It’s still extremely early into the fantasy season as we approach week three, but some trends are already starting to form. Just like every year, there are players who no one thinks of come draft time but turn into valuable fantasy assets early into the season. In particular, there have been a few players who may not be racking up points but are currently offering real solid value when it comes to category coverage.
Let’s take a look below at some players who may not be household names in fantasy but have kicked off 2024–25 covering the stat sheet.
Paul Cotter, C – New Jersey Devils
In his first season as a New Jersey Devil, Paul Cotter is quite literally hitting everything that moves. Through seven games so far this season, Cotter has racked up 20 hits for an average of 2.9 a game.
It’s not just the hitting department that he’s excelling at, either. Cotter has also added 15 shots, which averages just over two a game. He’s currently shooting the lights out, too, potting five goals on his 15 shots.
For good measure, he’s added one assist and three blocks. This pace may not keep up, but for now, Cotter is playing like a top-20 fantasy forward and is only 20% owned in Yahoo! leagues.
Ross Colton, C/W – Colorado Avalanche
Despite the Colorado Avalanche’s disastrous start to the year, Ross Colton has proven his value as a fantasy asset so far this season. Through four games this season, Colton has been all over the scoresheet.
He’s currently sitting on 17 hits, which is an absurd average of over four hits a game. He also has 13 shots which is over three a game. He’s also chipping in offensively right now while averaging over 18 minutes a night.
Colton has posted two goals and one assist, including two power play points. As long as he’s skating on the Avs’ top line and power play unit, he’s going to continue to rack up category coverage and is worth an add at just 26% owned right now.
Colton Parayko, D – St. Louis Blues
If you’re in need of some help on defence, look no further than Colton Parayko. The veteran defender currently has double digital totals in shots, hits, and blocks. He’s stuffing the stat sheet right now and is worth a look if you need some help on the backend.
Through five games, Parayko may only have two assists, but he’s posted 12 shots, 11 hits, and 12 blocks. In all five games he’s played this season, he’s put up at least one of each. He’ll continue to take on heavy minutes for a weak St. Louis Blues blue line and should be a category coverage monster all season.
Jordan Greenway, W – Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres may be off to a rough start to the season, but that can’t be said for Jordan Greenway. The veteran winger is off to a great start to the 2024–25 season and is currently a top 75 player in Yahoo! leagues despite being just 3% owned.
Through six games, Greenway has posted 17 hits, an average of just under three a game, and 11 shots, which is just under two a game. He’s also added on two goals and four total points, as well as seven blocks. He’s doing it all right now and has posted at least one shot, hit, and block on four separate occasions this season.
Nick Foligno, W – Chicago Blackhawks
Nick Foligno may not be the player he once was, but as long as he’s getting exposure to Connor Bedard, he’s worth a look in fantasy. Playing on the Chicago Blackhawks’ top line right now, Foligno has been all over the board this season.
In just five games, he’s put up 19 hits, 13 shots, three goals, and three blocks. He’s also registered one power play point. He hasn’t had a single game all season without at least five total hits, shots, or blocks. Skating on the top line and power play, Foligno is worth a look at just 3% owned.
