Welcome back to The Journey. So, how are we feeling? It's been three days of non-stop hockey and boy, does it feel great. As expected, the games have been fast-paced, the goals have been pouring in and most importantly, they have provided an abundance of entertainment. 

With cap crunches and taxi squads in effect, we have also seen our fair share of prospects make their mark on the league, with a handful of them producing their first NHL points or wins (goaltenders). 

Through three days, here is a list of prospects who have etched their names on the NHL scoresheet for the first time:

Kirill Kaprizov – 1GP, 1G, 2A

John Leonard – 1GP, 2 A

Nils Hoglander – 2GP, 1G, 1A

Ty Smith – 1GP, 1G

Dylan Cozens – 2GP, 1A

Alexander Romanov – 1GP, 1A

Vitek Vanecek – 1GP, 1W

We also saw last year’s highly anticipated first-overall pick, Alexis Lafreniere, make his NHL debut. He was held off the scoresheet, but saw 15:21 of ice-time and provided a hit, a block, and a minus-1 rating. He’s been skating on the club's second line in preparation for game two, so buckle up. It’s only a matter of time.

With fantasy leagues now off to the races, so are their waiver wires. This assures an influx of insanely early player hype, which always results in unholy amounts of add/drops and binge spending. Moves that owners usually end up regretting not soon after the fact.

With that in mind, here are some of the season's early stock risers to blow all of your cash on, if available.

Joel Farabee, LW, Flyers

Farabee's stock went parabolic and sent fantasy owners rushing for waiver bids, following a four-point (1g + 3A) season debut. He spent the game lined up with Claude Giroux and Kevin Hayes and was a half-wall option on the second power-play unit – where he posted two of his helpers. 

Naturally, he cooled off immediately with zero points during his second game, despite skating on the same line. Luckily, assuming there is no unforeseen drop-off, I envision his deployment to stick and he should provide a solid spike in production this season.  Don't look now, but the Flyers have the makings of this year's wagon, and you'll want to jump on any way you can – Farabee is a fantastic option.

Kirill Kaprizov, LW, Wild

After five years of pent-up anticipation, KK owners were finally vindicated with his NHL debut. During camp, It was clear right from the get-go that the 22-year-old Russian phenom was on another level and was about to become one of the club's most tantalizing players it’s seen…perhaps ever? He did not disappoint. He instantly slotted in as the club's go-to player and created a buzz around the hockey world. 

Right out the gate, he was creating chances and buzzing around the ice, as he usually does. He made quite a few (failed) high-danger plays, before finally driving the net and providing his first career point, a primary assist. From there, it was the Kaprizov show, and fans ate it up through Twitter all night. Of course, in storybook fashion, he iced the game in overtime with this fantastic interception that led to a breakaway goal. And yes, he went bar down when he tells his friends back home.

DOLLA DOLLA KIRILL Y'ALL#mnwild pic.twitter.com/EtmO6Qifhv

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) January 15, 2021

Sure, he put up three points, which certainly bodes well. However, even if he hadn't, you got a feel for his elite dedication to the craft. He is a high energy player, who plays the game with utmost pace and spends most of his shifts driving the play – he's constantly on “go” mode.

If you were a long-time holder, congratulations. If not, get your bundles ready, as it will take a mountain to pry him from the hands of fantasy owners in a trade. His stock just blew through the roof. 

Ty Smith, D, Devils 

Ty Smith's immediate value was tough to peg heading into the 2020-21 campaign. His skill and future upside certainly make him a highly valued fantasy prospect, but It was his timeline that left questions. Was he going to deploy in the NHL right away? If so, what sort of minutes would he play? 

The likely option seemed to trend towards him beginning his pro career in the AHL, gaining some reps in Binghamton as one of their top defenders, before making the jump into the line of fire. Of course, thanks to the current outlook of the league, things changed quickly. Not only was he inserted into the lineup on opening day, but he also provided his first career goal and saw powerplay time immediately. 

Doesn't matter how it happened, all we know is Ty Smith netted his first NHL goal last night. 😎 pic.twitter.com/sdA5K2pjYY

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 15, 2021

He skated on the third-pairing, which should come as no surprise, but played 17:09 minutes with 2:11 of those on the man-advantage. It is safe to say that the Devils like what they see, and I would not be shocked to see him creep up into second-pairing action in the not-so-distant future. Up goes his stock.

Max Comtois, LW, Ducks

Max Comtois was deployed on the Ducks’ third line on opening night, where he slotted alongside fellow prospects Troy Terry and Sam Steel. The second-year (and change) pro began the season on a strong note, potting two goals in the first period and notching his first career (NHL) multi-goal game. 

Despite only contributing one hit, Comtois has a track record of producing peripherals. mainly in the hits department, which adds a slight benefit to those looking for prospects in category formats. 

He saw no time on the power play, given the team was only handed one opportunity, but is expected to slot in on the club's second unit. This should allow for some additional opportunity going forward. 

Jack Studnicka, C, Bruins

It is amazing what deployment can do for a kid's stock, and Jack Studnicka was the most recent example of this exaggerated fantasy phenomenon. 

With David Pastrnak out of the lineup, for the time being, there was an empty spot on the top-line alongside the club's big names and guess who took that spot? The 21-year-old rookie was given the opportunity of a lifetime and began the year taking reps next to Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. He only saw 11:40 of ice-time, which included 1:41 on the PK, and failed to catch any time on the man-advantage, but it's a good sign heading forward.

Who knows how long this stint lasts, so owners should keep close tabs on the club’s line combinations. But as long as he is playing with the big boys at even strength, the opportunities should be on their way. He should also find time on PP2. 

Keep in mind that he is the club's top young forward, so he should remain the club going forward, making him a secure investment.

Nils Hoglander, LW, Canucks

Let's be honest, who saw this coming? There has been some buzz surrounding the Swedish winger ever since last year’s WJC tournament, where he put up 11 points (5G +6A) as one of the tournament’s top performers. He also caught eyes after scoring not one, but two "Michigan" style goals last year – one in the tournament and one during SHL play. Yet, I don't think anyone could have predicted this accelerated debut.

His first NHL camp was strong and it was evident that he showed up in mid-season form (thanks to his time in the SHL) and looked ready to make an impact with Canucks immediately. Of course, opportunity helps. He was handed second-line deployment alongside captain Bo Horvat and veteran Tanner Pearson on opening night, which had Canucks nation going nuts.

Not only did he post his first NHL goal, along with an assist, but he was also a menace on the ice all night. He posed a constant threat in the offensive zone, was pressuring puck carriers, and ultimately provided a lingering headache for opposing players with his tenacious manner. During his second game, where he was held off of the scoresheet, he saw time on the club's top-line, as well as minutes on their deadly number one power-play unit. 

The first of many for Nils Hoglander! Congrats on No. 1, kid. #NHLFaceOff

🇨🇦: https://t.co/QXeqkchBlI @Sportsnet
📱: https://t.co/A1bUV93mft pic.twitter.com/cJas3lmO8x

— NHL (@NHL) January 14, 2021

I suspect his run with the top-line to be erased once J.T Miller returns to the lineup (out due to COVID protocol), but Hoglander is making a solid case for himself to stay relevant on an offensively talented Canucks team. He could be an unexpected sleepy option this year.

Alexander Romanov, D, Canadiens

Alexander Romanov has forever been known as a strong defensive defender, with some, but not much offensive upside. While that still may be the case, he looked very strong in his debut with Montreal – offensively, too.

He began the year on the third-pairing but was also handed time on the club's second power-play unit, which he looked right at home. As expected, he provided four blocks, a hit, three shots, and of course, his first NHL assists – a fantasy owner’s dream.

You cannot ask for a much prettier first career assist.

Premier but de la saison pour Tatar, premier point dans la LNH pour Romanov!

1st goal of the season for Tuna, first NHL point for Romanov!#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/PXUBvv7wbN

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 14, 2021

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Thanks for joining me this week. Here's to another solid week of NHL hockey. 

As usual, find me on Twitter @hall1289.