As part of NHL.com’s 32 in 32 series, the fantasy hockey staff identifies relevant players from the San Jose Sharks. For more coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy and subscribe for free to the “NHL Fantasy on Ice” podcast.
MORE FANTASY COVERAGE: Top 250 rankings
NOTES: These fantasy projections (for 82-game season), a collaborative effort by Pete Jensen and Anna Dua, have been quantified based on factors including but not limited to past performance in the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs, projected line combinations, power-play usage, team goalie situations, injury history or concern, sleeper upside, anticipated regression or bounce-back candidacy, age, contract status and overall upside for this season. The below totals are safe estimates and do not necessarily indicate each player’s ceiling or floor and should be used as a basis for decision-making in all fantasy leagues. Players are listed below in order of NHL.com top 250 rank.
[Sharks 32 in 32: Season preview | 3 Questions | Top prospects]
Timo MeierLW/RW — Meier was one of the most valuable players for fantasy category coverage last season; he led them with NHL career highs in goals (35), points (76), shots on goal (326; third in NHL) and hits (162) in 77 games. A two-time 30-goal scorer, Meier is also coming off his best power-play point total (18) and should be considered a top 50 overall player and top 10 right wing option this season.
NHL.com point projection for Meier: 73
Erik KarlssonD — He had 35 points in 50 games (82-game pace of 57 points) last season and could benefit from San Jose trading defenseman. Brent Burns to the Carolina Hurricanes. Karlsson, who scored 10 goals last season (his most in a single season since 2016-17), would have a high fantasy ceiling if he stays healthy with first power-play duties to himself and should be considered a fringe top-25 defenseman option. .
NHL.com point projection for Karlsson: 50
Video: COL@SJS: Karlsson nets one from the right point
Thomas HertlC — He had NHL career highs in shots on goal (205) and power-play points (16) last season and his second 30-goal season (35 in 2018-19). Hertl played all 82 games and heavy minutes (19:56 per game; 27th among NHL forwards) after dealing with multiple injuries during his career and could be a fantasy bargain in late rounds in his usual spot on the top line with Meier and wing. Alexander Barabanov.
NHL.com point projection for Hertl: 63
Logan CoutureC — He’s coming off a bounce-back season; He was third on the Sharks in goals (23), points (56) and power-play points (17) in 77 games. Couture has been a consistent point producer over the years (eight seasons with at least 52; 70 in 2018-19) and could have renewed fantasy appeal with exposure to rookie sleepers. William Eklund and/or Thomas Bordeleau on the second line.
NHL.com point projection for Couture: 58
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Other SJS players to consider in fantasy: James Reimer, G; William Eklund, LW; Mario Ferraro, D; Thomas Bordeleau, C; Alexander Barabanov, LW/RW
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