We're more than two weeks in, and the fantasy picture has become a little clearer. There's no need to rely as much on 2024-25 stats, even though they're still useful. Scoring is also roughly the same as it was at this time last season.
Lines are solidifying. Partnerships are building. Things are happening. Stay on top of the latest news to make any necessary adjustments. And if you're not able to do that, this column (and RotoWire's other NHL offerings) can help.
(Rostered rates as of Oct. 24)
Forwards
Dylan Cozens, OTT (Yahoo: 49%): Cozens has been on fire since joining the Sens back in March via 16 points in 21 regular-season games and six in eight so far. He currently centers Ottawa's top line and power play while already posting four goals, two assists, 19 shots and 29 hits. Even though regression's coming for Cozens on a 21.1 shooting percentage, he'll likely exceed 60 points with major contributions elsewhere as long as he stays healthy and retains prime placement.
Jonathan Huberdeau, CGY (Yahoo: 38%): The Flames may be bottom of the league having only scored 12 goals through eight contests, but that doesn't mean all of their players should be ignored for fantasy purposes. Huberdeau's excuse for not helping the cause was the fact he was out for the first six. Upon returning, he supplied Calgary's only marker – a PPG – on three shots during a 6-1 shellacking at Vegas and has averaged 20:01 across
We're more than two weeks in, and the fantasy picture has become a little clearer. There's no need to rely as much on 2024-25 stats, even though they're still useful. Scoring is also roughly the same as it was at this time last season.
Lines are solidifying. Partnerships are building. Things are happening. Stay on top of the latest news to make any necessary adjustments. And if you're not able to do that, this column (and RotoWire's other NHL offerings) can help.
(Rostered rates as of Oct. 24)
Forwards
Dylan Cozens, OTT (Yahoo: 49%): Cozens has been on fire since joining the Sens back in March via 16 points in 21 regular-season games and six in eight so far. He currently centers Ottawa's top line and power play while already posting four goals, two assists, 19 shots and 29 hits. Even though regression's coming for Cozens on a 21.1 shooting percentage, he'll likely exceed 60 points with major contributions elsewhere as long as he stays healthy and retains prime placement.
Jonathan Huberdeau, CGY (Yahoo: 38%): The Flames may be bottom of the league having only scored 12 goals through eight contests, but that doesn't mean all of their players should be ignored for fantasy purposes. Huberdeau's excuse for not helping the cause was the fact he was out for the first six. Upon returning, he supplied Calgary's only marker – a PPG – on three shots during a 6-1 shellacking at Vegas and has averaged 20:01 across three appearances on the lead trio and man-advantage. The team can't possibly be this bad long-term, so you'll want to start thinking about adding a high-value forward like Huberdeau to your lineup.
Anton Lundell, FLA (Yahoo: 37%): It probably goes without saying that Aleksander Barkov's injury has been Lundell's gain. After all, he inherited spots in the top-six and No. 1 power play (only two PPPs away from matching a career-high) on 18:05 a night. Based on the attacking upside within a strong frontline that'll only get better with Matthew Tkachuk projected back in December, Lundell shouldn't be available in more than 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Conor Garland, VAN (Yahoo: 33%): If there was an award for consistency achieved with one franchise, Garland would probably win, having registered 52, 46, 47 and 50 points since arriving from Arizona in 2021. He's looking to break that trend at a point-per-game pace. On top of accumulating offense, Garland has directed 22 pucks on net while participating on the Canucks' top PP and skating more than 20 minutes per matchup (including 23:31 on Thursday). There may be a downturn down the road, yet he's currently in a great position to succeed.
Pavel Zacha, BOS (Yahoo: 29%): Despite recording 163 points – and a combined 30 PPPs – through three seasons with Boston, Zacha remains underrated. As discussed last week, the Bruins' attack is significantly concentrated on their first two lines. Zacha has moved back to center alongside Viktor Arvidsson and Casey Mittelstadt at five-on-five while joining forces with David Pastrnak and company on the top power play. With that kind of talent and an 18:04 average, he may finally break the 60-point barrier.
Josh Doan, BUF (Yahoo: 26%): The Sabres acquired Doan as part of the JJ Peterka deal and are already reaping the benefits based on the three goals, three assists, and 22 shots he's provided. Moving into the upper half of the depth chart means more ice time, while a place on the lead man-advantage has already resulted in three PPPs – including two PPGs Saturday. Doan is primed to continue benefiting in Buffalo, and you can do the same if you add him.
Dmitri Voronkov, CLS (Yahoo: 19%): Voronkov's career trajectory is headed in the right direction after he achieved 18 goals and 16 assists as a rookie that turned into 23 and 24 during Year Two. And he's made it on the scoresheet in all but one game on top of 11 shots and 15 hits. Voronkov is also sharing the ice with Kirill Marchenko and Sean Monahan, as the trio combined on a PPG Tuesday. Consider him a flyer with high middle-tier potential.
Ryan Leonard, WAS (Yahoo: 9%): Leonard previously starred on the college and international stages, though the Caps aren't pushing him into a primary role just yet. For now, he's situated in the middle-six with a part-time PP gig. Leonard has found the back of the net in two straight featuring one while up a man that was set up by Dylan Strome and Tom Wilson. The responsibilities are on the low side, though he should earn more as the season progresses.
Defensemen
Sam Rinzel, CHI (Yahoo: 37%): While Rinzel is off the point pace from his nine-game NHL debut last season (five assists; three of those PPAs) and hasn't yet recorded a PPP, he's still leading the line on Chicago's even-strength and man-advantage units. And across the last six appearances, he's accumulated a goal, two assists, eight shots, nine hits and eight blocks while skating 20-plus minutes overall. Artyom Levshunov will get some looks on PP1, but Rinzel should be the more consistent producer.
Kris Letang, PIT (Yahoo: 25%): Age doesn't mean anything if you're surrounded by top older talent. No one will argue Letang's numbers have declined, though they can be helped with players like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin still around. Being on the second power play may be a step back, yet he managed to register two PPAs on Tuesday. Letang continues to receive top-four action and logs 21:00 a night while supplying enough when it comes to shots, hits and blocks. While the Pens' surprising start probably won't be maintained, reliable performers such as Letang will continue to help fantasy rosters.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, TOR (Yahoo: 12%): After three scoreless outings, Ekman-Larsson has gone off for a goal and four assists – one of those while up a man – from the last four. The elevated offense is slightly surprising based on recent totals, but not out of place for someone who used to regularly reach 40-plus points as a PP quarterback. Don't expect OEL to come anywhere close to that peak output, though he's still good for high-20s/low-30s alongside adequate shots, hits and blocks. And he's set to join the No. 1 man-advantage on Friday as Morgan Rielly will be unavailable.
Cam York, PHI (Yahoo: 2%): York only missed a week with a lower-body injury before returning last Thursday and racking up three assists on Monday, including two on the power play. He's never really done much on that special-teams group while in the NHL – to be fair, the Flyers also haven't been great there in recent years – yet is currently being preferred to Jamie Drysdale on PP1. Even with York not posting much for other notable fantasy categories, the special-teams opportunity (and a sizable 24:04 average) should be enough to get him on more lineups.
Goaltenders
Jake Allen, NJ (Yahoo: 39%): Just about every other RotoWire hockey columnist has discussed Allen's favorable position following Jacob Markstrom's injury, so let's highlight the important info. He stopped 23 of 24 shots to preserve the victory after coming in for Markstrom on Oct. 13, and has since won the last three starts while only allowing a combined six goals. With the Devils facing a few weaker opponents the next couple weeks, except Allen to continue his hot run.
Akira Schmid, VGK (Yahoo: 24%): Schmid is in a similar situation to Allen in that he's won all his starts with Adin Hill now out week-to-week. The difference is that he was essentially splitting the work when Hill was around and now gets to be the No. 1 behind the league's leading offense. The upcoming East Coast swing (Florida, Tampa, Carolina in three of the next four days) may prove difficult for Vegas, though the club will then enjoy a six-game home stand where Schmid can pick up plenty of fantasy points.
Players to consider from past columns: Leo Carlsson, Frank Nazar, Elias Lindholm, Nick Schmaltz, Zach Benson, Andrei Kuzmenko, William Eklund, Will Cuylle, Zachary Bolduc, Marco Rossi, Teuvo Teravainen, Jake DeBrusk, Jimmy Snuggerud, Matthew Coronato, Matias Maccelli, Brandt Clarke, Travis Sanheim, Brent Burns, Philip Broberg, Justin Faulk, Simon Edvinsson, Dmitry Orlov, Spencer Knight, Alex Lyon, Cam Talbot, Charlie Lindgren
