With the start of the NHL season getting closer and mock drafts already well underway, what better time to start focusing on some value picks that could pay off for you later in your drafts. We all know who the top players in the league are and where most GMs are likely to draft them, with some even reaching for them earlier than expected. But those players usually aren't the ones that win you your fantasy league. Finding the players who can outperform their draft position is where things can really start to separate your team from the rest. So, in this week's Ramblings, I thought I would start with the Atlantic Division, looking at one player from each team who could provide some sneaky fantasy value this season. Next week, we'll move over to the Metro before making our way through the Western Conference which would lead us well into our fantasy drafts and near the start of the NHL season.

Let's get right into it!

Boston Bruins – JJ Peterka

If you're a Bruins fan, there's plenty to like about bringing JJ Peterka to Boston, especially with the potential to have him skating alongside David Pastrnak on the top line. That alone gives Peterka some serious fantasy appeal, although his role on the top power-play unit is still something we need to see play out. His time in Utah was a bit of a disappointment, particularly with his power-play usage dropping to just 42% in Utah in comparison to his 63% in Buffalo. Boston should provide a much better opportunity for Peterka to get a chance to benefit from an elite linemate. He's a dangerous shooter at 5v5, can create offense off the rush and has shown he can become more of a playmaker when playing with an elite finisher. His 41 assists in Buffalo showed he can adapt his game when playing alongside someone like Tage Thompson. If he locks down a top power-play role as well, his fantasy ceiling should increase.

Buffalo Sabres – Zach Benson

Benson is starting to look like a player who could finally see his opportunity catch up to his talent. At just 21 years old, Benson still has plenty of room to grow. With Alex Tuch gone, there should be more room for him in Buffalo's top six, and we already saw during the playoffs how much the Sabres have started to rely on him. He can score, create chances and help drive play, and after putting up 14 points in his final 14 games of the regular season, he carried that momentum into an impressive postseason. The power play is another area where I see some upside. Benson had only five power-play points last season, so an increased role there could give his numbers another boost. If he gets more even-strength minutes and a chance to play alongside Tage Thompson, things could add up quickly.

Detroit Red Wings – Viktor Arvidsson

We've already seen what Viktor Arvidsson can do when he lands in the right situation, and Detroit could give him another opportunity to provide deep fantasy value. I wouldn't expect him to repeat the 64-point pace he had in Boston, but the Red Wings need more offense at even strength, and Arvidsson brings a proven scorer who can create chances and finish them. There's enough offensive talent around him to keep his production respectable. The good news is he doesn't need to reach that level again to provide value. If Arvidsson can stay in Detroit's top six and see regular power-play time, whether on the first or second unit, 45-50 points is a realistic target. As a deep draft target, that makes him a player worth identifying heading into your draft.

Florida Panthers – Akira Schmid

Florida has several players who could provide fantasy value this season, with Carter Verhaeghe being one of the more obvious names if he locks down a top-six role. However, if we dig a little deeper, Akira Schmid is a player I'd keep an eye on. The appeal with Schmid has more to do with the opportunity behind Jacob Markstrom. We know Markstrom has dealt with injuries throughout his career, and while playing behind a strong Florida team should help, there's always a chance he misses time. Schmid has already shown he can handle NHL action and could step into a larger role if called upon. That's where the fantasy upside comes from. If Markstrom stays healthy, Schmid probably won't have much value, but if he misses significant time, he could suddenly find himself playing regularly behind a team that should be competing near the top of the standings.

Montreal Canadiens – Alex Newhook

Alex Newhook is an interesting option heading into the season, especially after what we saw from him in the playoffs. He led Montreal with seven goals and 10 points in 19 playoff games and looked comfortable creating offense, which could give him an opportunity to take on a bigger role with the Canadiens. We saw better production from Newhook when playing with Demidov last season, so continuing that chemistry could be important. If Newhook earns more responsibility there while establishing himself as a regular top-six option, his fantasy value could take another step forward.

Ottawa Senators – William Eklund

This one may be a little more obvious, but William Eklund is a player I keep coming back to as a potential value pick. His situation in Ottawa is much more appealing than what he had in San Jose, especially after the Senators made him a key part of the Brady Tkachuk trade. That alone tells you how important they expect him to be moving forward. The biggest thing working in Eklund's favor is the opportunity with Tim Stützle and Drake Batherson, he'll have two talented offensive players around him and a much better situation than what he had in San Jose. Eklund already showed he can produce, putting up 53 points in 78 games last season while recording 38 assists. His playmaking ability could actually fit very well alongside Stützle and Batherson, and his shooting percentage being below his career average gives him another area where his offense could improve.

Tampa Bay Lightning – Anthony Cirelli

We know that Brayden Point, Nikita Kucherov, Jake Guentzel, Brandon Hagel and John Carlson will all come off the board much earlier, while Anthony Cirelli still gets to operate in the same offensive environment. The top power-play opportunities aren't really there, so his even-strength role becomes the biggest factor to watch. Cirelli has been a staple in the top-six, with the likes of players I mentioned above, all of which work well. Cirelli has paced for around 60 points in each of the last two seasons, although injuries have prevented him from reaching that total. His ice time has also dropped year-over-year and his 18.4% S% last season is another number worth watching, as it was above his career norm. Even with those concerns his consistent linemates in the top-six are among the best the league, that alone should be enough.

Toronto Maple Leafs – Easton Cowan

I would be willing to take a late-round chance on Easton Cowan because the situation in Toronto could give him a real opportunity to produce offensively. Cowan played 66 games last season and nearly 25% of his ice time came alongside John Tavares and William Nylander. The big question is whether he can lock down a top-six role, with Jack Roslovic likely being his biggest competition on the right side. Roslovic could have the edge to start the season, but he has never been more than a 45-point player in his career. The top-six spot is far from guaranteed, but Toronto clearly views Cowan as someone who could eventually fill that role, and they should give him every opportunity to prove he belongs there.

Thanks for reading! See you next week! For more fantasy hockey content and analysis, follow me on X @Punters_hockey. If you have any questions about your team or a trade? My DMs are always open, happy to help!