Teuvo Teravainen, W – Chicago Blackhawks
A spot on an elite centre’s wing is the fantasy jackpot for whoever lands there. So far this season, it looks like veteran offseason addition Teuvo Teravainen will line up alongside Connor Bedard on the Chicago Blackhawks’ top line. Teravainen is no stranger to riding shotgun to a star centre. The veteran played primarily alongside Sebastian Aho with the Carolina Hurricanes last season and put up 25 goals and 53 points in 76 games.
It’s still early, but so far, Teravainen is set to carve out a similar role in Chicago. He’s currently lining up not only on the team’s top line with Bedard but also their top power play unit. In the Blackhawks’ first game of the season, Teravainen potted a goal and earned 20 minutes of ice time. Only Bedard was on the ice more for Chicago.
As long as Teravinen is attached to Bedard’s hip at even strength and the power play, he’s going to play a ton of minutes and be given every opportunity to succeed. A return to the 60-point mark is a good bet.
Anthony Duclair, W – New York Islanders
Journeyman Anthony Duclair landed in New York in the offseason and looks set to have a huge role in the New York Islanders’ weak forward group. To start the year, the 29-year-old is lining up on the Islanders’ first line alongside Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal. Not exactly a bad spot to land for the speedy winger. In the Islanders’ first game of the year, Duclair earned 19:45 minutes of ice time and logged a power play goal, one assist, and two shots.
He’s also featuring on their top power play unit alongside Horvat, Barzal, and Noah Dobson on what should be a strong top unit. Anytime he’s been given a complimentary role alongside his team’s top players, he’s succeeded. Just look at his 58 points in Florida a couple years ago or his 15 points in 17 games playing on the Tampa Bay Lightning’s top line to close out last season. As long as Duclair continues to skate on the top line and power play, he’s worth a look in fantasy.
Yegor Chinakhov, W – Columbus Blue Jackets
There are plenty of roles open for the taking with the Columbus Blue Jackets right now, and Yegor Chinakhov looks like a real strong bet to claim one. The 2020 first-rounder is coming off the best season of his young career last year with 16 goals and 110 shots in just 53 games, and the door is wide open for a breakout in 2024–25.
He’s currently skating on the Blue Jackets’ top line alongside Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko, as well as their top power play unit. Chinakhov has a goal scorer’s touch, and it looks like Columbus is going to give him every chance to set career highs this season.
In the Blue Jackets’ first game of the year, Chinakhov registered a power play assist, three shots, and one hit. He also logged 20:48 of ice time, which was tops on the entire team. The Blue Jackets are going to be really bad this year, but anytime a young talent like Chinakhov is fed minutes at even strength and the power play, he’s worth a look in deeper leagues.
Jake Walman, D – San Jose Sharks
Even on bad teams, there is fantasy value to be had, particularly on defence. Given the San Jose Sharks’ complete lack of depth at the position, offseason addition Jake Walman is set for a gigantic role and plenty of opportunity coming off a career-best 12-goal season.
If the Sharks’ first game of the season is any indication, Walman could be set to rack up category coverage this year. In his first game of the year, Walman led the Sharks in ice time with 25 minutes, registered an assist, one shot, one hit, and a whopping seven blocks.
This isn’t to say Walman is the next Mike Matheson, but the situations are very similar. A veteran defender who, on most teams, would be a complimentary piece is now thrust into a number-one role on a bad team. Not only is Walman the Sharks’ top defender at even strength, he’s also skating on their top power play with Macklin Celebrini. As long as Walman is given this level of opportunity, he’s worth a look in fantasy.
