One week into the season and you are either loving your draft a top the standings or scouring the waiver wire trying to reconfigure a new team to compete. Either way the waiver wire and your current roster is full of hits and misses so lets break the forwards down Fantasy Focus style.
Pick Up Immediately
1. Tomas Kopecky, Blackhawks W:
The checking line winger had a career high 10 goals last season and is on fire to start the season. His seven assists already are four away from last years total.
The 28-year-old is now primed for a career year playing alongside the hottest player in the NHL, Marian Hossa and either Patrick Sharp or Jonathan Toews. Some high price talent on that line with Kopecky which will help his plus/minus (+5) and he is second on the team with 10 PIM.
The Slovak is only owned in 64.3 percent of leagues and that should increase very soon.
2. Mark Letestu, Penguins C:
The top of the Penguins scoring leaders are some familiar names but one sticks out like sore thumb, rookie center Mark Letestu.
The 25-year-old has seven points in his first seven games while playing mostly with Evgeni Malkin. The undrafted free agent is playing on the second power play unit and already has two game winning goals.
Only owned in 11 percent of leagues but playing on such a potent offense should make this number rise.
Proceed With Caution
1. Matt Cullen, Wild C:
Regarded as the big free agent pick up by the Wild this offseason Matt Cullen has been a pleasant surprise.
Playing primarily on the second line and top power play Cullen has six points with five of them coming on the power play. Their lies the problem, no way will he remain that hot on the Wild power play and relying heavily on power play points does not equal a good fantasy player.
Pick up the 33-year-old for a power play boost but proceed with caution.
2. Josh Bailey, Islanders C:
The Islanders are red hot to start the season and have had some real fantasy options come to the fore front and right at the top of the list is former first round pick Josh Bailey.
The 21-year-old took advantage of the recent injuries to break out with six points in the first six games, with half of them coming on the power play. Proceed with caution for John Taveres is now back healthy and will start taking some of the ice time away from the talented Bailey.
Not to mention Bailey left last game early due to a hip flexor injury. I am not denying that this kid has talent and should be a good NHL player but as the Islanders slump away from this hot start so will some of their early fantasy studs.
