I have three words everyone: Hockey. Is. Back. We made it and I hope everyone out there had a terrific summer, but we've finally made it to the other side and back to hockey season. The only thing that can top a draft night party is opening night of the regular season and seeing how your club stacks up to the rest of your league. This season the schedule looks to be a bit more "normal" with (fingers crossed) no COVID-related break and no Winter Olympics. We're going to use the schedule to our advantage here to do the one thing we set out to do – Win your league(s). Let's dive in!

The Immediate Fix (Grab this guy and use him for the next several days)

Jack Roslovic, C, Columbus Blue Jackets (Rostered in 50% of ESPN leagues, 22% Fantrax, 7% Yahoo) – For those in deeper leagues my guess is your last one or two draft picks are either picks that are more of a reach for a sleeper, or you're looking to stash a prospect or a player with an injury set to return at some point during the season. If there's a spot on your roster available, Jack Roslovic makes a lot of sense with the Jackets in action three times during opening week and four the following.

Roslovic had a very productive season for the Jackets last year with 22 goals, 23 assists, and 131 shots on goal and at times was centering the club's top line in between Patrik Laine and Oliver Bjorkstrand. While that was a good line offensively if he can draw into the top three this season, he'll still have Laine but the new addition of Johnny Gaudreau as well to work with. It's reasonable to think that Boone Jenner is going to get first crack at top line center duty, but there's a chance here where Roslovic either takes over those duties at even strength or moves up from second powerplay center to first.

If Roslovic is given first line center role, great that just helps us in fantasy but there's reason to think that he may have some moving parts on his wings. Columbus has I would say, more roster decisions to make in the next few days than most clubs and with those decisions comes the potential uncertainty of who will draw onto Roslovic's line. For now, that line could look something like Gustav Nyquist – Roslovic – Jakub Voracek and while we don't have a sample size of that trio last season, it's a decent second line that could provide Roslovic with plenty of opportunities. My guess is if either or both Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko make the team, it could shake things up a bit but even then, those two high prospect that could make a real difference.

The Building Block (Buy now, sit back and enjoy the production)

Andrew Copp, C/RW, Detroit Red Wings (Rostered in 50% of ESPN leagues, 39% Fantrax, 50% Yahoo) – It looks like the little "O", red flag, player note with an exclamation point on it, whatever the case may be, scared off half of the fantasy owners out there into drafting Andrew Copp. It looks like he'll will be ready close to the start of the regular season, and that's good news for us.

Copp has been out with an abdomen injury throughout camp that he re-aggravated in August, and while we don't like reading that headline, the news that new Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde gave us that he could potentially slot into the lineup for the Wings last preseason game is extremely encouraging. Even if he were to miss all of the preseason the goal is for him to be in the lineup ion October 14^th for Detroit's opening night vs Montreal. Copp spent time on the Jets and Rangers last season and between the two clubs notched 21 goals and 32, both career highs, but there's more to like here than just past performance.

If healthy, or likely when healthy, we can assume that Copp will likely center Detroit's second line in between David Perron, who is coming off a season scoring 57 points in 67 games, and Jakub Vrnana who is when healthy is close to an elite offensive player. Being the center on that line itself if it stays together, is only going to mean primary assists and points for Copp could conceivably have a career year. The roster numbers may be 50/50 on most fantasy sites, but if available he's a player worth putting in a claim for. Plus, hey, there's no more Jeff Blashill in Detroit and that's an arrow in the right direction.

The Odd Man Out (His short-term value is cause for concern)

Kevin Fiala, LW/RW, Los Angeles Kings (Rostered in 99% of ESPN leagues, 99% of Fantrax, 98% Yahoo) – Pretty much 99% roster rates across the board, and believe me, I understand all the reasons why. Twenty-six years old, coming off a career year in points with tallying 85, it's a pick where if he's best player available you likely draft. I get it, but there's some caution here as well.

Regardless of what you think of the trade from Minnesota followed by the contract that Fiala singed with the Kings back July, he's a very talented offensive player that's on an LA roster that I'm very high on coming into this season. The issue here isn't what Fiala can produce, it's if he can produce those same high scoring numbers again this season. Last year in Minnesota he was on even strength lines playing alongside players who also had career years of their own or playing with young players that made an immediate positive impact to that roster. The situation worked out perfectly for Fiala and if Minnesota wasn't dealing with the salary cap problems that they are, maybe he's still a part of that organization. LA has a very good roster and he'll (most likely) be across from Adrian Kempe I'm just concerned that the production could take time to develop and that Fiala's numbers last season were a result of a lot of things going right in Minnesota.
 
Is this a suggestion that you should run out and see what you can get for Fiala in a trade? No, absolutely not. If we've learned anything about Fiala, it's at the very least if he's on your roster you're going to get plenty of shots on goal. but it is a concern that those numbers that he put up last season may be difficult to replicate.

The Anchors (They’ll do nothing but disappoint even over the long haul)

Tony DeAngelo D, Philadelphia Flyers (Rostered in 84% of ESPN leagues, 98% Fantrax, 87% Yahoo)

The moment DeAngelo signed in Philadelphia he became an anchor for the upcoming season. For a D that doesn't play stellar defense, playing for a coach who tends to frown on that sort of play (to say the least), and being on a bottom four roster in the NHL, this is a not-so-great situation for Tony D in fantasy.

Last season, great, no denying that with 51 points. However, that was on a Carolina club with an excellent top six while also quarterbacking a powerplay where 20 of his 41 points came from. He's going to be Philly's top power play D, but I don't see 20 points coming from that unit. The ice time is going to be there no question, but there's a real concern on his value on the Flyers this season. Sure, there's a lot worse you can do at the blueline position in fantasy, but there's likely going to be long stretches this season where DeAngelo is held off the scoresheet.

Love ‘Em (These squads are sure to pay dividends in the coming days)

This period runs on October 19^th

Toronto – Let's get the Leafs as a Love 'Em right out of the gate, with Montreal and Arizona in on the schedule in the first five games to open the season. There's a real road map to where that's your #1 and #2 worst clubs in hockey this season, and the Leafs should be able to take advantage of an easier start to the year.

Los Angeles – The Kings are going to be busy to start the year, playing three times on opening week, and four times in week two. That's great for fantasy and DFS and for a Kings club that started 3-5-1 to start the season last year, a good start will be a priority.

Vegas – If Vegas is going to be in the playoff discussion come March/April they'll need to not dig themselves too deep of a hole early. What gets them the Love 'Em stamp of approval is in their first three games they'll play vs Chicago who will be on the second part of a back-to-back and Seattle.

Leave ‘Em (These squads will leave fantasy owners sorely disappointed in the short term)

St.Louis – It's the start of the season so the schedule can be a little wonky, the Blues are one of two clubs that will only play once during opening week, and twice during week two. No games mean no love for STL to start the season.

Winnipeg – A slow start to the season with one game during opening week hurts the Jets but what hurts them worse is three of their first five games are on the road, with matchups vs the Rangers, Colorado, and Toronto in the mix.

Minnesota – The numbers were close for a couple different clubs to start the season but Minnesota gets the third spot here mainly because of their first three matchups, while on home ice they'll face the Rangers, Kings, and Avalanche. This was a much better team at home in St.Paul last season but that is a tougher stretch of games to open the 2022-'23 campaign.