Welcome to your Fantasy Hockey Week 5 Review — a tactical breakdown of deployment trends that matter. This week, we’re spotlighting key ice time changes, power play promotions, and line shakeups that could swing matchups and unlock hidden value. Whether you’re grinding in deep leagues or scanning for streaming upside, these shifts offer actionable insight for fantasy managers looking to stay ahead of the curve.
More Fantasy Hockey Analysis: | Goalie Streamers | Buy-Low, Sell-High | Fantasy Hockey Cold List | Prospect Report | NHL Injury Report | Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire
Fantasy Hockey Week 5 Review:
Charle-Edouard D’Astous, D – Tampa Bay Lighting
If you are asking, ‘Who?’ You are not alone. The Lightning quietly signed him as a free agent over the summer. D’Astous had a very strong season in the SHL last year with 12 goals and 39 points in 49 games. This placed him second in defenceman scoring. Â The year before, he scored 17 goals and put up 46 points in Liiga, Finland’s top league.
D’Astous didn’t make the Lightning out of training camp. He went down to Syracuse and put up three points in his first four games before he was recalled. His ice time has been all over the map, from a low of 10:36 in his second NHL game to a high of 19:37 in his last game against the Washington Capitals.
What’s more, D’Astous has taken, at least temporarily, second power play duties away from Darren Raddysh. This is in part due to Raddysh’s own struggles, including a healthy scratch last week.
He’s still bouncing around Tampa’s third pair and hasn’t locked anything down in terms of the second power play. However, in leagues where teams are starved for power play production from defencemen, D’Astous is worth adding to your watch list and keeping a close eye on moving forward. Beyond Victor Hedman, D, nothing is set in stone for Tampa Bay.
Yegor Chinakov, RW, Columbus Blue Jackets
It’s been a tumultuous season to date for Chinakov. From asking for a trade in the pre-season to being healthy scratched several times this year.
At least for Tuesday nights gave against the Seattle Kraken, Chinakov was given an opportunity on the Blue Jackets’ top line.
After seeing over 5 minutes in the first period, Chinakov is destined for another game between 10-12 minutes.
Sam Rinzel & Artyom Levshunov, D, Chicago Black Hawks
The latest power play trend in Chicago has Levshunov slowly pulling ahead in the battle for the coveted spot. Â Levshunov’s five power-play assists are only furthering the argument on his behalf. A lot of folks bought the Rinzel hype with how last season ended. To a point, rightfully so, Rinzel has had a strong first quarter of his first NHL season.
But it was always going to be Levshunov. Nothing has been carved in stone, yet. Rinzel will get more time on the first unit. If Levshunov continues to produce, then that door will soon close.
Expect Levshunov to receive sheltered minutes with time on the power play. Rinzel will log bigger, harder minutes. If you score hits and blocks, then Rinzel still holds solid value, especially if your pool allows you to move prospects up and down from your main roster.
Cam York & Jamie Drysdale, D – Philadelphia Flyers
Things are less clear in Philadelphia. Right now, Drysdale is logging time on the Flyers’ first unit. However, York shows up on the first unit on Daily Faceoff as of yesterday.
I dislike a defenseman that doesn’t shoot the puck, and York is averaging 0.6 per game. Seven in 12 games. Drysdale is the lesser of the two evils, averaging 1 shot per game, 15 in 15.
It’s a good problem for Philadelphia to have. As a fantasy owner, owning one or the other, it could be a frustrating season watching this play out.
Matthew Wood, RW – Nashville Predators
Wood played a season-high 17:09 on Monday. Besting his previous high of 14:28. With a hat-trick, six shots, and two power play goals, and 10 points in 11 games, keep an eye on Wood sneaking into the Predators’ top six. He’s one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing first quarter of a season. We’ll see if this is a one-off or an ice time trend to keep an eye on.
Nick Blankenburg, D – Nashville Predators
Sticking with the Predators for a moment, in the same game, Blankenburg had 4:03 (76.7%) of ice time on the power play. Sure, it will be short-lived. Once Roman Josi, D, returns, he will resume duties on the first unit. In the meantime, though, Blankenburg is offering decent short-term value with six points in his last six games, including a power play goal and assist.
Jack Roslovic, LW/RW, Edmonton Oilers
Roslovic seems to be settling in nicely alongside Leon Draisaitl, C. He picked up a goal and an assist Monday night in the Oilers’ 5-4 win over the Blue Jackets.
More importantly, Roslovic logged 21:50 in ice time. This includes a spot on the top power play unit alongside Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, C.
Roslovic is only rostered in 38% of Fantrax leagues. There’s long-term value potential here. Even with Hyman’s impending return, Roslovic could remain on the Oilers’ top power play unit.
That concludes your Fantasy Hockey Week 5 Review — with practical insights on ice-time, deployment, and power play changes that may influence your roster. Stay alert, monitor the usage, and revisit next week for more tactical updates to maintain your fantasy advantage
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