Power-play pickups for October 8: roles, costs and availability

The October 8 decision is about buying useful power-play minutes without paying for a four-game scoring pace. Fresh official records now include Edmonton, Winnipeg and Pittsburgh’s October 7 games. Podkolzin and Perfetti each have six total points; Chinakhov still has two. Those changes strengthen different cases, rather than turning every hot name into the same recommendation. Power’s five points remain attractive for total offense, but none came on the power play.

Use this list against the player you would actually release. An acquisition helps only when its scoring fit, usable lineup slots and replacement cost improve your roster. All six candidates were listed on current official rosters at the review; a roster listing and a completed game do not confirm the next appearance. Future line combinations and injury clearance require another check before your transaction locks.

The current power-play shortlist

Recorded 2026–27 regular-season results, checked October 8. PP time is minutes:seconds; PPP means power-play points.

These are recorded minutes and results, not projected unit assignments or guaranteed production. The three- or four-game samples remain small. Time is rounded to the nearest second and shares to one decimal; independently rounded shares need not total exactly 100%.

Forwards: set a different price for each role

Vasily Podkolzin: add for combined PP, shots and hits

4 GP, 4 goals, 2 assists, 6 points, 16 shots, 18 hits and 1 block; 3 PPP, 4:22 on the power play per game (65.6% of team PP time). His four-game total is now six points, with five more hits than at yesterday’s review. The category coverage gives him a case even if the next power-play opportunity does not produce a point. October 7 projection: Podkolzin–McDavid–Draisaitl; October 10 remains unconfirmed.

A moderate claim makes sense over a fringe forward who contributes little to your counted categories. Keep your established scorer if the move would discard dependable production for an uncertain role. Compare actual category weights: a pool that ignores hits values part of this profile less. Reduce the bid or reverse the add if his recorded PP share falls materially, the top-line opportunity ends, or a late availability update removes Saturday’s usable game. Do not extrapolate six points into a season total.

Cole Perfetti: add for points and PP opportunity

4 GP, 3 goals, 3 assists, 6 points, 12 shots, 8 hits and 2 blocks; 4 PPP, 2:37 on the power play per game (68.2% of team PP time). The October 7 game lifts his total from five to six points while his recorded PP share is now 68.2%. That combination keeps him on a points-focused shortlist; it does not establish an unchangeable first-unit job. A four-game scoring run cannot tell you what the next coach’s adjustment will be.

Use a moderate claim when your outgoing forward lacks both production and meaningful power-play work. Do not spend the budget you need for an established replacement later in the month, and do not exchange a reliable physical-category specialist solely for this scoring sample. Winnipeg has only Friday in this article’s period. An occupied Friday slot weakens the immediate benefit. The recommendation changes if his PP work shrinks, his availability changes, or your roster needs blocks and hits more than offense.

Egor Chinakhov: a cheap, conditional depth add

4 GP, 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, 7 shots, 2 hits and 1 block; 1 PPP, 2:50 on the power play per game (51.5% of team PP time). After four games, two points and seven shots remain a modest offensive return. His 51.5% PP share offers a reason to monitor him, not a reason to price him like a proven scorer. Pittsburgh’s October 7 projection is dated context; no October 9 line is presented as confirmed.

In a deeper points or PPP pool, a low-cost claim over an interchangeable bench forward can be reasonable. In a shallow pool, keep the more productive incumbent unless your comparison shows a useful advantage. Avoid using a scarce move merely to chase a team’s two-game schedule. Reverse the decision if Chinakhov’s PP work declines, he leaves the relevant scoring line, or the available alternative produces more of your counted categories at similar cost.

Bobby McMann: buy category coverage, not an exclusive PP job

4 GP, 2 goals, 0 assists, 2 points, 15 shots, 9 hits and 4 blocks; 1 PPP, 2:09 on the power play per game (43.4% of team PP time). His shots and physical categories distinguish him from a pure PPP specialist. Seattle’s Friday and Sunday opportunities can be valuable when those forward slots are open. The schedule creates a chance to use him; it does not promise two individual appearances or two points.

A low-to-moderate claim fits a category pool replacing a one-dimensional fringe forward. In a points-only pool, the same outgoing player may be worth keeping. His 43.4% share is evidence of participation, not proof that he owns the first unit. A scratch, loss of offensive minutes or an already-filled Sunday lineup would reduce the case. Reassess the add when those conditions change instead of keeping him solely because you paid for the claim.

Defense: separate PP access from overall offense

Luca Cagnoni: conditional offensive-defense add

3 GP, 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, 6 shots, 1 hit and 5 blocks; 1 PPP, 3:42 on the power play per game (81.4% of team PP time). The recorded PP share makes him worth evaluating when you need offensive help at defense. His one hit offers little evidence for replacing a dependable physical-category defender. San Jose plays Thursday and Saturday. Celebrini missed October 5 injured; confirm tonight’s status.

Keep the acquisition price low-to-moderate and conditional on Cagnoni’s own availability and continued PP work. An unsettled teammate situation adds uncertainty to the scoring environment; it does not let us invent a promotion or an injury return date. A confirmed scratch, reassignment or substantial PP reduction would reverse the add. If your outgoing defender supplies essential blocks, require a convincing scoring advantage before giving those blocks up.

Owen Power: hold for offense; do not pay an unsupported PPP premium

3 GP, 1 goal, 4 assists, 5 points, 3 shots, 1 hit and 1 block; 0 PPP, 1:37 on the power play per game (33.1% of team PP time). Dahlin’s comparison remains 3:18 per game and 67.3% of Buffalo’s recorded PP time. Power’s five total points and 26:34 average overall ice time support a hold in an offensive-defense slot. They do not prove a promotion over Dahlin.

Keep Power when total points are the roster need. In a PPP-heavy pool, wait for stronger current deployment evidence before paying a premium or cutting a proven PP defenseman. Buffalo’s Thursday and Saturday dates can help only if your defense slots are available. A sustained increase in Power’s PP share would strengthen the PPP case; a loss of overall minutes or a materially better affordable replacement would weaken the hold.

Credible alternatives in deeper pools

Tommy Novak has 5 points and 2 PPP in 4 games, with 3:08 PP time per game and 56.9% share. His eight shots and one hit point toward an offensive depth role. Consider a small claim over a replaceable points-only bench player; do not pay for a guaranteed line or future PP production. Rust returned October 7. Treat returning competition as another reason to check deployment. Reduced offensive work or a fuller lineup reverses the add.

Kris Letang has three assists, one PPP, 12 shots, five hits and two blocks in four games, but only 1:35 PP time per game and 28.9% share. He is a cheap depth-defense comparison when you need that broader contribution, not a substitute for a demonstrated dominant PP role. Keep the established PP defender if that is your missing category. A larger sustained PP assignment would improve Letang’s case; a scratch or declining minutes would weaken it. No ownership rate or universal claim price is assumed for either alternative.

Use the October 8–11 calendar before bidding

The official schedule, converted to Eastern Time, has 10 Thursday games, four Friday, 14 Saturday and three Sunday: 31 total. Edmonton plays Saturday only; Winnipeg Friday only; San Jose and Buffalo Thursday/Saturday; Pittsburgh Friday/Saturday; Seattle Friday/Sunday. Sunday is the lightest nonempty date. Prioritize an open slot over the largest nominal team-game count, and respect your transaction limit and lock time.

Use the free player comparison to check the outgoing player against your actual scoring, then the NHL schedule tool for the dates you can use. We do not infer goalie starts from those team games. If the improvement disappears after replacement cost, occupied slots and availability risk, hold the player you already have. A PoolForge account can help organize the pool once the roster decision is clear.