The Wire Troll: Cam Ward Finds New Life in the Windy City

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Ferland has shown steady improvement in each season he’s played and now that he’s in Carolina, he looks even better early on. He’s been one of the hottest forwards in the NHL through the first three days of play, scoring once, setting up another and recording a +2 with five hits. On Friday, Ferland led the team with six shots and pitched in with two hits and a block. Last season, he doubled his assist total to 20, and we could see him getting even more this season considering his boost in PT. Part of the huge draft day trade from Calgary, Ferland is about to enter his prime and should get a bigger opportunity with the Canes, so we’re expecting him to build on his breakout season.

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2017-18 NHL Wire Troll All-Star Team

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He probably wasn’t thrilled about how the season ended, but Brown sure reached into Fountain of Youth and came up with a fantastic campaign. After looking like a Fantasy non-factor for the last four seasons, he put together a 61-point effort for a new career best. Brown remains a tough as nails competitor, too, one whom you don’t want to keep your head down when you’re playing against.

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The Wire Troll: Alex Lyon Saves Philly’s Bacon

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Beauvillier was on fire in January before slumping in recent weeks. However, he potted two goals on Thursday and given his seeming propensity for scoring goals in bunches, it may be time to jump on him again. Beauvillier has already surpassed his shot total from all of last season, and with seven combined shots over the last three, it’s clear he’s again getting his chances. He also picked up an assist Thursday, playing 16:24 — his most action in a week.

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The Wire Troll: Nick Bjugstad on Fire in Florida

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Playing on the top line with Panthers, who are red hot, has helped Bjugstad turn it on of late. He’s recorded points in every game so far this month, scoring four goals (all in the last two) and four assists with a whopping +10 rating. Bjugstad started ramping up his play in February, matching his season high with nine points, but he’s taken that to a whole new level this month, making him a must grab player. He’s already surpassed his game total from last season and looks poised to set a new career high in points. Bjugstad has ripped 11 shots on goal over the last two games, but his ice time has fluctuated. If he can regularly start seeing over 19 minutes of action as he did Tuesday (albeit, in an overtime game), he’ll really take off. It’s clear that Bjugstad is starting to use his massive frame (6’6″, 218) — especially large for a centre — to his advantage.

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The Wire Troll: Ondrej Kase on the Rise in Anaheim

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In his return to the lineup Friday after missing over two weeks, Rutta wasted little time making an impact, scoring one goal and adding an assist while going +2. His penalty minute total has dipped each month, but he’s enjoying a very fine rookie campaign and a few more games like Friday will take him out of the minus (he’s currently -5). An UFA this summer, Rutta has plenty of incentive to finish strong, so if you need a blueliner, give him a look.

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The Wire Troll: Ryan Spooner Boiling Up in Boston

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Virtanen hasn’t yet done anything with these extra minutes, but an increased role does represent an opportunity, and that’s worth tracking at the very least. For what it’s worth, he enjoyed his highest shooting percentage of the season last month and has had a decent bounce back effort after spending most of last season in the minors. Keep in mind, Virtanen was the sixth overall pick in 2014, but we’re going to need to see improvement in his +/- before he begins to be a real Fantasy asset. If he can remain healthy and start doing something with this opportunity, perhaps we’ll finally get a chance to see why he was picked so high. We’ll be monitoring this kid closely in the second half.

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