This week's article includes a hot Hintz in Big D, Boldy consistently producing for the Wild, Ghost certainly not invisible in Carolina, Jet flying high in Columbus, Jack Hughes out again, and Brayden not Point-ing the way in Tampa.
Find out who to target the rest of the way with RotoWire's NHL Projections!
First Liners (Risers)
Roope Hintz, C, DAL: Hintz finished Saturday's contest on a six-game point streak. During that span, Hintz had notched three goals and four assists to up his season marks to four and 11 in 14 contests. Hintz, the 49th overall pick in 2015, has been consistent the last four seasons, notching between 65 and 75 points centering the first line. His slow start is a bit of a memory thanks to his recent hot streak as he centers the Stars' second line between Jason Robertson and Tyler Seguin.
Adam Fantilli, C, CLM: Fantilli saw his goal-scoring streak end at three Saturday. Despite not hitting the scoresheet, he has three goals and four assists his last seven contests to kickstart his season after a slow start. Fantilli doubled his rookie season production, going from 27 to 54 points. His uptick in production this season coincides with his move to the top line in Columbus between Dmitri Voronkov and Kirill Marchenko. If Fantilli stay in this spot, look for him to remain extremely productive.
Jonathan Drouin, LW, NYI: Drouin is on a bit of a heater. He has a
This week's article includes a hot Hintz in Big D, Boldy consistently producing for the Wild, Ghost certainly not invisible in Carolina, Jet flying high in Columbus, Jack Hughes out again, and Brayden not Point-ing the way in Tampa.
Find out who to target the rest of the way with RotoWire's NHL Projections!
First Liners (Risers)
Roope Hintz, C, DAL: Hintz finished Saturday's contest on a six-game point streak. During that span, Hintz had notched three goals and four assists to up his season marks to four and 11 in 14 contests. Hintz, the 49th overall pick in 2015, has been consistent the last four seasons, notching between 65 and 75 points centering the first line. His slow start is a bit of a memory thanks to his recent hot streak as he centers the Stars' second line between Jason Robertson and Tyler Seguin.
Adam Fantilli, C, CLM: Fantilli saw his goal-scoring streak end at three Saturday. Despite not hitting the scoresheet, he has three goals and four assists his last seven contests to kickstart his season after a slow start. Fantilli doubled his rookie season production, going from 27 to 54 points. His uptick in production this season coincides with his move to the top line in Columbus between Dmitri Voronkov and Kirill Marchenko. If Fantilli stay in this spot, look for him to remain extremely productive.
Jonathan Drouin, LW, NYI: Drouin is on a bit of a heater. He has a pair of goals and five assists his last five games, upping his season totals to three tallies and 11 helpers in 18 games. Drouin, signed to a two-year, $8 million contract by the Islanders in July, has settled into a top-six left winger role for New York. He was extremely productive his two seasons in Colorado and was signed by New York to lengthen the lineup, which Drouin has ably done the first part of the regular season.
Matt Boldy, RW, MIN: Boldy has increased his scoring output each of the past three seasons, rising from 39 points in 47 games as a rookie to 63, 69, and then, 73 points. Through 20 contests this season, Boldy is on early pace to make it four straight seasons. Boldy notched an assist Sunday, giving him 11 apples to go with 10 goals, 10 of those points coming on the man advantage. He may not post a point-per-game, but all signs point to Boldy coming close to that figure at a minimum.
Louis Crevier, D, CHI: This is one for deeper leaguer. Despite no power play time, Crevier has a pair of goals and seven assists in 17 games with 25 hits and 11 blocked shots. Five of those helpers have been posted in the last five contests. Crevier started the season as the seventh blueliner but has recently moved up to the top pair with Sam Rinzel being a healthy scratch. This decision will likely be reversed at some point, but until then, utilize Crevier in your leagues.
Shayne Gostisbehere, D, CAR: First, it was Alexander Nikishin getting a look, then it was Sean Walker. Neither have displaced Ghost as the top offensive blueliner in Carolina. At some point that likely will happen, but that time is not right now. Gostisbehere returned after missing six straight games and nine of 10 to post assists in three straight games, notching five helpers in that span. With Jaccob Slavin sidelined, Ghost is skating on the top pair with Walker, which gives him a chance to produce more at even strength.
Jake Oettinger G, DAL: Oettinger has won three straight contests, allowing just seven goals in that span. He is up to 8-3-2 on the year with a 2.75 goals-against average (GAA) and a .900 save percentage over 13 starts. Oettinger is nothing but consistent, posting four straight seasons of at least 30 wins. In addition, he has never posted a save percentage lower than .905 in a full season. Oettinger should make it five straight seasons hitting both marks on a talent Dallas squad.
Jet Greaves, G, CLM: Greaves and Elvis Merzlikins split time to start the 2025-26 season, alternating games. A change in that arrangements appears to have been made, as Greaves notched four starts in a row, going 2-0-2 and stopping 97 of 108 shots during that stretch. Greaves closed out 2024-25 strong, winning five straight contests, including both of his shutouts for the season. Merzlikins, who was ill the last week or so, is still in the mix but Greaves has earned the additional playing time between the pipes he has been receiving.
Others include Vincent Trocheck, Matty Beniers, Sebastian Aho, Robert Thomas, Jack Roslovic, Mikko Rantanen, Dylan Holloway. Artemi Panarin, Kyle Connor, Tyler Seguin, Vince Dunn, Evan Bouchard, Adam Fox, Justin Faulk, Jesper Wallstedt, Casey DeSmith, Jeremy Swayman and Igor Shesterkin.
Buy Low
Bobby McMann, RW, TOR: McMann is one of several players the Maple Leafs will be counting on to help make up for the absence of Auston Matthews (lower body). He has raised his game recently, notching three goals and a pair of assists his last seven contests. McMann increased his production from 24 to 34 points last season, aided by a move up in lines and three extra minutes of ice time a game. He is skating on the third line, while also seeing time on the second unit. If McMann remains on the second unit, his production should remain on the uptick.
Training Room (Injuries)
Jack Hughes, C, NJ: In what has seemingly become an annual occurrence, Hughes is sidelined with an injury. This one is of the fluke variety, as Hughes suffered a finger injury at a team dinner Thursday night that required surgery and will sideline him at least eight weeks. Hughes missed 20 games each of the last two seasons and has played one almost complete season in his seven campaigns in the NHL. Hughes was off to a strong start with 10 goals and as many assists in 17 contests.
Others health concerns include Brandon Hagel (undisclosed, injured Wednesday, sat Saturday), Alex Newhook (fractured ankle, will miss four months), Zach Hyman (wrist, returned to action Saturday), Kaapo Kakko (lower body, injured Thursday, week-to-week), Victor Hedman (undisclosed, missed last two games), Thomas Harley (lower body, week-to-week) and Anthony Stolarz (upper body, placed on injured reserve Saturday).
Fourth Liners/Press Boxers (Fallers)
Brayden Point, C, TB: Point entered Sunday's game with just one point – a goal – in his last seven contests. He tallied an assist Sunday, giving Point just three goals and seven helpers in 18 games. Point did see his production decline slightly the last two seasons, falling from a career-best 95 points in 2022-23 to 90 the following season and 82 in 2024-25. Complaining about that level of output seems foolish, but Point's slow start will make it difficult for him to even match his production last season.
Kent Johnson, RW, CLM: Johnson's 2024-25-point total exceed what he produced in 2022-23 and 2023-24 combined. Despite missing 15 games, Johnson potted 24 goals and added 33 assists last season after posting 22 markers and 34 helpers the previous two seasons combined. As a result, expectations were raised coming into the season. He has failed to meet that bar, resulting in a healthy scratch this past Tuesday. Johnson is still skating on the second line, giving hope that he can recapture his prior form.
Sam Montembeault, G, MTL: Montembeault is 2-4-1 over his last eight outings with a 3.80 GAA and .853 save percentage after allowing three goals on 23 shots Saturday. Despite Montembeault's struggles, coach Martin St. Louis has been reluctant to give Jakub Dobes additional ice time between the pipes. Montembeault has started five of Montreal's last seven games, which might be due to Dobes also allowing at least three goals in each of his last four outings.
Other struggling players include J.T. Miller, Dylan Cozens, Jimmy Snuggerud, Taylor Hall, Esa Lindell, Nick Blankenburg, Jordan Binnington and Kevin Lankinen
Sell High
Rasmus Andersson, D, CGY: Andersson's name has been on the trade block the past few seasons. A free agent after the season, if Calgary fails to get into playoff contention, Andersson is likely to be traded. Andersson is seeing time on the top power-play unit, adding to his short-term value with Zayne Parekh sidelined and MacKenzie Weegar struggling. A move elsewhere could reduce Andersson's ice time but place him on a better squad and situation.
