As part of NHL.com’s 32 in 32 series, the fantasy hockey staff identifies relevant players from the Edmonton Oilers. 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.
[Oilers 32 in 32: Season preview | 3 Questions | Top prospects]
Connor McDavidC — He’s universally considered the No. 1 player in fantasy hockey and leads active NHL players in career points per game (1.43) — far ahead of the next best player on the list (Sidney Crosby of Pittsburgh Penguins: 1.27). The Oilers’ fantasy appeal is the strongest since McDavid entered the NHL in 2015-16 after their run to the Western Conference Final (McDavid led the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 33 points in 16 games), and he should benefit from Edmonton upgrading at goalie by signing. Jack Campbell to a five-year contract.
NHL.com point projection for McDavid: 125
Leon DraisaitlC/LW — The dual-eligible forward is the No. 2 player in NHL.com’s rankings behind McDavid after tying his best point total (110; fourth in NHL) last season. Since 2016-17, Draisaitl ranks second in points (556 in 449 games) behind McDavid (649 in 442) and third in goals (233; more than McDavid’s 223). Austin Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs (259) and Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals (255). Draisaitl ranked second in power-play points (41; behind McDavid’s 44) and goals (55; behind Matthews’ 60) last regular season and second in points (32 in 16 games) behind McDavid during the playoffs.
NHL.com point projection for Draisaitl: 115
Jack Campbell, G — He had an NHL career-high 31 wins (11th in NHL) last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs and should be the clear No. 1 goalie for the Oilers. Campbell was an elite fantasy performer over the past two seasons combined, going 48-12-8 with a .916 save percentage (sixth in NHL; minimum 70 games in span) and seven shutouts (tied for eighth), and should be considered a top 10 goalie and fringe top 50 overall player behind an elite offense (3.48 goals per game; tied for seventh).
NHL.com win projection for Campbell: 35
Evander KaneLW — He had his best points-per-game average (0.91; 39 points in 43 games) with the Oilers last season, was tied for sixth in the NHL with a plus-25 from his season debut Jan. 29 at the end of the season and ranked 15th in shots on goal per game (3.53). Kane, one of five players with at least 20 goals (22) and more than three hits per game (3.14) last season, was also tied with Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche for the most postseason goals (13) and should be considered a top 75 fantasy player after re-signing with Edmonton.
NHL.com point projection for Kane: 74
Zach HymanLW/RW — He had 16 points (11 goals, five assists) in 16 playoff games and ranked second in goals (11) and shots on goal (67) at the end of the conference finals. Hyman could expand on his NHL career highs in goals (27), assists (27) and points (54) from last season if he plays more often on the top line with McDavid but is a valuable standalone fantasy player who covers hits (74 in 76 games last season, 1.3 per game in career).
NHL.com point projection for Hyman: 60
Evan BouchardD — He was tied for 14th among NHL defensemen in even-strength points (35) last season and led the Oilers at the position in playoff points (nine in 16 games). Bouchard is a fantasy breakout candidate and top 25 defenseman option with a high ceiling if he lands on the first power play for Edmonton (26.0 percent last season; third in NHL).
NHL.com point projection for Bouchard: 51
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Other EDM players to consider in fantasy: Darnell NurseD; Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C/LW; Dylan Holloway, C; Kailer YamamotoRW; Stuart SkinnerG
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