As a long time fantasy and Strat-O-Matic hockey GM, the key to winning is rarely who you select in the first couple rounds, but finding diamonds in the rough or picking a young player in the later rounds who is just about ready to have a breakout season.
Most fantasy leagues schedule their drafts during the exhibition season, when it is still unknown who will make a team and whether they will be playing on a scoring line or as a depth player. With a couple weeks to go before training camps open throughout the league, it is a good time to prognosticate about which players could be a difference maker for each team in 2015-16.
Pacific Division
Edmonton Oilers – Nail Yakupov : The 2012 top pick has been labeled as a disappointment after a solid rookie season was followed up be two subpar offensive years. The 21-year-old Russian did not get jump started last season until he began playing regularly with veteran Derek Roy. With the addition of Connor McDavid, Yakupov could play on the young phenom’s wing or with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, which could propel him to a career-high goal total.
Calgary Flames – Sam Bennett : The 2015 fourth overall pick missed most of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery, but scored a goal-per-game in an abbreviated stint with the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs and did not appear intimidated playing all in 11 post-season games for the Flames in the playoffs. With the top line centered Sean Monahan drawing most of the opposition’s attention, Bennett may fly under the radar and provide Calgary with some much-needed secondary offense, as well as getting significant time on special teams.
Vancouver Canucks – Bo Horvat and Jake Virtanen : After jumping to the NHL straight from the OHL’s London Knights, Horvat scored 13 goals in 68 games for the Canucks last season. The 20-year-old should see his responsibilities increase in spite of the acquisition of Brandon Sutter, since Henrik Sedin turns 35 just prior to the season and will likely have his workload lowered.
The talented Virtanen impressed for Canada at the 2015 World Junior and for the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen last season and has a good chance to play in a top six role for the Canucks with the departures of forwards Shawn Matthias, Nick Bonino and Zack Kassian.
San Jose Sharks – Tomas Hertl : Hertl was well on his way to being in the mix for the 2014 Calder Trophy with 15 goals before the halfway mark, but knee surgery knocked the Czech winger out for the entire second half.
The 21-year-old returned for the Sharks first round playoff collapse against the Los Angeles Kings and played all 82 games in 2015, but scored only 13 goals. It sometimes takes a full year for a player to regain confidence after suffering a serious knee injury and with centers like Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton and Logan Couture on the club, Hertl should find the puck on his stick with regularity.
Los Angeles Kings – Tanner Pearson : Pearson enjoyed a high level of success in his sophomore season, scoring 12 goals in 42 games on a line with center Jeff Carter and winger Tyler Toffoli before a broken fibula ended the 23-year-old winger’s season. The “70’s Line” will likely be reunited to alleviate some of the offensive burden off of the top line with Anze Kopitar and Marian Gaborik. Barring another serious injury, Pearson could tally 25-30 goals.
Anaheim Ducks – Jakob Silfverberg : The Swedish winger followed up a 39-point regular season by scoring more than a point-per-game in the Ducks run to the Western Conference Final. Signed to a four-year extension over the summer, Silfverberg likely slots in on the second line with center Ryan Kesler and could put up similar goal totals to Matt Beleskey, who departed via free agency to the Boston Bruins.
Arizona Coyotes – Max Domi : After performing well at Coyotes training camp last September, Domi was undeservedly returned back to the OHL’s London Knights but used the demotion as motivation.
The speedy center scored 102 points for the Knights and was one of Canada’s top performers at the World Junior. The Coyotes re-acquired two-way centers Boyd Gordon and Antoine Vermette during the offseason, but it is probably that Domi will be on the top two lines to create more offensive opportunities.
Sunday – The Atlantic Division
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