As part of NHL.com’s 32 in 32 series, the fantasy hockey staff identifies relevant players from the Arizona Coyotes. 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.
[Coyotes 32 in 32: Season preview | 3 Questions | Top prospects]
Clayton KellerLW/RW — Led the Coyotes with 63 points in 67 games and had an NHL career high of 0.94 points per game last season. Keller, who had his best point total (65) as a rookie in 2017-18, has renewed fantasy appeal and should be considered a top 100 forward and Arizona’s most valuable overall player for this season.
NHL.com point projection for Keller: 58
Jakob ChychrunD — He ranks third among NHL defensemen in shots on goal per game (3.08) and is tied for the third-most goals per game (0.24) at the position over the past two seasons combined. Chychrun has never played more than 68 games in a single season (2016-17) but should be considered a top 40 fantasy defenseman option with a high ceiling (led defensemen with 18 goals in 2020-21).
NHL.com point projection for Chychrun: 43
Nick SchmaltzC/RW — A valuable fantasy pickup last season with an NHL career high of 59 points in 63 games. Schmaltz had seven points (two goals, five assists) in an 8-5 win against the Ottawa Senators on March 5, the most in one NHL game since Sam Gagner had eight (four goals, four assists) for the Edmonton Oilers against the Chicago Blackhawks on Feb. 2, 2012. He is worth monitoring in the late rounds of fantasy drafts.
NHL.com point projection for Schmaltz: 54
Lawson CrouseLW/RW — Had NHL career highs in points (34 in 65 games) and goals (20, third on Arizona) last season 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).
NHL.com point projection for Crouse: 40
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Other ARI players to consider in fantasy: Shayne GostisbehereD; Karel VejmelkaG
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