Jordan Staal is a veteran on the Hurricanes’ third-line but do not be discouraged by his age or line assignment. The 32-year old Center earns additional minutes on the ice by playing LW on Carolina’s top power-play unit and has generated four assists and a goal across his last three games played. Staal scored four goals in three consecutive games in mid-February, which highlights his ability to find the back of the net when given clean looks in the offensive zone. He recently enjoyed a two-assist game against Nashville Predators G Pekka Rinne, who is projected to be the netminder yet again on Tuesday night, making Staal a great value play in fantasy lineups as he plays for one of the hottest teams in the league right now.
F Josh Bailey ($5 million through 2023-24)
F Jordan Eberle ($5.5 million through 2023-24)
F Anders Lee ($7 million through 2025-26)
F Jean-Gabriel Pageau ($5 million through 2025-26)
F Brock Nelson ($6 million through 2024-25)
Lee’s deal already feels a bit on the high side for a player who has surpassed the 30-goal mark only twice in his career and is someone who typically slots in at around 50 points per season. He’s their captain and plays an important role, but the final couple of years may be rough; such is life with quite a few long-term UFA contracts, however. Nelson quietly had the best offensive output of his career despite the season being shortened, which has to be encouraging. It’s still early, but so far, so good in terms of living up to the higher-priced deal. Eberle had a good bounce-back year last season with a good showing in the playoffs, but his contract is also a little overpriced for his recent production.