Fantasy Pool Guide: NHL 2015-2016 Season

Apr 11, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing Shane Doan (19) checks Anaheim Ducks center Rickard Rakell (67) during the second period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

ANAHEIM DUCKS

Forwards

May 17, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm (47) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period in game one of the Western Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf have been fantasy beats since they entered the league, offering production across the board for those multi-category leagues.  Newcomer Carl Hagelin may be the most intriguing addition from the offseason.  He’s never topped 20 goals or 40 points, but look for him to break both this season.

Mike Santorelli and Chris Stewart could be dark-horses to have good seasons.  Look to see who wins top spot alongside Getzlaf and Perry, as they’ll be the biggest benefactors.  Patrick Maroon is another interesting one as he’s been known to play all four lines.  The Ducks are weak up the left side until the arrival of Nick Ritchie (which may not even happen this season).

Jakub Silfverberg may be the leading candidate to claim the top line spot.  Rickard Rakell could be considered a breakout candidate.  It’ll all depend where the Ducks stick him in the lineup.  If you’re looking for another Getzlaf/Perry type without the elite production, then Ryan Kesler might be your guy.

Defense & Goaltending

The Ducks are full of left handed shots (besides Vatanen and Holzer).  This may create an opportunity for a young man not listed above, who may not hold a lot of fantasy relevance but could be a big part of Anaheim moving forward, and that’s Josh Manson (son of former NHLer Dave Manson). He’s more well known for being a solid defensive d-man though.

The two studs on the back-end are Sami Vatanen and Hampus Lindholm.  We just watched Vatanen take that next step last season, and this season it should be Lindholm’s turn.  Let’s not forget about Cam Fowler who simmered down a bit after his rookie campaign but can add some offensive punch.

Kevin Bieksa won’t do anything to help your fantasy teams or office pools, but it’s the type of guy the Ducks needed to add to the mix.  If you’re looking for a guy that hits, blocks shots, and accumulate PIM’s, look no further than Simon Despres.

Avoid the Ducks goaltending if possible.  The problem is they’ve got two starters.  They also brought in Anton Khudobin in the offseason to play backup.  Even with the nice extension John Gibson received, it wouldn’t be surprising to watch him spend most the season in the AHL.  However, the two cannot co-exist so Anaheim has some decisions to make sooner than later.

ARIZONA COYOTES

Forwards

Sep 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Trevor Lewis (22) chases Arizona Coyotes left wing Max Domi (16) in the first period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to fantasy relevance, there’s not a lot to get excited about in the desert.  The arrival of Anthony Duclair and Max Domi should set a spark to the fan base though.  Perfect for a keeper league or even just a seasonal pool.

Otherwise, Steve Downie is a guy who can produce across the board for those espn type leagues with multiple categories.  Don’t expect guys like Vermette, Hanzal, or Doan to produce too much.  Boedker could be a breakout candidate this season.  Hanzal could have a break-out, but spends more time battling injuries than anything else.

Defense & Goaltending

There’s really only one star on this Coyotes team as of right now (Domi & Duclair knocking on the door), and that’s Oliver Ekman-Larsson.  We’re talking about a guy who can produce north of 50 points, while being productive in hits and blocked shots.

Michael Stone is due for a big-time breakout on the back-end.  He should see time alongside OEL on the top PP unit in Arizona.  Another young guy due for a breakout who could compete with Stone for time on the top PP is Connor Murphy.  If you’re looking for a couple deep sleepers, consider Klas Dahlbeck or Stefan Elliott.

In goal, it’s pretty much a one man show.  The Yotes did bring in Anders Lindback in the offseason to give Arizona a better 2nd option to backup Mike Smith.  Smith is coming off a really ugly year, and it’s hard to trust him.  He’s battled inconsistencies through his days in Dallas, Tampa Bay, and now Arziona.  Regardless, it’s hard to imagine his numbers getting any worse than last year.  Proceed with caution.

Next: Boston and Buffalo

Mar 17, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Zac Dalpe (20) faces off against Boston Bruins center Gregory Campbell (11) during the first period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

BOSTON BRUINS

Forwards

Sep 22, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) during the third period against the Washington Capitals at TD Garden. The Boston Bruins won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The Bruins probably won’t be one of the more productive teams scoring wise.  Top-end players like Patrice Bergeron, Loui Eriksson, and David Krejci are players I’d avoid.  The team isn’t likely to be much better if at all, with Eriksson battling inconsistencies and Krejci an injury-risk.

The brightest spot in the Bruins lineup this season may be David Pastrnak coming into his sophomore season.  I could see him finding a home on the top line by season’s end so expect a spike in production.  Matt Beleskey was a desirable piece in the offseason, but whether or not he can handle a top six role is yet to be seen.

A lot of experts are high on Ryan Spooner, but I suggest proceeding with caution on that one.  Brett Connolly could be one of those breakout guys due for a good year, after playing so well after coming over late last season.  If you’re looking for a sleeper that could have an impact, consider Alex Khokhlachev who’s been brewing in the minors for a few years now and might be ready to take the next step.

Defense & Goaltending

Recent news is that Zdeno Chara is day-to-day (assuming he should be healthy for the season opener).  Dennis Seidenberg is expected to miss the first 6-7 weeks of the season after having surgery.  With the departure of Dougie Hamilton in the offseason, a lot of guys are going to be asked to step up.

The biggest target on the back-end should be Torey Krug as he should see a massive spike in production and PP time.  Matt Irwin was a bit of a quiet signing, but he could have a big impact for the B’s this season.  Don’t expect Chara to be what he once was.  He’s 38 now.  His point production is going down along with his hits and blocked shots.  I would avoid him completely.

The only potential dark-horse on this blue-line is Joe Morrow, a once highly touted prospect who finally looks ready to compete in the NHL.  He may be able to spark something on the back-end with injuries to open the season.

Another team with a bit of a goalie dilemma.  I think this dilemma will work itself out before the start of next season.  Tuukka Rask is still a top-tier goalie so you can draft him with confidence.  Regardless of record, Rask always seems to put up a solid GAA and Save %.

He does have Malcolm Subban nipping at his heels so he may get a few extra starts this year.  Subban only got one look last season and it wasn’t pretty.  I wouldn’t even both looking at the backup goaltending, because whether its Jeremy Smith or Jonas Gustavsson, I don’t imagine either will see too many starts.  Rask plays a ton of games.

BUFFALO SABRES

Forwards

Sep 21, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Buffalo Sabres forward Jack Eichel (41) looks on during the third period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Sabres defeated the Wild 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Talk about a new look Sabres team.  A transformed top six that now features the likes of Evander Kane, Ryan O’Reilly, Jack Eichel, and possibly Sam Reinhart.  The Sabres never got to see Evander play last season as he opted for surgery at the time of the trade.  Playing alongside O’Reilly, the two will look to rejuvenate their careers in Buffalo.

It’s more likely one of those two lead the team in scoring, although Jack Eichel could steal the show.  He’ll go high in drafts so you’d have to take him a little early to get him.  A couple guys that are due for breakouts are Johan Larsson and Zemgus Girgensons.  If you’re looking for one of those gritty players that gets physical and can produce a little bit, you might like Marcus Foligno.  Both Matt Moulson and Tyler Ennis are capable of scoring north of 50 points.  Avoid guys like Brian Gionta, Jamie McGinn, and David Legwand.

Defense & Goaltending

The Sabres got a nice boost recently when they signed free agent Cody Franson.  He’s likely to step in and be the most productive of d-men on this blue-line.  Zach Bogosian could be the second most productive d-man, although it’s not his offensive skills that make him the player he is.  If you need a guy that puts up big-time hits and blocked shots, Mike Weber might be up your alley.  No he’s not going to put up big points, but he can help in those other categories.

Mark Pysyk is a guy that a lot of fans and experts are high on going into the season.  I’m not personally sold, but he may be due for a good season.  Keep an eye on Jake McCabe.  He’s not listed above but he’s one of those bubble guys who could make an impact if he gets some extended looks at the NHL level.

A lot of Sabres fans are worried about their goaltending.  I’m here to say you can draft Robin Lehner with confidence.  His successes and numbers if you go back and look are a lot better than people think.  Goalies are a delicate breed who you can effect mentally when you play the psychological games that Ottawa did with him.  He finally gets a fresh start with no real competition behind him.  Robin Lehner could have a very nice season with this young growing Sabres squad.

Next: Calgary and Carolina

Nov 10, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau (32) checks the Carolina Hurricanes forward Victor Rask (49) into the boards during the 2nd period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

CALGARY FLAMES

Forwards

May 8, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Sam Bennett (63) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period in game four of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Anaheim Ducks won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

After enough years of playing fantasy, you learn that the “sophomore slump” is a very real thing that exists in sports.  Figuring out which players are going to be the ones to suffer is the tough part. But I’m calling Johnny Gaudreau as my top candidate for it.  We’re talking about the lightest (in weight) player in hockey who last came in around the 150 range.  Normally the small guy factor doesn’t account for much (especially nowadays) but that weight factor could come into effect.

Don’t believe ESPN when it comes to Jiri Hudler.  The astronomical numbers he put up last season were as much of a mirage as what Nick Foligno did.  He should see a dip in production.  Sean Monahan is a guy who should put up some decent numbers though.  New addition Michael Frolik and Sam Bennett should find some good chemistry on the 2nd line together.  If you need a guy who throws ridiculous amounts of hits, just grab Lance Bouma.  Sleeper candidates on the Flames should include Emile Poirer, Josh Jooris, and Paul Byron.  Avoid guys like David Jones, Matt Stajan, and Mason Raymond.

Defense & Goaltending

Recent announcement that T.J Brodie will be out for a little while opens up a spot on the third pairing that should include Ladislav Smid, Deryk Engelland, and Tyler Wotherspoon all fighting for the spots.  The Flames have one of the most impressive back-ends in the NHL, so the loss of Brodie won’t sting too much.

The two studs on this blue-line are Mark Giordano and newly acquired Dougie Hamilton.  Both can produce and both should see significant PP time. If you’re in a league that counts blocked shots, draft Kris Russell.  He only produces in the 25-35 point range but 283 blocked shots last season is astronomical.  I’m not as high on Dennis Wideman as most experts.  He’s a bit too inconsistent for me to trust in fantasy.  It’s tough when a guy puts up over 50 points one season and just over half that the next.  Proceed with caution on him.

Jonas Hiller may have had a chip on his shoulder last season coming over from Anaheim.  He had an excellent season, but the Flames probably were hoping for a little more in the playoffs.  Same problem the Ducks had with him.  Either way, he should get the majority of starts in Calgary and could have a decent regular season.  Karri Ramo is one of the leagues better backups so he generally plays more than most in that role.  He’s probably good for 10-15 wins if you need a guy in a deep sleeper pool.  But hey, if you’re depending on backups there’s a much deeper issue.

CAROLINA HURRICANES

Forwards

Mar 8, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Staal (12) and Carolina Hurricanes forward Elias Lindholm (16) talk against the Edmonton Oilers at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Edmonton Oilers 7-4. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

It’s hard to get excited about any Carolina Hurricanes player when it comes to fantasy, but there are some guys with a little more relevance heading into this season.  Elias Lindholm is in a crucial make or break season where he needs to show management he’s a front-line player.  I’m confident he’ll succeed, which makes him one of my top breakout candidates.

Eric Staal may not get back to those glory days like his 100 point season, but he’s definitely got the ability to get close to the 70 range on a good year.  A few interesting guys are Andrej Nestrasil, Kris Versteeg, Joakim Nordstrom, Riley Nash, and Victor Rask.  All five should see a spike in production this season.  Guys to avoid are Nathan Gerbe, Jeff Skinner (too much of an injury-risk), Brad Malone, and Chris Terry.  If you’re interested in a potential deep sleeper, then Brock McGinn might be your guy.  He should see some time with the Canes this season.

Defense & Goaltending

The blue-line is Carolina is very intriguing heading into the season.  The addition of James Wisniewski offers young Justin Faulk his best partner in his young career.  Both should in store for highly productive seasons point wise.  The Canes are looking for Ryan Murphy to take another step in his development, so he could have a good season as well.  The wild-card is Noah Hanifan.  If he makes the team, he could have a decent rookie year, but don’t expect him to put up big numbers.  Guys to avoid are John-Michael Liles, Ron Hainsey, and Michal Jordan.

Carolina’s net got a little more crowded this offseason with the acquistion of Eddie Lack.  Both are capable of being starters.  I believe the thought process is that by bringing in a guy like Lack to give Ward some extra time off is the formula they hope will keep Cam Ward healthy.  In terms of fantasy, unless one guy runs away with the starter role or gets injured, it’s hard to believe either could be overly helpful sharing the net.

Next: Chicago and Colorado

Apr 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Patrick Sharp (10) (center) celebrates his goal past Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (1) in the second period at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Forwards

Jun 8, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Teuvo Teravainen (86) controls the puck ahead of Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18) in the second period in game three of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The Blackhawks once again had a busy offseason attempting to trim salary.  They weren’t going to be able to afford Brandon Saad, and got a great return in Marko Dano and Artem Anisimov (both of which should plug into the top six).  Chicago also moved veteran forward Patrick Sharp and in return received Ryan Garbutt and Trevor Daley.

The other departure was Kris Versteeg to Carolina for prospects.  The two most intriguing players outside of Toews, Kane and Hossa are Teuvo Teravainen and KHL transfer Artemi Panarin.  One of those two could find themselves on the top line and both should have breakout seasons.  Other guys that could produce are Marcus Kruger, Bryan Bickell, and Viktor Tikhonov.  Andrew Shaw is a fantasy beast if you need an across the board producer. Couple deep sleepers to look out for are Mark McNeill and Kyle Baun.

Defense & Goaltending

There’s a couple interesting guys in training camp.  One is Michael Rozsival who just signed and Lubomir Visnovsky who’s currently on a professional try-out.  Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook have been the cornerstones to this blue-line for awhile now.  It looks like the Hawks are have finally extended Seabrook for 8-years and $55 million, so the Hawks may have to trim more salary when that kicks in next season. If you’re looking for a sleeper pick, David Rundblad could be due for a very nice season.  Avoid Hjalmarsson and Daley. If Trevor van Riemsdyk underwhelms, expect Ville Pokka to fill in.

The Blackhawks saw Scott Darling emerge late last season.  He proved to be a guy who could step in and play well whenever needed.  Corey Crawford is a very good goalie, but it does have his share of sloppy starts and battles inconsistency at times.  Crawford may see a reduced workload this season, but they’ll both get a bunch of wins and put up great numbers.

COLORADO AVALANCHE

Forwards

Apr 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene (9) during the second period against the Winnipeg Jets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

There’s no player I’d imagine that would be more ready to play than Nathan MacKinnon.  Coming off the dreadful sophomore slump, look for Nathan to have the biggest bounce back season of any player.  The Avs are going to need more production from their top line if they wanna be a playoff team.  So look for Landeskog and Duchene to be benefactors of MacKinnon’s bounce back year.

Losing Ryan O’Reilly is a tough one, but I think Carl Soderberg will surprise fans.  Soderberg would make for a nice late round steal.  Grigorenko and Everberg could see the biggest increases of any player on the Avs roster.  Players to avoid up front are Alex Tanguay, Jarome Iginla, John Mitchell, and Blake Comeau.  Sleeper candidates are Joey Hishon and Borna Randulic.

Defense & Goaltending

The Avs managed to quietly put together some nice pieces on the back-end this offseason.  Beauchemin doesn’t carry much fantasy relevance anymore, but his presence will do a lot to help.  I also can’t trust guys like Brad Stuart or Erik Johnson.  EJ battles inconsistency and now that he’s got his 7 year extension, sometimes play can digress as guys get too comfortable.  The guys to look at are Brandon Gormley, Nikita Zadorov, and Tyson Barrie.  Barrie is slowly becoming one of the games most productive young d-men.

Semyon Varlamov is an interesting guy.  He has glimmers of stardom that make you think he’s one of the game’s elite, but when all is said and done, he comes out as just a very good goalie.  For now, his job is pretty secure with Reto Berra backing him up.  Calvin Pickard could make a push at Varlamov’s job if he has another good year down in the AHL.

Next: Columbus and Dallas

Oct 14, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) makes a save on the shot from Columbus Blue Jackets center Artem Anisimov (42) during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Dallas defeated Columbus 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Forwards

Apr 8, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Ryan Johansen (19) against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Nationwide Arena. The Jackets won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Johansen has a new linemate in Brandon Saad, and with some good chemistry both could be in line for very productive seasons.  Don’t expect Nick Foligno to match the totals from last year, it won’t happen again.  Guys like Brandon Dubinsky, Scott Hartnell, and David Clarkson are all multi-category producers.

The players in line for a breakout are Boone Jenner and Alexander Wennberg.  Sleeper picks to keep an eye on are Kerby Rychel and William Karlsson.  I’d avoid Rene Bourque, Gregory Campbell, and Matt Calvert.

Defense & Goaltending

The Blue Jackets are hoping for some growth out of its young blue-liners.  Ryan Murray and David Savard are two guys that could take their game to the next level.  I also like Dalton Prout.  Jack Johnson and Fedor Tyutin are a couple underrated d-men.  Tyutin doesn’t produce like he once did but Johnson can rack the points up.

In net, goalie Bob has been the brightest spot on this team in recent years.  I feel like he could be due for another one of those Vezina like seasons.  Anton Forsberg still needs time to develop and Curtis McElhinney is a career backup, so expect Bobrovsky to handle a huge workload.

DALLAS STARS

Forwards

Apr 3, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars right wing Valeri Nichushkin (43) watches his team take on the St. Louis Blues during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Blues won 7-5. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into the 15-16 season, the Dallas stars look primed to have a great year.  Both Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn could compete for the Art Ross and should go high in drafts.  Their other linemate Valeri Nichushkin is coming off an injury where he missed most of last season.  Nichushkin is the top valued guy on this line as he should produce a healthy amount.  Ranked 226 by ESPN, target him as a late round steal.

The second line will have an interesting look with newly acquired Patrick Sharp playing alongside Jason Spezza.  Like the top line, the other linemate might hold most value.  It’s either gonna be Ales Hemsky or Cody Eakin.  Look for the Stars top six to produce heavily this season.  Recent news of injury to Brett Ritchie is devastating for those looking for a sleeper candidate.  He should produce when he comes back though.  The only other player up front with any type of fantasy relevance might be Vernon Fiddler.

Defense & Goaltending

Dallas’ back end got a bit better this offseason with the addition of Johnny Oduya.  The highlight of this blue-line is John Klingberg who emerged in a big way last year.  If you’re looking for point production on the back-end, look no further.  The only other quality fantasy d-man is Alex Goligoski.  If you’re looking for potential sleeper picks here, then consider Stephen Johns or Jyrki Jokipakka.

The highlight of the offseason moves in Texas was the addition of former Cup winner Antti Niemi.  Kari Lehtonen is slotted in as the starter, but is coming off a really rough season.  It’s discouraging that his numbers haven’t gotten all that much better from his injury riddled time spent in Atlanta.  At a lucrative contract, we could see a changing of the guard when Dallas moves forward with Niemi and looks to trade Lehtonen.  For 15-16, you’re probably going to see a lot of split time, so if you need a guy who starts a lot of games, avoid this goalie tandem.

Next: Detroit and Edmonton

Mar 9, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Teemu Pulkkinen (56) celebrates his goal in the third period as Edmonton Oilers center Anton Lander (51) reacts at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

DETROIT RED WINGS

Forwards

Apr 18, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Tomas Tatar (21) reacts after he scored a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in game two of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Detroit Red Wings 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Armed with a new bench boss, the Red Wings look set to begin life without Mike Babcock.  Whether or not their philosophy on their prospects change, the fact is Detroit has a ton of depth up front.

Personally, I’d avoid Justin Abdelkader, Brad Richards, and Johan Franzan.  The top targets for value should be Tomas Tatar, Gustav Nyquist, Riley Sheahan, and Tomas Jurco.

My super sleeper pick of the year comes in the form of Teemu Pulkkinen who looks poised to have a major breakout after some big years in the AHL.  Obviously a guy like Anthony Mantha is supremely talented, but its worth keeping an eye on how training camp plays out because there’s no assurances he makes the team.

Defense & Goaltending

The Red Wings added Mike Green in the offseason to help improve the back-end.  He should be capable of the 40 point range along with some additional PP time.  Niklas Kronwall is another candidate for a big season as he could accumulate over 40 points as well.  Avoid guys like Kyle Quincey, Jonathan Ericsson, and Jakub Kindl.  Brendan Smith is slowly getting close to being a non-draft guy.  Huge offensive potential that has never really come through.  If you’re looking for a couple potential sleepers, consider Xavier Ouellet or Ryan Sproul.

Another tandem goalie situation that could get interesting.  I’d assume Petr Mrazek will see the majority of starts but you can’t say that with certainty.  Jimmy Howard is making a lot of money and will be fixated on winning back his starter role.  Chances are the two will be unable to co-exist together for too long, so expect Detroit to make a move following the end of the season when Mrazek is due for a pay raise.  I wouldn’t draft either of these goalies to be honest.

EDMONTON OILERS

Forwards

Sep 21, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) looks for a loose puck during the third period against the Calgary Flames at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Let the Connor McDavid show begin.  We may not have had any big time scorers last season, but chances are this kid will break the 100 point barrier at some point in his career.  Playing alongside Taylor Hall, it might be worth an early pick to scoop up the benefactor of playing with a phenom.

Logic would suggest that Jordan Eberle would be the best fit with McDavid and Hall, but recent lines in training camp have Teddy Purcell playing with the two.  That could change in an instant and probably will.  Both Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov could both be in for big seasons playing together if they find some chemistry.  If you’re interested in deep sleepers for the Oilers, consider Leon Draisaitl, Rob Klinkhammer, and Lauri Korpikoski.

Defense & Goaltending

The Oilers were extremely active attempting to patch up their horrific blue-line this past offseason.  Whether or not they did enough to keep themselves competitive remains to be seen.  The biggest addition was Andrej Sekera who should have an immediate presence and be amongst the top scorers on the back-end.

Justin Schultz is an interesting one, who’s in a bit of prove it type season on a 1 yr contract.  It’s conceivable that Schultz produces more than any other Oilers d-man. Oscar Klefbom, who was recently extended is an intriguing one.  It’s not clear what his ceiling could be for offensive production, but the Oilers put a lot of confidence in a guy who had one good year.  Might be worth a late value pick.  I’d avoid the rest of Edmonton’s blue-line.

Edmonton hopes they’ve found their starter in Cam Talbot.  Coming off a brief stint where he stepped in for Henrik Lundqvist, Talbot looked great.  But so did Mackenzie Skapski so that doesn’t say a whole lot.  If you’re in need of a goalie that puts up solid numbers, keep moving.  The GAA and Save % is going to be ugly here.

Next: Florida and Los Angeles

Feb 5, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo (1) watches a shot by Los Angeles Kings center Trevor Lewis (22) go over the goal in the second period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

FLORIDA PANTHERS

Forwards

Mar 14, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Florida Panthers defensemen Aaron Ekblad (5) looks on against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Florida Panthers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

It’s hard to get excited about the Florida Panthers, but they do actually have some guys that can help your fantasy team.  If you need undervalued point production, I’d consider drafting Jonathan Huberdeau or Aleksander Barkov.  Their other linemate Jaromir Jagr has some fantasy relevance, but he’s a guy I’d rather avoid.

Florida is home to one of those productive guys across the board in multi-categories.  Ranked at 131 in ESPN rankings, Nick Bjugstad offers great value.  Three sleepers to consider on the Panthers are Reilly Smith, Vincent Trocheck, and Quinton Howden.  A couple late bloomers that may be ready to take the step to the NHL.  Also avoid guys like Jussi Jokinen and Dave Bolland, not worth your time.

Defense & Goaltending

Florida may have one of the most underrated blue-lines in all of hockey.  Largely due to the emergence of Aaron Ekblad, the Panthers actually have a few interesting guys on the back-end.  Obviously I’d avoid guys like Brian Campbell (pending UFA) and Willie Mitchell.  Erik Gudbranson is a solid young d-man but offers little to no fantasy relevance.  The players worth a look are Dmitry Kulikov, Dylan Olsen, and Alex Petrovic.

Well if you need a guy who plays a boat-load of games, then Roberto Luongo might be your guy.  He’s not going to lead the league in goaltending stats with the team that’s in front of him, but he’ll bring consistency and decent enough numbers to help you compete in your league.  Luongo is coming off a year where he put up a .921 save % and 2.35 GAA.

LOS ANGELES KINGS

Forwards

Apr 11, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) makes a save in the third period of the game against the San Jose Sharks at Staples Center. Kings won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

It’ll be interesting to see how the Kings deal with the distraction of Anze Kopitar and Milan Lucic set to hit free agency.  I’d expect they lock down Kopitar, but Lucic has already made it clear he’d love to be in Vancouver next year.  From a fantasy perspective, your studs are Anze Kopitar, Milan Lucic, Jeff Carter, Tanner Pearson, and Tyler Taffoli.

The guys to avoid in fantasy are Marian Gaborik (injury history), Dustin Brown (lost his relevance last year), Jordan Nolan, Trevor Lewis and Dwight King.  Players that could be primed for a breakout are Nick Shore, Andy Andreoff, Brian O’Neill, and Jordan Weal.  Keep an eye on whether or not the Kings decide to keep prospect Valentin Zykov.  He has major offensive upside and could be a deep sleeper.

Defense & Goaltending

Not a ton of change on the blue-line for the Kings.  Slava Voynov has gone back to Russia and in to replace him will be Christian Ehrhoff.  Obviously the guys to target here are Drew Doughty and Jake Muzzin.  I do think Ehrhoff can have a very productive season being in this system.  The only players I’d avoid here are Matt Greene and Jeff Schultz.  Guys like Alec Martinez, Brayden McNabb, and Derek Forbort are intriguing players to consider near the end of your draft.

You usually need to spend one of your top three picks to acquire this goalie, but Jonathan Quick is worth every penny.  He plays a ton of games, gets a lot of wins, and can put up Vezina like numbers.  With a guy like this on your roster, you can go ahead and take a chance on one of those guys who could split time in net as a tandem.  The Kings should be better this season, so expect his numbers to reflect those of past Cup winning years.

Next: Minnesota and Montreal

Dec 3, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin (74) chases Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise (11) as he passes the puck in the second quarter at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

MINNESOTA WILD

Forwards

Sep 27, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk (40) makes a save during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

Even though guys like Zach Parise, Jason Pominville, Thomas Vanek and Mikko Koivu highlight much of the Wild’s offense, I think most all of those guys are overrated and over-ranked. Mikael Granlund is an interesting one, as he could be due for a big time breakout.  His critics question his reluctance to shoot the puck, which largely attributes to those playmaking type of stats.  He’s going to have to learn to shoot the puck more and we should see some growth this season.

Some nice late round steals could include Charlie Coyle, Nino Niederreiter, Justin Fontaine, Erik Haula, and Jason Zucker.  If you’re looking for a potential deep sleeper, you could take a flyer on Tyler Graovac.  He had a good season in the AHL last year and should see some time with the big club this year.

Defense & Goaltending

The Wild blue-line looks very similar to that of last season.  The only addition was Mike Reilly, and we could see more of prospect Christian Folin (Folin could make for a deep sleeper).  Ryan Suter logs a ton of ice-time, but Matt Dumba’s emergence might help give the veteran more of a breather.  Either guy you can’t go wrong in drafting.  Couple late round d-men that may be of interest are Marco Scandella, Jared Spurgeon, or Jonas Brodin.  All three bring different elements to the table but all have the ability to produce at a mediocre rate.

Devan Dubnyk is an interesting character.  The question is whether or not you believe he was for real last year.  After signing a lucrative 5-year extension, the Wild are convinced they’ve got their guy.  That doesn’t mean a whole lot when you’re still paying Niklas Backstrom an astronomical contract.  I expect digression from Dubnyk this year.  He should still get north of 30 wins but its hard to imagine him matching his GAA and save % from last season.  He should get a lot of starts at the bare minimum.

MONTREAL CANADIENS

Forwards

May 12, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (76) skates in game six of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated Montreal Canadiens 4-1 to win the series 4 games to 2. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

It sounds as though Max Pacioretty should be ready for the start of the regular season.  The only other two players of use in the Habs top six is Alex Galchenyuk and Brandon Gallagher.  Montreal does have a few sleepers that could be due for breakout seasons in Jacob De La Rose, Zack Kassian (who came over in the Prust deal), and Devante Smith-Pelly.

If you’re looking for some deep sleepers, consider Charles Hudon or Mike McCarron. McCarron is a particularly intriguing guy as he’s had a solid showing in traing camp.  It looked like Nikita Scherbak would be the favorite of the prospects to crack a spot, but he’s definitely a guy to consider late in keeper leagues. The guys I’d avoid in fantasy are Tomas Plekanec, David Desharnais, and Lars Eller.  You could consider a late risk on Alex Semin, but avoiding him might be wise.

Keep an eye on the status of Tomas Fleischmann who is on a PTO with the Habs.  He’s impressed early and could have some fantasy relevance if he makes the team.  He’s probably not worth more than a late-round pick but definitely has a big offensive upside.

Defense & Goaltending

The Canadiens might be paying their blue-line far more than any other team, but it doesn’t make it an elite back-end. Obviously, P.K. Subban is a stud blue-liner even in fantasy, but you’d have to sacrifice one of your top 3 picks to get him. I’d avoid Andrei Markov and Alexei Emelin. Markov used to be a top tier fantasy guy, but a couple healthy seasons and people seem to forget how much time he missed due to injuries. He’s still an injury-risk, and he’s an aging veteran so decline will come sooner than later.

If you’re hurting for defense towards the end of your draft, Jeff Petry could be a sneaky pick. His point projections aren’t high, but I don’t think Montreal has really seen his full offensive upside that was at times on display when he was with the Oilers. If you’re looking for a sleeper in deep pools, keep an eye on whether or not Jarred Tinordi cracks the opening night roster. He’s been brewing in the AHL for awhile now and could have an impact as an everyday player.

What can you really say that anyone doesn’t already know about Montreal’s goaltending. Carey Price is elite and puts on consistent Vezina performances in recent years. There’s really not even a quality backup with Dustin Tokarski, so you can bet he’ll see a ton of starts once again. Just be ready to use a first round pick to get him. Good news, you can draft a Bernier or Lehner type and still have excellent goaltending stats due to Price alone.

Next: Nashville and New Jersey

Mar 3, 2015; Newark, NJ, USA; Nashville Predators goalie Carter Hutton (30) makes a glove save during the third period at Prudential Center. The Devils defeated the Predators 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Forwards

Sep 20, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators center Filip Forsberg (9) skates the puck into the zone during the third period against the Florida Panthers at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Predators are littered with all sorts of intriguing fantasy players. Filip Forsberg burst onto the scene last season and has emerged as Nashville’s top player already. James Neal is coming off a down season, but chances are he bounces back and has a nice campaign.

After a nice rookie season, Craig Smith quieted down a bit but burst back onto the scene last season. He finally looks truly settled in and you can expect a slight growth in productivity this season.

The players to avoid in that top six are Mike Ribeiro and Mike Fisher. Don’t get me wrong they can still bring it at a high level, but like many vets that production is bound to start dipping eventually.

The Preds already announced their third line would feature Cody Hodgson, Calle Jarnkrok and Steve Moses. I’d consider taking a late round pick on any three of these guys.

Defense & Goaltending

The Predators feature the most productive blue-line in the NHL. Shea Weber and Roman Josi are guys you can feel comfortable drafting as both can produce north of 50 points. Weber’s gritty play makes him a better option for leagues that include extended categories like PIM, shots, hits, etc.

Seth Jones is a guy who is due for a breakout this season, so it’s okay to reach a little bit to grab him. He could easily outdue all the projections we have for him. Ryan Ellis has been a target of critics for years because of his small size as a defenseman. That offensive talent he had in junior that made him such an attractive prospect has finally come out at the NHL level. Expect him to continually produce north of 40 points every year.

In goal, Pekka Rinne is still the man who’s highly regarded as one of the elite in the NHL. He’s worth the second round pick if you wanna solidify your goaltending early. There is a new guy on the block though who could cut into a few of Rinne’s start. Carter Hutton had a good campaign for the Preds last year and could be a target for teams looking for a goalie in the future.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Forwards

Sep 23, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider (35) makes a save against the New York Islanders during the second period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t get too excited, there’s nothing to brag about here when it comes to fantasy. The Devils are bound to be a basement team and won’t offer much scoring.

Couple guys to avoid that battle inconsistencies are Travis Zajac and Mike Cammelleri. Patrik Elias is another one to avoid as it could very well be his last season. There are some guys that might be worth a pick in your fantasy league though.

Kyle Palmieri comes over and immediately likely steps in to a first line role. He’ll get a ton of ice time and every chance to produce. Adam Henrique in an interesting guy to consider as well. With so little talent around, Henrique could be due for a breakout season.

If you need one of those multi-category producers then Tuomo Ruutu is the perfect player to grab. He’s coming off an injury plagued season, but this guy had some great years in fantasy while with the Hurricanes. A few sleepers to consider in deep pools are Reid Boucher, Stefan Matteau, and Jacob Josefson.

Defense & Goaltending

If you’re drafting a New Jersey Devils d-men, then you’re probably in a deep league with lots of teams. Otherwise I’m not too sure what you’re doing. It’s not that it’s a horrible blue-line, it just doesn’t carry much fantasy relevance until some of these young guys develop.

Damon Severson is the most intriguing of all guys as it seems he could be highly productive moving forward. Adam Larsson has finally developed into a quality d-man, but he’s never going to be a highly productive d-man. He could be worth a late-round pick though. Eric Gelinas would be a decent target in keeper leagues, as he could have more relevance shortly down the road. I’d probably avoid Andy Greene. He’s had some great seasons, but he’s an aging vet that battles inconsistency.

You’d think one of the worst teams in the NHL would have a goalie with stats looking like that of Mike Smith’s in Arizona. Surprisingly enough, Cory Schneider put up some great numbers last year if you don’t include wins. I have a hard time believing that he’ll duplicate those numbers again this season. If you’re okay with taking a hit in the win category, he’ll still put up great stats. You just may have to use a 4th or 5th round pick to get him. Pretty lofty for a guy getting less than 30 wins.

Next: New York Islanders and Rangers

Mar 10, 2015; Uniondale, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) and New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) chase a loose puck during the first period at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Forwards

Apr 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Islanders center Anders Lee (27) chases after the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

There’s a ton of players to consider on the Islanders. If you’re lucky enough to scoop up John Tavares, congratulations. However, if you’re wondering who might be the benefactor of playing with Johnny T?

Obviously Kyle Okposo has fit in very nicely on the top-line, although he’s not an elite talent so don’t expect massive numbers. Figuring out who else fits in on that top line is tough. I think Anders Lee might have the best chance, and even if he doesn’t, Lee is bound to have a breakout season.

Ryan Strome is another guy who could fit in on that top line. He just seems to be getting better and better and like Lee is due for a breakout season. Guys that could also produce for New York this year are Brock Nelson, Mikhail Grabovski, and Casey Cizikas.

A few guys that I would avoid are Nikolai Kulemin, Frans Nielsen, and Josh Bailey. If you’re in a league that counts hits, make note of the fact that Matt Martin led the league with 382 last season. Keep an eye on Michael Dal Colle through training camp to see if he cracks the team. If he opens the season with the Islanders, he could have a highly productive rookie season.

Defense & Goaltending

The Islanders top two d-men are extremely undervalued in espn rankings. If you can steal one of Nick Leddy or Johnny Boychuk late in your espn draft, you’re in great shape. The pair were a nice surprise that made GM Garth Snow look like an absolute genius.

The Islanders also have Thomas Hickey who’s a bit of a journeyman taking a long time to develop down in the minors. Luckily, he’s finally an everyday blue-liner and could produce in the 20-30 point range most likely. Travis Hamonic is a little inconsistent, but has proven he can be productive so he might be worth a late risk pick. A couple young guys to keep an eye on are Calvin de Haan and Ryan Pulock. If either see a substantial amount of ice time, they could become fantasy relevant very quickly.

Jaroslav Halak still doesn’t get the respect he deserves from experts. We’re talking about a guy who broke a ton of Islanders goalie records last season. The GAA and save % are nothing to rave about, and could potential see a boost this season. But with such a strong team in front of him, and Thomas Greiss behind him, the wins total will be massive.

NEW YORK RANGERS

Forwards

May 29, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes a save against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period in game seven of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Rick Nash is a great player and all, but he’s probably not worth that 1st or 2nd round pick, unless you’re picking late in the second round. There’s definitely a bunch of guys to consider on this Rangers team though. Guys like Derek Stepan, Mats Zuccarello, Chris Kreider, and Derick Brassard are all guys that could help your team.

A few sleeper picks are new additions Emerson Etem and Jarret Stoll, as well as Kevin Hayes. You’re probably best to avoid J.T. Miller and Viktor Stalberg. A couple guys to watch in training camp are Brian Gibbons and Oscar Lindberg as either could have an impact if they make the opening night roster. Just remember, the Rangers are one of the more balanced teams for spreading out the individual points, so outside of Nash there’s no real elite producers.

Defense & Goaltending

You could make a good argument for who has the best defense core. On one hand, Nashville produces the most. Calgary might have the best defensive defense cores, and New York fits somewhere in the middle. They produce and play great defense. So you could make a good argument for any three of the teams. Keith Yandle is the most attractive player fantasy wise on this back end. Ryan McDonagh is a guy who can produce in multiple categories. A good sleeper pick might be Kevin Klein as he looks primed for a good season. The guys to avoid include Marc Staal and Dan Girardi who both battle inconsistency, as well as Dan Boyle who’s production continues to dip with age.

Some fantasy owners might be hesitant to use a second round pick on Henrik Lundqvist after the devastating injury last season. But these things can happen to your team sometimes. Let’s not forget King Henrik has been a consistently dependable elite goaltender for years. He’ll get you a ton of wins, shutouts and all-around quality stats so feel comfortable drafting him. Newly acquired Antti Raanta won’t cut into Henrik’s playing time too much, but he’s going to be one of the leagues best backups in the limited games he does play. Probably won’t hold any fantasy relevance though.

Next: Ottawa and Philadelphia

Apr 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators goalie Andrew Hammond (30) falls on a puck shot by Philadelphia Flyers right wing Jakub Voracek (93) during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

OTTAWA SENATORS

Forwards

Mar 17, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Ottawa Senators defensemen Patrick Wiercioch (46) celebrate his 2nd period goal with defensemen Erik Karlsson (65) and forward Mika Zibanejad (93) against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Ottawa Senators defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

It’s tough to gauge how much productivity we’ll see out of the Sens this season. They went on a historic run last year with the Hamburgler leading the way from in goal, and rookies Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone up front.

I do think both should have solid campaigns once again, but you do always have to consider that dreaded sophomore slump. So don’t go reaching for either in your pool, and just hope they fall into your lap.

Bobby Ryan is another guy you could consider since he’s a major candidate for a bounce back season. His bounce back might be largely attributed to Mika Zibanejad. Here’s a guy poised for a big time breakout season in the nations capital. Kyle Turris is a guy you could feel comfortable drafting as he seems to have found some consistency in his game.

Two others you could consider late in your drafts are Alex Chiasson and J-G Pageau. But keep an eye on the training camp battle between Shane Prince and Matt Puempel. I had Prince pegged as a breakout candidate well before camps opened so I expect him to win the battle after leading Binghamton in scoring last year. A few guys to avoid are Clarke MacArthur, Milan Michalek, and Colin Greening.

Defense & Goaltending

There’s no defenseman more sought after in fantasy than Erik Karlsson. And there’s a reason. No other d-man consistently puts up top line forward-like point totals. He’s worth the second round pick. The only other play of significance on Ottawa’s back-end is young Cody Ceci. He continues to get better and could see a big boost in productivity this season.

Patrick Weircioch is one of those borderline guys, maybe a real late pick. He’s holds a lot more relevance on the actual ice than he does in fantasy though. I’d probably avoid Marc Methot and Jared Cowen. Cowen may have relevance one day, but that it’s not likely to be this season.

Here’s another goaltending situation I’d rather just avoid if possible. Going into the season, Craig Anderson will be the starter, but expect to see a split committee with Andrew Hammond backing him up. As long as Hammond competes for that starter role, it’ll be tough to get much productivity out of either of these guys. Don’t believe me? Just ask those who have dealt with the Elliott/Allen situation. You want clear cut starters in fantasy. I’d love to see what’s going to happen in Ottawa when Matt O’Connor burst onto the scene. He’s had a solid training camp so far and should tear apart the AHL like Matt Murray did in Wilkes-Barre.

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Forwards

Jan 31, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux (28) talks with right wing Jakub Voracek (93) against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Flyers have a couple elite top two round forwards in Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux. Whether you’re taking Giroux in the first, or Voracek in the second, both should provide a ton of scoring. If you need one of those multi-category guys, then scoop up Wayne Simmonds.

A couple guys due for a breakout are Sean Couturier and Matt Read. The sleeper picks on the Flyers should include Michael Raffl, Sam Gagner, and Scott Laughton. Rumours suggest Vincent Lecavalier had a good offseason, but I’d avoid both him and R.J. Umberger.

Brayden Schenn is a bit of a murky one. He’s a player that can produce around the 50 range, but he might have a down year with so many other guys vying for ice time.

Defense & Goaltending

Here’s a blue-line I’d consider bypassing completely in fantasy. The only player with relevance is Mark Streit, and I just don’t trust the aging vet not to begin that dreaded decline. So I’d probably avoid him. A complete wildcard is KHL transfer Yevgeny Medvedev. Really not sure what you can expect from him so maybe stick him on your watch list.

Michael Del Zotto is coming off a good year, but its hard to trust him with his inconsistencies over the years. Andrew MacDonald might be worth a real late pick if you’re really hurting for d-men. Keep an eye on whether or not the Flyers decide to keep Ivan Provorov. He could be a sneaky great late sleeper if he does indeed play the season in Philadelphia.

You can’t trust the Flyers goaltending anymore than you can trust its defense. Michael Neuvirth should help to offer a quality second option this year behind Steve Mason. Mason is coming off a great year, but like many Flyers has been known for having trouble with inconsistency. It’s probably more like he has another solid campaign, but I wouldn’t go reaching for any goalie that plays for this city.

Next: Pittsburgh and St.Louis

Mar 24, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) makes a save against Pittsburgh Penguins left wing David Perron (39) during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Forwards

Mar 12, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) and center Evgeni Malkin (71) celebrate a power play goal by Crosby against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Penguins have a different look up front heading into the 15-16 season. Additions include sniper Phil Kessel, and free agents Matt Cullen and Eric Fehr. They also acquired Nick Bonino from Vancouver in exchange for Brandon Sutter.

If you can get your hands on one of Crosby or Malkin, then do it. They’re just as good in fantasy as they are as actual players.

Experts are predicting a massive season out of Kessel. I’m not believing the hype, and I’m certainly not spending a first or early second rounder on him even if he does have a good season. Outside of shots, he doesn’t offer a whole lot and has a bad track record with plus minus. Even his days in Boston.

If you’re looking for a good bang for your buck type players, consider Nick Bonino, Patric Hornqvist or David Perron. I’d personally avoid guys like Chris Kunitz, Pascal Dupuis, and Beau Bennett. If you’re looking for sleepers on the Pens, you might want to consider Sergei Plotnikov or Oskar Sundqvist.

Defense & Goaltending

The only thing that could make the Penguins self-destruct this season is the pitiful back-end they feature. The only guy worth taking is Olli Maatta who looks to continue to grow and should see a spike in productivity. Don’t even waste your time with Kris Letang in fantasy. He’s decent when healthy, but it’s impossible to trust him until he gives us a couple full seasons of play.

Pittsburgh does a sleeper candidate on their blue-line in Derrick Pouliot. He’s coming off a decent year down in Wilkes-Barre and remains the Pens top prospect, so the potential is there when he steps in full-time this season. If you’re in a much deeper type of pool, you could consider taking Brian Damoulin who put up 33 points in 62 games with Wilkes-Barre last year. He’s a top five prospect in the Pens organization.

There’s nothing wrong with Marc-Andre Fleury, but I personally avoid drafting him. I find he’s usually overrated in the rankings year after year for the numbers he produces. The other half of my disconnect to him is his recent playoff performances. He’s a solid starter who will see a ton of starts so there’s nothing wrong with drafting him.

Jeff Zatkoff certainly isn’t going to challenge him too much for more playing time. The real wildcard is what sits in the minors right now. Matt Murray posted astronomical numbers in Wilkes-Barre last season putting up a 1.58 GAA and .941 save %. If the Penguins are determined to move forward with Fleury, you can expect there to be a lot of teams calling on Matt Murray.

ST.LOUIS BLUES

Forwards

Jan 29, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues left wing Jaden Schwartz (17) celebrates with Vladimir Tarasenko (91) after scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators during the second period at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Fans in St.Louis probably didn’t get the roster shake-up they were hoping for this offseason. When the dest settled, the only real new the Blues made was acquiring Troy Brouwer from the Capitals in exchange for T.J. Oshie.

The thought process must be that some of these young guys are expected to step up and play bigger roles this season. The only guys you need to have caution with in drafting is Alex Steen and Patrik Berglund. Otherwise, the Blues are loaded with fantasy studs.

David Backes is almost as valuable as Ryan Getzlaf or Corey Perry in the fantasy world. When you’re including things like shots, hits, blocked shots, etc. Backes produces at a high rate in most categories. In reality, Blues fans would prefer to see Backes take a more limited role, preferably on the second line.

Believe the hype, Vladimir Tarasenko is a scoring machine. We should continue to watch his production climb until he hits his ceiling. Another young stud is Jaden Schwartz, and with the likeliness of stepping into a bigger role, he could be primed for another breakout again this season. Paul Stastny had a rough start to his Blues career, but you should feel comfortable drafting him as he’s another guy due for a breakout.

If you need an uglier less productive version of David Backes, then Steve Ott might be your guy. If we’re talking sleepers on the Blues, maybe take a shot at Ty Rattie, Robby Fabbri, or Ivan Barbashev. You’ll have to keep an eye on where they end up to start the season, but all have a chance to be productive NHLers.

Defense & Goaltending

The Blues have a bit of a strange blue-line. There’s a major drop-off in talent from the top three to the bottom three. Both Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk are studs on the back-end in fantasy. You can take either with confidence. Jay Bouwmeester is a guy to avoid though. He’s an excellent defenseman, but lost his fantasy relevance years ago (if he really ever had any in the first place). The only potential deep sleeper on this blue-line is Joel Edmundson but it’s more likely he starts in the AHL.

Jake Allen looks poised to take over as the starter this season after watching Brian Elliott get the majority of starts last season. Expect Jake to see a major workload increase this season, so he’ll have some great value. At the same time, Brian Elliott won’t see as many starts and is likely not even worth a pick this season. It’ll be interesting to see if prospect Jordan Binnington could one day be backing up Jake Allen.

Next: San Jose and Tampa Bay

Feb 15, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Alex Killorn (17) controls the puck against San Jose Sharks center Patrick Marleau (12) during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the San Jose Sharks 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

SAN JOSE SHARKS

Forwards

Sep 22, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns (88) defends against Vancouver Canucks forward Hunter Shinkaruk (48) during the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Not a lot of change up front for the Sharks this season. The only addition was free agent Joel Ward who should fit in nicely on the third line and could really help come the postseason (if the Sharks make it, of course). If you’re thinking about drafting one of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, or Joe Pavelski then I’d advise against it. It’s nothing wrong with the players themselves, just a case of overrated players in fantasy.

Logan Couture is the only elite Sharks player that ranks around where he should be, and he’s worth the pick to take him. A bunch of potential sleeper picks that could have breakout seasons are Melker Karlsson, Tomas Hertl, Matt Nieto, Chris Tierney, or Nikolay Goldobin. Some late round value might include guys Joel Ward or Tommy Wingels. The only real deep sleeper is Joonas Donskoi.

Defense & Goaltending

The Sharks had a pretty horrendous back-end last season. Unfortunately, it’s not going to look much better this season. Yes, the addition of Paul Martin helps, but it’s a pretty weak blue-line. Some bright spots though as Brent Burns is a fantasy stud. Whether he’s playing defense or forward, the big rugged NHLer produces. The only other guy who may have fantasy relevance is a bit of sleeper who looks poised to breakout, and that’s Mirco Mueller. Avoid players like Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Paul Martin, Justin Braun, and Brendan Dillon as they won’t offer you much.

Perhaps the biggest news for the San Jose Sharks was their acquisition of Martin Jones from Boston via Los Angeles. Jones doesn’t offer much NHL experience, but has looked like he could be a very good starter in this league. Time will tell. He might be worth a mid to late round pick if you’re looking for a second goaltender. However, if for some reason Martin Jones were to faulter, then expect Alex Stalock or Troy Grosenick to get a shot at the starter role.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Forwards

Oct 28, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) is congratulated by center Tyler Johnson (9) and left wing Ondrej Palat (18) after he scored a goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

When you produce a ton of goals in your top 9, you’re usually full of quality fantasy players. You can draft Steven Stamkos, Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, or Nikita Kucherov with confidence. Valtteri Filppula is a guy you could try rolling the dice with, although I think a major breakout by Jonathan Drouin could easily push Filppula down the depth chart.

If you can get a guy like Alex Killorn later in your draft, you could find some decent value there. One of those across the board multi-category producers is Ryan Callahan. I’d probably avoid guys like Brian Boyle, Erik Condra, and Vladislav Nemestnikov.

Defense & Goaltending

The Lightning’s proved during their playoff run last season that they have a blue-line that can compete with the best of them. A lot of the success is largely due to the emergence of Victor Hedman. It took him a few years to find himself, but he’s finally settled in as one of the top producers from the back-end.

Anton Stralman is a guy who quietly played well in New York before finding a home in Tampa. He’s not going to be an elite producer, but he’ll get plenty enough ice-time to give him fantasy relevance. The only other guy worth looking at fantasy wise is Jason Garrison. He can produce a little more than Stralman can. I’d probably avoid Matt Carle, Braydon Coburn, and Andrej Sustr. If you’re in need of a couple sleepers, keep an eye on Nikita Nesterov or Slater Koekkoek.

It looks as though Andrei Vasilevskiy will miss some time to start the season. Pretty much diminishes any value he might have had going into the season. However, he’s still a high end prospect if you’re in a keeper league. The man is and will continue to be big Ben Bishop, at least for the foreseeable future. With Vasilevskiy out to start the year, Bishop could see an increase in workload, at least to begin the season. He should rack up the wins and put up some solid numbers while doing it.

Next: Toronto and Vancouver

Mar 14, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Jannik Hansen (36) moves the puck against Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jonathan Bernier (45) and defenseman Dion Phaneuf (3) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Forwards

Apr 1, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri (43) carries the puck up ice during the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

It can be tough to find fantasy value in any re-building team. At the same time, it’s an opportunity to get some great value on players who will see more ice-time than usual or deserved. James van Riemsdyk should see be capable of producing north of 50 points, probably closer to the 60 range this season. If, and this is a big if, Joffrey Lupul can stay healthy this year, he could have one of the biggest bounce back seasons of any player.

It also looks as though Nazem Kadri will get a look at 1st line center, with Bozak likely slipping down the depth chart a bit. Kadri has a lot to prove with a 1-year contract so he could be due for a major breakout.

Another couple guys on 1-year contracts that might be worth a late-round risk are P.A. Parenteau and Shawn Matthias. You could always try rolling the dice on Tyler Bozak. It may not end well, but who’s to say losing a guy who wants the puck so much like Kessel won’t be a good thing for Bozak? Some better defensive forwards to line up with, might open up a slightly bigger window for production.

There’s some border-line guys who are boom or bust types in Richard Panik, Peter Holland, or Mark Arcobello. However, if you want a guy who throws a ton of hits then Leo Komarov is a perfect fit. I’d also stick a guy like Nick Spaling on my watch list to begin the year. He actually had fantasy relevance his last year in Nashville, so who’s to say even more ice-time in Toronto can’t spark that again. Avoid Daniel Winnik, and the kids vying for roster spots. Until you see a guy like Connor Brown or William Nylander as everyday NHLers, they won’t be overly helpful.

Defense & Goaltending

Opportunity knocks in Toronto. Rumblings through training camp suggest that Morgan Reilly and Jake Gardiner could spend some time together on the top pair to open the season. This is a step in the right direction. Dion Phaneuf cannot handle a top pair role or top pair type minutes, without being a Kessel-like defensive liability. You can probably get some great value in one of Gardiner or Reilly though so it’s worth the risk.

Believe it or not, Dion Phaneuf does have fantasy relevance. What he actually does on the ice drives fans nuts, but he is one of those multi-category producers believe it or not. I wouldn’t expect him to top 35 points. He’ll be lucky to reach 30. Avoid Stephane Robidas, Roman Polak, and Matt Hunwick as none will help you fantasy team. The only prospect that may be able to help you in fantasy is Stuart Percy, but you’ll need to keep an eye on whether or not he cracks the opening night roster.

We’re starting to get closer to having a clear cut #1 in Toronto. New bench boss Mike Babcock stated going into camp that there was goalie competition for that starter role, and not surpising it looks as though Bernier should take it. Even with Babcock “playing the hot hand”, I still expect that Jonathan Bernier sees an increase in his workload this season. He’ll offer great value in the late rounds if you need another goalie. Don’t bother with James Reimer. If there’s one thing we’ve learnt over his tenure with the Leafs, it’s that his rebound control is terrible, and has barely improved over his short career. Just don’t expect stellar numbers from either of these guys this year.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Forwards

Feb 24, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Bo Horvat (53) skates against the Boston Bruins during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

The Canucks are an interesting offensive group when it comes to fantasy. A lot of their fantasy success is dictated by their win total. So the question is do you think they’re a playoff team or not? There’s nothing wrong with drafting either Henrik or Daniel Sedin. Sometimes they can be a little overvalued, but if you can secure both of them in your draft, that’s the best thing to do. Trying to figure out who’s going to play alongside could be your answer to he’s the biggest sleeper on Vancouver.

Both Radim Vrbata and Alex Burrows spent some time on the top line, but I’m intrigued at the notion of Jake Virtanen sliding in there. It’s more unlikely than likely, but keep an eye on the situation towards the end of Canucks camp. Brandon Sutter didn’t offer much value during his time in Pittsburgh, but he never really fit in either. Look for him to regain the form he had back in Carolina, which could make him a solid value pick in late rounds.

Some other sleepers in Vancouver are Sven Baertschi, Bo Horvat, and Linden Vey. If you’re looking for one of those physical multi-category producers then Brandon Prust might be a good fit. I’d avoid Derick Dorsett, Chris Higgins and Jannik Hansen if possible.

Defense & Goaltending

Outside of Alex Edler, there’s not much in the way of fantasy value in Vancouver. Edler is capable of producing in the 30-40 point range and will continue to log big minutes on the back-end. If you still need a d-man late in your draft, Dam Hamhuis may bring a bit of value but I wouldn’t expect too much from him.

Luca Sbisa is an intriguing guy as he finally found himself last year in Vancouver and has quickly become a fan favorite. He’s doesn’t have a huge offensive ceiling, but he may have enough to make bring him up to the Dan Hamhuis range. Otherwise, I’d avoid Chris Tanev, Yannick Weber, and Matt Bartkowski. The only deep sleeper on the Canucks roster is Frank Corrado who put up 16 points in 35 games with Utica last season.

The Canucks shipped Eddie Lack to Carolina in the offseason. Largely due to the fact that backup Jacob Markstrom had a monster year in the AHL going 22-7-2 with 1.88 GAA and .938 save %. He’s not likely to see as many starts as Eddie Lack did last season, so you can draft starter Ryan Miller with confidence. He’s aging so I wouldn’t recommend him in keeper leagues, but for one season, he should get a ton of starts and produce somewhere in the upper percentile compared to other goalies.

Next: Washington and Winnipeg

Mar 21, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Washington Capitals center Brooks Laich (21) blocks a shot from Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (55) in third period play at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Forwards

May 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) reacts against the New York Rangers during overtime in game seven of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers defeated the Capitals 2 – 1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

If you were to have the Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin solely based in terms of fantasy, Ovechkin would destroy. We’re talking about massive goals and points, not to mention usually leads or in the top 5 in shots. He produces on special teams, and is usually a plus player. He also has a bit of an edge to his game that helps in the hits and PIM categories. Nicklas Backstrom is one of the league’s top playmakers, although I find he’s usually overrated in rankings.

The two best value sleeper picks for the Caps are Evgeny Kuznetsov and Andre Burakovsky. It may be tempting to draft newly acquired T.J. Oshie, but I’m throwing up the red flag. Until he can prove he can stay healthy, it’s really not worth the risk even with the high reward potential. Justin Williams doesn’t hold a ton of value for keeper leagues, so single season pools make him a bit of a sleeper.

I’d probably avoid Marcus Johansson as well. It’s not a knock on his talent level, but he’s bound to take a lesser role with these younger guys emerging. You can also avoid Brooks Laich. He used to produce at a high-level but sort of fell of the map and is lost deep in the Caps depth chart. Maybe stick him on your watch list in case Washington has a spell of injuries. If you need a physical type guy who produces across the board, consider Tom Wilson. He was amongst the leaders in fighting majors last season.

Defense & Goaltending

Washington’s back-end took a major hit this offseason. The loss of Mike Green might be felt early into the season. There’s still guys with value here though. John Carlson has been a consistent fantasy performer, often not getting enough love. You might get some sneaky good value with him. Matt Niskanen is another guy who has fantasy relevance. He’s a little more inconsistent so it’s hard to predict what his numbers will look like from year to year, but could have some late-round value.

A great sleeper to consider this season is Madison Bowey. He should make the jump from junior and is more than likely to assume a role on the top pairing before season’s end. Scouts say he has a huge offensive upside, so it’ll be interesting to see if he cracks the squad out of training camp. Three guys to avoid are Brooks Orpik, Karl Alzner, and Dmitry Orlov.

He’s going to cost you a top end pick or a large chunk of your cap in fantasy, but Bradon Holtby is worth every penny. He’s cemented himself in as an elite goalie in the NHL, and offers high-end production across the board. He’s likely to play close to 70 games, so you can probably wait till late in the draft to grab another goalie.

WINNIPEG JETS

Forwards

Sep 22, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers (42) prior to the game against the Minnesota Wild at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets have a couple guys up front that draw comparable to Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry in a sense. Not as much point production, but gritty physical guys who produce across the board. Of course, I’m talking about Blake Wheeler and Andrew Ladd.

One of this year’s super sleepers is rookie Nikolaj Ehlers. The Jets are desperate for first line talent, and Ehlers may step in and offer that immediately.

Another guy due for a breakout is Mark Schiefele. One of those borderline guys who has proven they can produce but has battled a bit of inconsistency is Bryan Little.

A couple interesting late round type players are Alex Burmistrov (who returns to North America this season) and Adam Lowry. If you’re in need of deep sleepers, consider prospects Joel Armia or Nic Petan. The guys I’d avoid in Winnipeg are Mathieu Perreault, Matt Halischuk, and Drew Stafford.

Defense & Goaltending

Rumors are swirling around the status of Dustin Byfuglien and his impending expiring contract at the end of the season. There’s reason for the buzz, because they’ve got a guy in Jacob Trouba emerging as their leader on the back-end. Byfuglien is going to be looking for long-term and big time money. Probably more than the Jets are able to afford. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him moved prior to the trade deadline. Either way, Byfuglien holds value similar to that of Brent Burns. Both have the versatility to play forward, and both play a tough physical style that produces across the board.

If you’re looking for more value later in your draft, Jacob Trouba is due for a breakout. Tyler Myers is another guy who offers more than just point production and looked good in his short stint with the Jets late last season. Tobias Enstrom is a bit of a borderline guy. At once he was an elite fantasy d-man but seems to battle a ton of inconsistency these days. If you can get him late or for cheap, it might be worth the risk though. The deep sleeper to consider for the Jets is prospect Josh Morrissey. If he makes the team out of training camp, he could have an immediate impact.

Here’s another goaltending situation I’d probably avoid if you can. There’s too much uncertainty with three guys that could potentially be starters in Ondrej Pavelec, Michael Hutchinson, and Connor Hellebuyck. Hellebuyck should start the year in the AHL, but I see Pavelec’s time in Winnipeg soon expiring if I had to guess.

I definitely wouldn’t touch Pavelec in fantasy drafts, but Michael Hutchinson might be worth a late risk pick as he could take over the starter’s role at any point. If you’re in a keeper league, Connor Hellebuyck may have the most value of any three of the Jets goaltenders after his incredible run with Team USA at the World Championships last spring.

Next: Fantasy Wrap-Up

Sep 21, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) flips the puck on his stick during a stoppage in play against the Carolina Hurricanes in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The start of hockey season is much like Christmas to us die-hard passionate fans.  With many months of hockey ahead of us, it should be yet another exciting season in 2015-2016. Hopefully you’ve enjoyed our insight and we hope you can use our extended knowledge to help win your fantasy pool.

Next: NHL Preseason News

More from Puck Prose

• Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
• This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
• 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
• 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
• This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings