1. Lukas Reichel, LW/C, CHI - 6GP, 0G, 0A. As of writing this article, Lukas, is the second line center between Taylor Raddysh and Andreas Athanasiou. Those two are not exactly needle movers, but I feel like Lukas can be a play pusher and is passing the eye test when I've seen him play. He has also found himself on PP1 with a guy named Connor Bedard which might bode well for his production.
Reichel was just about a PPG in the AHL, and has the skill I think to be able to be a 55 point player in the NHL. (As of this articles publication Andreas Athanasiou was benched.)
2. Alexander Kerfoot, LW/C, ARZ 6GP, 0G, 0A- This one is more of what I've seen from Kerfoot more so than what his stats are showing. Kerfoot is also lacking periphial stats to justify rostering in a few leagues, but his play has actually looked good. With Jason Zucker's recent injury, which will see him out for awhile, recent line projections from practice have him on the second line. In leagues where faceoffs count Kerfoot has gotten a few from the wing position. He also finds himself next to Macceli and Cooley which I think I could probably get a few points next to them.
3. Rickard Rakell, Winger, PIT, 6GP, 0G, 1A- Rickard was one of my favorite players to watch when he was on the Ducks. This year, Rakell, finds himself on Malkin's wing. Reily Smith, a newcomer to Pittsburg, has found immediate chemistry with Malkin, and it won't take long for Rakell to start entering the box score as well. Rakell is not known for his periphials as well, but I don't think he will be held off the score sheet for long. At age 30 I still don't think he has slowed down yet.
4. Igor Shisterkin, Goalie, NYR, GP 5, 3W, 2L, 2.66 GAA, .897SV%- Igor has never in his ENTIRE career finished below a .900 SV%, and that goes back to 2013. I doubt if anyone would trade Igor this early, but if he's on your team this is just reassurance. A new system implemented by Laviolette is more offensive in nature. I also expect Igor to creep back up to his career average and back to putting up his gaudy numbers. If someone is brave enough to trade him, I'd jump all over it.
5. Trevor Zegras, C/LW, ANA, GP 6 , 0G, 1A- Much was made about Zegras' contract he just signed, and how it wasn't enough money, or term. Early returns indicate maybe Verbeek, Anaheim's GM, might have been on to something. Unfortunately, this is a buy low article and Zegras' history has indicated that he can be a 55-65 point scorer at this level. Zegras has also managed to scrape out those point totals on some very bad teams. The shuffling in and out of Leo Carlson does not help for line continuity, but I feel like Zegras despite who he plays with can get back to his regular point totals.
Photo credit Samuel Chamberland
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