Welcome inside the latest edition of Eastern Edge, a weekly fantasy hockey column here at Dobber Hockey analyzing all of the top trending fantasy news out east that will impact your fantasy hockey squad on a week-to-week basis.

Compared to the action out west, from the record-setting Edmonton Oilers adding bodies, to the league-leading Winnipeg Jets flexing their muscle, to the upstart Vancouver Canucks running the table, the NHL's Eastern Conference newsreel has been much more dormant. However, we still have you covered with a number of fantasy hockey hotspots that fantasy hockey GMs in striking distance of their league lead will need to monitor very closely.

You could say this is the classic, "calm before the storm" of moves, as front-office execs across the league eye each other’s rosters for hidden gems and players on the rise. Let's do the same and get your squad in primetime shape as we push closer to fantasy and NHL playoff season.

Senators Set To Sell + Pinto Returns

Considering the opening statement about limited newsworthy topics as it pertains to Eastern Conference clubs, the Ottawa Senators are one of the only outliers.

There's been a lot going on with this team all season long, and almost all of it negative. Aside from the obvious off-ice distractions of new ownership, draft-pick penalties, changes with the coaching staff, and of course, suspensions and multiple injuries to key pieces, this Ottawa team has been hot garbage from the jump. Inconsistent goaltending from both Joonas Korpisalo and Anton Forsberg, disappointing performances from the likes of Josh Norris and Brady Tkachuk, and awful special teams play (24th-ranked power play, 31st-ranked penalty kill unit) have this Sens squad falling embarrassingly short of preseason expectations that had fans in Kanata (Ottawa) calling for the Cup.

However, even in dumpster fires can there be fantasy hockey value to unearth, which is why fantasy GMs have to stay on top of a number of storylines surrounding Ottawa – the first one being the return of Shane Pinto from a 41-game gambling-related suspension.

Pinto is undoubtedly an intriguing young player and sneaky-good fantasy option now that he's slotted back into his natural role on the Senators' third line. Pinto can score, he proved it with his first full season in the show last year by putting up 20 goals on only 158 shots on net. He also looked solid in his return Sunday, playing a confident two-way game that resulted in an assist, plus-two rating, two shots on net, and two hits. That kind of play could lead to an uptick in minutes and establishment of Pinto as a relevant fantasy option on a week-to-week basis in deeper formats.

Another factor that could lead to an uptick in Pinto's minutes and value would be the potential departures of both Dominik Kubalik and Vladimir Tarasenko, two players that continue to have their names mentioned in trade reports. Both Kubalik and Tarasenko were brought in over the offseason and while Tarasenko is having a solid year of 31 points in 40 games, the Kubalik experiment has failed in a big way as the 28-year-old Czech product has only 12 points this campaign. With that said, Tarasenko will fetch a solid return on the open market and considering the frequency of reporting connecting the veteran Russian to a contender, his fantasy value could pop once a deal is completed.

Either way you slice it, keep it tapped to the Nation's Capital for developing fantasy value as the Senators are likely one of those teams to set the trade market. Even Jakob Chychrun is getting heavy interest, so don't be surprised when some of these pieces get moved to a winner. That's when it’s time to pounce.

Skinner Nearing Return. Still Time For Sabres?

Speaking of falling short of expectations, put the Buffalo Sabres right there in the same mix with the Senators in terms of disappointing first-halfs. Not nearly as much intrigue or under-the-radar fantasy angles to dig up with the Sabres, but Jeff Skinner returning to the lineup is fantasy news that needs to be covered. Not only does Skinner immediately become a must-add target playing alongside Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch on the Buffalo's top line should he be available in your league, but he's also the team's top goal-getter this campaign, registering 17 goals and 16 assists while shooting at nearly a 13% clip.

Skinner's deployment on the top line with Tuch and Thompson, his time on the number-1 power play unit, and seven power play points this season are all important factors that play into him once again needing to be in your lineup every night following what looks to be a five-game absence. If he's on your IR, get him active and if, for whatever fortuitous reason, he's out there on the waiver wire, add Skinner immediately.

The streaky-scoring Skinner won't be able to reignite this slumping offense all on his own but he's certainly going to help spread things around a bit and hopefully free up the likes of Tuch, Thompson, and others in the top-six for the Sabres. This was a club that was in the top five of the league in overall scoring and power-play proficiency only a season ago but currently finds itself near the bottom of the NHL in both categories. Regardless, Buffalo's slim chance at the postseason shouldn't really impact Skinner's value, so don't be surprised if he gets it going once he does officially return.

Ullmark Back, Swayman Stealing Crease

Must be nice to be Jim Montgomery and the Boston Bruins. Most clubs – and fantasy GMs – are scrambling to employ even one capable starting netminder and here the Bruins are running out not one starter but two in Jeremy Swayman and reigning Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark. Honestly, it almost feels unfair. Just when it looked like Boston was beatable, the Bs reel off five straight wins and put up points in nine of their last 10. Big reasons why? The Bruins flaunt the best goaltending tandem in the league and honestly, it's not even close.

Ullmark missed four games with injury and Swayman went 3-0-1 while posting a .937 save percentage and a shutout. Seriously impressive stuff from the supposed "number two" option in Beantown. The main fantasy takeaway here is this: be weary of how this plays out for the Bruins, at some point one of these two is going command the cage and want it for himself and if Swayman continues to put up these numbers (14-3-7, .923 SV.%,2.31 GAA, three shutouts), it might just end up being him that holds down the blue paint sooner than later.

It's likely a bold and even brash move, but if you're considering targeting a Boston goalie for a deal or are looking to upgrade, lean to Swayman over Ullmark as the slightly better all-around goalie with a brighter future. The young American is currently proving he has what it takes to also be a Vezina-level netminder – that warrants fantasy attention.