Kindel Kindling on Offense for the Penguins
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.
Dawson Mercer, C/RW, NJ vs. MTL (65% rostered) - FanDuel - $6,000
The calls emanating from the Prudential Center faithful to trade Mercer have grown dimmer and dimmer. Once a stalwart on the rumor mill to bring in a scoring winger, Mercer has taken matters into his own hands this season. Mercer has five goals over his last four games and eight in 13 games on the season, skating as the third line center. His 33.3 per cent shooting percentage will fall but he benefits from second unti power play usage.
Ben Kindel, C, PIT vs. WAS (2% rostered) - FanDuel - $4,000
Kindell, the 11th pick in this past year's draft, was a longshot to break camp with the Penguins. He parlayed a strong training camp into an Opening Night roster spot. Kindel has improved nightly, earning a top-six role. Recently, Kindel has been getting a look on the top power-play unit with both Rickard Rakell and Justin Brazeau injured. Two of his last three goals have come on the man-advantage as he is making the most of that chance.
Jackson Blake, RW, CAR vs. MIN (10% rostered) - FanDuel - $5,500
Blake has been held off the scoresheet the past two games. Prior to then, he notched a pair of goals and as many assists in four games. Blake is skating as the 'Canes second line right wing. he posted a solid 17 tallies and as many helpers in 80 contests as a rookie last season. The arrow is certainly up for Blake, who should remain in a top-nine role for Carolina.
Cutter Gauthier, RW, ANA @ DAL (82% rostered) - FanDuel - $7,700
Gauthier took some time to settle in last season. when he did, Gauthier hit the ground running, notching eight goals and 19 points over the last 24 games of the year. The 21-year-old winger has carried that late-season success over to 2025-26. Gautheir has seven goals and six helpers during a current seven-game point streak, and overall, he's at 10 tallies, 16 points, 58 shots on net, 12 hits and a plus-9 rating through 12 appearances.
Adrian Kempe, RW, LA vs. FLA (99% rostered) - FanDuel - $7,200
If you need to save some money, feel free to replace Kempe with Kevin Fiala who is $1,000 cheaper. Kempe is at six goals, 16 points, 44 shots on net, 34 hits, 12 PIM and a plus-4 rating through 14 appearances this season. He posted 75 and 73 points, respectively, the last two seasons after 67 the previous campaign. Right now, he is top target in free agency, assuming LA does not lock him up long term.
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