Colton Payrako, St. Louis- With much of the rookie talk centered on the super hyped forwards in Year 1, it's time to take notice of the towering defenseman in St. Louis who is off to a fabulous start with 6 points in 9 games. While logging over 23 minutes of TOI including power play, he has displayed a huge shot and also very liable in the defensive zone. His uptick in fantasy value is largely aided by Kevin Shattenkirk's absence due to injury but nevertheless, his sleeper potential makes him a top waiver wire target. SLEEPER ALERT
Mike Green, Detroit-- Why is he on the list? That's because he is hurt again. Let me know if this is news to you? Off to a slow start in his new team, Green is already not available to help your fantasy team. Last years numbers represented a comeback of sorts but he still missed a handful of games. That will never change. Not on the Capitals. Not in the Wings. Not anywhere. Huge fantasy risk. BAND-AID BOY
Ryan Suter, Minnesota- Eight points in his first nine games is more then most fantasy owners had expected of the 30-year old Wild blue liner, but it's also important to point out that just a few years ago, he looked poised for elite status. He followed his '11-12 career high totals of 46 points with two sub-40 pt efforts in three years, failing to live up to the hype. Having said that, his scoring pace will slow down but with the Minny offense looking more lethal then in recent years and Suter getting bulk of pp time, 50+ pts is not out of the question. VETERAN REBOUND
John Klingberg, Dallas- Man, this sophomore defender definitely has some bite to his game as he is currently rolling with a five game point streak. That now gives Klingberg eight points in nine games. So far, so good in avoiding the sophomore jinx after leading all defensives rookies last season with 40 points in 65 games. Alex Goligoski has become a distant fantasy option on the Dallas blueline as JK is getting all the big minutes. RISING STAR
Brian Campbell, Florida- The Florida rearguard has seen his scoring regress over the last few season but as his three point effort last night can attest to, he can still be a valuable fantasy asset. As his fantasy value downright plummeted in most drafts, I was plucking him in the late rounds. It's tough to get your hands on d-man that late with true 40-or potential. VETERAN REBOUND
IN STEVES DEFENSE: FIVE PLUS THOUGHTS primepucks.comWed 10/28/15 5:35 PM