When you’re searching for fantasy value, you’ll want to look for players who are off to fast starts. But don’t forget about players that have been moved to a scoring line. Either way, the players listed below could be targeted via either a trade offer or added from the waiver wire due to a recent increase in value.
Taylor Hall, LW, NJ
One of the surprise stories of the 2017-18 season has been the success of the Devils offence. That means that the likes of Will Butcher and Jesper Bratt (mentioned here last week) have been quickly scooped up in fantasy leagues. This trend could increase Hall’s fantasy value, which declined last season after his trade to New Jersey. Hall will have a more diverse group of linemates to choose from, which so far have mainly consisted of the up-and-coming Pavel Zacha and underrated Kyle Palmieri. Hall’s average draft position was barely within the top 100, so consider him a strong bet to return to 60 points as long as he can stay healthy.
Sean Couturier, C, PHI
Linemates matter, which is why Couturier currently matters in fantasy leagues. To start the season, Couturier has been placed on the Flyers’ top line with Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek. He’s made the most of his opportunity, scoring four goals and three assists with a plus-9 in just six games.
Couturier is normally a better real-life player than fantasy player, which explains why he has never been able to reach 40 points in his career. But if he can stick on this line for most of the season, he should have no problem reaching that mark.
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Derick Brassard, C, OTT
After underachieving in his first season in Ottawa (14 goals and 39 points), Brassard was left undrafted in many fantasy leagues. But many players struggle in their first season with a new team, and Brassard is putting that behind him with a strong start (six points in six games). In addition, he has two solid scoring wingers as his linemates (Mark Stone and Bobby Ryan) and is also on the first-unit power play. So there are enough signs that Brassard is in for a rebound season.
Brock Boeser, RW, VAN
The fact that Boeser would be a healthy scratch for the first two games of the season is astounding, considering the Canucks completely lack high-level scoring talent. All Boeser has done since debuting in the NHL last season is score. Combined with last season, Boeser now has six goals in just 12 NHL games, thanks to his lethal shot. The only thing stopping Boeser from fantasy success might be any further mishandling by the Canucks. But if he keeps scoring, then Travis Green will know better than to keep him out of the lineup again.
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Kyle Connor, LW, WPG
The Jets didn’t waste any time putting Connor on the one of the scoring lines when he made his season debut on Tuesday (more scoring lines here). Connor spent the majority of the game on a line with Patrik Laine and Bryan Little on Tuesday against Columbus, although his goal was assisted by Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler. Connor has scored a lot at every level he has played, and he’s in a great spot if he can stay on the scoring lines for the run-and-gun Jets. Chances are that he’s available on your league’s waiver wire.
Malcolm Subban, G, VGK
Here we have a goalie who wasn’t supposed to play in the NHL currently starting for a team that wasn’t supposed to be very good. Yet Subban has gone from AHLer to injury replacement starting goalie for a team that is currently 5-1-0 in the standings. The schedule will get tougher for Vegas, and Marc-Andre Fleury will eventually return from his concussion. But enjoy the ride while it lasts in single-season leagues, and reconsider Subban in keeper leagues now that he has a spot on an NHL roster.
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