Fantasy Risers and Fallers: Tage Thompson, Wyatt Johnston, Matt Boldy and More

Recent deployment shifts have created clear winners and losers for fantasy managers. Top-line and power-play roles are cementing the value of some skaters, while cold streaks and diminished usage are sinking others. Let’s sort out whose role you can trust, who’s riding a heater, and who belongs on your bench or the wire.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The headline development is Tage Thompson re-establishing himself as a consistent force as the top-line center and PP1 trigger man for the Buffalo Sabres. Stable deployment with prime offensive usage means his recent production looks sustainable, not fluky, and it pushes him from fringe to near must-roster territory in most formats.

In Dallas, Wyatt Johnston is quietly becoming a deployment stud. He’s settled in as a top-line center with heavy offensive minutes, and his scoring pace reflects that. Managers who treated him as a depth piece need to recalibrate; that kind of role on the Dallas Stars gives him a strong floor and upside.

Matt Boldy has taken off recently in Minnesota, riding a scoring surge while entrenched in a top-six role for the Minnesota Wild. The key is that he’s not just scoring – he’s helping in multiple categories thanks to shot volume and physical play, turning him into a short-term difference-maker and possibly more if the role holds.

One of the most interesting risers is Gabriel Vilardi in Winnipeg. Slotted on the top line for the Winnipeg Jets, he’s delivering steady goals and points. Anytime a skilled forward sticks with top talent at even strength and sees meaningful power-play looks, you have a potential breakout on your hands.

On the other side, Matvei Michkov is slumping with the Philadelphia Flyers. Even with a second-line role, his lack of recent scoring has made him a drag in points-only leagues, and managers can’t afford to wait indefinitely for the breakout.

Finally, on the blue line, Shayne Gostisbehere is delivering exactly what managers want from an offensive defenseman in Carolina. Solid performances with power-play involvement make him a valuable, if somewhat streaky, option where defense scoring is scarce.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In pure scoring formats, deployment is king, and Thompson is one of the biggest winners here. As Buffalo’s top-line center with PP1 duties, his combination of shot volume and offensive-zone usage makes him a strong mid-to-high tier scorer. If he was somehow dropped during a lull, he’s a priority claim and a clear hold for the rest of the season.

Johnston’s top-line role in Dallas puts him in the same conversation. He may not have the name value of bigger stars, but the production pace is there. In points-only leagues with modest benches, he should be locked into your active lineup rather than treated as a streamer – this looks more like a breakout than a temporary hot streak.

Boldy’s recent goal binge makes him a high-upside play. His value spikes when he’s attached to quality linemates and gets consistent power-play looks. Ride the current run; even when the goals cool, his underlying role suggests he can remain a positive contributor.

Vilardi is the classic “quietly winning you weeks” guy in points-only. Top-line exposure on a strong Jets offense means his point pace can stay strong as long as he holds that job. He’s an excellent target in leagues where 50–60-point pace players still float on waivers or benches – use the NHL Trade Analyzer if you’re considering buying low from a skeptical manager.

Michkov, by contrast, is a deployment loser for now. A second-line role without consistent results isn’t enough in shallow points-only formats. Until his confidence and production rebound, he’s more of a stash in deeper leagues than an automatic active starter. In standard leagues, it’s very reasonable to move on if there’s an in-form option available.

Gostisbehere holds sneaky value in points-only leagues that count defense scoring separately. Any defenseman who is trusted on a primary or secondary power play in Carolina and contributes regularly is worth a roster spot, especially if you need blue line offense.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat setups, Thompson’s shot volume and goal scoring make him a premium piece. Even when he’s not piling up assists, his ability to generate shots and power-play production supports a strong floor. He’s closer to a cornerstone than a streamer in these formats.

Johnston offers strong across-the-board category help: goals, assists, shots, and solid plus-minus tied to a strong Dallas team environment. He’s less likely than some pure snipers to disappear for long stretches because his volume and usage remain steady even when puck luck dips.

Boldy might be the biggest category winner right now. His recent scoring surge comes with strong shot totals and contributions in physical categories like hits, making him an ideal streaming option who could force his way into permanent-roster status. Managers chasing goals, shots, and some grit should prioritize him over one-dimensional scorers.

Vilardi brings a nice mix of categories: he can contribute goals, a healthy shot count, and some peripherals while riding shotgun on Winnipeg’s top line. In leagues counting power-play points, any uptick in PP deployment immediately boosts his ceiling.

Michkov’s slump hurts categories managers even more than points-only. If he’s not scoring or shooting much, he doesn’t bring enough in secondary categories to justify hanging on in shallow to medium-depth leagues. You’re better off churning that spot for a hot hand or a banger who can rack up hits and blocks.

Gostisbehere is particularly valuable in leagues that count power-play points, shots from the blue line, and possibly blocks. He won’t help much in hits or PIM, but his offensive profile fits nicely as a D3/D4 who can spike your PPP and SOG from defense.

Dynasty / Keeper

In long-term formats, Thompson’s current deployment reinforces his status as a core building block. He’s demonstrated that when healthy and locked into Buffalo’s top offensive roles, he can produce at a high level. There’s no reason to sell unless you’re overwhelmed by an offer; he fits both win-now and retooling timelines.

Johnston is one of the more appealing young centers to target in dynasty. His current top-line role in Dallas suggests the team views him as a long-term pillar. Acquiring him before he fully cements star-level perception could pay off in future seasons.

Boldy’s profile screams long-term upside: a skilled winger with multi-category contributions and a secure top-six role in Minnesota. Even if his current heater slows, he should be viewed as a long-term hold with potential to become a perennial 60+ point, multi-cat contributor.

Vilardi is a more subtle dynasty asset. Health and role consistency have been question marks in the past, but his current success on Winnipeg’s top line is encouraging. In deeper keeper and dynasty leagues, he’s exactly the kind of mid-tier breakout to stash before his value fully catches up to his production.

Michkov is the biggest dynasty conundrum. The recent slump hurts, but his long-term talent remains obvious. In keeper and dynasty formats, this is rarely the time to sell. If anything, he becomes a buy-low target – just adjust expectations for short-term production and keep him parked on your bench or minors slot rather than counting on him as a starter this season.

Gostisbehere remains more of a win-now play than a long-term piece in dynasty, but offensive defensemen with a track record of power-play value can extend their usefulness. In competitive windows, he’s a reasonable target; on rebuilding squads, you can shop him to contenders for futures.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Tage Thompson – Add (standard and deeper): Locked-in top-line, PP1 role in Buffalo with consistent scoring makes him a core roster piece, not a streamer.
Wyatt Johnston – Add (all formats): Top-line deployment in Dallas and strong production pace make him a rest-of-season asset, especially in categories.
Matt Boldy – Short-term stream with ROS upside: Riding a goal surge with strong shots and hits; add now while the usage and confidence are peaking.
Gabriel Vilardi – Watchlist / Add in deep leagues: Producing steadily on Winnipeg’s top line; must-roster in deeper formats and close to that in standard points-only.
Shayne Gostisbehere – Add in D-needy leagues: Reliable offensive-defense option with power-play involvement in Carolina, ideal for boosting PPP from the blue line.
Matvei Michkov – Bench / Cut in shallow leagues: Talent is undeniable, but current slump and limited impact make him expendable outside deeper or dynasty formats.

Fantasy Takeaways

Prioritize skaters with secure top-line and PP1 roles like Thompson and Johnston; their deployment supports sustainable scoring.
Ride Boldy’s hot streak for short-term gains, especially in multi-cat leagues where his shots and hits amplify his value.
Vilardi’s steady top-line production in Winnipeg makes him a smart add in deeper leagues and a strong watchlist name in standard formats.
Don’t be afraid to bench or cut Michkov in shallow leagues while he works through his slump, especially in points-only formats.
Use offensive defensemen like Gostisbehere to shore up power-play points and shots from the blue line when your D corps is thin.

Source: RotoWire. See the original for full details.