More than a third of the way through the 2019-20 regular season feels like a fine occasion to roll out a full-fledged Fantasy 31. So, in taking a tour of the entire NHL, here's (at least) one brief, fantasy-relevant, need-to-know from each team to carry your through the holiday season and beyond:
Anaheim Ducks: While hardly a treasure trove full of fantasy gems, the 2019-20 Ducks still host a small handful of valuable assets to benefit your squad. Veteran Ryan Getzlaf, for example, is bettering a point-per-game clip - three goals and 10 assists in 12 contests - since mid-November. In fact, Anaheim's captain has produced steadily most of the season, on pace for a 65 point campaign all told. And Getzlaf remains available in more than a third of ESPN.com leagues.
Arizona Coyotes: First, quickly check if, somehow, Clayton Keller is available in your league, and if so, pick him up immediately. The 21-year-old is shooting and scoring - two goals on 12 shots versus the Blackhawks Thursday - up a storm. If not, Carl Soderberg merits a look in deeper leagues as Phil Kessel's centerman and mainstay on the secondary power play. Without much fanfare, the 34-year-old vet is humming away with seven points in six games. And he's widely up for grabs in ESPN.com leagues.
Boston Bruins: No revelatory fantasy nuggets to share from the Bruins' side right now, but Jake DeBrusk appears to be warming up after a more plodding start to the season. The recent string of eight points in nines games feels promising, as does his current boost in ice-time. Skating on a forward line with David Krejci and top power play, the 23-year-old has averaged well more than 19 minutes per game his past six contests. Don't be surprised if DeBrusk starts contributing more regularly in the new year.
Buffalo Sabres: Top defenseman Rasmus Dahlin is back after missing eight games with a concussion, spelling the end of Rasmus Ristolainen's tenancy on the Sabres' No. 1 power play. Playing fewer minutes than usual, Dahlin looked no worse for wear otherwise, notching an assist in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Predators. Adjust your lineups accordingly.
Carolina Hurricanes: Coach Rod Brind'Amour seems determined to get Nino Niederreiter going, in continuing to skate the former Wild forward on a top line with Sebastien Aho and Teuvo Teravainen. A recent spurt for three points in two games, ending an eight-game point-less drought, suggests a breakout of sorts is to come. Niederreiter was far too productive after joining the Hurricanes last season - 30 points, nearly half of them goals, in 36 games - to suggest he isn't capable of similar numbers this campaign. Particularly if he sticks on that top unit. Fantasy managers looking to rustle up their own roster might give the streaky scorer some thought.
Calgary Flames: One might guess that Milan Lucic wasn't a big fan of playing for former coach Bill Peters. Filling a fresh role on a forward unit with Johnny Gaudreau, the veteran winger has three goals and one assist in five games - which is three more goals than he scored under his former coach. There's some fun Daily Fantasy potential here, if Lucic continues to earn opportunities aside such a talent on offense. A big if, considering Gaudreau - breaking out of his own uncharacteristic slump of late - isn't likely long for re-joining Sean Monahan up front. Keep a view.
Chicago Blackhawks: Two fantasy-relevant nuggets from the struggling Blackhawks that might appeal to managers in deep leagues: Forward Dominik Kubalik has two goals and an assist in three games while skating on a top line with Jonathan Toews and secondary power play. And Adam Boqvist draws back into the lineup in light of injuries to fellow defensemen Calvin De Haan and Duncan Keith. The 'Hawks eighth-overall draft pick (2018) has one power-play assist through two contests.
Columbus Blue Jackets: This isn't shaping up to be a fun season for fans of the Blue Jackets (who deserve much better). One promising spark provided, however, by the presence of rookie Alexandre Texier. Tapped as Columbus' top center of tomorrow, Texier is already skating on a No. 1 line with Cam Atkinson. While irrelevant in most re-draft leagues for 2019-20 - no shiny numbers yet - dynasty owners should already pay close attention to the 20-year-old's potential.
Colorado Avalanche: According to Mike Chambers of the Denver Post, defenseman Cale Makar, day-to-day with an upper-body issue, is once again doubtful for Friday's tilt with the Devils. Which, once again, offers Samuel Girard the opportunity to skate on a top power play with a full, healthy slate of the club's top forwards. New Jersey ranks second only to Detroit in allowing the most goals, averaging 3.57 per game. The Devils' penalty kill is no great shakes either. Just saying.
Dallas Stars: By (very) early accounts, the Stars under Rick Bowness appear much the same as they did run by former bench boss Jim Montgomery. No surprise there, considering the coaching change wasn't reportedly made based on the team's performance. However, if Thursday's practice proves indicative, defenseman John Klingberg looks to be back on the club's top power play, in place of Miro Heiskanen. Klingberg's managers will appreciative this shift as potential means in kicking him back into gear. After averaging 0.77 points per game the past two seasons, the 27-year-old is on a much poorer 0.38 pace this campaign. Expect him to turn matters around soon enough.
Detroit Red Wings: Back in the NHL after a blinkingly-brief stint in the minors, Filip Zadina continues to prove his productive mettle with a goal and two assists in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Jets. That makes six points in five games for the promising rookie. While dynasty/keeper league managers keen on the 20-year-old contributing now should still feel wary about reassignment, this recent flurry proves incredibly promising for a club otherwise lacking high-end fantasy assets.
Edmonton Oilers: Expect coach Dave Tippett to continue tinkering with his lineup as the Oilers try to reroute back on a winning track. For now, dark horse Joakim Nygard sports Daily Fantasy appeal when skating on a top line with Connor McDavid and Zack Kassian in place of Leon Draisaitl. And Kassian himself has a place in ESPN.com deeper leagues, having recently sat out three games with a back issue. The feisty forward - a perpetual threat to collect serious penalty minutes - has two goals and an assist in his three games upon return, and 22 points (plus-nine) in 31 contests altogether.
Florida Panthers: As anticipated, Florida's starting netminder is looking a lot more Bob-like these days. Allowing only six goals on 142 shots (.958 SV%) this December (four starts), Sergei Bobrovsky appears his aggressive and confident self. Kudos to those who had the foresight to wrestle the netminder away from other prematurely frustrated managers when all wasn't so rosy. Bobrovsky has the potential to serve as a top fantasy goalie from now until April, especially once the Panthers' gifted offense gets back in gear.
Los Angeles Kings: Brassy prediction: Tyler Toffoli is about to erupt (relatively speaking) in Los Angeles. It's in everyone's best interest; the Kings are keen to maximize return on the soon-to-be traded asset and Toffoli himself is competing for his next contract. This week's output of a goal and three assists in two games also means he isn't likely long for his current fourth-line role. At his best, the 27-year-old winger has 60-point potential. A much needed change in scenery could go a long way to helping him get there.
Minnesota Wild: The latest from the Wild regarding Devan Dubnyk (personal) suggests the No. 1 netminder will travel with the team on their upcoming road trip but will not likely to play. That adds up to at least four more games, including Saturday's home tilt with the Flyers, split between Alex Stalock and Kaapo Kahkonen. Of the two, Kahkonen has been better, despite Thursday's raucous 6-5 win over the Oilers (he was flat-out stellar three previous outings). The young, four-game NHL vet will want to make the most of opportunities offered before heading back to the minors. I'm all over him in Daily Fantasy play when starting.
Montreal Canadiens: After earning his first NHL win in convincing fashion Wednesday, rookie goaltender Cayden Primeau is making his case to stick around a bit as Carey Price's backup. Stopping 35 of 37 shots in a 3-2 OT victory over the Senators, the 20-year-old appeared calm and confident. However, the Canadiens could also reasonably opt to send Primeau back to see regular action in Laval instead of sitting idly on an NHL bench while Price carries the Habs' load. For now, Daily Fantasy competitors should gauge whether the young goalie manages to squeeze in at least one more start before heading back to the AHL, while dynasty managers should keep their own tabs. Coach Claude Julien following Wednesday's win: "I think whether you see him tomorrow or whether you see him in a few years from now, no matter what I think he's got a nice future ahead of him."
New Jersey Devils: Eighteen games and counting: P.K. Subban hasn't registered a single point for the Devil since Nov. 2. While he'll undoubtedly break out at some point soon-ish - he's still logging top-pair minutes, he's still competing on the power play - six weeks is a long time. Shelve the former Norris Trophy-winner until he figures it out. And to those suggesting Subban is more concerned with his "brand", even subconsciously, than playing his best, he won't be for long realizing the two are intimately intertwined.
Nashville Predators: Hardly the sexiest set of fantasy numbers coming out of Nashville altogether these days and yet there's Calle Jarnkrok playing on the top line and power play, racking up five goals and five assists in his past 10 contests. Jarnkrok, sitting tied for first with Filip Forsberg amongst forwards with 22 points on the season. And Jarnkrok, available in more than 84% of ESPN.com leagues.
New York Islanders: Skating on a scoring line and competing with the man-advantage, Jordan Eberle is showing signs of smartening up after his slow start, sporting two goals and four assists in six games. It's amazing what a little confidence can do. Check on Eberle's availability in deeper leagues.
New York Rangers: I don't care that he wasn't at his best in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Sharks, make no mistake, Alexandar Georgiev is the starting netminder for the New York Rangers. Of Georgiev and veteran Henrik Lundqvist, the youngster has consistently been the far better goalie these past three weeks. In the fantasy sphere, he could end up this year's Carter Hart. In case that proves true, any manager with goaltending issues can't risk not investing in Georgiev. He's (still) only rostered in 11% of ESPN.com leagues.
Ottawa Senators: For what it's worth, Jean-Gabriel Pageau didn't toil long off the Senators' top line and, following his brief demotion, remains a consistent presence alongside Brady Tkachuk. It's worth something, I suppose, considering the center already has 16 goals (plus-19!) on the season. Also, forward Anthony Duclair is on a mini-tear with five goals and one assist in four games, if interested in a less-conventional DFS commodity.
Philadelphia Flyers: Forward Travis Konecny suffering a concussion (an unfortunately blow for both the surging player and his club) means a jostling of lines in Philly, one which sees the reunification of top throwback unit Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, and Jakub Voracek - joined by James van Riemsdyk and defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere on the power play. Feels a bit top-heavy, doesn't it? Fantasy managers invested in Flyers' depth scoring up front have cause for concern if coach Alain Vigneault doesn't make further changes.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Like Georgiev in New York, former understudy Tristan Jarry - not Matt Murray - is the present-day starting netminder for the Penguins. For crying out loud, the 24-year-old has three shutouts in four consecutive contests, including a necessarily stingy effort versus the Blue Jackets Thursday with Evgeni Malkin joining other prominent players (ie. Sidney Crosby) in Pittsburgh's infirmary. Amazingly, Jarry remains available in nearly 80% of ESPN.com leagues. (Not in any of mine, unfortunately.)
San Jose Sharks: Let the Bob Boughner (interim) coaching era begin. One that apparently sees veteran Joe Thornton back centering a legit scoring line with Tomas Hertl and Kevin Labanc. While hardly expecting any significant fantasy fireworks here, I appreciate Thornton a lot more in this role than otherwise. And hey, the grizzled vet notched an assist in Thursday's loss to the Rangers. Could be the start of something.
St. Louis Blues: If wondering who's the latest to fill in for the long-term-injured Vladimir Tarasenko on the Blues' top line, the answer is Jordan Kyrou (that's who). Called up from this week, the 21-year-old rookie is two games in as winger aside Brayden Schenn and Jaden Schwartz. Having produced at a near point-per-game clip in the minors theses past two seasons, this kid is worth monitoring.
Tampa Bay Lightning: As discussed in this week's Waiver Watch, Alex Killorn is smoldering with seven goals and 11 assists in his past 15 games. Skating on a scoring line with Anthony Cirelli and Steven Stamkos, and on the Lightning's top power play, Killorn should be exploited in your fantasy format of choice until he cools off.
Toronto Maple Leafs: A more minor fantasy asset compared to his linemates, Zach Hyman is having a moment. Four goals in four games on 15 shots (plus-five) - admittedly including an empty-netter - suggests the physical winger is fully recovered from the off-season knee surgery that cost him 19 games to start the season. Regular front-of-net nuisance on a line with John Tavares and Mitch Marner, Hyman plays a ton, enjoys his own scoring opportunities, and serves as a decent streaming/DFS option at present. The 27-year-old scored 21 goals and 20 assists in only 71 games last year.
Vancouver Canucks: Too many managers in deeper leagues will eventually lament missing out on grabbing Tanner Pearson when they had the chance. At home on a scoring line with Bo Horvat, the former King (and short-term Penguin) has been an emblem of consistency since early November, collecting 14 points in 13 games. Still available in more than 81% of ESPN.com leagues, there's time yet to exploit Pearson before he inevitably caps off a career year.
Vegas Golden Knights: Keep a view of what Valentin Zykov makes of his second chance with the Knights, coming off a 20-game suspension for using a performance enhancing substance. With a lot to prove, the 24-year-old is being offered ample opportunity by way of skating on a line with Paul Stastny and Alex Tuch. Coach Gerard Gallant seems to believe this young forward can contribute in the NHL, like he has in the minors. Fantasy managers in the deepest of leagues might keep tabs on whether Gallant is proven correct.
Winnipeg Jets: For those unaware, Neal Pionk has taken over the point from Josh Morrissey on the Jets' No. 1 power play. As such, Pionk has four points with the extra skater in his most recent eight games while Morrissey - still a valuable fantasy asset altogether - has zero in his past 10. Pionk is rostered in only 41% of ESPN.com leagues. I wish he was available in one of mine.
Washington Capitals: After missing eight games with an upper-body injury, Nicklas Backstrom is settled back into his usual spot, already with three points to show for his two games in return. Fantasy managers who invested in Lars Eller as a substitute top-six center during Backstrom's absence may now choose to move on to other options.