Week twelve in fantasy hockey is starting, and some players are emerging as must-own players in many leagues. Finding players on the waiver wire is essential to winning a fantasy hockey and for replacing injured players, either for the short-term or long run. Let’s take a look at which players you should be targeting on the waiver wire this week.

Scott Gomez | New Jersey Devils | Yahoo! Ownership — 2%

For those of you who weren’t sure, Gomez is still in the NHL.  The 31-year-old has seven points (2G, 5A) in 11 games with a minus-4 rating and 16 shots on goal (SOG). The former Calder Trophy winner in 1999-2000 is playing on the Devils’ top line with Jaromir Jagr and Tuomo Ruutu and has found some instant chemistry with Jagr. He may not be a long term solution, but considering how bad the Devils are and their lack of scoring, Gomez will be seeing a lot of ice time. The 21^st overall pick in 1998 is seeing just over two minutes of power play time a game and should continue to be the 1^st line center in New Jersey. It’s not worth dropping a player to add the Anchorage, Alaska native, but if you’re desperate, Gomez could definitely provide some short-term fantasy value.

Who I’d drop for him: Gomez should only be added as an injury replacement right now.

Alex Tanguay | Colorado Avalanche | Yahoo! Ownership — 14%

The Montreal, Quebec native has had a pretty decent season so far this year. The 12^th overall pick in 1998 has 22 points (11G, 11A) in 31 games with a plus-3 rating and 43 SOG. The winger was recently demoted to the third line but managed to score two goals and add an assist against Buffalo on Saturday. Tanguay is seeing a healthy 2:26 of powerplay time a game and has seven points (3G, 4A) in eight games in December. The 35-year-old is playing alongside Jarome Iginla and John Mitchell, and that may not be a bad thing for him. Fantasy owners might start moving away from Tanguay because of his recent demotion, but its possible that his stint on the third line doesn’t last long. Max Talbot is currently playing on the top line, and I don’t think that will last all season, so expect Tanguay to find his way back there soon rather than later.

Who I’d drop for him:  Antoine Roussel (21%),  Evgeny Kuznetsov (38%), Nail Yakupov (31%)

Derick Brassard | New York Rangers | Yahoo! Ownership — 28%

The fact that Brassard is under 30% owned is mindboggling. The sixth overall pick in 2006 has 24 points (8G, 16A) in 28 games with three powerplay goals and 51 SOG. The 27-year-old is almost averaging a point-per-game and is playing with the most talented winger on the team in Rick Nash. Brassard hasn’t scored a goal yet in December, but he is seeing 19 minutes of ice time a night and has five assists in five games this month. The Hull, Quebec native is going to be the main guy feeding Nash, so he will continue to rack up the assists and could easily top the 60-point mark this season if he continues on this pace. Scoop him up where he’s still available.

Who I’d drop for him: Tomas Hertl (46%), Chris Kreider (58%), Matt Moulson (35%)

Players to Watch:

Fantasy hockey season is in full swing and these players could be on the rise/decline in the next few weeks.

Trending up:

Mika Zibanejad | Ottawa Senators | Yahoo! Ownership — 20%

Justine Abdelkader | Detroit Red Wings | Yahoo! Ownership — 22%

Ryan Ellis | Nashville Predators | Yahoo! Ownership — 19%

Trending Down:

Kyle Okposo | New York Islanders | Yahoo! Ownership — 88%

Ryan McDonagh | New York Rangers | Yahoo! Ownership — 84%

David Backes | St. Louis Blues | Yahoo! Ownership — 91%