Despite the fact that it's 30 degrees Centigrade today here in Toronto (the mid 80s for those of you who prefer Fahrenheit), our attention focuses squarely on how to help you fix your fantasy hockey team.
Every week, we'll mine the waiver wire for lesser-owned assets to help your squad, whether you favor dynasty or the redraft format -- and we'll also toss in some tips for DFS players out there. Categorized by position, the players are ranked in descending order by ownership percentage in ESPN leagues.
We'll also include some former go-to fantasy assets who may be overvalued -- in the short or long term -- for one reason or another.
Forwards
Alex Killorn, LW, Tampa Bay Lightning
Ownership percentage: 32.9
Competing on a scoring line with center Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov, Killorn is off to a quick start with two goals and one assist, including two power-play points. As long as the 27-year-old winger sticks in that slot, he'll remain on pace for a career-best campaign.
Mitch Marner, C/RW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Ownership percentage: 23.2
While Auston Matthews made Leafs fans swoon with his four-goal tour de force on opening night, Marner's play-making, six-shot performance caught the attention of admirers as well. In Saturday's follow-up against the Bruins, the 19-year-old added another four shots while scoring his first NHL goal. This kid has superstar potential for years to come. A must-own in dynasty leagues, Marner also merits attention in season-long and DFS play.
Andre Burakovsky, LW/RW, Washington Capitals
Ownership percentage: 21.1
Since Capitals management claims they're demanding a lot of Burakovsky this season, perhaps we should inflate our own expectations. Flanking center Nicklas Backstrom on the second line, and Evgeni Kuznetsov with the man advantage, the 21-year-old is in superb position to break out in his third season.
Lee Stempniak, RW, Carolina Hurricanes
Ownership percentage: 16.3
We're well familiar with this routine by now. Joining his seventh club in three seasons, the NHL's "here for a good time, not a long time" player is once again making a positive impression straight out of the tunnel. Competing on a line with Jeff Skinner and Victor Rask, Stempniak already has a goal and two assists -- including a point with the man advantage -- though two games. Outside of a crummy campaign with the Rangers in 2014-15, the veteran forward has been altogether productive in his recent tour around the league.
Jonathan Marchessault, C/LW, Florida Panthers
Ownership percentage: 15.9
With Jonathan Huberdeau (Achilles tendon) on injured reserve for the foreseeable future, another Jonathan in Florida ascends to the plum left-wing position aside Aleksander Barkov and Jaromir Jagr. Two goals and two assists through two games helps secure Marchessault's gig for the time being.
Zack Smith, C/LW, Ottawa Senators
Ownership percentage: 12.9
Skating on a line with new center Derick Brassard and fellow winger Bobby Ryan, Smith is in excellent position to add to last season's total of 25 goals and 11 assists. But be sure to squeeze the orange before he falls out of the top six; his value will plummet should that happen.
Brandon Sutter, C, Vancouver Canucks
Ownership percentage: 3.2
The Sedins and Lou Eriksson can't be asked to do it all on offense for the Canucks this campaign, right? For their part, Vancouver's management is banking on significant secondary scoring from their new second-line center. Through a couple of early contests, Sutter has offered a tangible whiff of hope, with an overtime goal and assist.
Josh Bailey, LW/RW, New York Islanders
Ownership percentage: 2.5
First, a since-exiled P.A. Parenteau was favored for the role, then veteran Jason Chimera was given a short-lived shot, and now we find Bailey on the Isles' top scoring line with John Tavares and Andrew Ladd. Third choice is a charm? The former first-round draft selection (2008) hasn't disappointed thus far.
Tyler Motte, C/LW, Chicago Blackhawks
Ownership percentage: 0.9
Three games into his NHL career, Motte is getting a taste of top-six action with one of the uppermost scoring teams in the league. So far, the 21-year-old has two assists to show for his efforts. However long this audition lasts, the former University of Michigan standout is also intriguing as a low-cost asset in DFS play.
Defensemen
Nathan Beaulieu, Montreal Canadiens
Ownership percentage: 21.0
With promising prospects like Mikhail Sergachev rising in the ranks, Beaulieu appears to be leading the charge of the youth brigade on Montreal's blue line. The 23-year-old opens this season as top-pair partner to the inimitable Shea Weber, while seeing significant minutes with the extra skater. We can smell the breakout performance from here.
Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
Ownership percentage: 14.1
Werenski -- not Seth Jones -- is getting the lion's share of quality power-play minutes to start this season. The 19-year-old already has a goal with the extra skater as well as an even-strength assist.
Dan Hamhuis, Dallas Stars
Ownership percentage: 3.8
Entering "Phase 3" of his admirable pro career following successive stints with the Predators and Canucks, Hamhuis could be in for a productive renaissance in 2016-17. The Stars are going to score a lot of goals this season, just like last season when they lead the league with 3.23 per game. Auspiciously, as a top-pairing and secondary power-play member, the 33-year-old blueliner currently sits only (a distant, admittedly) second to John Klingberg on the club's fantasy depth chart.
Goaltenders
Andrei Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay Lightning
Ownership percentage: 19.5
The heir apparent to No. 1 Ben Bishop, Vasilevskiy is poised to take over the go-to starter's role if the former is traded this season (or if the club doesn't re-sign him this upcoming offseason). It may be worth your while to invest in the 22-year-old before that roster decision transpires, as this train is headed in one direction.
Al Montoya, Montreal Canadiens
Ownership percentage: 13.3
Good for another spot start -- at least -- in place of a flu-addled Carey Price, Montoya is an especially attractive commodity in DFS. The experienced netminder has been solid through two appearances for the Habs in early play.
Chad Johnson, Calgary Flames
Ownership percentage: 2.9
In the infant stages of 2016-17, new Flame Brian Elliott has floundered, while Chad Johnson has not. While the latter is slated to compete again Tuesday versus the Sabres, a second-straight impressive effort from the designated backup could also earn him Thursday's start against the Hurricanes. Interesting stuff for fantasy owners in general, but DFS players should pay extra close attention here, as Johnson is still being priced at a discount.
Lowered expectations
Patrick Marleau, LW, San Jose Sharks
Ownership percentage: 74.1
You can blame San Jose import Mikkel Boedker for Marleau's demotion to the Sharks' third line. As it stands, the Danish speedster is competing on the left side of Logan Couture, relegating Marleau to Chris Tierney's wing. On the upside, the 37-year-old is still seeing minutes with the club's No. 1 power play, but expectations have been lowered.
Craig Smith, RW, Nashville Predators
Ownership percentage: 64.3
The third-line pairing of Smith and veteran center Mike Ribeiro doesn't excite us much. Unless he claws his way back into the top six, the 27-year-old's productive decline -- humming through three seasons now -- is ripe to continue.
Bryan Little, C, Winnipeg Jets
Ownership percentage: 41.3
Little has been ruled out for weeks with a lower-body injury. It's a tough break for the former top-line center who missed nearly a third of 2015-16 with injury. While Mark Scheifele centers the top scoring unit, Mathieu Perreault slides into the second-line slot between Nikolaj Ehlers and Drew Stafford.