MORE COVERAGE: Top 250
Top 10 sleepers | Cheat sheet
NOTES: Deep sleepers are players who have sneaky upside in the late rounds of expanded fantasy drafts and often go undrafted in standard, 12-team leagues. They can be young players (at least 24 years old) who have scratched the surface or more experienced players who have performed well in the NHL before but remain underrated or overlooked in fantasy for any reason(s). These picks are a collaborative effort by Pete Jensen and Anna Dua; there will be separate top 10 lists for regular sleepersrookies, breakouts, bounce-backs and draft bargains.
Oliver BjorkstrandRW, and Andrey BurakovskyLW/RW, SEA (NHL.com fantasy rank: 190; 213) — Bjorkstrand had NHL career highs in goals (28), points (57), power-play points (19) and shots on goal (215) with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season. . Burakovsky had his best totals in goals (22), assists (39), points (61) and shots on goal (149) last season and helped the Colorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup (his second championship; also won in 2018 with the Washington Capitals).
Each wing could play on the top line and first power play with rookie center Matty Beniers (nine points in 10 NHL games last season) and should boost Seattle, which was tied for the fourth-worst goals per game (2.60) and had the fourth-worst power-play percentage (14.6) in its inaugural season. Other possible center linemates for Bjorkstrand and/or Burakovsky include Yanni Gourde, Jared McCann or rookie Shane Wright.
Gustav ForslingD, FLA (NHL.com fantasy rank: 194) — The Florida Panthers defenseman had NHL career highs in goals (10), assists (27), points (37; all at even strength), plus/minus (plus-41; tied for sixth in NHL) and shots on goal (145) last season. After valuable defenseman MacKenzie Weegar was traded to the Calgary Flames, Forsling (left shot) could get an elevated role on the top pair with elite option Aaron Ekblad (right shot) and see more power-play time.
Anton ForsbergG, OTT (NHL.com fantasy rank: 205) — The Ottawa Senators goalie was one of the most underrated options at the position last season; he had an NHL career-best 22 wins in 46 games and a .917 save percentage (tied for ninth in NHL; minimum 40 games) with one shutout. The Senators acquired Cam Talbot this offseason to be their 1A option or starter, but Forsberg should still be an efficient timeshare option or backup and could benefit from Ottawa trading for elite wing Alex DeBrincat and signing valuable forward Claude Giroux.
Ross ColtonC/LW, TBL (NHL.com fantasy rank: 210) — The Tampa Bay Lightning forward played mostly in the bottom six last season but was tied for fifth in the NHL in 5-on-5 goals per 60 minutes (1.39; minimum 40 games). After left wing Ondrej Palat Signed with the New Jersey Devils this offseason, Colton is one of the leading candidates to fill the top-line left wing spot, which would bring exposure to elite forwards. Nikita Kucherov and either Brayden Point or Steven Stamkos.
Arthur Lehkonen, LW/RW, COL (NHL.com fantasy rank: 219) — The Avalanche wing was productive after being acquired from the Montreal Canadiens last season (23 points in 36 games, regular season and postseason combined). Lehkonen, who could benefit from the departure of Burakovsky and likely center Nazem Kadri (unrestricted free agent), could be a fixture on the second line with a valuable wing. Valery Nichushkin and either center JT Compher or Alex Newhook and also see time on the first power play with Colorado’s elite skaters.
Dylan StromeC/RW, WSH (NHL.com fantasy rank: 222) — He signed a one-year contract with the Washington Capitals on July 14 after posting NHL career highs in goals (22), power-play points (16) and shots on goal (126). the Chicago Blackhawks last season. Strome played mostly on the top line with elite forwards Patrick Kane and DeBrincat last season and had his second-best point total (48 in 69 games; had 51 in 58 games in 2018-19). Strome will be relied upon heavily to replace the injured center Nicklas Backstrom (hip surgery; out long term) and could play on the second line with two valuable wings TJ Oshie, Anthony Mantha, Connor Brown and/or eventually Tom Wilson (knee surgery; also not expected to be ready for start of season).
Mason MarchmentLW/RW, DAL (NHL.com fantasy rank: 224) — He signed a four-year contract with the Dallas Stars on July 13 after an NHL career high in points (47 in 54 games) with the Florida Panthers last season. Marchment, who played mostly on the third line with Florida, ranked third in the NHL in 5-on-5 points per 60 minutes (3.43) behind Johnny Gaudreau (3.58) and Mitchell Marner (3.45). Marchment also provided strong coverage of goals (18), plus/minus (plus-29) and hits (114) during his breakout season and could take the next step on the second line in Dallas with likely exposure to bounce-back candidate. Tyler Seguin.
Yegor SharangovichC/LW, NJD (NHL.com fantasy rank: 225) — He has the New Jersey Devils’ second-most 5-on-5 goals per 60 minutes (0.90) behind frequent center linemate. Jack Hughes (1.02) over the past two seasons combined. Sharangovich could shatter his NHL career-high point total from last season (46) if he and Hughes stay healthy for a full season on a line with either breakout candidate. Dawson Mercer or rookie right wing Alexander Holtz.
Lawson CrouseLW/RW, ARI (NHL.com fantasy rank: 230) — He had NHL career highs in goals (20, third on Arizona) and points (34 in 65 games) last season before missing the final 16 games with a broken hand. Crouse is expected to be ready for the start of the season after signing a five-year contract Aug. 8 and was one of the most underrated fantasy players in the NHL because of his strong hits coverage (led Coyotes with 181; 2.8 per game).
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Other fantasy deep sleeper candidates to consider: Vince DunnD, SEA; Jake DeBruskLW/RW, BOS; Jack RoslovicC, CBJ; James ReimerG, SJS; Trevor MooreLW/RW, LAK; Victor OlofssonRW, BUF
Deep sleepers outside of NHL.com’s top 250: Pavel Zacha, C/LW, BOS; Blake Coleman, LW/RW, CGY; Nicolas Roy, C/RW, VGK; Rudolfs BalcersLW/RW, FLA; Ivan ProvorovD, PHI; Eric ComrieG, BUF
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