NHL Stock Watch: Jaden Schwartz clicking, Shayne Gostisbehere sitting

UPGRADE

Jaden Schwartz, LW, Blues: I’d be more excited if he were on the Vladimir Tarasenko line, and the Blues are always going to be a team that spreads power-play time around, to the detriment of any specific fantasy asset. Nonetheless, Schwartz pushes his way on this list with a 5-1-6 run over his last six games. A slow start was to be expected after an elbow problem in training camp — and last year’s busted ankle — but Schwartz has scored as many as 63 points in a season, has a first-round pedigree, and is still just 24. Last year’s injury mess provided a handy discount this time around.

Connor Hellebuyck, G, Jets: Winnipeg’s an up-tempo team that will leave the goalie on an island now and again, so you have to be realistic about what percentages you expect from the netminders. That said, Hellebuycyk has emerged from a crowded crease and taken the No. 1 job, starting six times in seven games and rattling off four straight wins at one point. Hellebuyck’s best fantasy value comes in head-to-head formats, where chasing the win is more important than the overall ratio categories.

Nazem Kadri, C, Maple Leafs: I can understand if you’re not completely on board with his 7-6-13 start; his shot rate has dipped while his shooting percentage has almost tripled. But Kadri is getting the equivalent of first-unit power-play run, which somewhat offsets his third-line status. We’re chasing a little bit of pedigree as well — he was the seventh overall pick in his draft class. Kari figures to sail past his career-high of 20 goals.

Cam Atkinson, RW, Blue Jackets: Perhaps we’re going to have a standing Columbus upgrade in this column; last week, we talked about sizzling rookie defenseman Zach Werenski (who’s continued to set the league on fire). The Jackets are clicking around 30 percent on the power play, with Atkinson (eight power-play points) a key part of the first unit. He’s on pace for a career-high in shots, and he’s managed to raise his goal total in each of the last three seasons. Atkinson might be ready to climb past 60 points.

DOWNGRADE

Shayne Gostisbehere, D, Flyers: There’s not much wrong with his offensive game (3-7-10 is fine for a blueliner through 17 games), and Philly has the second-best power play in the league. But with Ghost minus-4 and struggling with giveaways — and the Flyers holding the worst goals-against in the league — Thursday’s healthy scratch starts to make sense. Ghost’s ice time was also on the decrease in the week or so before the benching, though he’s too handy on the PP to keep him off that unit for long.

Patrice Bergeron, C, Bruins: If you’re going to play for Claude Julien, you better be well-rounded — especially on the front line. No one embodies this more than Bergeron, a team-first guy who’s always one of the Selke front-runners, in addition to a reliable scorer. Alas, Bergeron’s current season started with a pesky lower-body injury (while linemates Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak hit the ice running), and since returning he’s had five- and six-game scoreless streaks. Boston’s won four of the last six games anyway, so no major shake-up is likely to follow. Pastrnak is also battling an undisclosed injury, which pushed grinder Riley Nash onto the first line Thursday. Bottom line, we have to accept that Bergeron is always going to be a better real-life player than a fantasy one.

Joe Thornton, C, Sharks: Thornton’s always been a reluctant shooter, and this year it’s just about a complete stop — he’s only fired 14 biscuits at the goal over 17 games. He’s also been on his best behavior off the puck; a mere four penalty minutes. You’re going to get around 50 assists by the end of the year, but what else can Thornton offer fantasy owners at this stage of his career? Don’t get tripped up by a name brand.

HOLDING STEADY

Nathan MacKinnon, C/RW, Avalanche: A 3-7-10 line with a minus-2 rating isn’t what we’d want to see at this point in the season from a forward this talented, but I’m going to follow the opportunity. MacKinnon has 31 shots in his last six games — including 10 in the win over the Kings — and he scooped up two points in the Thursday loss at Dallas. Eventually some of those shots are going to find the back of the cage. Not a bad time to kick around a buy-low offer.