Next man up – Restoring fantasy hockey pickups with stars

Guess who's back? After about a week of skating solo, goalkeeper Frederick Andersen participated in a full team training on Wednesday afternoon. While we don't anticipate an immediate return for the Carolina Hurricanes, this is a promising and necessary start. Andersen told reporters on Wednesday that it “feels good” to be back and called it a “good first step.” It was a “good day for him,” coach Rod Brind'Amour said. After missing seven weeks since having knee surgery, until now Good indeed.

Andersen's stats last season, and the previous two years in Carolina, were solid to great, as were Andersen's numbers in the four starts prior to his latest injury. A small sample size for sure, but 3-1 with a GAA of 1.49 and an SV% of 0.941 is excellent.

If he can stay healthy for a while — and as Don't get much more reinforcement than this given his injury history – the veteran netminder is capable of serving as a top-five fantasy netminder. Current 'Canes starter Pyotr Kochetkov has looked shakier of late, with a save percentage of .897 in his past five starts. Anderson is available in almost half of ESPN Fantasy leagues and should be on the radar for any manager dissatisfied with his own goaltending corps. .

On the blueline while still practicing with his club after suffering an upper-body injury on December 27 Shayne Gostisbehere worked out individually with an assistant coach. Another “good” first step. With the 'Canes' power play poor without their main anchor – fourth worst in the league at 10.9% – managers can only hope that Gostisbehere won't be out for too much longer. Especially those who invested in other members of Carolina's top special teams unit.

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Other key injury notes from around the league:

Vancouver Canucks: Filip Hronek has been assigned to an AHL conditioning stint and it shouldn't be long before he rejoins his NHL club. Although the defender's unique fantasy value remains limited, he undoubtedly makes his club better; with Hronek in the lineup this season, the Canucks are 11-7-3 while averaging 3.19 goals per game, and without him they are 7-6-7 (2.85 per game). With Hronek back in action, I might give Conor Garland a fantasy whirl in deeper leagues. After a more impressive start, the top-six winger has slowed down of late, which speaks to his increased availability.

On the more pressing matter of the Canucks up front, Elias Pettersson is now likely looking ahead to a return to Carolina on Friday. The former 100-point player was out just before Christmas on a game-time decision but did not play ahead of Wednesday's loss to the Capitals. Whether he's traded, or perceived opponent JT Miller is dealt, or the two figure out how to co-exist as professional adults for on-ice success, Pettersson has yet to figure it out. If you think so, consider sending his fantasy managers a “buy low” trade offer. If they are frustrated enough, they may bite.

Between the pipes, Thatcher Demko again served as backup for Kevin Lankinen on Wednesday. To be completely honest, the back spasms bother me. With everything Demko has and continues to endure this year in terms of injuries, it's hard to remain optimistic. He is 2-1-3, with a 3.34 GAA and .881 SV%. Not great.

Columbus blue jackets: Considering that the Jackets' top line deserves a fair share of the credit for the team's recent success and current hold on a wild card spot, Sean Monahan's recent wrist injury feels all the more dire. Fortunately, Monahan is only expected to miss someand not a lot ofof time. Rocking and rolling between wingers Dmitri Voronkov and Kirill Marchenko, the veteran center is running at a point per game, including 14 total goals and nine of his 41 points coming with the extra skater. In the meantime, look for Adam Fantilli (13.5%) to replace Monahan on that blistering unit.

New York Rangers: If any team could use a dose of good news, it's Peter Laviolette's troubled group in New York. Hearing that Igor Shesterkin will start against New Jersey after completing a full practice on Wednesday should be a welcome boost. The same goes for the report that Chris Kreider is skating again. In the three games before suffering this latest upper-body injury, Kreider looked more like his productive self, scoring a pair of goals and an assist while logging more than 19 minutes per game. Whether he ends this season with the Rangers or ends up elsewhere, the power forward has a high fantasy ceiling as one of the game's more complete players.

Colorado avalanche: The Avs are in a bit of a mess again. With Scott Wedgewood labeled week-to-week (lower-body injury), Trent Miner made his first NHL start – Miner had had a relief outing earlier in November – losing 3-1 to a great Petr Mrazek and the Blackhawks on Wednesday. Since Colorado's crease belongs to Mackenzie Blackwood, the rookie's fantasy value seems limited to the odd outing before Wedgewood returns. The Avs have only two back-to-back sets scheduled before the Four Nations break, so other competitive options are more attractive.

Up front, Jonathan Drouin is expected back in the lineup against Minnesota on Thursday, while Valeri Nichushkin could make his healthy return this weekend. Nichushkin, available in more than half of ESPN Fantasy leagues, had four goals and two assists in the five games prior to his New Year's Eve injury.

Dallas stars: Winners of five straight, the Stars figure out how to make it work without Tyler Seguin (hip) and Mason Marchment (face), who remain on the shelf long-term and week-to-week, respectively. This is in no small part thanks to Matt Duchene and Evgenii Dadonov, who are both benefiting from roles in the Stars' reshuffled top six. While Duchene – three goals and five assists in five games – is less likely to be available, Dadonov – three goals and four assists in six games – should very well be. The veteran winger competes on a top unit with Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz and has averaged 2.0 fantasy points per game since Christmas.

Minnesota Wild: Fantasy managers have every right to appreciate the prudent wisdom and foresight that Kirill Kaprizov has shelved for as long as necessary, while still feeling a sense of frustration. The constant daily status is annoying. But we have little choice but to throw the Hart candidate on IR and remain patient… while checking Marco Rossi's availability. Rossi skates on a top power play and serves from his usual spot on the No. 1 line. He has three goals and six assists in six games, including two points with the extra skater.

We're still waiting for an update on Brock Faber after the defenseman left Tuesday's game against St. Louis with an upper-body injury. If this turns into something serious, fantasy managers would do well to find out who will ultimately serve in Faber's place on the Wild's top roster. With Jared Spurgeon also injured, blueliner Declan Chisholm is an option. God knows it's widely available across the ESPN Fantasy spectrum.

Ottawa Senators: We now know that Linus Ullmark, freshly labeled week-to-week, will be available for the foreseeable future. We also know that Ottawa's other netminders cannot be relied on consistently. So until/unless the Senators go for a more reliable body, look to others elsewhere for help replacing Ullmark. Like Darcy Kuemper from LA or Dustin Wolf of the Flames. San Jose's Yaroslav Askarov is calling on the deeper leagues.

See also:

• Winnipeg defenseman Josh Morrissey is alone on the list after suffering a lower-body injury against the Predators on Tuesday. Which, if accurate, serves as a big “phew.”

• After losing three games due to symptoms of illness, forward Patrik Laine is skating again. The Canadiens next play the Capitals on Friday.

• We don't expect to hear more about what's wrong with Steven Stamkos until Saturday's game against the Capitals. While the former Lightning captain hasn't exactly been a fantasy powerhouse for his new club in Nashville, he has provided more value over the past month.

• Evgeni Malkin could miss a game or two after sitting out the line rushes during practice on Wednesday. The Penguins host the Oilers on Thursday before hosting the Senators on Saturday.

• After sitting out three full games with a lower-body issue, Samuel Ersson could return to play for the Flyers in the coming days. If not against the Stars on Thursday, then maybe hosting the Ducks on Saturday. Ersson has served as a decent streamer in the spots this season.