Fantasy managers looking to tinker with their rosters will benefit from zeroing in on specific categories. Whether you are looking for long-term fits or short-term options, there should be a plethora of potential pickups to help your squads.
Let's get into this week's suggestions for your consideration.
Jordan Eberle, RW, Kraken (30% rostered) for Goals/Points/Shots/Blocks/PP
Eberle has carried over his success from a red-hot December. He has generated six goals, 13 points, 33 shots on net, seven hits and 10 blocked shots in his last 15 appearances. He has notched four goals on 13 shots and three assists during his six-game point streak. Eberle also has one goal and two helpers with the man advantage during that span. He's credited with a block in nine straight outings to give him 31 through 39 appearances this season. Eberle's category coverage and steady offensive contributions make him an appealing addition ahead of a four-game week for Seattle.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G, Sabres (30% rostered) for Starts/Saves/Wins
Buffalo's 10-game winning streak ended in Saturday's 5-1 loss to Columbus. Luukkonen allowed four goals on 34 shots in the contest. However, he had a 1.00 goals-against average and a .962 save percentage in his previous three outings. Alex Lyon (20 percent rostered) would be the better option, but it's unclear when he will return from a lower-body injury. Still, Luukkonen makes for a decent consolation prize if the Sabres remain hot. The team has a favorable stretch of games this week on paper, with home games against Vancouver and Anaheim, as well as a road matchup against the New York Rangers.
Claude Giroux, LW/RW, Senators (20% rostered) for Assists/Points/Shots
Giroux accounted for four markers and 12 points in his past 13 contests. He has three power-play assists, 25 shots on goal, nine hits and five blocks over that time. He's also found the scoresheet in six of his last eight outings, earning three tallies and nine points during that span. The 37-year-old forward has been productive despite dropping to a third-line role, and he could make for a solid addition during a four-game week for Ottawa.
Igor Chernyshov, LW, Sharks (16% rostered) for Goals/Points/Shots
Since being recalled from the AHL in mid-December, Chernyshov has been productive at the NHL level. He has three goals and five assists in eight outings with the Sharks. He's had a pair of three-point efforts during that span while skating on the top line alongside Macklin Celebrini at even strength. Chernyshov also has 17 shots on net, five blocked shots and three hits while averaging 15:51 of ice time per contest. While the 20-year-old will probably return to the minors once the Sharks get healthier, he has been impactful and should remain a solid option during a busy four-game week.
Philipp Grubauer, G, Kraken (14% rostered) for Starts/Saves/Wins
When called upon this season, Grubauer has been superb, posting a 7-3-1 record with a 2.32 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage in 13 appearances. In 99 shots he has faced during his three-game winning spree, he has stopped 96. Seattle plays four times this week, including a back-to-back. Grubauer should play at least once and could see action on two occasions if the Kraken decide to split the starts evenly.
Bobby McMann, LW, Maple Leafs (12% rostered) for Goals/Points/Shots/Hits
McMann has supplied four goals, eight points, 23 shots on net and 11 hits in his last eight matches. Since late December, he is racking up points while skating on the top line with Auston Matthews, who has heated up considerably lately. The 29-year-old McMann is logging more minutes and should stay productive during a three-game week for Toronto.
Denton Mateychuk, D, Blue Jackets (11% rostered) for Assists/Points/Shots/Blocks
Mateychuk has accumulated two goals, seven assists, 10 shots on net and six blocked shots in his last seven appearances. He has reached the scoresheet six times during that span. The return of Zach Werenski to the lineup from a lower-body injury hasn't hurt Mateychuk's fantasy upside and may even serve to enhance it. While skating alongside Werenski on the top pairing in the past two games, Mateychuk has recorded two straight multipoint performances. The 21-year-old Mateychuk has eight goals, 19 points, 46 shots and 57 blocks through 39 outings this season. He has plenty of under-the-radar potential during a four-game road trip for Columbus this week.
Mikael Backlund, C, Flames (11% rostered) for Assists/Points/Shots/Faceoffs
Backlund is surging offensively, generating five goals and five assists across a seven-game point streak. Dating back to Nov. 11, he has compiled seven goals on 53 shots and 19 points in 24 appearances. He got off to a sluggish start this season but has bounced back in a big way, and so have the Flames. Backlund is also tied for 13th in the league with 376 faceoff wins and has a 51.4 winning percentage this campaign. He has plenty of short-term appeal due to his offensive improvement, especially for fantasy leagues that value faceoff work, ahead of a four-game week for Calgary.
Luke Evangelista, RW, Predators (10% rostered) for Assists/Points/Shots/PP
Evangelista has provided two goals, five assists and 22 shots on net in his past eight outings. He has one marker and five helpers, including four on the power play, in six games going into this week's action. The 23-year-old has been an integral source of offense this season, sitting third on the team with 30 points and co-leading the club with 24 assists through 40 games. Evangelista occupies a second-line role and sees time on the top power-play combination. Nashville plays four times this week.
Barrett Hayton, C, Mammoth (3% rostered) for Assists/Points/Shots/Faceoffs
Hayton collected one goal and six helpers in his past nine outings. He has two power-play points (one goal, one assist), 13 shots on target, nine hits and four blocked shots during that stretch. He has distributed four assists while adding five shots over his three-game point streak. The 25-year-old center has been a good fit alongside trigger man Dylan Guenther, who leads the team with 20 goals. Hayton ranks second on the club with 216 faceoff wins and has won 50.5 percent of his puck drops. He should remain a solid source of offense during a four-game week for Utah.
