Fantasy hockey 2022-23 NHL crew previews

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Fantasy Hockey
- ESPN.com Fantasy Contributor since 2010
- Half-time anchor at NEWSTALK1010

The puck drops for 32 groups chasing Lord Stanley’s Cup, and for a legion of fantasy hockey managers scouting every considered one of them in search of lineup locks, sleepers, bounceback picks, and extra.

Nicely, do now we have some excellent news for you! At a look, you may see what is going on on with all 32 groups within the NHL beneath, and proper right here at our expansive Megapreview!

Fantasy managers ought to be enthusiastic about what Trevor Zegras has in retailer for an encore. After potting 23 targets and 38 assists his 75-game rookie marketing campaign, and following the retirement of Geese star Ryan Getzlaf, the 21-year-old launches 2022-23 because the membership’s top-line/energy play heart. Competing constantly alongside final season’s factors chief, Troy Terry, will translate in one other soar in manufacturing, straight off. Each Zegras and Terry are able to attaining some extent/recreation stride, and ought to be drafted accordingly.

Alternatively, former Ranger Ryan Strome will doubtless see his numbers dip in serving as Anaheim’s No. 2 heart after leaving an altogether extra productive crew in New York. There are in all probability stronger choices in his fantasy class accessible. Nevertheless, rookie Mason McTavish is one to look at carefully, following most annual fantasy drafts, and the way/the place he settles into Anaheim’s lineup. A fine-tuned scoring equipment on the worldwide stage, McTavish goes to tear it up within the NHL ultimately. Whether or not ultimately falls in 2024 or this November.

Shedding Texas’s state emblem for the stylized duck foot, John Klingberg jumps into the No. 1 energy play position, leap-frogging Cam Fowler, Kevin Shattenkirk, and burgeoning star Jamie Drysdale. At 30 years previous and on an expiring contract, Klingberg could be finest served by maxing himself out on this recent, if restricted, alternative. A 60-point season from the famous offensive defenseman is hardly out of the query. John Gibson stays goaltender, entrenched with a (nonetheless) rebuilding crew. Set your fantasy watch to a scorching begin from the 29-year-old earlier than he inevitably burns out and grows pissed off within the season’s second half.

Earlier than flipping to the Coyotes’ subsequent chapter – that includes prospects Dylan Guenther, Connor Geekie, and Logan Cooley – there’s not an excessive amount of to understand, fantasy-wise, from the present assemblage. On the ripe previous age of 24, ahead Clayton Keller might lastly hit the 30-goal mark this season, whereas racking up one other 40 or so assists. Linemate Nick Schmaltz has a supporting fantasy position to fill in most scoring leagues. Similar goes for offensive defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, who amassed 51 factors this previous marketing campaign, together with 19 on the ability play. A wholesome Jakub Chychrun serves as a well-rounded fantasy asset in leagues that reward manufacturing and pictures on internet – particularly if/when he will get traded to a greater crew (ie. any different crew). Finish of fantasy record. Even when Guenther makes the Coyotes out of camp – hardly an impossibility – the teenager continues to be doubtless a yr or two away from flourishing. Notably in contemplating his current run of accidents and diseases.

By way of little fault of his personal, goalie Karel Vejmelka initiatives as a fantasy legal responsibility in all classes exterior of saves and save proportion. Positive, he’ll play so much and face/cease loads of pictures, however altogether, this Arizona membership is not going to win a lot this season.

With out their prime winger and with out their prime two defensemen for months of the season, the Bruins are going to be actively searching for gamers to fill these voids.

David Krejci returns from a season in Europe to heart what will probably be a brand new prime line that includes David Pastrnak and Taylor Hall, whereas Patrice Bergeron bides his time ready for Brad Marchand to return to well being. It means decreased expectations for Bergeron to begin, however possibly we’ll get the perfect we have seen of Corridor for a while.

Hampus Lindholm will get the beginning the season because the de facto power-play quarterback till Charlie McAvoy returns.

The online is not very interesting for fantasy, particularly with McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk sidelined. If you’re playing on one of many goalies, Jeremy Swayman is the decide.

From a crew filled with lottery tickets, it is in all probability price buying a pair to your fantasy portfolio. Tage Thompson‘s breakout marketing campaign was legit, Jeff Skinner nonetheless has extra within the tank and Alex Tuch will play a heavy position within the offense. However that leaves some room for Victor Olofsson, Peyton Krebs, Jack Quinn, Casey Mittelstadt, Dylan Cozens or John-Jason Peterka to discover a area of interest — however it will not be all of them.

Whereas Owen Power has the trendier enchantment coming into his sophomore season on protection, a greater breakout guess is Rasmus Dahlin ascending to the following stage in his fifth NHL season on the age of twenty-two.

Exhausting cross on the crease. Exhausting. Go.

No, Nazem Kadri will not replicate final yr’s salivating tempo of 1.23 factors/recreation, however he will not journey too far off that tantalizing stride. The most recent Flame will nonetheless handle close to some extent/contest as a top-six heart and treasured No. 1 power-play asset in Calgary. Winger Tyler Toffoli is poised for a profession yr, slotted in on a brand new prime line that includes Elias Lindholm and ex-Panther Jonathan Huberdeau. Throw in common turns with the Flames’ premiere particular crew’s unit, and Toffoli ought to get pleasure from his first ever 65-point marketing campaign. As for Huberdeau, he most definitely will not register one other 85 assists this yr. As a result of that was ridiculous, actually. Sixty although? Fairly probably.

Jacob Markstrom is a top-five fantasy goaltender, nevertheless you slice it. In 2021-22, he began 63 video games, gained 37 of them (misplaced solely 15), and pitched a .922 SV% and a pair of.22 GAA. One singular particular person wrapped up final season with extra complete fantasy factors than Calgary’s No. 1 and that man gained the Vezina. There is no purpose to anticipate any totally different from Markstrom this spherical behind a protection that misplaced an Erik Gudbranson however gained a MacKenzie Weegar.

The Hurricanes have taken factor and sprinkled some veteran spice. Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov — even on separate traces — offers you 2.0 fantasy factors per recreation or higher, with Teuvo Teravainen not far behind. Max Pacioretty will probably be there too, as soon as he is wholesome for the ultimate push. Till then, the highest wing spot is Seth Jarvis‘s to construct on his strong rookie exhibiting, however Martin Necas can also be hankering for extra. Relying on deployment, Paul Stastny and Jesperi Kotkaniemi might also discover themselves on fantasy rosters.

Brent Burns is getting up there relating to age, however has confirmed no indicators of slowing down. He’ll be a lock for large factors on the ability play, with Jaccob Slavin staying fantasy related as properly.

However the perfect factor the Hurricanes do as a crew is make their goaltenders look good. It means Frederik Andersen should not have any bother repeating a marketing campaign that might have simply had him end third within the league for fantasy factors amongst goaltenders if he hadn’t missed the tail finish of it.

Nevertheless lengthy he lasts with the Blackhawks, Patrick Kane will proceed to function a beneficial fantasy commodity, in ceaselessly taking pictures, typically scoring, and habitually contributing with the additional skater. All the time has and (in all probability) all the time will. Nevertheless, the record of treasured fantasy forwards in Chicago begins and ends with Kane, who’s doubtless preserving a packed bag on the prepared between now and the commerce deadline. At this stage, there’s little use in prognosticating how Max Domi, Andreas Athanasiou, and different new and not-so-new Hawks, will handle with a corporation bent on tearing all of it all the way down to the studs. Fantasy managers ought to depart each ahead apart from the aforementioned sure-thing alone for now.

There is a titch extra to understand on Chicago’s blue line, starting with Seth Jones, who averaged 2.2 fantasy factors/recreation in ESPN’s customary scoring contest this previous yr. Jones endures as a scorching fantasy commodity in all leagues that do not rely plus/minus. Then there’s the Hawks’ shot-blocking duo of Connor Murphy and Jake McCabe (on IR to begin 2022-23) to think about in deeper leagues the place such defensive stats make a distinction. Once more, like up entrance, the selection fantasy choice ends there.

Who finally ends up securing the gig between Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine? Whereas it in all probability will not impression both of them from a fantasy perspective, as they’re adequate to be proof against the third member of the highest line, it is a spot that might pay enormous dividends for pivot that performs there over the long run. Is it gritty Boone Jenner? Jack Roslovic, who has been play-tested however underwhelmed to date? What concerning the kids Cole Sillinger or Kent Johnson?

With the expertise being distilled so strongly towards Gaudreau and Laine, it’s going to be a tall order for different forwards to achieve fantasy footholds, leaving query marks subsequent to Jakub Voracek, Gustav Nyquist and rookie Kirill Marchenko.

Zach Werenski might be in for his finest season but with this improved offense. However the protection general in all probability will not be sufficient to make Elvis Merzlikins a set-and-forget fantasy netminder.

Past the “Massive Three” in Colorado – Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel Landeskog – all who legitimately rank in ESPN’s gaggle of top-20 forwards, there is a drop off to some nonetheless quite serviceable belongings in standard scoring leagues. Getting into the primary flip of his profitable eight-year deal, Valeri Nichushkin will probably be tasked to pitch in additional, now that Nazem Kadri and Andre Burakovsky are plying their productive wares elsewhere. After final yr’s profession outburst of 52 factors in 62 contests, Nichushkin – smack-dab in his prime – boasts 70-point potential in a full, wholesome season. Sophomore Alex Newhook serves in a fantasy wildcard position, as Kadri’s projected substitute on the membership’s second scoring line. Drafted sixteenth general in 2019, and a confirmed scorer within the AHL, the 21-year-old deserves a toss of the cube in deeper fantasy leagues.

On the blue line, Cale Makar is any fantasy crew’s alternative No. 1 defenseman, significantly in leagues that reward power-play factors at a premium. Second solely to Roman Josi in factors accrued with the additional skater (34) in 2021-22, and common fantasy factors/recreation in customary leagues (2.9), Makar stands practically alone in a category of three blueliners as an indisputably professional first spherical draft decide. His oft-underrated and overshadowed companion, Devon Toews, holds sneaky enchantment as a fantasy No. 3 or 4 defender.

It is a model new day in internet for the Avs, with Darcy Kuemper taking his Stanley Cup ring to Washington. The battle between import Alexandar Georgiev and Pavel Francouz ought to be an fascinating one, from opening evening onward. Neither ought to be counted on as a No. 1 or No. 2 fantasy netminder in most leagues till if/when one emerges as coach Jared Bednar’s go-to. No. 3? With this elite crew, certain. The ceiling’s excessive, payoff-wise to that gamble.

Jake Oettinger is the beginning netminder for the Dallas Stars. Not Braden Holtby, not Ben Bishop, not Anton Khudobin – however the participant GM Jim Nill chosen twenty sixth general in 2017. In order that’s one 2021-22 fantasy headache from which we are able to transfer on. Plus, final season’s unanticipated No. 1 was fairly good, cobbling collectively a 30-15-1 document, together with a 2.53 GAA and .914 SV%, in serving to his membership safe a playoff spot. Toss in additional begins on this, his first full yr within the NHL, and the 23-year-old wades in as High-10 fantasy netminder. There are about six or seven goalies to pick earlier than Oettinger in most drafts, and that is about it.

High-heavy within the fantasy division, solely the membership’s main trio neared and/or cleared the two.0 fantasy level mark in ESPN.com customary leagues. With Jason Robertson and his 41 targets main the way in which, Roope Hintz and Joe Pavelski duly served as treasured belongings in contributing commonly at even-strength and with the man-advantage. Count on once more related performances from all three (even nonetheless Pavelski, sure) on a roster that was solely evenly fiddled with this offseason. The exception being the addition of Mason Marchment from Florida, who captured our collective fantasy consideration with final yr’s 47 factors in solely 54 video games. Whereas Marchment will not go in most drafts, he definitely deserves monitoring straight off, particularly if a top-six slot is secured. Defenseman Miro Heiskanen climbs the fantasy ranks following John Klingberg’s departure for Anaheim.

Because the imaginative and prescient for the Purple Wings eventual return to competitiveness additional crystallizes, one of many greater fantasy questions is whether or not or not they’re at a stage the place the goaltenders start to achieve relevance. The Purple Wings boast a really gifted tandem in Ville Husso and Alex Nedeljkovic, however does this crew have the defensive chops to make them fantasy starters?

Moritz Seider is already a celebrity for fantasy on the blue line, however it’s uncertain anybody else from the group will be a part of him on fantasy rosters.

Up entrance, Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi are locks, however it’s not a certain factor that Lucas Raymond can take a step ahead in his sophomore season and be a part of them on the elite threshold of two.0 fantasy factors per recreation. David Perron, Andrew Copp and Jakub Vrana will probably be within the fantasy combine if the Purple Wings are aggressive; They’re going to be on the bubble if the Wings are usually not.

If Jack Campbell might survive the blistering highlight in Toronto’s suffocating hockey market and handle to not solely survive however thrive, he could make it anyplace. Final yr’s wholesome model of the 30-year-old did simply that. Some argue Campbell isn’t any Mike Smith. Agreed. He is not. The Leafs’ ex-No 1 is a top-10 fantasy netminder, hitting his skilled stride, with a legit Cup contending crew in Edmonton. Plus, the crew’s defensive collective carried out considerably stingier as soon as head coach Jay Woodcroft changed Dave Tippett.

Aside from those that consider Auston Matthews has a urgent 70-goal season in him, the Oilers’ top-two forwards are no-brain, first and second draft picks, in all fantasy scoring leagues. Sniper Evander Kane has the wherewithal to attain 40 targets on Connor McDavid’s wing, whereas tossing in a couple of with the additional skater, in an entire 82-game season. Since Kane has but to handle any such wholesome marketing campaign, pencil him in for 30 as a substitute.

Fourth-year skater Kailer Yamamoto must lastly escape, in his projected prime spot on McDavid’s different wing, whereas Ryan Nugent-Hopkins stays a steady-Freddie fantasy asset in deeper leagues. Wilier fantasy managers could need to give Jesse Puljujarvi a whirl within the season’s early levels, earlier than he runs out of preliminary steam (mark it). Defenseman Darnell Nurse obliges as an excellent No. 2D in fantasy leagues that reward doing every thing properly.

There are numerous mixtures you may pencil in for the Panthers deployment — a product of getting two celebrity gamers which can be adequate to hold a line single-handedly (Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk) and a sophomore on a path to have the ability to do the identical sooner or later (Anton Lundell). It means the Panthers do not should play Barkov and Tkachuk collectively, simply as they did not commonly play Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau collectively in current seasons.

However which means extra princes to be made kings by the duo, as Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Bennett, Colin White and Sam Reinhart all have an opportunity at massive campaigns — in addition to Anthony Duclair as soon as he is again from harm.

The protection is negatively impacted by the lack of MacKenzie Weegar, however ought to nonetheless be adequate general to maintain Sergei Bobrovsky within the combine for loads of wins. Simply do not anticipate anybody however Aaron Ekblad to be welcome in your fantasy roster.

Fantasy fanatics are able to fall for Fiala in L.A. After busting out for a career-high 33 targets and 52 assists this previous marketing campaign in Minnesota, the previous Wild and Predator is taking his speedy companies to the west coast. Alongside star heart Anze Kopitar, the (nonetheless solely) 26-year-old is able to nearing, if not fairly equally, final yr’s outlying haul. Grand totals of roughly 70 factors from each Fiala and Kopitar, together with particular groups manufacturing, falls inside scope of life like expectation. Third top-line musketeer Adrian Kempe – who led his squad with 35 targets in 2021-22 – is helpful as a 60-point producer in deeper fantasy leagues. Additional down the lineup it is all concerning the Kings youngsters (princes?), together with Arthur Kaliyev and Quinton Byfield, who doubtless stay a season away from demanding choice consideration in most fantasy redraft leagues.

On Los Angeles’ blue line, veteran Drew Doughty endures as fantasy royalty. The skilled offensive defenseman kicked in 31 factors, together with 13 with the additional skater, in final yr’s injury-shortened 39-game season. He is wholesome now. Eventual inheritor to the Kings’ defensive throne, Sean Durzi – additionally wholesome once more – is able to take his subsequent leap as a producer and prolific shot-blocker. The 23-year-old definitely deserves later-round consideration in deeper leagues that reward each classes. Nevertheless, projected to separate time in L.A.’s crease, Cal Petersen and Jonathan Quick ought to enchantment to few fantasy managers above the No. 3 netminding slot. A minimum of if/till one of many two runs with the starter’s gig. That is not to counsel both does not make for a robust streaming choice when applicable.

Celebrity Kirill Kaprizov earned his recent $9-million annual preserve in scoring 47 targets on 289 pictures, whereas pitching in one other 61 assists. Getting into season two of his wealthy five-year deal ought to produce related outcomes. Kaprizov’s a stud, fantasy- and other-wise, and ought to be drafted in most first rounds in leagues together with 12 or extra managers.

Linemates Mats Zuccarello and Ryan Hartman (a lottery winner so far as securing centering assignments go) ought to stay in place as a result of why mess? Zuccarello has 85-point potential ought to he ever handle to remain wholesome all yr. However the two most intriguing belongings up entrance are barely permitted to purchase alcohol within the states. Whereas Matthew Boldy is seeking to construct on final yr’s complete of 39 factors in solely 47 video games, Marco Rossi is hoping to be this yr’s Boldy when lastly making his correct and full NHL debut. Each dynasty gems might even reward managers as a beneficial sleepers in redraft leagues. Particularly the Sophomore.

The offense will probably be within the arms of children Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield for the primary of many seasons to come back. Oops. That is a copy-paste of final season’s fantasy preview. That ought to learn “second” of many seasons to come back. Neither set the world aflame in 2021-22, with Suzuki incomes modest fantasy worth however Caufield struggling to search out his footing early. In the event that they can assist create a harmful line of offense for the Habs, the third member of the unit might be fascinating too; It is only a matter of whether or not that is Mike Hoffman, Brendan Gallagher or Evgenii Dadonov, who all have scoring-line expertise.

The protection is so devoid of apparent offensive expertise that kids like Justin Barron or Jordan Harris might discover themselves quarterbacking an influence play. However I do not thoughts betting on David Savard both, as he is a minute-munching veteran that has plugged PP holes up to now.

Do not even take into consideration the goalies. Simply do not.

Goalie Juuse Saros and defender Roman Josi are elite top-three fantasy belongings by their respective positions and ought to be chosen accordingly. As in, the primary or second spherical of most drafts. Completed. Transferring on.

Matt Duchene is not going to attain 43 targets once more this season. Not as a result of final yr’s taking pictures proportion of 18.9 will probably be too troublesome to copycat (though it is going to be), or that there is not a lot to understand a couple of veteran lastly discovering his free scoring groove in shrugging off the suffocating pall of unachievable expectation (since for certain there may be), however as a result of he is by no means even neared that mark earlier than. Not together with his present crew in Nashville, or ex-clubs in Columbus, Ottawa, and Denver. So pencil in Duchene for 35 targets or so – which might nonetheless rank second most in his profession – and seize him in mid rounds of most drafts. However not earlier than his linemate, Filip Forsberg, who will rating 40-plus in a full wholesome season. Then depart that prime trio’s gifted heart till later rounds in most drafts, except chasing assists. Of which Mikael Granlund will present a lot.

Additional down the Predators’ lineup, Nino Niederreiter presents as an under-radar gem in deeper leagues. Traditionally one for optimistic first impressions, Niederreiter will really feel additional impressed to make his productive mark as member of Nashville’s new-look top-six. Sophomore Tanner Jeannot carries additional fantasy swagger in leagues that reward penalty minutes and hits, in addition to factors. Thirty targets from the rough-and-ready energy ahead might properly be within the playing cards his second full yr by.

All of the items are starting to fall into place and there could be sufficient right here now to see a number of the long-building stars actually shine. Jack Hughes is primed to place himself into the dialog as one of many league’s elite, with Nico Hischier solely a small step behind. Jesper Bratt‘s breakout will probably be allowed to proceed with massive minutes and key power-play time, whereas Ondrej Palat is the veteran presence that may convey the entire offensive stew to a simmer.

Do not sleep on Yegor Sharangovich if his chemistry with Hughes continues. And positively do not sleep on Alexander Holtz if the rookie can break camp with the Devils.

If this offense clicks, Dougie Hamilton has a street map to return to the heights he noticed with the Hurricanes that had him within the dialog to be a top-five fantasy defenseman. This crew would possibly even be adequate to provide Vitek Vanecek and Mackenzie Blackwood a shot at fantasy worth each time they begin.

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Will they pop or will not they? There is not a lot to say concerning the foundational items the Rangers are fortunate sufficient to have at every place of their lineup. You understand who they’re and what they provide (although possibly do not financial institution on repeat worth from Chris Kreider after he virtually doubled his earlier profession excessive for targets). The massive fantasy query surrounds some kids with very excessive upside that simply have not clicked within the NHL but. It is uncertain there may be sufficient ice time for all three of Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko and Vitali Kravtsov to take a leap ahead, however there may be room on the highest line with Kreider and Mika Zibanejad for considered one of them. And there is room on the second line with Vincent Trocheck and Artemi Panarin for one more.

Adam Fox is considered one of solely possibly 5 defensemen that you just’d need to guess on main his place in fantasy factors, whereas goaltender Igor Shesterkin would possibly lead the whole league in fantasy factors no matter place.

If you find yourself with solely goalies and defensemen from the Islanders in your fantasy crew, you drafted properly. Constructed for stopping the puck as a substitute of advancing it, the Islanders boast three defensemen price rostering, two on the bubble and a goaltender that has an outdoor shot at prime worth on the place.

In fact, that prime worth solely occurs if the offense finds option to win video games for Ilya Sorokin, so it is positively an outdoor shot. With Ryan Pulock established and Noah Dobson rising final season, it is Alexander Romanov‘s flip to translate his bodily presence into fantasy factors on this stalwart blue line. In the meantime, Adam Pelech and Scott Mayfield do sufficient defensively to have low-end worth in deeper leagues.

As for the offense … Brock Nelson is all proper. Mathew Barzal is OK, too. Possibly Anders Lee or Kyle Palmieri can shake off current seasons of decline?

Overlook what you understand concerning the Senators from a fantasy perspective. A yr in the past, the dialog principally began and completed with Brady Tkachuk. Now, Josh Norris and Drake Batherson teamed up with Tkachuk to kind a dominant breakout trio. The Sens introduced in sniper Alex DeBrincat from the tanking Blackhawks and lured veteran captain Claude Giroux from free company so as to add to a different rising star in Tim Stutzle for one helluva prime six. Nevertheless they line up, all six have relevance for fantasy.

As pleasure wanes for Thomas Chabot to succeed in one other stage of manufacturing, the Sens now supply us Jake Sanderson, who might be the offensive dyanmo from the blue line we have been ready for right here.

There’s little doubt the Sens have the items to common 3.3 or extra targets per recreation, however the query Cam Talbot desires to reply is whether or not they can forestall that many. If the protection does not maintain up, Talbot will not have plenty of fantasy enchantment, no matter what number of targets the crew scores.

Experiences hinting at Sean Couturier‘s harm outlook being worse than recommended actually adjustments the dynamic of the Flyers. As a substitute of getting their catalyst heart on the prime of their depth chart to doubtlessly elevate these round him and provides the Flyers offense a strong likelihood of competing, everybody within the lineup goes to should be at their absolute best, pressured to play up a station.

With out Couturier wholesome, Travis Konecny‘s likelihood at a rebound is restricted, whereas Joel Farabee and Cam Atkinson would have capped upside.

The protection is a shiny spot, with Ivan Provorov in a position to obtain fantasy factors by his protection and newcomer Tony DeAngelo anticipated to do the identical by offense.

As for Carter Hart, you’re both a believer or not. The crew, even with out Couturier accessible, has the defensive prowess to permit Hart to shine. However he hasn’t executed it but and you take a threat by betting he’ll.

If trying on the Penguins for fantasy feels drained to you, that is as a result of it’s. But when it ain’t broke, do not repair it. The Penguins enter what is actually their fifteenth season with the identical C1, C2 and D1 core. In 2008-09, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang shared the power-play minutes with the likes of Petr Sykora and Miroslav Devil. Now, in 2022-23, they will be on the market with Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust — which additionally looks like previous hat.

Nevertheless it works. Guentzel could be essentially the most beneficial of the bunch, with Crosby nonetheless sustaining fantasy presence. Rust has been incredible when wholesome and Malkin can also be an harm threat.

Another items are intriguing, however solely late in drafts, together with wingers Rickard Rakell and Jason Zucker and defenseman Jeff Petry.

Tristan Jarry has the instruments right here to be a top-10 goaltender, however will want his crew to remain wholesome to get there.

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With Brent Burns gone for Carolina, it is as much as Erik Karlsson, solo, to supply the productive push from the Sharks’ blue line. This crew – with a recent coach and GM on the helm – wants a resurgence from the previous Norris winner within the worst means. If he can keep wholesome – and ifs do not rule a lot bigger than this one – Karlsson is completely able to having fun with a 70-point season, with a considerable fraction relying on the ability play. New bench boss David Quinn (publicly) believes the 32-year-old, owed one other $51-million over 5 years, nonetheless has one thing left within the tank. Fantasy managers who agree are inspired to provide Karlsson a whirl, significantly in a draft’s mid-to later rounds. Fellow defender Mario Ferraro sports activities fantasy punch in competitors that treasures blocked-shots.

Forwards Timo Meier, Tomas Hertl, and Logan Couture spherical out an in any other case restricted corps of Sharks with fantasy panache – led by Meier, who completed third solely behind Auston Matthews and Alexander Ovechkin in pictures with 326 this previous marketing campaign. The now level/recreation participant additionally is not reluctant to throw a success, and blocks extra pictures than the clear majority of NHL forwards. Many managers are turned off the Sharks, that means Meier might slide a bit in some fantasy drafts. Make certain to seize the High-20 ahead – who’s in a contract yr! – earlier than he falls to another person.

This time final yr, there was concern about the place the targets would come from in Seattle. In yr two, that fear continues to burble unabated. However there’s scoring hope on the approaching horizon, within the type of rookie heart Matty Beniers. In final spring’s transient style of NHL competitors, Beniers collected 9 factors in 10 video games for one of many league’s least productive groups. Spectacular stuff. A full season alongside ex-Blue Jacket Oliver Bjorkstrand – the Kraken’s solely different viable fantasy asset in most leagues – ought to lead to a respectful compilation of 65 for Beniers, heavy on the assists.

Past that top-line coupling, new power-play anchor Justin Schultz could be price a fantasy gamble in deeper leagues, whereas this yr’s No. 2 draft choice Shane Wright deserves keeping track of. Winger Jared McCann too, maybe, if he can close to one other 30 targets. In any other case, it makes larger sense to focus on fantasy belongings elsewhere across the league.

So far as purported top-12 fantasy netminders are involved, Jordan Binnington is sort of 10/10 on the volatility scale. Keep in mind, the Blues No. 1 wasn’t nice for many of 2021-22, floating a 3.13 GAA and .901 SV%. Positive, he was then fabulous by the playoffs, however that run lasted solely six video games. After Binnington’s half-year run to and thru the postseason in clinching the Cup in 2019, he is been solely largely okay at finest, for a balanced St. Louis crew that holds it is personal in any other case. There are extra dependable choices to pick as a No. 1 – and even No. 2 – fantasy netminder elsewhere.

In additional optimistic fantasy speak, Vladimir Tarasenko seems joyful sufficient to contribute for the Blues as soon as extra. Alongside new finest (linemate) buddy Pavel Buchnevich, the St. Louis lifer erupted for a career-high 34 targets and 48 assists in 75 video games. And guess what? Getting into the ultimate yr of his present contract, the 30-year-old is now incentivized in taking part in for the following one. Which means fantasy managers ought to once more reap wealthy fantasy rewards from Tarasenko, together with, to a barely lesser diploma, Buchnevich and younger Robert Thomas – who additionally eclipsed some extent/contest tempo this previous season.

Blossoming point-per-gamer Jordan Kyrou, who completed second solely to Tarasenko in power-play manufacturing, is one other ahead to focus on earlier than most fantasy drafts are by. On protection, Torey Krug brings it on the ability play, Colton Parayko pitches in with the more durable heavy lifting (blocked pictures), whereas Justin Faulk is appreciated as the total fantasy package deal. There’s so much for managers to mine from Craig Berube’s crew; solely the Maple Leafs and Panthers scored extra in 2021-22.

Nonetheless boasting a championship core, however additional trimming from the fringes leaves the Lightning in worse place than the earlier season — once more — however nonetheless the envy of all however a handful of groups. Nikita Kucherov is due for a wholesome marketing campaign to remind everybody he also needs to be in the identical conversations because the McDavids, Matthews and MacKinnons of the world. Steven Stamkos will assist drive the bus, with Brayden Point and different wingers, comparable to Alex Killorn or possibly Brandon Hagel, elevated by their friends.

Victor Hedman can nonetheless push to be the highest defenseman within the league, however Mikhail Sergachev can also be primed to take a step ahead. And, after all, Andrei Vasilevskiy is the ever-present linchpin that makes the entire machine perform.

They’re actually considered one of just a few groups that might legitimately characteristic the highest participant at every place when the season is completed and tallied.

The story with Toronto is much like previous seasons: It is all about what you do not see. There wasn’t an apparent winger for Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner final season, and the tip outcome was a Michael Bunting marketing campaign that helped propel some fantasy champions. This season, John Tavares and William Nylander will probably be searching for a winger to finish their line. Candidates embody Adam Gaudette, Calle Jarnkrok, Denis Malgin and Nicholas Robertson. In the long run, anticipate one to emerge to your lineup.

Morgan Rielly might be the one defenseman price rostering in shallower leagues, however there’s an opportunity Timothy Liljegren can emerge (post-injury) or Mark Giordano can summon one final season of glory.

Just like the gamble the Leafs have taken with Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov within the crease, fantasy managers can play the identical high-risk, high-reward recreation by including one to their roster. The trick is that if each have good seasons, they will in all probability mute one another’s worth for fantasy.

The Canucks are higher underneath Bruce Boudreau. All of them. So a full season with Double-B on the teaching helm ought to translate into extra wins and different improved numbers for Thatcher Demko, particularly. Earlier than Boudreau took over on Dec. 5, the Canucks’ No. 1 was 8-11-1 with a .908 and a pair of.97 GAA. Within the post-Travis Inexperienced period, Demko upgraded to 25-11-6, whereas boasting a .918 SV% and a pair of.61 GAA. Whoomp, certainly. If Vancouver’s go-to is not a High-10 fantasy netminder to launch 2022-23, he is fairly shut.

Ahead J.T. Miller ought to be drafted early in any and all leagues that reward power-play scoring. Solely Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl amassed extra factors with the additional skater this previous season. Erupting for 38 (of 99 factors complete), Miller ranks sixth in particular groups’ manufacturing since 2019-20. Contemporarily, there are solely a handful constantly higher in that specialization.

Middle Elias Pettersen and winger Brock Boeser (out till late October) advantage focusing on in mid (Pettersen) to later (Boeser) rounds in most fantasy drafts. Bo Horvat gives additional fantasy pop in leagues that reward faceoff success. KHL export Andrei Kuzmenko – projected to compete in Vancouver’s top-six – sports activities wildcard enchantment after potting 20 targets and 33 assists in 45 video games with St. Petersburg final yr. (Keep in mind Artemi Panarin, circa 2015? This profitable defection smells equally.) On the blue line, Quinn Hughes, like Miller, serves as one of many NHL’s elite power-play performers, in respect to his place.

Embracing some very extraordinary (and virtually welcome, for a change) leg soreness introduced on by skating onerous after a protracted pause, Mark Stone seems in good well being and spirits as soon as extra. “Night time and day” is how the winger describes feeling after present process surgical procedure to alleviate debilitating again ache. Any Vegas fan might inform you the perennial Selke consideration appeared a hobbled sliver of his former self in battling by extreme nerve discomfort for a couple of yr. As soon as warmed again up, which might take just a little bit, Stone ought to fall again to his dependable level/recreation stride, whereas in any other case contributing to general crew success. Maybe even a larger tempo, if the 30-year-old jives on a brand new prime energy play together with Jack Eichel and Phil Kessel.

As for that specific recent fantasy ahead pairing, prescient managers all over the place might be in for an actual deal with. Shouldering chips, and with a number of doubters to quiet, Eichel and Kessel might mix for some jaw-dropping digits. Whereas the previous Sabres captain is not more likely to survive many draft rounds unclaimed, his new ironman winger properly would possibly, in flip serving as considered one of this season’s extra beneficial sleepers. On the Knights’ wealthy blue line, Shea Theodore places up the factors, Alec Martinez and Brayden McNabb block the pictures, and top-tier D asset Alex Pietrangelo does all of it.

With reference to top-tier, there is not one other such high quality crew within the NHL – the Maple Leafs deserving a second-place nod on this vein – with such an imposing query mark looming between the pipes. With Robin Lehner out for the season and Laurent Brossoit (hip surgical procedure) sidelined to start the yr, Logan Thompson and Adin Hill are left to battle for begins with what presents as an in any other case robust Knights’ crew. Of that pair, Thompson initially sports activities larger promise, regardless of his evident inexperience. By way of solely 19 appearances in 2021-22, the rookie (nonetheless) posted a 10-5-3 document, with a 2.68 GAA and .914 SV%. Not dangerous in any respect, for a younger goalie’s first run by with a membership that endured greater than it is share of difficulties. If all goes to script, Thompson might function a surprisingly beneficial No. 3 goalie in lots of ESPN fantasy leagues.

Alex Ovechkin is up towards it now. He is coming into his age-37 season, which implies for nearly every other participant on the planet, you’d get able to be dissatisfied. However Ovie is Ovie. Coming off one other 50-goal marketing campaign, the expectation is that he can grow to be the thirteenth participant up to now seven years age 37 or older to complete among the many prime 144 forwards for fantasy factors. In truth, he’ll in all probability end close to the highest once more.

With no Nicklas Backstrom and no Tom Wilson for fairly a while, there are gaps open for Anthony Mantha and Dylan Strome to ascertain themselves as key components of the offense with Ovie and Evgeny Kuznetsov.

John Carlson is as deep as you need to go on the blue line and Darcy Kuemper is in a spot right here that is solely a small step down from the prime place he was in with the Avalanche final season. He will not make a run on the prime spot for goaltenders in fantasy, however prime 10 is affordable.

High-15 fantasy ahead Kyle Connor is a scoring machine and ought to be honoured as such in all goal-friendly leagues. No matter linemates, the previous Wolverine might tally 50 this yr, plus one other 40 or so assists. As for who would possibly line up subsequent to Connor, rookie Cole Perfetti intrigues as a sleepy fantasy rookie with surging upside. The dynasty league gem will fall into some extent/recreation tempo sooner or later, it is solely a matter of when. He is definitely price grabbing as a wildcard in most draft’s later rounds. Even when the tenth general draft decide (2020) settles subsequent to Pierre-Luc Dubois and Blake Wheeler as a substitute.

Shifting to the previous captain, it is a whatcha-got-left yr for Wheeler. Stripped of Winnipeg’s ‘C’, the veteran ought to really feel justifiably irritated and (hopefully) equally motivated to stay it to his new bench boss. A rebound marketing campaign of kinds might be within the playing cards for Wheeler, who plateaued within the manufacturing division in the course of the pandemic.

Defenseman Josh Morrisey is not safe sufficient in his prime power-play place to warrant grabbing too early. That gig might fall – because it has fallen – to Neal Pionk on any given night, particularly with beginner Rick Bowness on the teaching wheel. In most fantasy leagues of an affordable dimension, maintain off on both till filling a depth roster slot. If something, Pionk strikes extra engaging as a semi-captivating preseason sleeper. Exterior the idea the Jets will utterly disintegrate this season, No. 1 Conner Hellebuyck ranks as a High-10 fantasy goalie. With David Rittich subsequent accessible within the wings, goodness is aware of Hellebuyck will play a ton.

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