Hello everyone, TJ Branson here taking over the Eastern Edge column. As I get accustomed to this space, forthcoming articles will be focused on updates and changes. Today I want to set a sort of baseline with which to begin my take on this column.

We're almost to the ten game mark in the NHL for most teams in 2024-25, a threshold where trends and lineups really begin to level out. Let's break down some news and notes from the Eastern Conference.

New Jersey Devils // 5-2-1

Timo Meier has seen a downgrade in deployment – separated from the Jack Hughes line, and relegated to the second power play unit. Meier's 7 points (2G/5A) in 8 games played isn't indicative of a player deserving a demotion, but Head Coach Sheldon Keefe has decreased Meier's power play share to a paltry 28% over the last 3 games and ice time just over 16:30 per appearance. He did see over 19 minutes and 42% of the power play in the Devils' most recent game against the Capitals. 

Dougie Hamilton shook the rust off over his last two games played, posting a power-play goal against Washington and an assist against Ottawa for his first two points of the 2024-25 season. 

New York Rangers // 4-0-1

For anyone worried about Artemi Panarin's ability to continue last year's level of production, Panarin has 12 points (6G/6A) in 5 games played. His shot volume remains over three shots per game. Granted it is early, but it is good to see his line with Vincent Trocheck (2G/5A) and Alexis Lafreniere (3G/3A) continue rolling. 

Lafrenière is currently Day-to-Day with an upper body injury – monitor his status as the week progresses. 

Florida Panthers // 4-2-1

Adam Boqvist's average ice time is 11:16 – however his power-play share percentage is second only to Sam Reinhart over the last five games. Boqvist's only point on the season comes from an assist with the man-advantage. The length of the leash for fantasy managers should be congruent to the length of leash Paul Maurice affords Boqvist. 

Anton Lundell (4G/4A) has been unreal this season, stepping up in a huge way when Alexander Barkov was injured October 12th. 

Lundell has four goals on thirteen shots in the four games since Barkov was injured colliding with the boards in an attempt to prevent an empty net goal. Lundell's deployment could potentially be reduced upon Barkov's return, which is said to be before Florida's games in Finland November 1st. 

Boston Bruins // 3-2-1

Cole Kopke (3G/3A) and Mark Kastelic (2G/3A) lead the Bruins in points. Removing the clickbait shading from that opener – Elias Lindholm and David Pastrnak are both tied with Kastelic for 2nd on the team. 

Jeremy Swayman seems to be finding his groove, playing four of the Bruins' last five games going 2-1-1. Joonas Korpisalo has looked brutal to put it lightly, if Korpisalo cannot find a rhythm of decent performances, Swayman will continue to be leaned on for the volume of Bruins games.

Tampa Bay Lightning // 3-1-0

Nikita Kucherov leads the NHL in goal scoring with only four games played, while most other goal scoring leaders have five, six or seven games played. Brandon Hagel reclaimed his spot on the top power-play unit in last night's game in Toronto. 

Washington Capitals // 3-1-0

Dylan Strome is on one: seven points including three goals through his first four games. At 38% rostered on Yahoo, and if you find yourself with room at Center, Washington plays in the only NHL game on Wednesday. 

Tom Wilson is also providing value from outside the Hits column early in the season. Wilson is over a goal per game at the moment and while that won't last forever, it's happening now. 

Toronto Maple Leafs // 3-2-0

Joseph Woll is a possibility on Tuesday says Head Coach Craig Berube. Woll was sidelined with a lower-body injury October 9th. 

Oliver Ekman-Larsson has been quarterbacking the top power-play unit the last few games. No power play points yet this season for OEL, but his production and time on ice this season is very reassuring. 

Ottawa Senators // 3-2-0

Jake Sanderson is about as hot as it gets. Tied with Josh Morrissey for second in points per game amongst defensemen and behind only Cale Makar, Sanderson has benefited tremendously from the power play. Six of his seven points are a result of quarterbacking the top unit. 

Mads Sogaard has been reassigned to Belleville, so one would think this means Linus Ullmark is back in the fold. 

New York Islanders // 2-1-2

Anthony Duclair's injury sounds like he could be out for a while, GM Lou Lamoriello stating it will be "more long-term than short-term". Simon Holmstrom took reps in Duclair's spot on the top line. 

Head Coach Patrick Roy has mixed things up with the Islanders' power plays. The personnel on the top unit at practice on October 21st were: Mike Reilly, Mat Barzal, Simon Holmstrom, Brock Nelson and Anders Lee. 

Noah Dobson, Kyle Palmieri, Bo Horvat, John-Gabriel Pageau and Maxim Tsyplakov made up the Islanders second power play unit. 

Pittsburgh Penguins // 3-4-0

Alex Nedeljkovic has returned, prompting the Penguins to healthy scratch Tristan Jarry. Jarry is 1-1-0 with a save percentage of .836 and a goals allowed average ranking worst in the league amongst goalies who either entered the season as their teams respective starter or as the presumed 1A in a tandem. 

Jesse Puljujarvi has been heating up lately, and he's one to watch while he's streaking. 

Montreal Canadiens // 2-3-1

Samuel Montembeault is a breath of fresh air and palate cleanser after talking about Tristan Jarry. Montembeault has been nothing short of fantastic this season. Juraj Slafkovsky has been off to a scorching start as well, though questionable to play on Tuesday. 

Buffalo Sabres // 2-4-1

Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, and J.J. Peterka have all woken up offensively. Rasmus Dahlin has hit the proverbial snooze button but rest assured he will wake up soon. 

Carolina Hurricanes // 2-2-0

Pyort Kochetkov had a strong outing against the New Jersey Devils to open his season, but a poor showing against the St. Louis Blues in his next game have his overall stats looking weak. 

Jesperi Kotkaniemi seems to have settled into that second line center role, and three assists in four games would classify as "not a bad start". 

Columbus Blue Jackets // 2-3-0

Yegor Chinakov, Kirill Marchenko and Sean Monahan are all point-per-game or better. Kent Johnson, currently sidelined with an upper-body injury, belongs on this list as well. 

Elvis Merzlikins appears to be ready to return this week. 

Detroit Red Wings // 2-3-0

Despite irregular top-power play deployment, Moritz Seider has been providing value by way of peripherals. Four blocks per game and almost six hits per game from Seider – unreal. Detroit does not have a single point-per game player five games into the season. Erik Gustafsson has been both a healthy scratch and the top power play quarterback over this last week, talk about whiplash. 

Ville Husso cleared waivers last week, Cam Talbot and Alex Lyon have been evenly splitting starts for the Red Wings. 

Philadelphia Flyers // 1-3-1

The Flyers having the 12th-ranked power play in the league can only mean one thing: it's October. In each of the last three seasons the Flyers' power play has been dead last. Matvei Michkov has been a welcome addition to the squad, as has a healthy Jamie Drysdale – both of whom are on Philadelphia’s top power play unit. Interestingly enough, Cam York seems to be getting little to no power play deployment.


That's your Eastern Edge Eastern Conference update for the week. Thank you for reading, feel free to chirp me in the comments below or feel free to reach out on X – @FHFHockey. In the meantime you can catch updates from me on the Five Hole Fantasy Hockey Podcast.