LEFT WING

Nick Foligno has just one score this season but he’s also dished out four helpers for the Jackets. He’s even chipped in eight face off wins for good measure. A former 31 goal scorer in 2014, Nick fell hard last season dropping all the way to 12 goals, a three year low (he had 18 in 2013-14). He’s just a guy, pretty much always has been other than one season, but with his solid start, and work on the power-play (1g,2a), he’s well worth a look in the hopes he recaptures some of his 2014-15 glory.

Tanner Pearson scored four goals his first three games before being held off the goal scoring sheet the last two outings. Tanner did dish a helper out two games ago, and last time out he took six shots on net. In fact, he’s taken three shots or more in 4/5 games. Tanner produced 15 goals and 104 hits last season and will likely improve upon both numbers this season.

CENTER

Sebastian Aho has five assists in six games with the Canes. He hasn’t scored a goal and has played a relatively soft game with two hits, one blocked shot and just 12 shots on goal. He’s also on the ice for a mere 14:36. All of which would seem to paint him as a youngster to own for the moment, but one to have a short leash with.

Joel Eriksson Ek is just 19 years old, but like Aho his career has started off extremely well. Ek has produced two goals and three assists in four games. He’s yet to post a power-play point or skate more than 11:36 for the Wild, but his role will certainly grow if he continues to produce like this (four points his last two games as well).

Victor Rask has scored four goals in six games for the Hurricanes. He’s also chipped in three assists. He’s taken at least two shots on net in every game, and the centerman has also posted two power-play points and been on the ice for an average of 18:10 seconds an outing.

Devin Shore has one goal this season. He has handed out five helpers, one on the power-play, for the Stars. He’s also won .455 percent of his faceoffs, 40 wins in total. HC Lindy Ruff has been borderline effusive with his praise for the 22 year old. He’s averaging 15:04 of ice-time.

RIGHT WING

Troy Brouwer was written about last week in this article. Since that article he’s dished out a helper in 3-straight games, two coming on the power-play. He’s a +1 skater who has 23 hits in eight games playing his physical brand of hockey.

Mikko Rantanen is set to return from an ankle issue and he’s been skating in practice with Nathan MacKinnon and Mikhail Grigorenko. The 2015 first round selection appeared in nine uneventful games last season with a (-7) rating (the team wanted to maintain his rookie status for this season). Rantanen was the co-winner of the Dudley Garrett Memorial Award last season as the AHL’s outstanding rookie with 60 points in 52 games.

DEFENSE

Damon Severson is on the ice for 19:24 a game. In his last game he dished out two assists and has posted four helpers in four games. He’s also been a (-1) skater in each of his last two outings and is a (-5) skater on the year. He’s not a physical defender at all, but when you produce points, especially with  the man advantage (four points on the power-play), you’re someone who deserves to be rostered.

Mark Streit has a goal and three assist his last two games. Impressive stuff. Even more interesting is that he’s posted all four of those points on the power-play. A long-time point producer from the blue line, as recently as 2014-15 Streit produced 52 points with 30 on the power-play.

Nikita Zaitsev has five assists for the Leafs this season with one produced in five of his last six outings. He’s only taken six shots on net and owns a (-2) rating so it’s not a well-rounded game he’s bringing, but points from the blue line are points from the blue line.

GOALTENDER

Tuukka Rask is on the injured list with a lower body injury (hamstring). So is Anton Khudobin, the backup. That means Malcolm Subban and Zane McIntyre are on call. The Bruins hope to have Rask back Saturday. Maybe. In three games since he was hurt, the Bruins have lost three games with three different keepers. McIntyre would appear to be the starter Saturday, but no one is stealing Rask’s job so it’s obviously a messy scenario that doesn’t offer any clarity meaning none of the backups should be turned to.

 

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday, 8 PM EDT, Wednesday 7 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 9 PM EDT PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).