In the latest iteration of Eastern Edge, we're looking at a number of potentially juicy fantasy hockey hot spots out east that include some very intriguing names looking to make their mark on the young NHL season.

Whenever it comes to elite-level teams – such as the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, and yes, even Toronto Maple Leafs – shaking up their lineups and trying different deployments, it's always worth a dive into whether these combos or new opportunities pan out – you never really know when the next big fantasy stud waiting in the wings is ready for launch.

All it takes is the right fit at the right moment, and you can't help but feel that a few of the names we dissect below are cleared for takeoff.

Hurricanes Blue-Paint Premonition

Despite their usual lengthy road trip to open each campaign due to the North Carolina State Fair, the Hurricanes are once again a top club in a Metro Division full of killers.

Holding opponents to an NHL-best 26 shots against per game, Carolina is a squad anchored by its blue line and blue paint. However, the news this week about No. 1 netminder Freddie Andersen (4-1-0, 2.87 GAA, .894 SV.%) and his long-term trip to IR due to blood clot issues clearly opens up opportunities for both Antti Raanta and, perhaps more interestingly, Pyotr Kotchetkov.

For now, it seems clear bench boss Rod Brind’Amour will go with his trusted veteran and very capable NHL backup in Raanta, a savvy backstop with an impressive track record to the tune of a .917 career save percentage to go along with 20 shutouts and 2.44 GAA. Given the quality of the team in front of him and the overall positive expectations for this organization this season, Raanta immediately becomes a legit option for fantasy GMs looking for some goalie love. His ownership in Yahoo leagues is already rising exponentially to nearly 50%, but he's still out there on the ESPN side of things, owned currently at only 10%. For the short term, take a look at Raanta until their goalie of the future in Kotchetkov is ready for the reins.

As for the enigmatic young netminder, he's clearly shown flashes of brilliance and ability to stop pucks at the NHL level, but he needs to be much more consistent. He's also proven he's better than being an AHL-level goalie, putting up sensational numbers (33-7-4, 3 shutouts, 2.38 GAA) across his three seasons for Carolina's affiliates. He's got all the skill in the world, he just needs to find his confidence and realize he is a number-1 goalie and the netminder of the very near future for this club. That future might be coming sooner than later should Raanta struggle or also go down with injury.

Either way, Kotchetkov is also a piece with huge potential and definitely worth serious consideration in the keeper/dynasty fantasy realm.

Knies Top-Line Look in T.O.

Inconsistencies on offense and a tumultuous beginning to the Maple Leafs' 2023-24 season recently prompted head coach Sheldon Keefe to do what he does best and shuffle the deck with Toronto's forward lines. One of the moves that should garner your fantasy gaze is the decision to put offensive juggernauts Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner with Matthew Knies – let's stop right there. I don't think I really need to say much else in terms of selling Knies as a must-add right now other than that. He's playing with Marner and Matthews. Anyone paired with that duo immediately becomes fantasy relevant, and for Knies, there's actually a whole lot more to like than just his current deployment.

The kid has the scoring touch, nose for the net, and soft hands that top-six forwards around the NHL need to be effective. Effective he's been, not only looking comfortable playing with the Leafs top forwards in the postseason last year putting up four points in seven games, but also to begin this season when provided the opportunity. Sure, his all-around game could use some work, but he actually fills out the peripheral fantasy categories fairly nicely, as his three goals, four assists, 8 PIMs, 18 hits, and four blocks indicate. As his minutes continue to rise, so will his overall offensive output and fantasy value.

Look. Matthews is on a heater right now and Marner is also picking up steam, finally looking more confident and shooting the puck more. This Toronto group runs through No. 34 and No. 16, and if Knies is a part of this line, then you definitely want a part of him.

Jump on Knies now while he's only owned at 25% on Yahoo and 39% on ESPN.
Hughes Leaves Another Hole Up the Middle in Jersey

Straight up, Jack Hughes is one of the major reasons for the start of this NHL season being so entertaining. His skating ability, edge work, pace, and silky mitts make this New Jersey Devils squad one of the most offensively potent the league has seen in a while.

Unfortunately, one of the knocks on this young superstar is inability to stay in the lineup for a full 82-game slate. Clearly, his most-recent injury wasn't anything he could have prevented and he seemingly got lucky considering how the play he was hurt on could have panned out. Regardless, not having Hughes' elite offensive production (five goals, 15 assists, 3 PPG, 35 SOG) and ability to eat 20 minutes of ice time a night in the lineup are going to hurt the Devils in the standings and fantasy hockey GMs scrambling to fill his void.

Speaking of holes, Jersey is also dealing with Nico Hischier's prolonged absence and with both Hughes and the captain likely still out week-to-week, someone on this Devils roster will need to step up if this group doesn't want to get left behind in the meat grinder that is the Metropolitan.

The two obvious options here with newfound opportunity to eat more minutes and take on increased roles are Dawson Mercer and Michael McLeod.

Mercer offers up much more intrigue and offensive upside, but he's disappointed in a major way to begin the season, going pointless through the first 10-piece of games. However, given his impressive production over his first two NHL campaigns (44 goals, 54 assists) and the fact he popped his only goal of the year in his first game centering the top line on Sunday, you can't not take a serious look at Mercer – at least on an immediate week-to-week basis while Hughes and Hischier work their way back into the lineup.

Mercer (owned at 32% on Yahoo and 58% in ESPN) is also being deployed on the top power-play unit in the league currently clicking at over 42.9%, that stat alone makes him fantasy relevant once again. You're likely to drop him the second both Hughes and Hischier return, but until they both do, Mercer is going to get some really good run out in the top-six for the Devils.