MORE FANTASY COVERAGE:
Top 250 | Cheat sheet
NOTES: Bounce-back candidates are players who have had past success in the NHL, underachieved compared to fantasy expectations last season (because of injury and/or other factors) but can outperform their average draft position this season. These picks are a collaborative effort by Pete Jensen and Anna Dua; there will be separate top 10 lists for sleepers, deep sleepers, rookies, breakouts and draft bargains.
Jack EichelC, VGK (NHL.com fantasy rank: 46) — The Vegas Golden Knights center had 25 points in 34 games (0.74 per game) after being acquired from the Buffalo Sabers last season despite playing with a broken thumb down the stretch after recovering from neck surgery. . Eichel ranks 21st in the NHL in points per game (0.93; minimum 400 games) since entering the League in 2015-16 and had his best average in his last full season (1.15 in 2019-20). Eichel can benefit from Vegas hiring coach Bruce Cassidy to replace Peter DeBoer and should be considered a top 15 fantasy center and top 50 overall player with a chance to play on a line with a valuable right wing in either Mark Stone or Phil Kessel.
Connor HellebuyckG, WPG (NHL.com fantasy rank: 82) — The Winnipeg Jets goalie was second at the position in games played (66) behind Jesus Saros of the Nashville Predators (67), 13th in wins (29) and tied for sixth in shutouts (four). Hellebuyck had the most saves (1,962) in the NHL last season but also a save percentage (.910) below his career average (.916). Hellebuyck should be considered a top 15 fantasy goalie with a much higher ceiling considering no goalie has had more wins in a single season since 2017-18, when he was tied with Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning for the League lead with 44.
Thomas ChabotD, OTT (NHL.com fantasy rank: 92) — He had 0.64 points per game (38 in 59 games) last season, a step below his best rate in 2018-19 (0.79; NHL career-high 55 in 70). Chabot has a higher ceiling with exposure to a drastically improved Ottawa Senators offense (2.73 goals per game last season; 26th) and power play (19.3 percent) after the addition of valuable forwards. Alex DeBrincat and Claude Giroux and should be considered a fringe top 15 fantasy defenseman.
Mathew BarzalC, NYI (NHL.com fantasy rank: 113) — The New York Islanders’ No. 1 center enters his contract season (potential 2023 restricted free agent) with renewed upside following their coaching change from Barry Trotz to Lane Lambert. Barzal, who had an NHL career-high 85 points as a rookie in 2017-18 but no more than 62 in any of the past four seasons under Trotz, led the Islanders in assists (44 in 73 games) last season and could benefit from Playing more often on a line with right wing breakout candidate Oliver Wahlstrom.
Dougie HamiltonD, NJD (NHL.com fantasy rank: 114) — He had 30 points (0.48 per game) in 62 games in his first season with the New Jersey Devils, a big step back after having his two most-productive seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes. 2019-20 (0.85) and 2020-21 (0.76). But Hamilton, who was tied with forward Jesper Bratt for New Jersey’s shots on goal lead (197) last season but had the lowest shooting percentage of his NHL career (4.6 percent), should be considered a top 25 fantasy defenseman and can challenge his best point total (50 with Calgary Flames in 2016- 17).
Brock BoeserRW, VAN (NHL.com fantasy rank: 125) — The Vancouver Canucks right wing played a career-high 71 games last season but had the lowest points-per-game average (0.65; 46 points) of his five full NHL seasons. That said, Boeser was still second on the Canucks in power-play goals (11; behind Bo Horvat‘s 13) and third in shots on goal (195). Boeser, who brings exposure to elite skaters JT Miller, Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes when healthy, should be considered a top 30 fantasy right wing and bounce-back candidate who’s overdue for his first 30-goal season.
Jakob ChychrunD, ARI (NHL.com fantasy rank: 157) — The Arizona Coyotes defenseman is among the NHL leaders at the position in shots on goal per game (3.08; third) and goals per game (0.24; tied for third) over the past two seasons. combined. Chychrun has never played more than 68 games in a single season (2016-17), giving him another gear to reach if he plays the first full season of his NHL career. Chychrun should be considered a top 40 fantasy defenseman option with a much higher ceiling (led position with 18 goals in 2020-21).
Vincent TrocheckC, NYR (NHL.com fantasy rank: 166) — He led the Carolina Hurricanes in goals (six in 14 games) in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs but had 51 points last regular season, well below his career high (75 with Florida Panthers in 2017 -18). Trocheck, who signed a seven-year contract with the New York Rangers and provides strong hits coverage (1.9 per game in NHL career), will likely play center on the second line with elite wing. Artemi Panarin and could earn a first power-play spot with Panarin, Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad and defenseman Adam Fox.
Matt MurrayG, TOR (NHL.com fantasy rank: 199) — He won the Stanley Cup twice with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 (.923 save percentage in 21 playoff games) and 2017 (.937 in 11 playoff games) but struggled in 20 games for the Senators last season (5-12-2, .906). He is a fantasy injury bounce-back candidate for this season behind Toronto’s elite offense, which was second in goals per game (3.80) and first in power-play percentage (27.3) this regular season.
Carter HartG, PHI (NHL.com fantasy rank: 208) — The Philadelphia Flyers goalie was efficient over his first two NHL seasons (40-26-4, .915 save percentage in 74 games) but has declined over the past two (22-35- 12, .895 save percentage in 72 games). That said, Hart is a potential beneficiary of the Flyers hiring coach John Tortorella, who should implement a more defensive system. There should be more structure in front of Hart compared to last season, when the Flyers allowed the sixth most goals per game (3.59) and fourth most shots per game (34.0), making Hart a sneaky fantasy goalie target in late rounds.
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Other bounce-back candidates to consider: Ryan O’ReillyC, STL (122); Erik KarlssonD, SJS (134); Jordan BinningtonG, STL (142); Sean CouturierC, PHI (185); Tyler SeguinC/RW, DAL (205)
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