Hello and welcome back to Geek of the Week! In this week's article, I am going to take a look at some preseason standouts and examine what it would take to make them valuable in our fantasy hockey multicat leagues. I don't like to overreact to preseason play, but the players below are worth being on our radar. These are all players worth adding in deeper leagues, and adding to our watch lists in shallower leagues.

Zach Benson

This is the Sabres' shiny new toy, playing on a line with Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner. In this prime spot, he's picked up four goals and three assists in six preseason games. He has done pretty much nothing in the peripheral categories, so don't expect anything there from the 18-year old, but he has shown an ability to pile on the points and keep up with a superstar in Thompson. He should start the year in the NHL (at least for nine games), in which he would be worthy of a stream if he is still playing on that top line.

Matt Coronato

This rookie has picked up four goals, three assists and 12 shots on goal in five preseason games. His per 60 stats aren't insane, yet that makes me think they are sustainable moving into the regular season. His even strength shot per 60 rate was 7.16, while his power play shot rate was 13.64. His shooting percentage of 30% is what is unsustainable. Even if that regresses though, with top-9 even strength minutes and time on the second power-play unit, these rate stats could translate to two shots per game, 20 goals, and 20 assists through a full season, which is close to Coronato's floor. If he were to continue to impress in the regular season and earn more ice time, and maybe even a spot on the first power play unit, three shots per game and 55+ points is not out of the question. Keep him on your watch list.

Kiefer Sherwood

This may puzzle some folks as he only has one goal in his three preseason games, but it is his per 60 peripheral stats that make him worth keeping an eye on. He fired nine total shots on goal in three preseason games with limited ice-time. His even strength per 60 shot rate of 17.36 is extremely high. Previous seasons it has hovered around seven. He also picked up where he left off from last year in terms of hits per 60 at 15.43. If he can up his shot rate slightly, to around nine shots per 60, at 13:30 average time on ice at even strength (a respectable target on this young Nashville team), we could be looking at two shots per game and 3.5 hits per game at even strength alone. He isn't lacking offensive skill either, picking up 13 points in 32 NHL games last season. Any power-play time would increase those shots and provide him with some extra points. If he is able to find a permanent place in Nashville's lineup, he can be a valuable banger streamer. If he were to find a place in the top 6, he would definitely be worth holding long-term.

Honorouble mention: The Banger King – Radko Gudas

Gudas is a popular name in multicat leagues because of his insane hit totals. One reason I think he'll be more valuable in Anaheim is that his blocks should increase (maybe his hits as well!) as the team will be in their own zone more frequently, compared to Florida. In his preseason debut, he picked up six hits, four blocks, nine penalty minutes, and one assist in 19:45 of ice-time. This is a great sign for what's to come this season. In multicat leagues with Hits, he is usually worth a roster spot. That shouldn't change this season – don't expect more than 20 points though.

Hope you enjoyed! See you next week.

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-Ryan Brudner, Top Cheddar Fantasy