Today is going to be all about the players that you should be considering picking up from free agency (if they're available in your leagues) to help fill the void of a player sitting on your injured reserve list. While you generally never find superstar talent on the free agent market, being able to pick up a player to help you during these rough times is always worthwhile.

#1) Anton Lundell – C – Florida Panthers

Contract: $925K – 3 Years Remaining

While Lundell is a rookie, he is quietly having a spectacular season thus far with 9 goals, 15 assists for a total of 24 points in 38 games played. Across a full 82-game season that projects to be 51 points, and for reference that would be the single highest point total for a FLO rookie in franchise history if he keeps this pace up for the remainder of the season. Currently he is rostered in 11.8% of ESPN Leagues, 22% in Yahoo Leagues, and 56% in Fantrax Leagues. Lundell currently sits on the third line for the Panthers with Frank Vatrano and Sam Reinhart on his wings and having a guy like Reinhart play with you during your rookie campaign is a sweet advantage. Through Lundell's last 10 games he has 8 points (2 Goals & 6 Assists). FLO are currently one of the league's best teams and are firing at all cylinders, while they are scoring in bunches these days. It is coming from their entire lineup, as opposed to just the top players on the team. If you're league has any sort of player carryover from one year to the next, like 'keeper' leagues do for example. Anton Lundell should be on your radar as he would be a fantastic candidate to keep going into next season.

#2) Viktor Arvidsson – RW – Los Angeles Kings

Contract: $4.25M – 3 Years Remaining

Arvidsson currently sits on the LAK 2^nd Line with Phillip Danault and Trevor Moore, it's fair to say that Arvidsson would be considered the primary offensive threat on that line. He's averaging 17:28 of TOI per night this season, with a respectable point output of 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 35 games played this year. Those numbers have him projected to hit 58 points in a full 82 game season, and at this point in the season he is leading the LAK in shots on goal with a total of 123, which on a per game basis it means he is averaging 3.5 shots. At this moment Arvidsson is rostered in 16.8% of ESPN Leagues, 42% in Yahoo Leagues, and 66% of Fantrax Leagues. In his last 10 Games, Arvidsson has 7 points (2 goals and 5 assists). If you're looking for depth at this position due to an injury, look no further than Arvidsson as in the next five games they play four teams that are below them in the standings (NYI, PHI, DET, EDM) and mix a red-hot Penguins team in there too as the lone team ahead of them in the standings currently.

#3) Brayden McNabb – D – Las Vegas Golden Knights

Contract: $2.5M – 1 Year Remaining

In 'points' leagues McNabb doesn't really carry a significant amount of value (unless your league rewards you with a good number of points for hits and blocks), his value comes in 'category' leagues. He averages just shy of 20 minutes of TOI per night with 19:33. McNabb is currently slotted on their 2^nd pairing with Shea Theodore, and given the way that Theodore plays as a traditional two-way defender and likes to contribute to the offensive zone, it gives McNabb the role of being a steady defender for the pairing. This allows him to generate a plethora of hits and blocks, at this point in the year 92 Hits (ranks 2^nd on the Golden Knights) and 107 Blocks (ranks 1^st on the Golden Knights). With respect to 'category' leagues, this would be considered elite production in those two categories as he averages 2.19 Hits and 2.55 Blocks per game. Mix that level of production in with the fact that he is on an expiring contract, and that he only makes $2.5-million this year. He should be considered as a high-end peripheral 'injury replacement' and he should be available in your leagues given his roster percentages. These are, 35% in ESPN leagues, 19% in Yahoo leagues, and 30% in Fantrax leagues.

#4) Robert Thomas – C – St. Louis Blues

Contract: $2.8M – 2 Years Remaining

When it comes to 'points' leagues, Robert Thomas should be highly considered as an injury replacement pick-up. Currently having a breakout season with 31 points (5 goals, 26 assists) in 35 games played, which across an 82-game season translates to a 72-point year, and this would be a career best by 30 points. Going back to early days in the NHL, it was never a matter of if he will perform, it was a matter of when. Thomas benefits from being on a deep STL team, his current linemates are Brandon Saad (22 points in 38 games) and Jordan Kyrou (41 points in 38 games). While he isn't on the top power-play unit, he plays on the secondary unit with Pavel Buchnevich (36 points in 36 games), Ivan Barbashev (34 points in 41 games), Jordan Kyrou (41 points in 38 games), and Justin Faulk (18 points in 36 games). By averaging just over 19 minutes of TOI per game, along with the deployment that he receives alongside of the quality of teammates that he plays with, Robert Thomas should be added to your roster if you're struggling with a lot of injuries. His roster percentages are: 15.5% in ESPN leagues, 31% in Yahoo Leagues, and 68% of Fantrax Leagues.

Given the number of players that are on the NHL COVID-19 Protocol so far this season, and with the possibility of more players being added to it on a moment's notice. Having these players on your watchlist can benefit you going forward this season.

If you're looking to engage with me on these sorts of topics, or if you're just looking for answers to your questions, please check me out on Twitter, which is @JamieMolloy_DH