Posted - 09/16/2025 : 12:54:30 Hello everyone and welcome to the latest edition of Eastern Edge! I'm Eli Feldman.
In multi-cat leagues, dedicated managers know that point production doesn't paint the full picture. While it's easy to get caught up in goals, assists, and power-play points, players capable of combining offensive production with elite peripherals (i.e., hits, blocks, and penalty minutes) are the most valuable.
This week's spotlight is on five Eastern Conference skaters who embody that sacred blend of skill and snarl. Each player brings a unique style, but all offer the kind of all-around contributions that tilt weekly matchups, even if they don't find the back of the net.
(Statistics courtesy of Frozen Tools and MoneyPuck.com)
Moritz Seider, D, Detroit Red Wings
Few young defensemen have made as immediate an impact in the NHL as Moritz Seider. Since breaking into the league in 2021-2022, the Wings have leaned on Motown Seider in every situation, and he's responded with the poise of a seasoned vet. He logs heavy minutes against top competition, matching up with opposing stars while driving play the other way.
Seider's offensive game is as steady as they come, having recorded between 42 and 50 points in each of his four NHL seasons thus far. What makes him truly indispensable, however, is the edge with which he plays. Mo closes gaps with authority, never shying away from contact. His 212 hits ranked fifth among defensemen last season, and his 181 blocks ranked seventh.
Anchoring the Red Wings' backend, Seider's stellar blend of minutes, offense, and grit is pure gold in banger leagues.
Brady Tkachuk, C/LW, Ottawa Senators
If there is a face of the modern multi-cat stud, it is Brady Tkachuk. Ottawa's captain blends dynamic offensive skill with an old-school mean streak. He spends entire shifts in the blue paint, utilizing his 6'3" frame to screen goalies and win battles for loose pucks. The result of Tkachuk's tenacity is a steady stream of points, including his 57 (29 goals, 26 assists) last season, together with a whopping 296 shots on goal.
Along with sustained offensive production, Tkachuk is equally valuable for what he brings away from the score sheet. His 228 hits in 2024-2025 placed him in the top 20 leaguewide, and his 123 penalty minutes ranked fourth overall. Brady also ranked second overall in penalties drawn last season with 46, offering fantasy managers another indirect boost by routinely sending Ottawa to the powerplay.
Few players combine heart-and-soul leadership with such consistent category coverage. Indeed, Brady Tkachuk inflicts damage – with or without the puck.
Tom Wilson, RW, Washington Capitals
Even on the wrong side of 30, Tom Wilson remains fantasy hockey's power forward prototype. Despite fluctuations in his offence – his single-season point outputs range from 10 to 65 – Wilson retains value through sheer physicality. Wilson's 233 hits last season also placed him in the top 20 leaguewide, and he's never shy to stir it up after the whistle, evidenced by his 100 penalty minutes (ninth overall).
Fantasy hockey skeptics point to Wilson's lengthy disciplinary history as a basis to avoid investing in his services. While suspensions have occasionally interrupted his availability, it's important to recognize that Wilson's edge is what makes him so effective. He creates space for teammates, forces defenders into mistakes, and is capable of slotting in anywhere in Washington's lineup.
With the Capitals integrating younger talent, Wilson's combination of toughness and opportunistic scoring keeps him a fixture on powerplay units and in fantasy lineups alike. While Wilson may be a risk to miss games, fantasy hockey involves living and dying by the sword. And when it comes to banger leagues, there's arguably no better sword than Tom Wilson.
Will Cuylle, LW/RW, New York Rangers
Cuylle is a relatively new name in fantasy hockey circles, but he fits the Eastern Edge profile perfectly. As a rookie, Cuylle carved out a role through relentless forechecking and punishing hits, finishing with 249. Cuylle stepped up his physical game as a sophomore, registering an eye-popping 301 hits last season (fourth overall).
Cuylle's physical presence earned him trust from the Rangers' coaching staff, which translated into more ice time to show his scoring touch. Cuylle made the most of his opportunities, more than doubling his rookie point total (21) with a 45-point output in 2024-2025.
Cuylle is already a force in multi-category leagues because his peripherals provide a strong floor. However, provided his offensive game continues to improve, it won't be long until Will the Thrill becomes a household name in fantasy hockey.
Charlie McAvoy, D, Boston Bruins
Charlie McAvoy is often celebrated as a smooth skating rearguard with elite defensive instincts, but fantasy managers know his value extends well beyond shutdown duties. Boston deploys him in every key situation – from penalty kills to power plays and late-game leads – and he consistently answers the bell.
Unfortunately, McAvoy's 2024-2025 season ended abruptly after suffering a devastating injury to his right shoulder at the 4 Nations Face-Off, which in turn developed a dangerous staph infection that forced him into surgery. Although McAvoy recorded a career-low 28 points before going down, where he really shines is his willingness to engage physically, using his strong frame to separate opponents from the puck and protect his goaltender.
Interestingly, since recording 133 hits in his 2017-2018 rookie campaign, McAvoy has alternated between double-digit and 130+ hit totals each season. McAvoy recorded just 89 hits during last season's injury-shortened campaign. Only time will tell if yet another 130+ hit season is on the horizon.
With top-pair pedigree and a mean streak to boot, the B's Charlie McAvoy deserves a straight A in multi-cat leagues.
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That's all for this week! For more fantasy hockey content and analysis, follow me on X @SmoothE27 and DM me with any questions about your team.
Stay tuned for the next edition of Eastern Edge on Tuesday, September 23. Have a great week everyone!
