This article is part of our NHL Barometer series.
This week's article includes a pair of centers on Broadway — one rising and one possibly falling — a winger with upside in the Buckeye State, the possible future No. 1 netminder in the same state, two main components of the big Toronto-Colorado trade this offseason as potential fallers and a former top goalie on the Stanley Cup champs.
First Liners (Risers)
Lias Andersson, C, NYR – Andersson, selected seventh overall in 2017, was in many circles a bust after last season. This offseason, Andersson added 15 pounds of muscle and has looked much stronger and confident on the ice. As the Rangers closed out preseason, Andersson will fill the fourth-line center role and could move up a line while also seeing time on the penalty kill. He should rack up some hits and faceoff wins, giving him added value in those formats.
Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, CLM – Bjorkstrand is one of the players the Blue Jackets are counting on to fill the offensive void created by the departures of Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel. As we noted in our recent update, "Bjorkstrand flashed his potential in the second half last season, scoring 20 of his career-high 23 goals over the final 46 games despite averaging only 12:45 in ice time during that stretch. With a role in the top six open for Bjorkstrand and potentially significant power-play time as well, he should easily see more minutes, but he'll need to show more consistency
This week's article includes a pair of centers on Broadway — one rising and one possibly falling — a winger with upside in the Buckeye State, the possible future No. 1 netminder in the same state, two main components of the big Toronto-Colorado trade this offseason as potential fallers and a former top goalie on the Stanley Cup champs.
First Liners (Risers)
Lias Andersson, C, NYR – Andersson, selected seventh overall in 2017, was in many circles a bust after last season. This offseason, Andersson added 15 pounds of muscle and has looked much stronger and confident on the ice. As the Rangers closed out preseason, Andersson will fill the fourth-line center role and could move up a line while also seeing time on the penalty kill. He should rack up some hits and faceoff wins, giving him added value in those formats.
Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, CLM – Bjorkstrand is one of the players the Blue Jackets are counting on to fill the offensive void created by the departures of Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel. As we noted in our recent update, "Bjorkstrand flashed his potential in the second half last season, scoring 20 of his career-high 23 goals over the final 46 games despite averaging only 12:45 in ice time during that stretch. With a role in the top six open for Bjorkstrand and potentially significant power-play time as well, he should easily see more minutes, but he'll need to show more consistency than he has in his NHL career to date to fully capitalize on them. If things begin to click for him, though, he has the skills and lethal shot to reach 30 goals for the first time." That sums up well why he is on this side of the ledger and why he could be a late-round sleeper.
Dominik Kahun, RW, PIT – Kahun gets a short-term bump, and by the time you read this, that spike may have been obviated. With Alex Galchenyuk dealing with an injury, Kahun has been skating to the right of Sidney Crosby. The Penguins acquired Kahun along with a fifth-rounder from the Blackhawks for Olli Maatta. Kahun had 13 goals and 24 assists and averaged 14:09 of ice time for Chicago last season but clearly wasn't in its future plans. He could fill a third-line role in Pittsburgh, but for now, gets a prime opportunity.
Shea Theodore, D, LV – Theodore notched 12 goals and 37 points in 78 games last season but could be in line for much more this season. Locked into a top-four role while quarterbacking the Golden Knights' top power-play unit, which has Mark Stone for a full campaign, Theodore could add 10 or so points to that total. If that occurs, Theodore will return excellent value for someone with a 143 ADP.
Quinn Hughes, D, VAN – Much of the focus has been on the younger Hughes, Quinn's brother, Jack, who was taken first overall in last year's draft. But those in the know recognize just how valuable Quinn may be in fantasy leagues this season. After getting a cup of coffee at the end of last season, Hughes, selected seventh overall in 2018, is prime to take on the role as the Canucks' power-play quarterback and future No. 1 blueliner. A 40-plus point campaign could be in the offing.
Elvis Merzlikins, G, CLM – Merzilikins, a third-round pick in 2014, played the last few years with Swiss powerhouse Lugano. With Sergei Bobrovksy now a Panther, Merzlikins is poised to be Joonas Korpisalo's backup goalie this season. I wouldn't be shocked if Merzilikins ends up as the Blue Jackets' No. 1 netminder at some point this season, taking the job from Korpisalo, once he adapts to playing on North American ice.
Others include Jack Hughes, Nazem Kadri, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Kaapo Kakko, Mikko Rantanen, Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor (all three ended their holdouts the last few days, signing contracts), Alexandre Texier, Joonas Donskoi, Adam Erne, Pavel Buchnevich, Tomas Tatar, Ryan Donato, Andrei Svechnikov, Jake DeBrusk, Nikita Gusev, Gustav Nyquist, Nick Suzuki, Joakim Nygard, Jordan Eberle, Ethan Bear, Mike Green, Kevin Shattenkirk, Nate Schmidt, Cale Makar, Anthony DeAngelo, Semyon Varlamov, Darcy Kuemper and Philipp Grubauer.
Buy Low
Michael Rasmussen, C, DET – If looking for a very late-round flier in your draft, Rasmussen could be your man. Last season, as a 19-year-old, Rasmussen, selected ninth overall in 2017, finished with eight goals — striking four times on the man advantage — to go with 10 helpers in 62 games in a bottom-six assignment. He mainly was used in a defensive role, which limited his upside. Hopefully unleashed this year, Rasmussen's talent could have a chance to shine through, enabling the big winger, who originally was a center, a chance to far exceed his 2018-19 numbers.
Jaden Schwartz, LW, STL – Schwartz was invisible early last season but came up big when needed. As we noted in our season outlook, "Schwartz couldn't buy a goal to start the year, as he scored just three times over the first 41 games, including a 22-game goal drought. This awful stretch left Schwartz with his worst stat line in six years, as he compiled just 11 goals and 36 points on the season. However, Schwartz was able to kick it into gear when it mattered, as the 27-year-old winger racked up 12 goals and eight assists in 26 postseason games." This preseason, Schwartz has rediscovered the chemistry he had with Brayden Schenn and Vladimir Tarasenko last season, possibly making his 243 ADP extremely low.
Cory Schneider, G, NJ – Schneider closed out a strong preseason, turned aside all 32 shots he faced in the Devils' 2-0 win over the Blue Jackets on Friday. After three brilliant years in New Jersey since coming from Vancouver, during which he posted a minimum .921 save percentage, Schneider's game fell off a cliff. In the last three seasons, his high-water mark was a .908 save percentage and his best goals-against average was 2.82. Now fully healthy, Schneider appears to have held off MacKenzie Blackwood to open the season as the No. 1 netminder at the Rock, though his hold on the role in tenuous at best.
Training Room (Injuries)
Sidney Crosby, C, PIT – Crosby was injured blocking a shot just above the laces of his skate in Pittsburgh's final tune up of the pre-season Saturday. The good news is that Crosby was not wearing a boot or using crutches but was walking with a limp. Crosby practiced Tuesday and is questionable Thursday, so stay tuned for a possible last-minute decision on his availability.
Others include Brock Boeser (concussion, will play Opening Night), David Krejci (lower body injury, probable for Opening Night on Thursday), Nolan Patrick (migraine, listed as week-to-week) Ryan Dzingel (lower body injury, listed a "more than day-to-day"), Corey Perry (foot, will be out first five games of the season), Corey Perry (knee, out five months), Michal Kempny (hamstring, will miss the Capitals' regular-season opener). Brandon Montour (hand, missed last two weeks of the preseason, will miss a few more weeks), Dustin Byfuglien (personal, no timeframe for decision on whether he will play this season), Robin Lehner (undisclosed, likely ready for Opening Night) and Antti Raanta (lower body, listed as day-to-day).
Fourth Liners/Press Boxers (Fallers)
Alex Kerfoot, C, TOR – Kerfoot's fantasy value took a hit with his trade to Toronto. After scoring 43 and 42 points his first two years in Colorado, Kerfoot was dealt to the Maple Leafs as part of the Tyson Barrie/Nazem Kadri trade. On the positive side for Kerfoot, he fairly quickly inked a four-year, $14 million contract with Toronto after the trade. Kadri's production declined due to all the talent in front of him in Toronto, the same fate likely awaits for Kerfoot.
Filip Chytil, RW, NYR – Chytil, drafted as a center, moved to wing last season where he spent most of the year, notching 11 goals and 23 points in 75 games during his rookie season. In training camp, the 20-year-old pivot was shifted back to the middle to see if he would be to fill the role as the team's second line pivot, likely in between Chris Kreider and Kaapo Kakko. But Chytil has had a rough camp resulting in him shifting back to wing and could see him open 2019-20 in Hartford.
Evan Bouchard, D, EDM – The future is bright for Bouchard, selected 10th overall in 2018, but his start to his professional career will come in Bakersfield of the AHL rather than in Edmonton. The 19-year-old defenseman showed well in rookie camp, GM Ken Holland decided to have Bouchard get his first professional experience in the minors. Bouchard could make his Oilers' debut later this season, but his fantasy value is likely a year or so away.
Jake Allen, G, STL – Allen is now the clear back up in St. Louis following Jordan Billington's amazing rise and run with the job last year, resulting in the Blues winning the Stanley Cup. St. Louis is now set in goal, as Allen, is signed through 2020-21 with a $4.35 million AAV while Billington inked a two-year, $8.8 million contract with the Blues in July of 2019. Allen was the No. 1 in the Arch City the last few seasons, but his struggles last year had St. Louis sitting at the bottom of the league, prompting the call up of Billington, who ran with the opportunity.
Others include Travis Zajac, Victor Rask, Alex Killorn, Nikolay Prokhorkin, Loui Eriksson, Filip Zadina, Evgeny Svechnikov, Bowen Byram, Vince Dunn and MacKenzie Blackwood.
Sell High
Tyson Barrie, D, TOR – Barrie's inclusion on this side of the ledger all depends on how coach Mike Babcock deploys the talented blueliner. If Barrie is used on the top power-play unit or receives solid ice time on the man advantage, then his ADP at 56 is more than accurate. If not, Barrie who notched 30 and 25 points on the man advantage the last two seasons, could struggle slightly to warrant that placement in drafts.
Martin Jones, G, SJ – Jones is the unquestioned No. 1 netminder in San Jose, so why is he here? Look at the 2.94 goals-against average (GAA), which rose for the fifth straight season last year, and .894 save percentage (SV%), and you will get your answer. He was much better in the playoffs, rebounding after s rough start to defeat the Golden Knights and Avalanche before imploding against the Blues. Jones notched three shutouts amongst his 36 wins — his fourth consecutive 30-plus win campaign — and Aaron Dell is not a big threat. But his value will somewhat depend on if he can improve both his GAA and SV%.
