Six Pack: Is Zach Bogosian teasing us again?
Six pickups of varying availability levels, that's what we do here. Put some batteries in the cordless mouse or keyboard and let's get some new players for your roster.
Zach Bogosian, D, Jets (15 percent): The development curve is often a deliberate one for blueliners, especially the taller guys at the position. Even with that caveat out of the way, the waiting has been painfully slow on Bogosian, who was the third overall pick of the 2008 draft. Wasn't he supposed to be an impact player by now? It hasn't worked out that way. (Look at the two defensive superstars he was selected between.)
Nonetheless, Bogosian is still just 24, and he's been sizzling since he returned from his lower-body injury, ringing up three goals and two assists over his last six games. He's getting some trickle-down time on the power play, he's shooting the puck aggressively, and of course there's the pedigree to chase. I added a Bogie share in one of my pools; who's with me?
Justin Abdelkader, LW/RW, Red Wings (32 percent): We generally view Abdelkader as a physical winger, one of those guys who likes to hit and be hit. You don't think of him as a big scorer. But an 11-14-25 line through half of a season isn't too shabby, and he's been seeing plenty of Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg in recent starts. A traffic cone could score with those cagey veterans. Keep crashing into things, Abdelkader; those other guys will make sure you see the puck. The dual-wing eligibility is always a nifty selling point.
Sean Monahan, C, Flames (32 percent): Puckheads don't have a lot of trouble finding scoring up the middle, but nonetheless it doesn't make sense to see Monahan this widely available. A 14-15-29 line (with 115 shots) plays in just about any format, and remember we're talking about the sixth overall pick from the 2013 draft class, and someone who has steadily improved all season. He's comfortable on a line with two estimable veterans, Jiri Hudler and Curtis Glencross, and he's had the hot stick (three goals) during Calgary's stunning four-game road winning streak.
Jason Zucker, LW, Wild (5 percent): You have to accept some baggage on this one – Zucker's isn't getting any assists, his road stats have been mediocre, and he's buried in the minus. But 16 goals can't be ignored, and you like how he's shooting the puck more aggressively this month (28 SOGs in nine starts). The road schedule for the rest of the month could be hairy, but I still think he finishes with 25-30 goals. Note that all of his markers have come at even strength, but he's finally receiving second-unit power-play time. A few easier scores should follow in the second half.
Jason Demers, D, Stars (29 percent): Believe it or not, he's been a Top 100 fantasy player over the last month, doing a little bit of everything (five points, 27 PIMs, two power-play points, 18 shots on goal). He's also seeing some secondary time on the man advantage. Demers needed a change of scenery and got it at the right time – the Dallas coaching staff trusts him considerably more than San Jose's did.
Joni Ortio, G, Flames (17 percent): He wasn't standing on his head with the Adirondack Flames of the AHL (2.52 GAA, .916 save percentage), but when the call came to the parent club, Ortio was ready. He's reeled off four straight victories with Calgary (1.23/.958), coming through splendidly while Karri Ramo deals with his upper-body injury. Ortio could be back in the minors before the month is out – Ramo's making steady progress with his rehab - but the move with goalies is to grab now, ask questions later. Someone's likely to post decent crease stats in Calgary, backed by an underrated blueline group.