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.
He has yet to score a goal with Pittsburgh but has a plus-5 rating and 13 shots on goal, seeing most of his even-strength ice time alongside Evgeni Malkin, who had a hat trick Saturday. Hagelin is averaging 3.3 SOG per game with the Penguins, compared to 1.9 in 43 games with the Ducks and 2.2 in his career.
He's been on the ice for six goals for and three allowed with the Penguins, with two of the goals allowed coming in shorthanded situations (such goals don't count against plus-minus). His confidence was on full display when he controlled the puck and fed Sidney Crosby for an empty-net goal Saturday.
With the Ducks, Hagelin was in and out of coach Bruce Boudreau's top-six group, but he has assumed a prominent offensive role right off the bat under Penguins coach Mike Sullivan. While Hagelin doesn't see much power-play time, fantasy owners should give their deep-league rosters a look and see if Hagelin's upside warrants a waiver wire pickup.
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