Welcome to Fantrax’s NHL usage trends for October — a tactical breakdown of deployment trends that matter. 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: | NHL Injury Report | Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire | NHL Usage Trends
NHL Usage Trends
Easton Cowan (RW, Toronto Maple Leafs)
Last night, Cowan started on Auston Matthews’ (C) wing and ran with it. Cowan scored a short-handed goal and added two assists, for a three-point night. Finding a long-term winger for Auston Matthews has been one of the Leafs’ biggest roster challenges. Cowan, with 10 points in 11 games, is making the case to be an internal solution.
Expect Cowan to get another look alongside Matthews next game. A top-line role is within reach, but now he has to seize it.
Linus Karlsson (RW, Vancouver Canucks)
Like Cowan, Karlsson woke up this morning to find his name pencilled in on the Canucks top line, alongside Elias Pettersson (C) and Jake DeBrusk (LW). Â The Canucks lack true top-six forwards. They need someone to take the ‘bull by the horns’ and step up.
Karlsson scored a goal ten minutes into last night’s game. He now had a modest three-game point streak and eight points in 11 games. Fantasy managers roster him in just 17% of Fantrax leagues. This means he’s available in most dynasty pools.
He’s a player I’ve been bullish on this year. In his first full NHL season, he put up 35 points in 79 games. He’s come out of the gate hot and is on pace to significantly improve on last year’s totals.
In deeper pools, look at Karlsson as a longer-term option.
Alex Laferriere (LW/RW, Los Angeles Kings)
In the first five games of the season, Laferriere took five face-offs. In the last two games, he’s taken 22, while centering Artemi Panarin (LW) and Adrian Kempe (RW). He did spend time at center last year, so this isn’t entirely out of the blue.
This is a big promotion for Laferriere. As a center, he’s seen his ice time increase by over two minutes per game, breaking 20 minutes in each of the last two games.
At 247 career games, Laferriere has just passed his breakout threshold. Opportunities like this don’t come around like this often.
Arseny Gritsyuk (LW/RW, New Jersey Devils)
Gritsyuk is on a heater right now. He’s got six points in six games and is riding shotgun alongside Jack Hughes (C) and Jesper Bratt (RW).
It’s not just Hughes and Bratt; the Devils have controlled play with Gritsyuk on the ice. He’s spent almost equal time with Dawson Mercer (C) and Evan Rodriguez. Gritsyuk’s Corsi For percentage is 63.1% for the season, and the Devils’ Expected Goals For at five-on-five is 65.3%.
He’s taken a big step forward this year and is looking more like the dynamic offensive player he was in the KHL.
Fantrax is one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites in the fantasy sports industry, and we’re not stopping anytime soon. We are the most customizable, easy-to-use, and feature-rich platform in the industry, offering the greatest fantasy experience for your dynasty, keeper, redraft, and best ball leagues. Fantasy sports doesn’t sleep, and neither does Fantrax, with seasons running 365 days a year. Take your fantasy leagues to the next level now at Fantrax.com!
