Eakin was moved up to the Stars' top line with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin during practice on Wednesday, reports Mark Stepneski of the team's official site.

EDGE Analysis

It's a bit of a surprising shake up, but Eakin has been solid with four goals and an assist this season. If Eakin sticks as the top-line center it's a huge boon to his value.

Eakin was demoted to the third line for Thursday's game against Tampa, but still delivered a goal and a power-play assist.

EDGE Analysis

His bottom-six trio with Mattias Janmark and Ales Hemsky looked like it'd be right at home as most teams' first or second line, and Eakin's now at four points in four games to start the year. Don't expect that he's suddenly morphed into a point-per-game player, but considering the success he experienced despite a depth role last year, 50-plus would certainly not be out of the question.

Eakin scored two of Dallas' three goals in Saturday's 6-3 loss to Colorado.

EDGE Analysis

With Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin playing on his wings, who knew Eakin would be the one leading the trio in goals this far into the season. No doubt Benn and Seguin will score more points, but Eakin looks like he belongs, scoring one goal on even strength and another on the power play. Given the opportunities he has and his own ability, he should be owned across standard leagues.

Eakin finished Thursday's preseason loss to Tampa Bay with three shots, a minus-1 rating, a hit and two blocked shots through 18:32 of ice time.

EDGE Analysis

Eakin should produce some offense this season, but part of what the third-line center is able to offer fantasy owners is little nibbles across categories. He won't be lights out in any one category, but can provide some depth value depending on your format.

Eakin agreed to a four-year, $15.4 million contract extension with the Stars on Friday, Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old was a solid producer for the Stars in 2014-15, registering 40 points (19 goals, 21 assists) in 78 games with the team. He will likely return to his role centering the Stars' third line this season, and should produce similarly barring significant injury.

Eakin scored his 19th goal of the season and added an assist in Saturday's win over the Predators. With the two points, Eakin hit the 40-point barrier for the first time in his career. The 23-year-old has emerged has a great secondary scorer who can take some of the pressure off superstars Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. With two goals and seven points in his last seven games, Eakin enters the offseason on a high note.

Eakin scored the overtime-winning goal on a penalty shot Saturday against Nashville. Eakin's collected four points in his last four games, giving him 18 goals and 38 points in 75 games on the season. The 23-year-old, who is currently centering the top line, has emerged as a great supporting scorer behind superstars Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. He's now scored six game-winning goals and with 137 shots on goal, Eakin is a solid fantasy option in deep leagues.

Eakin collected a pair of assist in Saturday's win over Vancouver. Skating on the second line, Eakin has been producing steadily of late, racking up five goals and 11 points in his last 14 games. The 23-year-old has a career-high 17 goals this season and is a solid scorer for a Dallas team that has won five of their last six games.

Eakin picked up a goal and an assist Thursday in a win over the Hurricanes. Eakin had sat out a game due to a team-imposed suspension, but we don't know why he was suspended. Nonetheless, the fine evening pushed him to a half-point-per-game pace for the season -- 32 in 64.

Eakin (coach's decision) will return to the lineup Thursday against the Hurricanes, NHL.com's Mark Stepneski reports. Eakin's return to the lineup wasn't announced until just minutes before the puck drop, but it looks like he'll be available for those in deep leagues who were counting on him to eat up ice time. The Stars never revealed what Eakin did to warrant the one-game, team-imposed suspension, but the team appears to be satisfied with his response to the punishment. He'll replace Ryan Garbutt in the Stars' lineup.