News: Nils Ekman (elbow) was activated from injured reserve and was in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Senators. He was scoreless with a minus-1 rating in 7:58 of ice time playing on the checking line.
Analysis: Ekman will have to work his way back up the depth chart after the emergence of some players on the Pittsburgh roster and the acquisition of others from outside the organization.
News: Ekman (dislocated left elbow) is nearing a return to the lineup after suffering the injury back on Dec. 29. He told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review he feels it is "just a matter of days" before he can re-join the lineup.
Analysis: That's all well and good, but it is uncertain where he fits in at this point. Ekman is certain to see ice time on the third or fourth line, so his Fantasy appeal will be limited to the largest of leagues at this point.
News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Nils Ekman (elbow) was able to practice on Tuesday for the first time since Dec. 29.
Analysis: Ekman is hopeful of receiving clearance for contact drills in the next week or so. There is no exact timetable on a return date and he remains out indefinitely.
News: Nils Ekman (elbow), who is battling a dislocated left elbow, is out indefinitely, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Analysis: Keep Ekman reserved in all Fantasy leagues until he can officially return and contribute in consecutive games without any lingering effects of the injury.
News: Penguins RW Nils Ekman (elbow) was out for Saturday's game against the Flyers, missing his sixth consecutive game.
Analysis: Ekman remains day to day. Keep him reserved in all leagues for Fantasy Week 16 (Jan. 15-21).
News: Nils Ekman (elbow) was out for Wednesday's game at Florida, missing his fifth consecutive game.
Analysis: Ekman remains day to day. Keep him reserved in all leagues for Fantasy Week 16 (Jan. 15-21) if he cannot return and prove his health over the weekend.
News: Nils Ekman (elbow) was out for Tuesday's game at Tampa Bay, missing his fourth straight contest.
Analysis: Ekman remains day to day. When healthy, he is only worth using in the largest of Fantasy leagues.
News: Nils Ekman (elbow) was not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Lightning.
Analysis: Ekman remains day to day. Keep him reserved in all leagues for Fantasy Week 15 (Jan. 8-14).
News: Penguins RW Nils Ekman (elbow) missed Friday's game against the Sabres.
Analysis: Ekman remains day-to-day and should be kept reserved in all Fantasy leagues. When healthy, he is a low-end Fantasy forward.
News: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports Nils Ekman is battling an elbow injury and is awaiting MRI results from tests taken on Tuesday. The team has not yet announced a corresponding roster move, so they might not feel it is a major injury.
Analysis: Ekman is considered day to day. He did not play in Tuesday's game against the Hurricanes.
News: Penguins RW Nils Ekman (illness) returned to action on Friday against the Islanders. He had an assist, but finished with a minus-1 rating in his return.
Analysis: Ekman should only be used in larger Fantasy leagues now that he is back in the lineup.
News: Penguins RW Nils Ekman (illness) did not play on Wednesday against the Flyers.
Analysis: Ekman remains day to day. Keep him reserved in all larger daily Fantasy leagues until he can officially return.
News: Nils Ekman (illness) was unable to play in Monday's game at Washington due to illness.
Analysis: Ekman remains day to day. He might be able to return on Wednesday against Philadelphia, but keep him reserved in all larger daily Fantasy leagues until he can officially return.
News: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports Nils Ekman missed Saturday's game against the Thrashers due to an illness.
Analysis: He is expected to play on Monday against the Capitals in Washington. Consider him day to day.
News: Penguins RW Nils Ekman (flu) returned to action on Friday against the Sabres. He played for 14:22 and finished with an even rating.
Analysis: Ekman should only be used in larger Fantasy leagues now that he is back in the lineup.
News: Nils Ekman missed Monday's game against the Flyers due to flu-like symptoms.
Analysis: Ekman is considered day to day. When healthy, he is only worth using in larger Fantasy leagues.
News: Penguins RW Nils Ekman scored a natural hat trick on Wednesday against the Lightning in a 4-3 OT loss.
Analysis: It was the first career hat trick for Ekman, who entered the game with two goals on the season. Ekman has failed to light the lamp in the past four games and he has a minus-2 rating overall. He has gone from a must-start in all Fantasy leagues to waiver wire material in less than a month, but this game might spark a turnaround. Continue to monitor Ekman's progress before putting him back into your active Fantasy lineup.
News: Nils Ekman has been a forgotten man in Pittsburgh lately, as he was scoreless in just 6:44 of ice time in Monday's game at Anaheim and he has not played more than 15 minutes since the second game of the season when he was skating on the team's top scoring line.
Analysis: Ekman has failed to light the lamp in the past four games and he has a minus-2 rating overall. He has gone from a must-start in all Fantasy leagues to waiver wire material in less than a month.
News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Nils Ekman will return to the top scoring line with Sidney Crosby when Evgeni Malkin (shoulder) makes his regular season debut on Wednesday against the Devils.
Analysis: Ekman has two assists in four games with a minus-2 rating. Skating with Sid the Kid and Colby Armstrong can easily tune that negative into a positive in a hurry. He is a must-start as long as he is on the top line.
News: Nils Ekman (hamstring) was able to play on Thursday at N.Y. Rangers, but he was scoreless with a minus-1 rating in 12:17 of ice time.
Analysis: Ekman has been removed from the team's top line, which means a huge drop in Fantasy value when he is not together with Sidney Crosby. By the way, Sid the Kid had a goal and three assists in the win.
News: Nils Ekman suffered a slightly strained hamstring in practice on Monday. "I hope I'll be back for [Tuesday's] practice," Ekman said. The report goes on to say that the team does not feel the injury is serious.
Analysis: Ekman had been skating on the team's top scoring line with Colby Armstrong and Sidney Crosby, but was removed on Saturday in favor of Michel Ouellet and Mark Recchi. Luckily, that duo was ineffective.
News: Nils Ekman picked up an assist and a plus-2 rating in 13:39 of ice time in Thursday's regular season opener against the Flyers in his debut for the Penguins.
Analysis: As long as Ekman skates on the team's top scoring line with Colby Armstrong and Sidney Crosby, he is worth using in all Fantasy leagues. The Penguins will be back on the ice Saturday for another stern test against the Red Wings.
News: Coach Michel Therrien said that newcomer Nils Ekman will skate on the team's top scoring line along with Colby Armstrong and Sidney Crosby. "We believe that's going to be a pretty productive line for us," coach Michel Therrien said. "(Ekman) plays well at both ends of the ice and he's got the speed to play with Sidney Crosby."
Analysis: Ekman posted 21 goals and 57 points in 77 games with the Sharks in 2005-06. If he stays on a scoring line with phenom Crosby, he will likely be in the 60-65 points range. He is worth a middle-round pick on Draft Day as long as he remains on the top line.
News: The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Nils Ekman and minor-league goaltender Patrick Ehelechner from the San Jose Sharks for a second-round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Analysis: Ekman was basically given away, as the team must feel they upgraded at wing with the acquisition of Mark Bell from the Chicago Blackhawks. Unfortunately for Fantasy owners in keeper league who envisioned Ekman playing on a line with Jonathan Cheechoo and Joe Thornton in 2006-07, most of his value has gone out the window unless he joins Sidney Crosby on the top line in Pittsburgh.
News: Nils Ekman had an assist with no shots on goal in 15:59 of ice time in Monday's game against Los Angeles.
Analysis: Ekman has a three-game point streak and 10 points (2 G, 8 A) over the past nine starts. He remains a must-start in most Fantasy formats.
News: Nils Ekman has 14 goals and 22 assists with a plus-9 rating through 52 games at the Olympic Games break, but most of his damage has come since being promoted to the team's top scoring line following the acquisition of Joe Thornton from Boston.
Analysis: Ekman had just five goals, two assists and a minus-2 rating through the first 29 games, but he has nine goals, 20 assists and a plus-11 rating over the past 23 games. He is a must-start in all Fantasy leagues while he remains on the team's top scoring line with Jonathan Cheechoo and Joe Thornton.
News: Nils Ekman scored a goal, added two assists and had five shots on goal in 18:39 of ice time in Sunday's game at Phoenix.
Analysis: Ekman slowed a bit over the past week, posting just one assist over the past four games entering play on Sunday.
News: Nils Ekman picked up a goal, an assist and a team-high seven shots on goal with a plus-2 rating in 16:27 of ice time in Wednesday's game at Anaheim.
Analysis: Ekman has posted seven goals, 15 assists and a plus-11 rating in the past 15 games since being promoted to the team's top scoring line.
News: Nils Ekman scored a goal in Thursday's game at Ottawa with a plus-1 rating in 18:31 of ice time.
Analysis: Ekman has recorded 15 points (4 G, 11 A) and a plus-7 rating over the past eight games. If you are skeptical of Ekman's recent success and he is still available in your Fantasy league, do yourself a favor and scoop him up immediately.
News: Nils Ekman had a goal and two assists in Tuesday's game at Boston with a plus-1 rating in 15:19 of ice time.
Analysis: Ekman has posted 14 points (3 G, 11 A) and a plus-6 rating over the past seven games. The scoring line of Jonathan Cheechoo-Ekman-Joe Thornton is one of the hottest in the league. If any of the members are available, scoop them up immediately.
News: Nils Ekman picked up four assists for the second straight game on Thursday against the Blue Jackets. He also added a plus-3 rating in 16:22 of ice time.
Analysis: Ekman has had instant Fantasy success playing alongside Jonathan Cheechoo and Joe Thornton on the team's top scoring line. He is in the midst of a five-game point streak, posting 11 points (2 G, 9 A) and a plus-5 rating during the impressive span. If he is available, scoop him up immediately.
News: Nils Ekman picked up four assists in Friday's game against the Avalanche, as he continues to sparkle since being placed on the team's top scoring line with Jonathan Cheechoo and Joe Thornton.
Analysis: Ekman is in the midst of a four-game point streak (2 G, 5 A) after beginning the season with just five goals and two assists in his first 29 games. He is likely available off of the waiver wire, but he will be going quickly now that he is on the top scoring line. Don't miss out on the wing, as he is ready for a breakout.
News: Nils Ekman has been promoted to the top scoring line alongside Jonathan Cheechoo and Joe Thornton, replacing Scott Thornton.
Analysis: Ekman responded with a goal in Wednesday's game. His Fantasy value gets a huge bump skating with the red-hot Cheechoo and world-class Thornton. If he is available, scoop him up immediately.
News: After going 16 games with only one point (an assist on Nov. 26) Nils Ekman has scored two goals in his past three games.
Analysis: Ekman still isn't a player you want to rely on in Fantasy play, but this could certainly get him more ice time and eventually increase his value.
News: Ekman re-signed a multi-year contract with the Sharks on Thursday, but exact terms were undisclosed.
Analysis: Ekman posted 22 goals and 55 points in 82 games with the Sharks in 2004-05. He scored 18 goals and 45 points in 44 games with Djurgardins IF Stockholm in the Swedish Elite League in 2004-05. He should be a decent middle- to late-round pick on Draft Day.
News: Ekman had his first-career multi-goal game on Thursday against Colorado.
Analysis: Despite Thursday's offensive outburst, Ekman is best used as a reserve in larger Fantasy leagues.
News: The San Francisco Chronicle reports Ekman beat out Todd Harvey for a roster spot.
Analysis: Ekman will play on the fourth line with Scott Parker and Wayne Primeau. He does not warrant any Fantasy consideration.
