Welcome back all! I hope everyone had a fantastic offseason! Did it feel like the NHL season crept up on us this year? It sort of feels that way here but couldn't be more excited to hop back into things.

The Immediate Fix (Grab this guy and use him for the next several days)

Adam Henrique, C, Edmonton Oilers (Rostered in 14% of ESPN leagues, 27% Fantrax, 13% Yahoo) – While I was asleep, the Oilers got absolutely spanked by the Winnipeg Jets and I'm sure they'll be some speculation as to what all happened. Still, this is Looking Ahead so we must…well, look ahead, and the near future might be bright here for Edmonton.  

I like the Oilers upcoming here as an Immediate Fix not only because they will play on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend, but because of just who they're playing. Home Saturday against Chicago, home Sunday against Calgary. Cha-ching. Both of those clubs have lackluster bottom six lines and think that's just where Edmonton is going to take advantage here which leads us to Adam Henrique. Henrique is currently third line C and second PP C, so there's a chance he sees plenty of bottom six matchups this weekend. I also wouldn't rule out on either of these days where Edmonton gets up to a big lead early and runs out Henrique line extended minutes. This is a good spot here for Henrique if you're fantasy matchup is close coming down the stretch of week one.

The Building Block (Buy now, sit back and enjoy the production)

Teuvo Teravainen, RW, Chicago Blackhawks (Rostered in 48% of ESPN leagues, 60% Fantrax, 36% Yahoo) – Just looking at players who may not have been drafted in leagues across the fantasy hockey-sphere and came across Teuvo Teravainen. It was enough for me to stop scrolling so let's chat about Teravainen and his second tour of duty here in Chicago.

Teravainen was slated on the top line of the Blackhawks in preseason, and it held true their first game out against Utah which is good for Teravainen and fantasy…Because Connor Bedard. Teravainen is also going to see top power play time on this Hawks team, and I can't imagine that's going to change as we go forward into the year. Seriously. Look at the second power play unit right now.  

As much as I'd like to see Ryan Donato back up at RW next to Bedard like he was last season, because by some magic that was working, it looks like Teravainen on the top line is going to stick for the time being. This is an add you can probably go ahead and make now and if the lines shift, my guess it would be on the opposite wing of Teravainen.

The Odd Man Out (His short-term value is cause for concern)

Victor Olofsson, LW, Vegas Golden Knights (Rostered in 77% of ESPN leagues, 96% Fantrax, 85% Yahoo) – So here I am in the office prepping Looking Ahead and forgot we had the Odd-Man Out. How did this happen? Luckily, I think I have our guy here, Victor Olofsson come on down.

Again, couldn't catch much of the Golden Knights barnburner the other night, but curious what to do here with Olofson. On one hand I can see a world where he's top line with Jack Eichel, but also can see him sticking on a depth line. There's going to be production like he had against the Oilers, and given his track record, games where he has four hits to go along with his four PIMS. The roster numbers are low for now, but this might be a player that has value only playing 13 minutes or so a night. 

The Anchors (They’ll do nothing but disappoint even over the long haul)

Tristan Jarry, G, Pittsburgh Penguins (Rostered in 87% of ESPN leagues, 70%, Fantrax, 56% Yahoo) – I ended last season writing about Tristan Jarry, and will gladly begin this season writing about Tristian Jarry.   

Six goals allowed on 35 SOGs was how Jarry started the 2024 season – we're so back everyone. I stayed away in each draft I had and won't be on the Jarry roller coaster this season. Not only because of what he has given us in net but because there's not much defense in front of him. For this as well I want to clip in here what I wrote on the last Looking Ahead of last season, ah hem! –

"Hey! It's me from the future. Welcome to early October 2024, we're in the fifth round of your draft and it's your pick but oh shucks you need a goaltender. Let's see…oh, Jarry is on the board here…and freeze! Take your hand off that mouse! Do you really want to see four goals against on 28 shots every time out? I didn't think so, but odds are he's going to be available and it's not worth it."

 -Andrew Santillo, Wayne Gretzky, Michael Scott

I mean…I don't think I was wrong on this here? I hate to bag on the Pens as I enjoy it when this team is good, but it might be a long season for Pittsburgh if things don't get corrected quickly out of the gate.

Love ‘Em (These squads are sure to pay dividends in the coming days)

This period runs through Oct 10^th – Oct 18^th

Edmonton – Like we mentioned above, a home back-to-back against Calgary and Chicago squads that have a weaker bottom six. This is a chance to bounce back after a tough opening night for the Oilers.

Colorado – Lots of action for Nathan MacKinnon and Co. coming up, with four games next week, three of which coming on home ice.

Dallas – This is a Dallas club that has higher rostered fantasy players all up and down their roster. They'll be in action plenty with a two-game homestand this weekend followed by three games next week.

Leave ‘Em (These squads will leave fantasy owners sorely disappointed in the short term)

Detroit – There's probably worse runs out of the gate but this is going to be a tough test. They'll see Nashville on Saturday…and then the following Saturday, with two games against the Rangers in between. They're a Leave 'Em for me.

NY Islanders – I think this is my third- or fourth-year season fantasy hockey and I swear in each of them, the Islanders are a Leave 'Em for the first couple weeks. At Dallas and at Colorado to start the season is what's dragging their value down.

Toronto – This has nothing to do with their opening night loss, but everything to do with the Leafs appearing in only two games next week. They'll be a Love 'Em before long though, trust me.

*For continued fantasy news and notes, follow me on Twitter @ndySanz.