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

Several weeks ago, Yahoo released its annual preseason rankings, a comprehensive list of all 1,494 players currently featured in its database. While the rankings serve as a helpful starting point on draft day, they will inevitably contain inaccuracies when viewed at season's end.

With this in mind, here are five Eastern Conference skaters who may be ranked too low on Yahoo this season.

(Statistics courtesy of Frozen Tools and MoneyPuck)

Sam Bennett, C, Florida Panthers (Rank: 103)

Sam Bennett is a classic multi-cat stud who gets undervalued based on deflated point totals. Last season, Bennett stayed true to form, delivering a respectable 51 points (25 goals, 26 assists) in 76 games along with his typically elite peripherals. After inking an eight-year, $64M deal with the Panthers this offseason, Bennett will contribute to the Panthers' top six while seeing meaningful powerplay time for years to come.

Given his category coverage and projected deployment, it's surprising to see Yahoo price Bennett as a middle-late-round pick. If he matches last season's offensive output and remains healthy, Sam Bennett can comfortably rank well inside the top 100 this upcoming season across all league formats.

Owen Tippett, LW/RW, Philadelphia Flyers (Rank: 155)

After eclipsing 50 points for the first time two seasons ago, Owen Tippett posted just 43 points last season (29 goals, 23 assists) while firing 100 fewer shots than in 2023-2024. Along with his offensive dip, Tippett's hit total dropped from 148 to 115 last season.

Despite last season's hiccup, Owen Tippett's raw tools are obvious: elite shot volume, above-average speed, and a willingness to throw the body. Philadelphia struggled immensely as a team last season, but a flurry of bold offseason transactions – including acquiring savvy centre Trevor Zegras and parting ways with notorious fantasy-killing Head Coach John Tortorella – signal the dawn of a new day in the City of Brotherly Love.

At 155^th overall, Tippett is priced as a late middle-round flier despite his potential for elite shot volume. If the Philly's powerplay makes any strides whatsoever and Tippett maintains his top-unit spot, a 30-goal, 300-shot season isn't out of the question in 2025-2026.

Thomas Chabot, D, Ottawa Senators (Rank: 192)

Thomas Chabot finally overcame several injury-depressed seasons in 2024-2025, recording his highest points total (9–36–45) since his sophomore NHL season while appearing in 80 of Ottawa's 82 regular-season games.

When healthy, Chabot munches major minutes on Ottawa's backend. Even if Jake Sanderson continues to handle the bulk of the minutes on Ottawa's power play this season, Chabot's even-strength creation, shot volume, and blocks make him fantasy-relevant in most leagues.

At 192^nd overall, Yahoo is tacitly characterizing Chabot as a replacement-level defenceman. In most formats, however, a healthy Chabot projects as a steady 45-50-point blueliner who offers useful peripherals. Considering that only 15 defencemen recorded 50+ points last season, Chabot's potential suggests that his preseason rank may be far too low.

Kirill Marchenko, RW, Columbus Blue Jackets (Rank: 264)

Kirill Marchenko followed a solid 23-goal sophomore campaign with a true breakout in 2024-2025, registering a whopping 74 points (31 goals, 43 assists) in 79 games. Marchenko is the clear trigger man in Columbus, and he plays alongside terrific playmakers – including Sean Monahan, Adam Fantilli, and Kent Johnson – who can feed his lethal release at even strength and/or on the power play.

Marchenko's preseason rank suggests that he's a fringe streamer, which is entirely inconsistent with last season's 30-goal breakout and projected top-six usage in 2025-2026. Even with normal variance, a player with 30-goal potential and ample powerplay equity should be drafted early, rather than left for later rounds let alone post-draft waivers. Managers looking for upside in the late rounds should circle Kirill Marchenko in bright red ink on draft day.

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That's all for this week! Stay tuned for the next edition of Eastern Edge on Tuesday, September 16. Have a great week everyone!