This article is part of our Left, Right & Center series.
Don't give up if you're down early. The first three weeks tell a story but they do not determine an entire season. They've happened, they're done, and you won't have to hear about them ever again.
Perhaps a few of your feature players haven't done anything. If they continue to slump and clearly don't look injured, then it may be time to wave (or, in this case, waive) them goodbye. Or maybe another owner has more confidence that a player will turn it around than you do; negotiations are often the best way to disguise trash as gold.
The key is to manage each day/week of the fantasy schedule like it's the first one. Because if you dwell on the fact you sit at 0-3 in your head-to-head league, then you may overlook preparations for Week 4 and beyond.
Space is a vast and wondrous place. For this week's forwards, let's look at the shooting stars, the plummeting planets, and the climbing comets. As is standard, no big names will be mentioned unless they've done something special, either positive or negative. And check your league to see who may qualify at multiple positions:
LW
Two Steps Forward: Jeff Skinner, Carolina
If the Canes were good and locals actually cared about the team, then their talented forward contingent could receive more recognition. What Carolinians have been missing is that the oft-injured Skinner (five goals, six assists) is currently tied for third in league scoring. For as much as the 24-year
Don't give up if you're down early. The first three weeks tell a story but they do not determine an entire season. They've happened, they're done, and you won't have to hear about them ever again.
Perhaps a few of your feature players haven't done anything. If they continue to slump and clearly don't look injured, then it may be time to wave (or, in this case, waive) them goodbye. Or maybe another owner has more confidence that a player will turn it around than you do; negotiations are often the best way to disguise trash as gold.
The key is to manage each day/week of the fantasy schedule like it's the first one. Because if you dwell on the fact you sit at 0-3 in your head-to-head league, then you may overlook preparations for Week 4 and beyond.
Space is a vast and wondrous place. For this week's forwards, let's look at the shooting stars, the plummeting planets, and the climbing comets. As is standard, no big names will be mentioned unless they've done something special, either positive or negative. And check your league to see who may qualify at multiple positions:
LW
Two Steps Forward: Jeff Skinner, Carolina
If the Canes were good and locals actually cared about the team, then their talented forward contingent could receive more recognition. What Carolinians have been missing is that the oft-injured Skinner (five goals, six assists) is currently tied for third in league scoring. For as much as the 24-year old is excelling, some of the credit should go to Victor Rask (four goals, six assists). The duo has combined to terrorize opposing defenses, although you can't expect either to maintain their totals – especially considering Skinner's durability track record.
Broken Wing: Ondrej Palat, Tampa Bay
Like teammate Tyler Johnson, Palat has been slow to get things going (a minus-8 with four points, but nothing in the last four games). Patience seems to be key with the Czech youngster, especially when you consider 24 of his 40 points last season came in the final 25 contests or that he ended 2014-15 with 27 in 27. Palat has been reunited with Johnson, but there's no guarantee of a recovery considering he didn't do much while with Steven Stamkos.
Between the Lines: Nick Ritchie, Anaheim
Ritchie is the latest in a series of wingers to be placed alongside Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. With his physical attributes (6-foot-2, 230 pounds) and gritty style (37 hits), you could almost call him an upgraded version of Patrick Maroon. The difference is Ritchie came in with much more fanfare (10th pick in 2014) and boasts an awesome junior scoring resume (249 points over the last two OHL seasons). And while he may be impressing with his physical work, he also can beat you with pinpoint accuracy.
RW
Two Steps Forward: Kyle Okposo, Buffalo
When the Sabres lost Jack Eichel right before Opening Night (sprained ankle, gone until late November), many foresaw the worst. Combine this with Evander Kane going down (cracked ribs, give him another week or two), and it was assumed the offense would sputter. But that hasn't been the case, as others like Okposo (seven points, including four on the power play) have picked up the scoring slack. The former Islander was also sidelined in preseason but quickly returned and appears to fit in perfectly with Buffalo's uptempo attack.
Broken Wing: Loui Eriksson, Vancouver
Regardless whom he lines up with, Eriksson (four assists, minus-4) hasn't clicked with anyone. The buzz after his summer signing had him a lock to succeed with the Sedins, and the initial experiment mainly failed, causing the Swede to bounce around the lineup and lose valuable power-play opportunities. Perhaps the expectations for Eriksson should be tempered, seeing how the Canucks' offense is mediocre, at best. Remember when he used to be exciting to watch?
Between the Lines: James Neal, Nashville
The Preds' early slide has spread throughout the lineup. Neal, a former 40-goal man, tallied his first marker Saturday. He's only notched one other point, but it's not for a lack of trying. The plus-minus (at minus-7) may match P.K. Subban, but Neal leads the club in shots (30, top-20 in the league) and logs substantial ice time (just under 20 minutes, with over three on the power play per game). Once Nashville recovers, so will Neal.
C
Two Steps Forward: William Nylander, Toronto
He may be riding shotgun with Eastern Conference Hockey Jesus, but the oldest son of a well-respected NHL veteran is marking his own territory. At 18, Nylander was already making established blueliners look like pylons. The transition to the North American game has been seamless, as evidenced by his opening AHL numbers (two half-seasons totaling 77 points) and brief Leafs debut in 2015-16 (13 points in 22 contests). With all the youth up front in Toronto, Nylander practically serves as a leader with all his pro experience.
Broken Wing: David Krejci, Boston
Since potting six in their opener, the Bs have had trouble putting the puck in the net (12 goals the last seven outings). Many on the team have been struggling, including Krejci (three assists, minus-4). He may now be 30 but that's no excuse for his paltry output considering his 2015-16 point total (63 in 72 games). You could forgive Krejci due to Boston's growing wounded list and subsequent line juggling, so check back when he becomes more comfortable or reclaims his usual linemates.
Between the Lines: Mathieu Perreault, Winnipeg
Due to injuries, Perreault has been moved back to the middle on a line with speedsters Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor. After recording points in the first two games, he's been largely absent from the scoresheet with just one point in the following seven contests. The positive lies in the fact Perreault has continued to be provided with enough opportunities – including a fair share of power-play duty (3:22 worth per game) – to improve. Based on recent form and current situation, one would assume he'd have a shot to break his career high of 43 points set in 2013-14 with the Ducks.
