NHL Player News

Wright scored a goal, dished an assist and added two PIM in Thursday's 6-4 win over the Flyers.

While Wright has played well early in the year, he didn't have anything to show for it until Thursday. He helped out on an Eeli Tolvanen tally in the second period and then scored a goal of his own about three minutes later, which was the game-winner. Wright is centering Jared McCann and Jordan Eberle on what's emerged as the Kraken's top line, though the team's forwards often have varied ice time based on the flow of the game. Wright is at two points, six shots on net, three hits and a plus-4 rating over five appearances while averaging 14:16 of ice time per game.

McCann scored a power-play goal on two shots and added two assists in Thursday's 6-4 win over the Flyers.

McCann's three points all came in the second period. He tied the game at 2-2 early in the frame before having a hand in goals by linemates Jordan Eberle and Shane Wright over a span of eight seconds late in the period. With three multi-point efforts through five appearances, McCann is off to a great start. He has three goals, four assists, 11 shots on net, five blocked shots and a plus-5 rating while playing on Seattle's most effective line so far.

Granlund logged a pair of assists, four shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Blackhawks.

This was Granlund's first multi-point effort of the campaign. The center has three helpers, 16 shots on net, three hits and a plus-1 rating over four outings. He'll continue to fill in as the top-line center as long as Macklin Celebrini (lower body) is out. Granlund's large role and power-play time make him a viable option for fantasy managers in deeper formats in need of a playmaker.

Teravainen notched two power-play assists in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Sharks.

Teravainen logged multiple points for the second time this season, and both of those efforts have included power-play production. The veteran winger is up to three goals, four assists, 11 shots on net and a plus-1 rating over five appearances. The Blackhawks are still struggling to be consistent on offense, but Teravainen should be among their best forwards as long as he plays on Connor Bedard's wing.

Bedard registered a pair of power-play assists and three shots on goal in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Sharks.

Bedard helped out on goals by Tyler Bertuzzi and Nick Foligno. It's been all or nothing for Bedard in the early going -- he has three multi-point efforts and has been held off the scoresheet in his other two appearances. The center has a goal, six assists (four on the power play), 17 shots on net and a plus-3 rating so far.

Dickinson scored a goal in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Sharks.

Dickinson provided an insurance tally in the third period. It was his first point in five games, and the center has added five shots on net, 10 hits, three blocked shots and a minus-2 rating while filling a third-line role. Last year, Dickinson was surprisingly successful with 22 goals and 35 points over 82 appearances, though that came with a 17.5 shooting percentage he's unlikely to ever repeat in a full season. He's best utilized in a shutdown role, one that leads to minimal fantasy value.

Stamkos has failed to record a point through the first four games of the season.

The Predators' biggest signing in free agency is still looking for chemistry with his new teammates. There's reason to think Stamkos has just been unlucky -- he has 14 shots on net so far. At last year's 15.3 shooting percentage, he would have netted two goals with his average luck. Fantasy managers may want to buy low on Stamkos, as there probably won't be any looking back once his offense comes to life.

Kopitar had a shorthanded assist, one shot and one hit in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Canadiens.

Kopitar helped finish off Montreal when he won a defensive zone faceoff that led to Adrian Kempe's empty-net goal. Kopitar earlier had an offensive zone faceoff win that led to Los Angeles' first goal. He leads the Kings with seven points over his first five appearances this year.

O'Reilly recorded an assist in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Oilers.

O'Reilly has had some quiet individual success so far, earning a goal, two assists, eight shots on net and five blocked shots over four games. He's also taken a minus-4 rating, as the Predators' defensive struggles have found him as well. The 33-year-old remains in a top-line role and on the first power-play unit, where he should be a consistent playmaker to complement Filip Forsberg's finishing skill.

Marchessault scored a power-play goal on four shots and added two hits in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Oilers.

This was Marchessault's first goal in four games to begin the year. Two of his three points have come with the man advantage. The 33-year-old winger opened the season on the second line but moved down to the third line as head coach Andrew Brunette shuffled up his middle six in an effort to spark the offense. More changes may be ahead after the Predators suffered their fourth straight loss. Marchessault has added 17 shots on net, seven hits and a minus-2 rating and should continue to be a fixture on the first power-play unit.