot up quickly.

Damon Severson: 22-year-old Damon Severson is quarterbacking the Devils top powerplay unit. He already has 9 points (5 on the powerplay) in 12 games. While we don’t see this kind of production continuing, he’s a lock to shatter his previous career highs. He’s only owned in 29% of Yahoo leagues.

Jacob Trouba: Trouba is back in the fold for Winnipeg. While there are better places from a fantasy perspective for Trouba to be, the 22-year-old is still capable of putting up some solid numbers. At 24% owned, he’s another player that will see his stock rise soon after his return to the lineup.

Nikita Zaitsev: Morgan Reilly (48% owned) is the flashier name on the Maple Leafs defence core. He’s arguably the best defenseman they have and has the most potential to become a fantasy stud. But, not yet. The Leafs are refusing to give him ample powerplay time. Where is it going? Nikita Zaitsev, Jake Gardiner and even Connor Carrick. Zaitsev may not provide much, but his 6 assists (2 on the powerplay), and his position on a powerplay loaded with young talent should warrant being owned more than 8%.

Jake Gardiner: Similar to Zaitsev above, Gardiner is getting just as much ice time. His stats are better than Zaitsev (2g, 5a, 2ppp) and he’s only 16% owned.

Noah Hanifin: To the surprise of nobody, Faulk leads the Canes defense in powerplay time-on-ice through 12 games (36:26). Next is Hanifin (24:32), followed by Brett Pesce (4:57). The point? Hanifin becomes the defacto number one d-man in Carolina. Carolina currently has the 9th best powerplay in the league. Hanifin will get his points and at 15% owned – you should be able to snag him until his teammate returns.

Mattias Ekholm: Ekholm (28% owned) is currently playing on the top powerplay unit in Nashville. We don’t see this lasting very long, but while he’s there alongside some star talent, he’s worth a short term add. If he moves off the unit, just add someone else above. Faulk is only week-to-week, don’t be afraid to rotate in a few defenseman to get the job done until he returns.

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