Something I think I'll be keeping an eye out for is Nikita Zaitsev: Unleashed.
This isn't anything to do with Gardiner being out at the moment nor does it have anything to do with the goal he just scored last night (although that is the result). This looks like Zaitsev is now being given the green light to play his game on the offensive side now, after getting the matchup/PK treatment for 1.5 seasons similar to how Reilly was swamped with defensive assignments when Babcock came aboard, and how Dermott (and now Liljegren) received the same on the Marlies.
Lately, Zaitsev has looked more like himself out there with the puck. Dude can skate well, even if it's not zipzip fast, and dude can really shoot the puck (KHL highlights). There are still a couple of hand grenade passes once in awhile for icings (that has a lot to do with the forwards not facing the defense when they stretch out, limiting options), but I've started to see him carrying it at times and charging a low-high pass back down into the dirty ice for good chances.