Hello everyone and welcome to the latest edition of Eastern Edge! I'm Eli Feldman.

A significant determination of a player's fantasy value is their power play usage. While there are exceptions, an effective even-strength player who lacks meaningful power play minutes is typically less valuable in fantasy circles than an ineffective 5-on-5 player with ample power play opportunities.

With this in mind, let's look at a few under-the-radar players in the East currently projected to munch power play minutes this season.

Morgan Geekie (Boston Bruins)

Morgan Geekie went berserk to close out the 2024/2025 season, exploding for 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists) in the final quarter. Geekie's electric Q4 not only tipped the scales in fantasy leagues last season; it also drastically improved Geekie's fantasy outlook for the campaign to come.

Given Boston's immense struggles last season, it's unsurprising that the team's power play ranked 29^th overall (15.22%), ahead of only the Flyers (14.95%), Islanders (12.56%), and Ducks (11.76%). Following a tumultuous campaign, the Bruins have been busy this offseason, adding gritty forwards Tanner Jeannot, Sean Kuraly, and Michael Eyssimont, as well as veteran forward Viktor Arvidsson.

While Arvidsson could push Geekie for power play minutes this year, it's likely that Geekie will get the first shot on PP1 alongside Charlie McAvoy, Elias Lindholm, and franchise cornerstone David Pastrnak given his stellar play to cap off last season.

With the inside track for PP1, Morgan Geekie could make your team go freaky this season.

Josh Norris (Buffalo Sabres)

It's impossible to have a conversation about Josh Norris without referencing his lengthy injury history. Following a productive first half with the Ottawa Senators last season, Norris was the centrepiece in a blockbuster trade with the lowly Buffalo Sabres this past March.

Upon his arrival in Buffalo, Norris hoped to pick up where he'd left off in Canada's capital, having posted 11 PPP (six goals, five assists) in 53 games with Ottawa prior to his departure. Unfortunately, however, the injury bug bit Norris once again, limiting the talented sniper to just three games with his new team.

Despite his well-earned Band-Aid Boy Certified status, the upcoming year presents yet another opportunity for Norris to cement himself as a legitimate fantasy asset. With minimal threats to power play time and a prime opportunity to play alongside Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin on PP1, Norris is poised to help Buffalo improve last season's 24^th-ranked power play (18.78%) if he remains healthy – but that's a big if.

Kent Johnson

With all the talent in Columbus, it's surprising that the Blue Jackets' power play ranked 22^nd overall last season (19.46%). It clearly wasn't for a lack of trying, however, as Head Coach Dean Evason afforded 22-year-old winger Kent Johnson – easily one of the most naturally skilled players in the NHL – consistent minutes on the team's top power play unit throughout the season.

Despite benefiting from a 70.8%PP share last season, Johnson recorded just 15 power play points (four goals, 11 assists), a surprisingly low output for such a remarkable talent. However, with another year of NHL experience under his belt and a top-heavy Blue Jackets roster led by Kirill Marchenko, Sean Monahan, and Zach Werenski, it's only a matter of time before Kent Johnson starts lighting the lamp with the extra man more consistently.

Tyson Foerster (Philadelphia Flyers)

Like Morgan Geekie, Tyson Foerster enjoyed a productive Q4 in 2024/2025, posting 14 points (nine goals, five assists) in his final 20 games. During that time, Foerster's TOI crept up to over 19 minutes per game as compared to the 15 minutes per game he played during the first half of the season.

With notorious fantasy killer John Tortorella (finally) out of the picture and flashy forward Trevor Zegras donning the orange, black, and white for the first time, the new-look Flyers are poised to play a little freer this season. While it remains to be seen how Head Coach Rick Tocchet will deploy his assets to begin the 2025/2026 campaign, it wouldn't be surprising to see Tyson Foerster get a crack on PP1 alongside Travis Konecny and Owen Tippett.

While we mustn't miss the forest for the trees, the Flyers' 30^th-ranked power play is bound to improve this season – and Tyson Foerster's fantasy value could continue trending in the right direction.

Stefan Noesen (New Jersey Devils)

In contrast to the other power plays featured in this column, the New Jersey Devils' power play was lethal last season, ranking first in the Eastern Conference (28.24%) and trailing only Winnipeg (28.90%) and Las Vegas (28.34%) for top spot in the NHL. While New Jersey's season was derailed by a devastating injury to franchise cornerstone Jack Hughes late last season, the Devils' power play serves as a source of optimism for a squad vying to reclaim its status as annual Stanley Cup contenders. 

A key contributor to New Jersey's elite power play is Stefan Noesen, an NHL-journeyman-turned-power play-specialist a few seasons ago. After recording just one power play point during his first eight NHL campaigns, Noesen popped off for 26 PPPs with the Hurricanes from 2022 to 2024 before amassing another 15 PPPs with the Devils last season.

Despite New Jersey's offseason acquisition of Evgenii Dadonov, Stefan Noesen figures to remain a fixture on New Jersey's top power play unit this season alongside elite talents Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. So long as Noesen is manning the net front position on PP1 in Jersey, don't get complacent and draft Stefan Noesen.

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That's all for this week! Stay tuned for the next edition of Eastern Edge on Tuesday, July 22. Have a great week everyone!