On a light Wednesday on the NHL calendar, a few names stand out, especially a young L.A. defenseman.
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 can be used in standard fantasy leagues or for daily fantasy games.
Forwards
Mark Kastelic, C, BOS @ COL (4% rostered)
Who had Katelic notching five points the first four contests of the season? If you said yes, we require proof, as this output has come out of nowhere. Kastelic, a bottom-six pivot, came to the Bruins this offseason in the Linus Ullmark deal. What was expected was 100+ hits, a solid faceoff win percentage and a bit of toughness. Kastelic has given them all that, and based on his point production, a lot more. Ride the wave while it lasts but jump out as soon as it shows signs of ending.
Ross Colton, C, COL vs. BOS (9% rostered)
A myriad of injuries up front has given Colton another shot in the top-six. If he remains next to Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, then jump on the Colton train. Colton had a solid 2023-24 season, notching 17 goals and 23 assists in 80 contests in his first season in Colorado, though he is best suited a third-line depth winger. In the interim, though, while he is in the top-six. enjoy the possible uptick in production.
Lawson Crouse, LW/RW, UTA @ ANA (4% rostered)
Crouse is the type of player you hate to face but love if he is on your team. He is a gitative winger, not afraid to be physical and go to the dirty areas to muck it up or score. Crouse has scored at least 20 goals three straight seasons, and has already notched a pair of tallies through Utah's first four games. He is a perfect third line winger, skating next to a skilled enough center in Alex Kerfoot and gritty winger in Josh Doan, allowing Crouse to do what he does best.
Defensmen
Mason Lohrei, D, BOS @ COL (1% rostered)
Lohrei tallied 13 points - four goals and nine assists - in 41 contests as a rookie last season. The Ohio State product is known as more of a stay-at-home defensemen, especially with Boston having both Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm. Lohrei has a surprising three points in the three games he has played, the latter important, as the Bruins have taken the ice four times so far this season. Lohrie is battling Parker Witherspoon for game action, but when in the lineup, skates on the top-four.
Brandt Clarke, D, LA @ TOR (22% rostered)
Clarke provided a glimpse into his potential Monday when he notched three power-play assists versus the Senators. Those three points were his first dents on the scoresheet this season. With Drew Doughty (ankle) sidelined long-term, Clarke is batting Jordan Spence for supremacy on the power play on the LA blueliner. Monday showed what Clarke can do. The upside for Clarke is massive, the question is whether he is currently up to the task and how consistent he can be.
