Thoughts on Griffith, the awesome line for Tampa, why McDavid will make it the “Big 4” and more …

***

Cam Atkinson was back in the Columbus lineup now that his eye swelling had gone down enough to let him play. He saw over 21 minutes of action on a line with Ryan Johansen and Scott Hartnell. He has four goals and six points in eight games, progressing quite nicely in terms of projected points year over year. I wish all players develop on target like that, it would make my job easier. But if healthy I’m calling a 55-point season this time around and 65-plus for next year.

The Jackets gave up five goals in Sergei Bobrovsky‘s absence. Bob, as you know, has a broken finger and is out for a couple of weeks. Justin Goldman discusses it (and your options) in his ramblings over at the Goalie Post. Yes, the ramblings are indeed a new feature over there. All the more reason to make the site one of your daily stops.

*

Well, it’s time to take Seth Griffith seriously. Not only as a prospect, but as a legitimate add to your fantasy roster right now. Three points last night give him five in four games. His ice time and PP time are still moderate, but with continued production like this it will come. He’s already clearly passed Matt Fraser and Ryan Spooner on the depth chart, and if Reilly Smith doesn’t pull up his socks he’ll lose his PP time as well. Not bad for a player who was passed up in the 2011 draft and lasted until the fifth round of the 2012 draft. Between he and Tanner Pearson, the 19-year-old players who get drafted a year late are getting taken more seriously. As for the production – consider him a short-term asset for now in one-year leagues, as we saw similar hot streaks from Spooner last season. But Griffith has definitely caught our attention and he’s playing with Krejci and Lucic.

It’s worth noting (and not unexpected) that Dougie Hamilton saw 28:32 of ice time last night, quickly getting the Chara treatment from Coach Julien.

*

Tyler Toffoli is even scoring while shorthanded! Last night’s SHG gives him 13 points in nine games, good for second in league scoring – and he has yet to play 17 minutes in a game. He boasts a plus-12 rating. And as awesome as I think he is – he’s definitely a ‘sell high’ player for those of you in one-year leagues. It’s looking more and more as if he’ll be breaking out this year and top 70 points. He certainly has that upside. But he’s on pace for well over 100, which of course ain’t happening.