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Fantasy Breakdowns: Vegas Golden Knights & Vancouver Canucks

August 14, 2017, 2:28 PM ET [4 Comments]
Lucas Neilson
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Last week’s articles were about the Winnipeg Jets and the Washington Capitals, giving a breakdown of their top fantasy players. Today we will be looking at the National Hockey League’s newest expansion team the Las Vegas Golden Knights as well as the Vancouver Canucks.

Top 5 fantasy forwards: Vegas Golden Knights
James Neal
Vadim Shipachyov
Jonathan Marchessault
Reilly Smith
Erik Haula

Top 3 fantasy defense:
Shea Theodore
Nate Schmidt
Jason Garrison

Goaltending:
Marc-Andre Fleury
Calvin Pickard

Sleeper:
Erik Haula

When you are an expansion team like the Vegas Golden Knights, one thing is certain, you are not going to be a good team, not even close.

There are some decent pieces on Vegas, but let’s be serious; nothing amazing.

James Neal only has one year left on his contract, best case scenario he does decent well in Vegas and they are able to trade him for a draft pick and or prospect to a contender come trade deadline. He’s got value when he’s put into a quality team’s lineup, especially on the power play. Shipachyov is straight from the KHL and was a dominant force while he was there; he’s inked in for 2 years before becoming an UFA. He’s 30 years of age and put up 76 points in 50 games last season, very good numbers. I’d say he’s worth similar to Neal; just Neal is the one with the NHL experience. He’s another player that could potentially be sold off if he’s playing well.

Both Marchessault and Reilly Smith have experience and some decent stats in the NHL, the problem is the Vegas Golden Knights are going to be starved of quality offensive chances (I feel), so their 50+ potential may dip, although an increase in roles may help. Don’t forget that Machessault scored 30 goals last season…

Erik Haula is my sleeper pick and my last of the five forwards mentioned. He’s got a career high of 34 points but I feel he will have somewhat of a breakout season with Vegas and should get around 45 points, not someone I would want to bet on, but he’s surely got potential to improve.

Defensively Vegas are in trouble, nobody is great, and if they are great nobody knows yet because they are so young. Starting at the top you’ve got Theodore undoubtedly, he’s a great prospect with a lot of potential but will he be able to handle the load? Very tough to say, I bet his +- stat is horrendous but he should be the Golden Knights best offensive forward now and for the future. Schmidt’s role will increase heavily and he will log a lot of ice time, points are another story, but hey, someone has to get points from the back end! Garrison could be the one to get those points as he’s got experience and all that, but he’s certainly passed his prime when he unleashed that booming slapper from the point.

Fleury is going to have a lot of action in net that is for sure. Don’t be surprised to see him get hurt or overworked and Pickard come in to try and save the day. At least Vegas have some decent goaltenders over all, because I assure you, they are going to need it!

Top 5 fantasy forwards: Vancouver Canucks
Daniel Sedin
Brock Boeser
Bo Horvat
Henrik Sedin
Loui Eriksson


Top 3 fantasy defense:
Alexander Edler
Michael Del Zotto
Troy Stecher

Goaltending:
Jacob Markstrom
Anders Nilsson

Sleeper:
Brock Boeser

This will likely be the last season that I have Daniel Sedin at the top of the Canucks fantasy list. That’s because big Brock Boeser has arrived at the scene. He’s a dandy I will give you that Canucks fans! Last year Boeser got his 9 games in and scored four times and chipped in a helper; kids a gamer I assure you. Boeser is my sleeper pick and he’s also second on the list for fantasy, I’m expecting big things from him. The Canucks will still have the Sedin twins on their top line and first power play but I feel they will insert Boeser to the right wing of the first power play and he will either join them on line one or start on the second line with Horvat.

Horvat actually put up the most points for the Canucks last season with 52, he should excel with either Eriksson or Boeser on the right and Baertschi on the left.

Not a whole lot has changed on the back end for the Canucks, but the addition of Del Zotto should help with their offense from the blue line as well as some stability. Edler should still be the lonesome defenseman on the first power play unit but both Stecher and Del Zotto will likely be back there on the second power play. The Canucks need to score more goals if they want to improve, simple as that they do not score enough goals. (20 were the most, by Horvat which is pathetic).

Markstrom was decent last year but nothing to rave about, again the Canucks had a tough go last year and will need Markstrom to really shine if they want to improve in the standings. If goaltending issues arise or there is an injury you just may see Thatcher Demko called up to get a few NHL games in, he’s highly regarded by the Canucks and their management team.

Both of these teams are going to struggle by the looks of things and unless you are picking up a player later in the draft I wouldn’t suggest putting too much faith into any Golden Knights or Canuck players.

Thanks for reading, have a great day.
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