NHL Stock Watch: Lindholm returns, Fleury and Eriksson scuffling

Scott Pianowski
·Fantasy analyst
Marc-Andre Fleury might be out of a job
Marc-Andre Fleury might be out of a job

STOCK UP

• Hampus Lindholm, D, Ducks: The waiting is the hardest part. Lindholm’s holdout went on long enough, but even his Oct. 27 signing was just a partial marker; he’s needed two weeks to get into shape and clear up some visa issues. Heck, he didn’t even practice with the team until Tuesday, though he’ll be thrown into the mix for Wednesday’s game against Columbus. Anaheim’s power play has been fine no matter the personnel — it was the best in the NHL last year and it currently sits third — but Lindholm’s presence will be appreciated. He’e eventually going to grow into a 40-50 point player.

• Zach Werenski, D, Blue Jackets: Seth Jones had all the looks of a breakout candidate into the season, but it’s been the rookie Werenski who’s been the power-play quarterback. And what a group to be in charge of — Columbus is off to an insane 11-for-28 start on the power play. Jones (3-3-6) is going to be missed after fracturing his foot, but Werenski (2-8-10) probably had more fantasy value at the moment anyway. The former Wolverine has proven to be a quick study.

• Patrik Laine, RW, Jets: When Auston Matthews potted four goals on opening night, it was tempting to give him the Calder Trophy immediately — or at least start the engraving. But it’s been Laine who’s taken the rookie class by storm, scoring on a ridiculous 25 percent of his 44 shots. There were some questions about Laine’s maturity after a couple of incidents during his amateur career, but he’s looked like a polished and seasoned vet during his initial NHL lap. He’s making beautiful music with linemates Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers.

• New York Rangers: It’s been a blast to see offense taking off in the NHL this season, but no one is scoring like the Blueshirts, who are pumping in over four goals per contest. Youth, speed, and depth have been the main factors — an astounding 12 players have at least nine points in New York, and they legitimately have three scoring lines. Journeyman forward Michael Grabner (7-3-10) is my favorite story in the bunch; he was a 34-goal man back in 2010-11 with the Islanders, validating a first-round draft pedigree, but he’s been pressed into lesser roles for several seasons. Even with an unsustainable shooting percentage, I could see 25 goals here, maybe a couple on the shorthand.

STOCK DOWN

• Marc-Andre Fleury, G, Penguins: He had a chance to mark some territory while Matt Murray healed up, but it was a mixed bag — while Pittsburgh’s offense sparked Fleury to a 6-2-2 start, he’s carrying mediocre percentages (3.07 GAA, .908 SVP). And now Murray is back in the mix, ripping off three straight wins, scoring a shutout, and stopping the puck at a 1.33/.957 clip. Get used to opening the door on the bench, Flower.

• Jaromir Jagr, RW, Panthers: If you bought into his 27-39-66 season repeating (or coming close) into his age-45 campaign, I have some swampland in Florida to discuss with you. Jagr’s off to a sluggish 1-4-5 start through 13 games, and now a nagging groin problem is holding him back. That’s life when you’re trying to play professional hockey in your mid-40s. The heart doesn’t like downgrading him, but this could easily be a cliff season.

• Sebastian Aho, LW/RW, Hurricanes: He hasn’t been a washout in his first time around the block, with five assists in nine games. He’s still looking for his first goal, and he’s collected 24 shots. The club being where it is, Aho is minus-3. But if the Canes keep him for a 10th game, this year goes down as the first year of his entry-level deal. So if the club has designs on a forward-thinking demotion, it’s going to happen now. At age 19, that might be the most reasonable plan of attack.

• Loui Eriksson, LW, Canucks: Not many Boston fans shed a tear when Eriksson moved on, feeling his 30-33-63 year (and 16.3 shooting percentage) was more fluke than fact. Life with the Sedins hasn’t clicked yet; Eriksson has a paltry 22 shots in 14 games, and just one of those attempts has found the back of the net. He’s still a legitimate Top 6 forward, but maybe not a difference maker — hope for 20 goals, that’s probably the most reasonable target at this point. In more shallow formats, I’d have no problem if you dropped Eriksson; he’s not a power forward with a diversified stat profile. If he’s not scoring in bunches, you’re feeling the pinch.