Left, Right & Center: Larkin Up the Wrong Tree

The playoff picture is coming into focus. Unlike most years, almost every club is still in contention. Colorado/Arizona: Wait until next season. Detroit/Dallas: Hope things turn around fast. And New Jersey/Carolina: Your 15 minutes of overachievement have officially expired.

Fantasy leagues are similar, although your team is probably not earning tons of cash or receiving fan mail. By now, you've either stocked your squad with depth or sold off a significant chunk of your roster. Or you may be standing firm because you either don't know which way to go or you completely forgot your league's trade deadline, which may or may not have passed.

Whichever way you're headed, there's always room to improve. Here are a few forward suggestions:

Left Wing

Two Steps Forward: J.T. Miller, NY Rangers

For someone who's essentially a third-liner, Miller's point haul (46 in 56 games) has been pretty impressive. He has already surpassed last season's mark (43 in 82) and looks to be knocking on the door to the top tier. It wasn't long ago there were doubts about Miller concerning his ability to hack it in the bigs, but the former first-rounder has succeeded while working within the team concept. His physical output may have tapered off (down from an average of 2.12 hits to 1.27) but that's hardly a concern when the main stats (including the plus-20 and six game-winners) speak for themselves.

Broken Wing: Jeff Skinner, Carolina

Skinner was praised way back in October, when both he (19 points in his first 20 appearances) and the 'Canes were overpowering opponents. Times have turned in Carolina, with the club reverting to their inconsistent ways. This trend has spread throughout the lineup, and Skinner is not immune to its effects. Since notching back-to-back three-point efforts, he has struggled to find the scoresheet (one goal, one assist in 11). The seventh selection from 2010 has shown he can be someone who can singlehandedly influence a game but that may be hard to do if there's little incentive.

Between the Lines: Max Domi, Arizona

Since returning from an extended absence, Domi has been eased back into the grind. If the last three outings are any indication (four points), he appears comfortable and motivated. Before he was sidelined in December, Domi was on pace (16 points in 26 contests) to match his rookie numbers (52 in 81). We highlighted his disappointing output to start the season, but he should be a force down the stretch and a leader among the youth up front.

Right Wing

Two Steps Forward: Viktor Arvidsson, Nashville

In 2014-15, Arvidsson hinted at greatness when he arrived in North America and dominated in the AHL (55 points in 70 outings). He served as a utility player with the parent club last season (16 in 56 playing 12:24 a night), but maintained a knack for hitting the net (139 shots). The subcompact Swede has been known to dazzle and it's shown this year in an expanded role (39 in 54 averaging 16:50, including almost two power-play minutes). Some critics warned Arvidsson would run out of gas, but it only seems as though he is getting better as the season progresses (nine points in his last six, including a hat-trick Saturday). He's still available in roughly half of Yahoo! leagues, so grab him before someone else beats you to it.

Broken Wing: Jordan Eberle, Edmonton

To be fair, the Oilers haven't recently done much on the attack (11 goals in six contests). Even so, we can continue to single out those who are suffering. Eberle's totals aren't terrible (32 points in 56 games); in fact, they're consistent with last year's figures (47 in 69). However, that's a step down from his standard (63 and 65 the last two 80-plus game seasons). The current barren run (nothing in seven) shouldn't affect the Regina native too much, since he'll be able to snap out of it as long as he remains linked in some way to Connor McDavid (11 of his 32 have been on the power play). Edmonton sits in a favorable position within the Pacific Division and 'veterans' like Eberle should be poised to give it their all for a chance to return to the postseason.

Between the Lines: Patrick Sharp, Dallas

Despite the wave of injuries, Sharp manages to stay relevant as a power-play performer (although he only notched his first man-advantage point with a goal Sunday). Based on the Stars' poor play, there has been significant trade buzz surrounding the 35-year old. His fantasy worth will depend on if he gets dealt and where he ends up. The ideal situation for Sharp will be on a team that requires an experienced power-play point man (who has a combined 63 PPPs the last three years), rather than on a strong team that may only employ him as a depth player.

Center

Two Steps Forward: Brandon Dubinsky, Columbus

Dubinsky has thrived in Columbus due to his longtime preferred status under John Tortorella. He has been able to match skill with grit throughout his career, but never at this current rate (13 points, 26 PIM, 50 hits in his last 16 contests). Being paired with superior talent like Cam Atkinson and Brandon Saad obviously helps, yet Dubinsky can handle things on his own. His status as #2 center on a strong forward unit helps his cause, but it's hard to imagine this surge lasting the rest of the campaign.

Broken Wing: Dylan Larkin, Detroit

What a difference a year makes. Larkin wowed the crowds in his debut season (45 points, 221 shots), but has fallen way short of expectations for his encore (19 points in 54 appearances, five in 18 since Jan. 1). It's not as much a sophomore slump as it is the opposition recognizing his strengths and shutting them down. Larkin will need to adapt and rework his game, but that appears difficult operating within an offense that is struggling to score. The good news is he's only 20 and will grow with Detroit's other youngsters by continuing to learn from the veteran contingent.

Between the Lines: Antoine Vermette, Anaheim

It's easy to forget someone like Vermette, even though he's excelled in multiple locations over a 13-year NHL career (peaking at 65 points with Columbus in 2009-10). After Arizona bought him out in August, Anaheim offered a two-year deal. The 2015 Cup winner in Chicago remains one of the league's top faceoff takers, but he's seen plenty of action on the wing with Ryan Getzlaf (although he's stuck at four points in his last 17 outings) and maintains substantial special-teams duty (hovering around a two-minute average). Vermette may never have another opportunity to show off some sick stick work, but he's valuable enough to be a decent fantasy contributor.