For the most part, all is quiet on the Eastern fantasy front, which obviously makes a lot of sense considering the portion of the NHL's schedule we're currently navigating. However, with the calendar officially flipped to 2024 and NHL hockey set to return to regular-paced programming, there's definitely a number of increasingly enticing fantasy spots to monitor over the coming days and weeks.

If you've had a rough start to the fantasy hockey season, all is not lost. Especially on the keeper/dynasty side things, work as a fantasy hockey GM truly never stops and the right opportunity to turn the tides could be right there waiting.
In terms of the next few weeks as teams jockey for postseason positioning, pouncing on a few streaky players, or conversely, getting away from guys set to hit the skids could mean the difference between making some money or spending the rest of the season wondering what could have been. Let's aim for the former and take a bit of a closer look at the Eastern Conference.

Chabot Returns For Senators
Name it and it's likely gone wrong for the Ottawa Senators this season. In the hopes of keeping this New Year more optimistic, let's focus on something a bit more positive in the Nation's Capital with the return of top-pairing rearguard Thomas Chabot. Chabot is clearly an important piece to the overall success of the Sens, but he's been a bit of a fantasy enigma never fully living up to the hype of a top-billing blue-liner.
Hard to truly put a finger on the rangy D-man's ceiling when he's struggled to stay in the lineup, as multiple different ailments have limited Chabot to top out at 71 games played in a single campaign. Although, when he is in the lineup and on his game, Chabot's elite-level potential catapults him into fantasy relevancy as a piece who fills out the peripheral categories nicely.

Take in his return to game action against the Sabres on Sunday after missing 28 days: Over 21 minutes of ice time, two assists, a plus-two rating, and two shots on net. Defensemen that bring his offensive upside while also playing a responsible two-way game and chipping in with blocked shots, hits, and occasional penalty minutes don't come around very often. Sprinkle in the fact he's actually only owned at 64% on both ESPN and Yahoo and Chabot immediately becomes a must-add target for any fantasy hockey GM in need of a backend boost.
Say what you will about the disappointment that is this Sens season, which there is no denying it has been, the team still can score goals and has a top-six forward group that rivals any in the NHL. That means blue-liners like Chabot, someone who also plays on the top Ottawa power-play unit, immediately have increased value that needs to be looked at.

Maple Leafs' Growing Crease Concerns

Run the tape back to the start of the 2023-24 NHL season and I was likely in the minority of hockey pundits pointing to the Toronto Maple Leafs at a tipping point. Sure, they sit currently tied for the third spot in the Atlantic Division, but a closer look into the Maple Leafs this season reveals a number of alarming trends. Obviously, right at the top of that list of concerns is what's currently unfolding in Toronto's blue paint, as Ilya Samsonov will now have a stint in the AHL and rookie 22-year-old Dennis Hildeby (7-5-3, 2.20 GAA, .919 SV.%) will be thrust into backup duties behind Martin Jones.
No hate toward the veteran in Jones, but if Joseph Woll doesn't return from his ankle injury sooner than later, we're actually looking at Hildeby as a potential week-to-week fantasy option on a Leafs team that should still see plenty of wins. Jones' recent record being the main culprit, as the 33-year-old vet registered a 1-3-1 record over his last five to go along with a .896 save percentage while allowing 14 goals against.
Toronto actually has a favourable schedule over the next two weeks, so if Jones can't figure it out, don't be surprised when Sheldon Keefe turns to Hildeby to give him a real look – especially with games against the Sharks (twice), Ducks, Red Wings, and Flames. With Woll still a few weeks away, this goaltending situation in Toronto will remain right at the top of our Eastern Edge list of fantasy hockey spots to analyze.

Florida Foreal? 
Even with Matthew Tkachuk looking like a complete shell of his normal triple-digit-point self, this Florida Panthers club is proving that last season's improbable run all the way to the Stanley Cup Final was no fluke. The Cats are playing their best hockey of the season right now, posting consecutive wins over the likes of the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers, reigning Cup champs Vegas Golden Knights, and most recently the Montreal Canadiens.

Peripheral fantasy pieces warranting attention in Florida include the likes of versatile winger Evan Rodrigues (42% on Yahoo/13% on ESPN), who is currently getting PP2 time as well as a great look on the top line with Aleksander Barkov and the absolutely red-hot Sam Reinhart, and on the backend, take a look at Gustav Forsling (58% on Yahoo/49% on ESPN), who is having another under-the-radar season while putting up points in three of his last four games.
One cannot help but feel this club might be overachieving somewhat, making the names of Reinhart, Forsling, and even starting netminder Sergei Bobrovsky all excellent sell-high targets for the upcoming second half. Either way, with Florida playing this well, fantasy values are on the rise. Food for thought, at the very least.