Each day during the 2015-16 season, NHL.com's fantasy staff will identify one player at each position worth owning in DraftKings daily fantasy hockey contests. Based on factors including but not limited to matchups, line combinations, power-play usage, statistical coverage and recent production, we'll provide you with lower-priced options that can help you build a winning lineup.

Evgeny Kuznetsov, C, Metropolitan Division

DraftKings price: $5,200

Kuznetsov is arguably the best DraftKings value pick for the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game, considering he is tied for fifth in the League in points (49 in 47 games) and is tied for third-cheapest at his position (T-9th out of 12 centers) after being named a replacement this week. Kuznetsov, one of the most skilled young skaters in the League, has two overtime goals this season and is extremely dangerous with so much open ice in the 3-on-3 format.

Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson has missed a month (12 games) because of a lower-body injury, but can still challenge his career-high in points with a maximum of 36 games remaining.

Carlson (96 percent owned in Yahoo), who had a personal-best 55 points in 82 games last season and was on pace for even more this season prior to injury, is considered probable for the well-rested Capitals against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN). Washington has not played since Jan. 19 because of two snowstorm-related postponements last weekend.

Carlson is on pace for 55 points and 177 shots on goal if he plays 70 games.

Each day during the 2015-16 season, NHL.com's fantasy staff will identify one player at each position worth owning in DraftKings daily fantasy hockey contests. Based on factors including but not limited to matchups, line combinations, power-play usage, statistical coverage and recent production, we'll provide you with lower-priced options that can help you build a winning lineup.

Tyler Johnson, C, Tampa Bay Lightning

DraftKings price: $4,800

We still have not seen Johnson's best, but it should only be a matter of time before his production spikes as he continues to center Nikita Kucherov, who has the second-most home points in the League since Dec. 1 (18 in 12 games). The Maple Leafs will be on short rest and have Jonathan Bernier in net, who has allowed 10 goals in his past two starts.

It has only taken a few games with the Pittsburgh Penguins for forward Carl Hagelin to become fantasy relevant.

Hagelin, 18 percent owned and counting in Yahoo leagues, had an assist in the third period of the Penguins' comeback win against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, his third point in four games since being acquired from the Anaheim Ducks.

Each day during the 2015-16 season, NHL.com's fantasy staff will identify one player at each position worth owning in DraftKings daily fantasy hockey contests. Based on factors including but not limited to matchups, line combinations, power-play usage, statistical coverage and recent production, we'll provide you with lower-priced options that can help you build a winning lineup.

NOTE: These picks do not include the following Saturday games: Vancouver Canucks at Pittsburgh Penguins (12:30 p.m. ET), Minnesota Wild at San Jose Sharks (4 p.m. ET) and Philadelphia Flyers at New York Islanders (postponed because of severe snowstorm).

Each day during the 2015-16 season, NHL.com's fantasy staff will identify one player at each position worth owning in DraftKings daily fantasy hockey contests. Based on factors including but not limited to matchups, line combinations, power-play usage, statistical coverage and recent production, we'll provide you with lower-priced options that can help you build a winning lineup.

Ryan Strome, C, New York Islanders

DraftKings price: $4,000

Strome was moved to a line with John Tavares ($7,700) three games ago and the results have been strong for the preseason breakout candidate. He has two goals and 11 shots on goal in that span, and his shot volume in his past 10 games (2.3 per game) is a step up from his season average (1.8). The 22-year-old had 50 points in 2014-15 but was demoted to the American Hockey League earlier in the season. He's been quiet on the road (three points in 15 games), but he has a chance to bust out alongside Tavares against the Ottawa Senators, who are on the second of a back-to-back after allowing six goals in a loss to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.

Defenseman Erik Johnson is expected to return to the Colorado Avalanche lineup Saturday against the Dallas Stars, and his well-rounded game should bring depth to his team and fantasy owners.

The Avalanche have turned their season around and are currently clinging to Stanley Cup Playoff position entering their back-to-back set against the St. Louis Blues at home Friday and the Stars on the road Saturday. Colorado's defense relies heavily on Johnson, Francois Beauchemin and Tyson Barrie, so Johnson's return takes some of the even-strength burden off the other two, giving the Avalanche added reinforcement as they strive for more consistency.

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad is expected to return Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks after missing four games because of an upper-body injury. He should promptly be inserted back into your year-long Yahoo lineups, especially considering Chicago will be on the second of a back-to-back set.

Ekblad (89 percent owned in Yahoo) is Florida's top defenseman and one of the most valuable keeper-league assets at his position. The 19-year-old is tied with Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings, Colton Parayko of the St. Louis Blues and Olli Maatta of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the NHL lead in plus/minus among defensemen (plus-17).

Each day during the 2015-16 season, NHL.com's fantasy staff will identify one player at each position worth owning in DraftKings daily fantasy hockey contests. Based on factors including but not limited to matchups, line combinations, power-play usage, statistical coverage and recent production, we'll provide you with lower-priced options that can help you build a winning lineup.

Vladislav Namestnikov, C, Tampa Bay Lightning

DraftKings price: $3,800

The Lightning finally have some stability and production in their top-six forward group, with their top line of Steven Stamkos ($7,500), Ondrej Palat ($4,200) and Namestnikov leading the charge. Namestnikov has 25 points in 46 games this season but is tied for third in the NHL in points since Jan. 8 (10 in six games). He has four multipoint outings to go along with 11 shots on goal and four blocked shots in that span.

Forward Jaden Schwartz was a huge component of the St. Louis Blues offense in the previous two seasons. His return will make a deep arsenal even deeper, with fantasy implications galore.

Schwartz practiced Wednesday for the first time since surgery to repair his fractured left ankle. The 23-year-old has four assists and 15 shots on goal with a plus-4 rating in seven games this season. He had nearly 60 points per season (119 points in 155 games) in 2013-14 and 2014-15, and was tied for 20th in the NHL in even-strength points (88) during that span.

Last season, Schwartz played primarily with breakout star Vladimir Tarasenko, who's now a top-10 fantasy forward, and Jori Lehtera. Schwartz covered power-play points (16, 2:20 per game) last season and just missed on a 30-goal (28), 30-assist (35) season despite missing seven games.