Hello and welcome back to Geek of the Week! In this article, I will be examining some early risers in peripheral categories. These players could be new or existing multicategory studs for your leagues that count shots on goal, hits, blocks, and penalty minutes.

Kiefer Sherwood

In Sherwood's new role on the Canucks, he is smashing bodies and putting up a career high 29.4 Hits/60 and a league-leading 6.4 per game. This would be near the top of the league in any given season and is likely not sustainable, but Sherwood is one of the best new options to fill your hits category. He has also picked up five blocks in his five games in a checking role. He is no slouch offensively though, as he has increased his shot attempts/60 and SOG/60 this season, good enough to average 2.2 SOG per game. He won't provide any power-play points for you, but is a great option to fill your peripheral categories.

Will Cuylle

Cuylle is another middle-six forward to have increased his hit and block rates this season. He's averaging 4.8 hits per game and 0.6 blocks per game while seeing a bump in his time on ice compared to last season. Cuylle has shown he could play with skilled forwards and has found great chemistry with Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil so far. In five games, this line has accounted for six goals for, while Cuylle has been involved in four of them (picking up an impressive four points in just five games). Cuylle will not finish as the 60-point player he is currently on pace for, but he could push for 40. With his elite peripheral category coverage, that can make him a standout multicategory stud putting up 20 goals and 40 points, while being among the league leaders in hits.

Ross Colton

If this guy is still available in your league, go grab him now! With Jonathan Drouin, Artturi Lehkonen, and Valeri Nichushkin all missing from the Avalanche's active roster, Colton is seeing the best deployment he'll ever get, playing alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen at even strength and on the first power play unit. With this role so far, he's picked up 3 G, 2 PPP, 9 SOG, 6 HIT, and 2 BLK in just 2 GP! Colton has always shown great per/60 shot and chance generation, but was not given great deployment. Now with elite deployment, he is putting on a show. His hits and shots on goal have always been reasonable at around two per game to provide a safe floor, but he is now seeing over three per game in both of those categories. As long as he is alongside the Colorado superstars, he should be rostered. Take advantage of this production while you can (before Nichushkin, Drouin, and Lehkonen return).

Hope you enjoyed this week’s breakdown!

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