Leo Carlsson blossoming into a first-line center
On every game day this season, THN Fantasy will highlight players and goalies for fantasy managers to stream or roster for the rest of the season. The recommended players and goalies are rostered in less than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and can be selected in standard fantasy leagues and/or for daily fantasy games.
Leo Carlsson, C, ANA @ CHI (91% rostered) - FanDuel $6,200
Carlsson, selected second overall in 2023, went from 29 points in 2022-23 to 45 points last season. He has taken a quantum leap this season, already notching 13 goals and 20 assists in 24 contests, putting him in the Art Ross Trophy Race. Nathan MacKinnon is the likely eventual winner, but Carlsson being in the conversation shows just how quickly he has become a star. Anaheim looks to have their #1 center for the short- and long-term.
Sebastian Aho, C, CAR vs. CGY (95% rostered) - FanDuel $7,400
Aho is a quiet superstar. When people name players who are superstars, Aho's name certainly does not get mentioned right from the get-go, and at times, at all. Coming into the season, Aho had posted 283 goals and 348 assists in 677 contests since being drafted in the second round, 35th overall in 2015. He is off to a very strong start, notching eight tallies and 16 helpers in 24 games, not going more than two games in a row without getting onto the scoresheet all season.
Brady Tkachuk, LW, OTT @ DAL (98% rostered) - FanDuel $7,500
Tkachuk returned to action Friday after missing 20 games with a thumb injury. He notched an assist in 17:12 of action, including 1:44 on the man-advantage. Tkachuk has posted four helpers, 18 shots, 13 hits and four PIM over four outings this season. He contributes across the board, notching at least four shots per game and 200+ hits a season besides the scoring he adds.
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