In this week’s installment, we take a look at two of the hottest lines in the league. Using Dobber’s Line Production Tool, I compiled a list of the highest scoring line for each team at even strength. If a team’s highest scoring line hasn’t crossed the double-digit mark yet, it’s likely because many line combinations have been tested, and one line hasn’t stayed together long enough to put up any significant production. Slow starts can also be a factor. Also, keep in mind certain teams have played more games than others. Here’s the list…

Gabriel Landeskog – Nathan Mackinnon – Mikko Rantanen

If I told you that three of the top 13 scorers belonged to one team, you’d probably guess that team was the Toronto Maple Leafs. Heck, you might even guess I’m talking about David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron, and Brad Marchand in Boston. But the three players I’m talking about – the hottest line in the NHL – play for the Colorado Avalanche. Through nine games, Mikko Rantanen leads the league with 16 points, Nathan Mackinnon is close behind with 15, and Gabriel Landeskog sits at a modest 12. As dominant as this line has been, the fancy stats don’t exactly reinforce the points they’ve been putting up. Their 43.58 Corsi For% reveals that they aren’t creating as many scoring chances as their opponents. What’s even more concerning is the quality of scoring chances the Landeskog-Mackinnon-Rantanen trio is giving up – they’ve conceded 27 high-danger scoring chances, and generated only 15. Thanks to a combination of quality goaltending and luck their opponents have capitalized on just one of those 27 attempts (while they’ve capitalized on 6/15). While this trio has been putting up goals and assists, they still have a ways to go before becoming one of the most dominant lines in the league.

I know I sound extremely pessimistic highlighting all these unimpressive fancy stats, but I still believe that by the end of the season, this line will be one of the best in terms of offensive production. Nathan Mackinnon is one of a few players in the NHL who can put up 100 points. Mikko Rantanen is talented enough to be a point-per-game player, and Gabriel Landeskog can chip in 60-65 points. They’re extremely talented, but this early offensive dominance won’t carry through the entire season.

Micheal Ferland – Sebastian Aho – Teuvo Teravainen  

As a team, Carolina has the second-best Corsi For% in the league at 61.09. They’ve generated the second-most scoring chances in the league, second to only the Toronto Maple Leafs. In short, The Hurricanes look like a very good team this season. Since the team is doing so well, you would also expect their top line of Ferland-Aho-Teravainen to be doing well – and they haven’t disappointed. Carolina’s top trio sports an impressive 58.02 Corsi For % and they have been thoroughly outchancing their opponents. They’ve been capitalizing on those chances too, with eight goals for and only one against.

The Carolina Hurricanes have played nine games this season, and Sebastian Aho has a point in all nine of those games. He sits fifth in league scoring with 14 points, and his talent is becoming harder and harder to ignore. This is Aho’s third season in the NHL, and although it’s still early, he seems to have a bigger role than ever before. His ice-time is up from 17:55 last season to 19:10 this season, and he’s seeing about 40 seconds more on the power play. Aho is extremely valuable in Yahoo leagues, where his position eligibility includes center, left-wing and right-wing. I can’t understate the importance of his face-off wins from the wing if your league tracks face-offs.

Teuvo Teravainen is also seeing an increased role this season, up a minute overall – with a 30 second increase in PP time. Expect him to hit 60-65 points this season, be happy with anything more.

When Dobber himself is ‘buying’ a player, you should – at the very least – add that player to your watch list. Micheal Ferland is such an interesting player to target because not many people realize his true value. Most general managers will see that his career-high in points is a mere 41, and incorrectly assume he’s riding an unsustainable hot streak. However, you – an intellectual – will see that he has a bigger role in Carolina than he had in Calgary.  You’ll see that he’s currently averaging four shots a game, and seeing much more power-play time (up from 1:51 last season to 2:39 this season). Thanks to Dobber’s words of wisdom, you’ll treat Ferland like a 60-point player even when he cools down a little. While your fellow GMs might give up on Ferland as soon as that first cold streak hits, you’ll recognize his value spans the entire season, and that his early season success isn’t just a flash in the pan. 

Quick Notes

A few line combinations you should keep an eye out for this week…

Lawson Crouse – Alex Galchenyuk – Clayton Keller

Galchenyuk is back!

Jeff Skinner – Jack Eichel – Jason Pominville

Skinner is hot!

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Connor McDavid – Kailer Yamamoto

Yamamoto top line!

Max Pacioretty – Erik Haula – Tomas Hyka

Hiya, Hyka!

Jaden Schwartz – Brayden Schenn – Vladimir Tarasenko

Throwback to last season!