Everyone in fantasy hockey knows about Connor McDavid and Leon Draisatl. But are there players behind them that might be worth a look for your fantasy hockey draft?
Evan Bouchard (D)
Fantasy Rankings: 63 – NHL.com | 96 – ESPN | 71 – Daily Faceoff
Most figured it was only a matter of time before Bouchard broke out, but this might be his big breakout season this year. With Tyson Barrie traded and the top power play quarterback spot opened, Bouchard absolutely lit it up down the stretch last year. He seems primed for a big year, and he doesn’t have the name recognition that the more casual fantasy hockey player might think of when making their defensive target list. Bouchard should be up there for the more savvy fantasy hockey constructor.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (RW)
Fantasy Rankings: 35 – NHL.com | 48 – ESPN | 35 – Daily Faceoff
It’s not easy being in McDavid and Draisatl’s shadows, but someone has to do it. Nugent-Hopkins had maybe the quietest 100+ point season last year because of how otherworldly his teammates played. The question that fantasy hockey players will need to determine is if that season was a fluke — he topped out at 69 points in the 11 seasons before that). The Oilers power play brings back most of its firepower this season, so you have to imagine that remains red hot — and that’s where Nugent-Hopkins absolutely feasted last year.
Stuart Skinner (G)
Fantasy Rankings: 156 – NHL.com | 169 – ESPN | 116 – Daily Faceoff
This one definitely comes with a kind of “buyer beware” warning label, because does anyone trust in the Oilers goaltending to get the job done consistently? If last season was any indication, it’s looking like no. Jack Campbell struggled and Skinner entered the picture. He looked as though he might stabilize the goaltending position and take over as a starter, but he had his struggles in the season too, with Campbell then re-inserted into the lineup. Skinner got absolutely shelled three times in the second round exit by the Oilers, but he did put in two stellar performances in there too. He could be a sneaky pick if he ends up taking the starters net and the team in front of him plays with a little better structure in front of him instead of squarely mediocre like last year.