Fantasy Hockey Risers: Stamkos, Bussi and New PP1 Weapons

Roles are shifting across the league, and several familiar names have suddenly become difference-makers again. From Steven Stamkos thriving in Nashville to Brandon Bussi taking over the crease in Carolina, these moves have real fantasy impact. Let’s break down what’s changed, how sustainable it looks, and what you should do in different formats.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The headline story is Stamkos’ resurgence with the Nashville Predators. Deployed as a top-six forward and locked into PP1, he’s been on a major scoring tear. This isn’t just a hot week; it’s a multi-week run fueled by prime usage and heavy power-play involvement. On a Predators team that clearly trusts him as a focal point, that kind of role screams rest-of-season value.

In net, the Carolina Hurricanes have turned to Bussi as their primary starter with Pyotr Kochetkov out for the season. Opportunity is everything for goalies, and Bussi suddenly has both volume and a strong defensive environment behind him. Even if there are growing pains, sheer workload plus team quality can carry him into must-roster territory in most leagues.

On the blue line, Darren Raddysh has stepped into a power-play quarterback role for the Tampa Bay Lightning while Victor Hedman is sidelined. Running a top power play on a high-skill offense is one of the fastest paths to fantasy relevance for a defenseman, and Raddysh is taking advantage of that window.

Up front in Columbus, Mason Marchment has climbed into a top-line role with PP1 time for the Blue Jackets. Increased minutes and better linemates have put him in position to contribute in multiple categories, especially in leagues that reward hits and shots.

Finally, Brent Burns is in a different kind of spotlight with the Colorado Avalanche. His recent slump has frustrated managers, but his steady role on Colorado’s blue line suggests patience rather than panic. He still carries name value and deployment that can rebound quickly.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only formats, usage and power-play access are king. Stamkos checks both boxes. As a top-six, PP1 forward in Nashville, he should be treated as a high-end scoring asset again. If he’s somehow still available, he’s a priority add and a player you can comfortably start every night.

Raddysh is the classic short-to-medium term points-only gem. As long as he’s running the Lightning’s top power play, he has strong assist and secondary point upside. When Hedman returns, his ceiling likely falls, but for now he’s a clear add if you need blue line scoring.

Burns is a hold in points-only. The production dip is concerning, but his steady role in Colorado’s attack gives him a path back to relevance. Selling low rarely pays off here; give his situation more time unless you’re overwhelmed with offers.

Marchment’s value is more fragile in pure scoring leagues. The top-line and PP1 deployment in Columbus is encouraging, but his fantasy profile is more balanced than purely offensive. In shallow points-only leagues he’s more of a watchlist name; in deeper formats he’s worth a speculative add while the role holds.

Bussi’s value in points-only depends on how your league scores goalies. If wins and appearances carry heavy weight, a starting job on a strong Hurricanes team makes him a clear add. Even if his ratios are merely average, volume plus team strength can make him a top-tier goalie asset.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat formats, Stamkos gains even more appeal. His shot volume and power-play production boost goals, points, PPP and SOG, and he’s the kind of player who can swing weekly matchups almost on his own when he’s rolling.

Marchment is a classic categories league riser. With top-line and PP1 minutes in Columbus, he can chip in goals and assists while also contributing in hits and potentially PIM. That combination makes him especially valuable in deep bangers leagues where dual-threat forwards are scarce.

Raddysh offers a nice mix of PPP, shots from the blue line and some peripheral value. He’s not a heavy banger, but the power-play role in Tampa Bay gives him enough counting stats to be a strong D add in standard categories formats, especially if you’re chasing PPP from the back end.

Burns still profiles well for categories despite the slump. He can contribute shots, some hits, and power-play production when things are clicking. In leagues that reward volume from defensemen, his steady deployment on Colorado’s blue line keeps him in must-roster territory.

Bussi is a priority add in categories leagues that count wins, save percentage and goals-against average. Carolina tends to suppress shots and scoring chances, which can buoy his ratios. Even if he’s not an elite talent, the structure in front of him can make him a reliable weekly starter.

Dynasty / Keeper

In dynasty, Stamkos is more of a win-now piece than a long-term building block, but his current surge in Nashville makes him a strong target for contenders. If you’re pushing for a title, consider using the NHL Trade Analyzer to gauge fair value in a deal for him.

Bussi is one of the more intriguing dynasty names here. A starting role on a well-run Hurricanes team could set him up as a multi-year asset if he holds the crease. There is risk—goalie roles are volatile—but he’s exactly the kind of upside swing that makes sense for rebuilding teams or managers looking for their next long-term starter.

Raddysh’s dynasty value hinges on whether he can keep some level of power-play relevance once Hedman is healthy. If he proves he can handle PP1 duties now, he may carve out a more permanent offensive role, making him a worthwhile stash in deeper keeper and dynasty formats.

Marchment is more of a mid-tier dynasty piece. His game translates well to multi-cat formats, but his value is tied heavily to deployment. If he can cement himself as a top-six, PP1 winger in Columbus, he becomes a solid long-term complementary scorer rather than just a streamer.

Burns is nearing the twilight of his career, so in dynasty he’s best suited to contenders who need immediate production from the blue line. Rebuilders should be looking to flip him for younger assets if he heats up again, rather than holding through further decline.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Steven Stamkos – Add (all leagues): Top-six and PP1 usage in Nashville plus a sustained scoring surge make him a must-roster forward everywhere.
Brandon Bussi – Add (standard and deep leagues): With Kochetkov out, he’s the primary starter for Carolina and should pile up wins behind a strong team defense.
Darren Raddysh – Add (standard/deep): Running Tampa Bay’s top power play while Hedman is out gives him immediate value for blue line scoring and PPP.
Mason Marchment – Watchlist / Short-term stream: Elevated to Columbus’ top line and PP1, he’s a great bangers-league stream and a watch candidate in points-only.
Brent Burns – Hold: The recent slump is frustrating, but his steady role on Colorado’s blue line suggests patience rather than a panic drop.

Fantasy Takeaways

Stamkos’ top-six, PP1 role in Nashville has restored him as a high-end fantasy scorer; add and start him with confidence.
Bussi’s promotion to primary starter in Carolina makes him one of the most important goalie adds on the wire right now.
Raddysh is a power-play specialist thriving while Hedman is out; ride the PP1 deployment for as long as it lasts.
Marchment’s combination of top-line minutes and physical play makes him a premium bangers option and a watch in scoring leagues.
Burns remains a hold despite his slump; his consistent role with Colorado gives him a clear path to a rebound.

Source: ESPN.com. See the original for full details.