This article is part of our Neutral Zone Wrap series.
A slow start shouldn't force you to drop or trade established players who are struggling, especially if they appear to be trying their best to succeed. But it still becomes a frustrating process -- it's tough to let go, while no owner would offer you anything close to full value.
Every Anaheim forward looks awful, but are you really going to dump Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry (one point apiece)? No chance. Nikita Kucherov (two goals, no assists) is less productive than the average Bolt, but there's no way he's being released to the waiver wire. Patric Hornqvist (one point) ain't doing much, and David Perron (zero) sits a cut below, but one should break out eventually because, well, Pittsburgh.
Back on the blue line, several players' prospects appear just as gloomy. Justin Schultz is stuck on one point. Jake Muzzin finally broke the goose egg Sunday. Let's not even get started with Kris Russell (nothing in eight, minus-9), who has clearly dropped the ball during T.J. Brodie's absence.
So while you mull over your choices and plan for the future, here are a few more suggestions to add to the pile:
Washington Capitals
The Caps lead the NHL in scoring (averaging 4.14 goals per contest) and have done so with a balanced attack. T.J. Oshie (seven points, including four on the power-play) is the right fit for the first unit. A good center will help anyone; just ask Justin Williams (six points). Marcus Johansson, a top-unit power-play
A slow start shouldn't force you to drop or trade established players who are struggling, especially if they appear to be trying their best to succeed. But it still becomes a frustrating process -- it's tough to let go, while no owner would offer you anything close to full value.
Every Anaheim forward looks awful, but are you really going to dump Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry (one point apiece)? No chance. Nikita Kucherov (two goals, no assists) is less productive than the average Bolt, but there's no way he's being released to the waiver wire. Patric Hornqvist (one point) ain't doing much, and David Perron (zero) sits a cut below, but one should break out eventually because, well, Pittsburgh.
Back on the blue line, several players' prospects appear just as gloomy. Justin Schultz is stuck on one point. Jake Muzzin finally broke the goose egg Sunday. Let's not even get started with Kris Russell (nothing in eight, minus-9), who has clearly dropped the ball during T.J. Brodie's absence.
So while you mull over your choices and plan for the future, here are a few more suggestions to add to the pile:
Washington Capitals
The Caps lead the NHL in scoring (averaging 4.14 goals per contest) and have done so with a balanced attack. T.J. Oshie (seven points, including four on the power-play) is the right fit for the first unit. A good center will help anyone; just ask Justin Williams (six points). Marcus Johansson, a top-unit power-play regular with five points, always seems to get overlooked. The toughness is there for Tom Wilson, who's averaged more than 160 PIM a season in his first two years, but it hasn't been unleashed yet (he's only drawn a lonely minor penalty). Matt Niskanen (two goals, three assists) has started and should be able to continue a resurgence. And look out for Dmitry Orlov (two points), who is as offensively gifted as any Washington defender not named John Carlson.
San Jose Sharks
After the summer shakeup that never happened and the perceived lingering tension, it would have been easy to write off the Sharks. But here they are sitting atop the Pacific. Bad break for Logan Couture (broken fibula, out at least another month) but that only means prime pivoting possibilities for Tomas Hertl (two goals, two assists). I bet you couldn't have guessed Joel Ward would ever be San Jose's leader in points (eight). Matthew Nieto (three points) has overcome pain and slots in as the third wheel on the Joe line. Chris Tierney is seeing more responsibility and has three points after a combined 50 between the NHL and AHL last season but is only recommended for deeper formats. Marc-Edouard Vlasic (three assists) may never be among anyone's first few choices, but he's always been reliable. Matt Tennyson is receiving a fair chunk of power-play time, but has nothing (literally) to show for it.
St. Louis Blues
Perennial hope-dashers, the Blues look like they could once again break people's hearts. At least their latest spell of injuries will provide an excuse, which leaves others to fill the gaps. A solid all-around skater like Troy Brouwer (two goals, four assists, 27 hits) helps in various categories. With holes down the middle, David Backes (two assists, minus-2) returns to center. Avoid Scott Gomez (one point) at all costs. The sleeper among the bunch would be Dmitrij Jaskin (two points), who will now be asked to lend a bigger hand. Probably too late to snap up Colton Parayko (five points, with two on the power play), but Carl Gunnarsson (goal, three assists) can still be had at a discount.
Boston Bruins
For those who haven't watched, the Bruins now employ a high-tempo offense (third in the league at 3.84 goals a night) in which defense (second most at 4.14 against) is merely an afterthought. Remember the days when Loui Eriksson (seven points, with four on the man advantage) was considered elite? A beast like Jimmy Hayes (five points, though four came in one game) works hard in tougher areas. Ryan Spooner (five points, 17 PIM) is outdueling fellow youngster David Pastrnak (four points). Brett Connolly is off to a nice start with two goals and an assist, but we'd like to see more. Don't expect Jonas Gustavsson (2.50 GAA, .896 save percentage in two games) to claim the No. 1 spot because they can't leave that other guy stranded all season, right? Right?!?
Buffalo Sabres
With all the changes in Buffalo, maybe the expectations for an immediate turnaround should have been tempered. Blue-chip talent Sam Reinhart (four points) sits slightly ahead of savior Jack Eichel (three), but that won't hold in the long run. Way to advance that career, Zemgus Girgensons (zilch). Evander Kane's MCL strain will keep him out four to six weeks, which should push Johan Larsson (nothing in seven, but 40 points in 44 games on the farm in 2014-15) for better results. In a youth-oriented lineup, Rasmus Ristolainen (one goal, two assists) is picking up the bulk of the haul. Tough to see a career backup like Chad Johnson (3.06 GAA, .879 save percentage in seven) get his chance, only to be regularly done in by a shoddy back line.
