This week, Florida Panther blueliner Niko Mikkola is $5K poorer after nearly decapitating a Canadien defenseman with this douche move; still in Florida, the team is optimistic that Matthew Tkackuk (LBI) will return in the first round of the playoffs; and Washington has signed its top prospect, Ryan Leonard, to an ELC. Some other Fantasy hockey related stories we’re tracking include…

Rasmus Andersson Ties Career High

In 2021-22, the Calgary Flames enjoyed their finest season since the late-’80s, racking up 50 wins before making it to the second round of the playoffs. Unfortunately, they haven’t returned to the postseason since, and this season – despite a nice recent run in which they generally outplayed their opponents — their chances of a playoff spot are dwindling quickly.

In Tuesday’s loss to Utah, Calgary blueliner Rasmus Andersson potted the team’s only goal, a marker which matched his career at 11 tallies.

When his scooter’s not getting hit by a car, he’s been a tremendous producer, although his offense has slowly regressed since posting a career-high 50 points in 2021-22. Still, Anderson has five points in the last six, so while this season has been somewhat disappointing with just 29 points through 74 games, he’s finishing strong.

He got off to a blazing start this season, potting four goals and six helpers through the first 10 games, but it took him 48 games over four months to get his next 11 points.

A second round pick in 2015, Andersson has developed into a must-own Fantasy asset. He’s not huge, but is big and strong enough to win his share of 50-50 battles even when going up against larger opponents. Oh, and he knows how to talk trash as well (see video below).

Sebastian Aho Heating Up

Since recording 80 points in 56 games in the Covid-shortened 2021-21 season, the Carolina Hurricanes have slowly regressed in each campaign, although they’ve remained a force in the playoffs, going to the second round twice and the conference finals once.

At this stage of the season, the Canes are pretty much locked into second place in the Metro division, but are peaking at the right time as the hottest team in the conference with the playoffs around the corner.

Centre Sebastian Aho shook off a mini slump with a goal Friday before adding another tally with a pair of assists on Sunday. The last time we checked in on him he was on pace for a career season, but he slowed down over the final three months, recording just 22 points over the final 32 games in 2022-23.

Despite seeing more ice time than ever, Aho is not scoring goals at the same pace as the last three seasons (managing just four on the man advantage has hurt), yet he’s still flirting with a sixth straight 30-goal effort (if you don’t count the shortened season).

The most amazing part? He’s just 27 but is already sitting in third place in Carolina history for career goals, now 40 back of Eric Staal, who Aho will likely pass early in the 2026-27 season, if not before.

More good news? With 11 shots over the last three games, Aho is getting the puck on net with greater frequency than usual lately, and that’s something to consider if you think he might have more shots on goal than anyone else in the NHL across Wednesday’s five-game slate (he’s listed at +3400 to do so on FanDuel).

Waiver Wire Pick of the Week

Brennan Othmann, LW, New York Rangers (ESPN: 0.1 per cent; CBS: 6 per cent): Othmann was quiet after his promotion to the Rangers in late-February, but has recently been deployed on the top line with Artem Panarin and Vincent Trocheck. That’s a recipe for success and with two assists over the last four games, Othmann is taking advantage. These are the prospect’s first NHL points through 19 games (including three last season), and we’re hoping the goals start to follow. Small sample size alert, but Othmann is at 51.05 shots for percentage and 75 per cent goals for percentage, and while the latter figure is luck-driven (xGF 49.56), it’s still impressive for his first extended look. Give him a look in deeper formats.

RotoRob Tune of the Day

Born Stevland Hardaway Morris, the world knows him better as Stevie Wonder. In 1972, he released his 15th album, Talking Book, and the second single was “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” his third No. 1 hit.