Marcus Johnsson- Washington, C (Owned in 17% of ESPN leagues)
Our top waiver-wire grab of the week will not be available in most leagues for long, so get on the bandwagon and add him to your fantasy squads. With 22 points in 34 games in '12-13, he flourished late in the season while playing on top line with Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. Coach Adam Oates will hand over top-line duties once again to the 22-year old Swede, which should result in career-high numbers. A spike in power-play production could result in a 70+ point season. He has shown chemistry with his superstar line-mates in the preseason, which bodes well for his fantasy value in '13-14.
Paul Stastny- Colorado, C (Owned in 37.4% of ESPN leagues)
This is a crucial season for the 27-year old pivot, considering it's a contract year and that he has been on the downswing over the last three seasons. Nagging injuries have held him back, but we shouldn't forget that he was basically a point-per-game producer over his first four seasons, surpassing 75 points twice. He could be had on the cheap, but there is plenty of motivation for him to bounce back. A strong performance in the '13 Hockey World Championships could be an indicator of positive things to come.
Mikhail Grabovski- Washington, C (Owned in 17.4% of ESPN leagues)
Since debuting on the Washington Capitals during the preseason, Grabovski has been scoring regularly, capped by a goal/assist performance during Saturday night's game against Chicago. Think Mike Ribeiro of '12-13 when projecting where the talented center will fit into the Capitals offensive plans. He will be the second-line pivot on one of the most explosive teams in the NHL. You can pencil him in for plenty of power-play time, as well. He will be extremely motivated to prove that the Maple Leaf organization was wrong in buying out his contract during the off-season.
Cam Fowler- Anaheim, D (Owned in 31.5% of ESPN leagues)
The ultra-talented rearguard will have an opportunity to rebound after two straight underachieving seasons, where he failed to live up to the "future star" hype. He did score 40 points as a rookie, so you know Fowler can get it done. A long-term injury to Sheldon Souray has further entrenched Fowler as the team's undisputed power-play quarterback, so look for him to increase his point production but he need to clean up his play in the defensive zone. A bounce-back effort should be in the works for him in the upcoming season.
Jake Gardiner- Toronto, D (Owned in 20.3% of ESPN leagues)
The news of defenseman Cody Franson ending his holdout and signing a one-year contract with the Maple Leafs won't help Gardiner's fantasy value, but the slick-skating youngster should earn more quality ice-time in '13-14. After a concussion derailed his expected breakout campaign early last season, Gardiner struggled to keep a permanent spot in the Leaf lineup, until he played his best hockey of the season in the playoffs. Coach Carlyle has been critical of his play so far in the preseason, but maybe the Franson signing will light a fire under him. He did register two assists in his last contest.
ADD'EM: LOOK OUT FOR JOHANSSON! primepucks.comSun 9/29/13 6:44 PM