This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
Around the Rink
The Edmonton Oilers announced on Friday that left-winger David Perron had been traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for centre Rob Klinkhammer and a 2015 first-round pick.
Perron is expected to slot in on Pittsburgh's first or second line, with his potential centers being Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Currently owned in only 21 percent of ESPN leagues, Perron's fantasy value will rise significantly with the Penguins. Considering he managed 28 goals and 57 points with the Oilers in 2013-14, the 26-year-old could rise to new heights with Pittsburgh.
With forwards Patric Hornqvist, Blake Comeau and Pascal Dupuis on injured reserve, the Penguins have been in desperate need of help on the right wing. Perron will join a potent offense that is averaging 3.03 goals-per-game – third most in the NHL. The Penguins appear a great fit for Perron, who goes from the worst team in the Western Conference to the best team in the Eastern Conference.
While Perron has struggled this season, as have all the Oilers, the top-six forward ended his time with Edmonton on a high note, picking up two assists in Wednesday's game against Calgary. While he only has five goals (19 points) in 38 games, Perron is only one year removed from his breakout offensive season.
Perron was a fantasy asset last season, almost cracking the 30-goal mark, dishing out 116 hits, and firing 221 shots on goal. While he only has five goals this season, it won't take long for him to rediscover his scoring touch in Pittsburgh. Don't wait to see him in action, grab him before he even hits the ice with his new teammates. The two-time 50-point-getter is worth adding in almost all formats.
Here's what you need to know for Saturday's NHL action.
Projected Goalie Starters (all times Eastern)
Senators (Craig Anderson*) at Bruins (Tuukka Rask), 1:00
Predators (Pekka Rinne) at Kings (Jonathan Quick), 4:00
Leafs (Jonathan Bernier) at Jets (Michael Hutchinson), 7:00
Canadiens (Carey Price) at Penguins (Marc-Andre Fluery), 7:00
Sabres (Jhonas Enroth) at Rangers (Henrik Lundqvist), 7:00
Flyers (Steve Mason) at Devils (Cory Schneider), 7:00
Wild (Darcy Kuemper) at Stars (Kari Lehtonen), 7:00
Blue Jackets (Sergei Bobrovsky) at Coyotes (Devan Dubnyk), 10:00
Red Wings (Jimmy Howard) at Canucks (Ryan Miller), 10:00
Blues (Brian Elliott) at Sharks (Antti Niemi), 10:00
*Confirmed Starters
For updates on the projected goalies later in the day, check out our Projected Goalies Grid.
Injury News For Teams Playing Saturday
Bruins
Adam McQuaid, D (thumb) -- Practiced fully with the Bruins on Thursday and appears close to returning to action.
Sabres
Rasmus Ristolainen, D (illness) -- Practiced Thursday.
Tyler Myers, D (lower body) – Skated with the Sabres during Friday's morning session.
Blackhawks
Kris Versteeg, RW (hand) -- The Blackhawks will not fully evaluate Versteeg until retuning to Chicago on Friday, but head coach Joel Quenneville said following Thursday's game that Versteeg "could be out a bit."
Blue Jackets
Artem Anisimov, C (triceps) -- Has resumed light skating.
Cam Atkinson, RW (upper body) -- Was a participant in Friday's practice.
Brian Gibbons, C (knee) -- Skated on his own after Tuesday's practice ended.
Mark Letestu, C (groin) -- May be available for a Jan. 9 game in Toronto.
Stars
Shawn Horcoff, C (illness) -- Remained absent from Friday's practice.
Red Wings
Jakub Kindl, D (elbow) -- Was back practicing Friday.
Jonas Gustavsson, G (shoulder) -- Practiced with the team Tuesday.
Kings
Robyn Regehr, D, (hand) -- Coach Darryl Sutter said Friday that Regehr (hand) is still "at least a week away" from a return.
Wild
Niklas Backstrom, G (flu) –Reported improvement Tuesday and is ready to resume practicing.
Jason Zucker, LW, (illness) -- Will not play Friday against the Maple Leafs.
Brett Sutter, C (illness) -- Will miss Friday's game against the Maple Leafs with an illness.
Canadiens
P.A. Parenteau, RW, (undisclosed) – Left Friday's game against the Devils with an undisclosed injury.
Predators
Taylor Beck, RW, (illness) -- Will miss the Predators' upcoming road trip due to illness.
Matt Cullen, LW (upper body) -- Has been placed on injured reserve.
Devils
Peter Harrold, D -- Left Friday's game against the Canadiens with an undisclosed injury and did not return.
Steve Bernier, RW (hip) -- Will not return to action Friday against the Canadiens.
Stephen Gionta, LW (broken hand) -- Has been placed on injured reserve.
Jacob Josefson, C (illness) -- Has been placed on injured reserve.
Senators
Marc Methot, D (back) – Will report to AHL Binghamton on Friday to begin a conditioning assignment.
Chris Neil, RW (knee) -- Is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks.
Matt Borowiecki, D (leg) -- Will remain in a walking boot for the next week.
Flyers
Claude Giroux, C (leg) -- Is probable for Saturday's game against the Devils after leaving Friday's with a leg injury.
Zac Rinaldo, LW (upper body) – Missed his sixth straight game Friday against the Hurricanes.
Kimmo Timonen, D, (blood clots in leg) -- Will have a CT scan at some point in mid-January.
Penguins
Paul Martin, D (undisclosed) -- Did not practice Thursday.
Olli Maatta, D (upper body) -- Was skating prior to Tuesday's practice.
Blake Comeau, LW (wrist) -- Coach Mike Johnson said Tuesday that Comeau would miss several weeks with a suspected wrist injury.
Sharks
Joe Thornton, C (shoulder) -- Coach Todd McLellan said Friday that Thornton (shoulder) is probable to play in Saturday's game against the Blues.
Blues
Jaden Schwartz, RW (foot) – Could return to the St. Louis lineup Saturday against San Jose.
Chris Porter, RW (lower body) -- Was placed on injured reserve Tuesday morning.
Leafs
Nazem Kadri, C (undisclosed) -- Will miss the next seven to 10 days.
Peter Holland, C (upper body) -- Is considered week-to-week right now.
Joffrey Lupul, RW (lower body) -- Will miss four weeks after being placed on the injured reserve earlier this week.
Richard Panik, RW (head) -- Was able to get in a light skate Tuesday.
Canucks
Zack Kassian, RW (finger) – Day-to-day.
Hot
Ondrej Palat, LW, TBL – Palat picked up another two assists Friday, giving him 10 points (one goal) in his past five games. With 29 points (nine goals) in 36 games, Palat is on track for a 20-goal, 60-point season. What's also impressive about the 23-year-old is his plus-22 rating, which is third-best in the NHL. Currently skating on a line with Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov, there is no reason Palat can't keep producing. With the Bolts sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference, Palat -- who averages 2:07 of power-play time – should be owned in almost all leagues.
Derek Stepan, C, NYR – Stepan has recorded three goals and 11 points in his last seven games, giving him 25 points in 23 games on the season. Only owned in 64 percent of ESPN leagues, Stepan is one of the most underrated fantasy options out there. He has only been held off the scoresheet eight times and has recorded three points on three separate occasions. In his most recent game Wednesday vs. Florida, Stepan picked up a trio of assists, making him only the eighth player this season to record three assists in two separate outings. Victor Hedman and Sidney Crosby lead that category, having dished out three assists three times this season. With the Rangers having won nine of their last 10 games, their second-line center is a must-own in almost all formats.
Cold
Patrick Marleau, LW, SJS -- While Marleau has 27 points (seven goals) in 38 games, he has currently gone eight straight games without a point. The second-line forward is in the midst of a major slump, but that doesn't mean you should give up on him. The Sharks have scored just seven goals in their past four games, with linemate Logan Couture recently going through a three-game scoreless drought. With the Sharks having been up-and-down throughout the season, Marleau has gone through numerous dry spells. He has gone through a five-game scoring drought and a three-game scoring drought in addition to this recent slump. The 35-year-old is getting his opportunities, though, as his 115 shots on goal are 25th most in the NHL. His age may be starting to show, but he will come around soon. Expectations should be lowered, but that doesn't mean Marleau can't still net 20 goals and 60 points. If you're looking to sell a player, now would be a great time to try and deal for Marleau.
Matt Niskanen, D, WSH – It's now been nine straight games without a point for Niskanen, who has been a fantasy disappointment in Washington after posting 10 goals and 46 points in his last season with Pittsburgh. He has managed just 12 points (two goals) in 37 games, putting him on pace for 25 points. Owned in 37 percent of ESPN leagues, Niskanen hasn't delivered for fantasy owners hoping the 28-year-old would continue his success from 2013-14. Averaging 22:25 of ice time, Niskanen just isn't the same player without the likes of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and James Neal up front. While he does have Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom up front, Niskanen has assisted on just one Ovechkin goal this season. His second-unit power-play role is a problem, as it's limiting Niskanen to just 1:22 of man advantage time per game. In 2013-14, the blueliner was averaging 3:33 on the power play with Pittsburgh. Lower your expectations for Niskanen this season, as John Carlson and Mike Green are the offensive kingpins on the blueline in Washington.
Recommended Pickup
Colin Wilson, LW, NSH – Owned in just 17 percent of ESPN leagues, Wilson is an underrated fantasy gem who could be a nice addition in some deep leagues. Skating on Nashville's second line, Wilson has collected four goals and seven points in his past five games. The 25-year-old is in the midst of a breakout season, tallying 20 points (10 goals) in 34 games, to go with a plus-13 rating. The predators currently sit third in the Western Conference, with secondary scorers like Wilson a prime reason for their success. It's very possible Wilson nets 25-goals and 50-points for the first time in his career this season. Give him a look.
