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Dzingel has been a man without a home over the past few seasons, playing for three different teams including two stints with Ottawa. All that movement doesn't come as a surprise considering Dzingel's dip in offensive production. This is a player that posted 26 goals and 56 points in 78 games in 2018-19. In the two seasons since, Dzingel has netted just 16 goals and 42 points in 104 games. The 29-year-old predictably found a soft market in unrestricted free agency, ultimately settling for a one-year, $1.1 contract with Arizona. It's a destination that should allow Dzingel to rebound in terms of individual numbers, but an expected poor plus-minus rating may torpedo his fantasy value in standard formats.
Dzingel didn't fit in well with the Hurricanes in 2019-20, recording just 29 points in 64 contests a year after posting 56 points in 78 games split between the Senators and Blue Jackets. Playing for deeper teams than Ottawa has cut into Dzingel's usage, as his 14:09 per game last year represented his lowest average ice time since his rookie year. He was still productive with nine points on the power play, a role he should continue regardless of which line he plays on at even strength in 2020-21. A bounce-back to the 30-point mark may be out of reach for Dzingel during the upcoming abbreviated season, but a 0.5 point-per-game average may still make the 28-year-old winger worth a look in deeper formats.
One of the Jackets' trade-deadline rentals, Dzingel put together a career-best campaign between Ottawa and Columbus but completely vanished during the playoffs, managing only one goal in nine games. The 27-year-old can't be faulted for his work ethic -- he's turned himself from a seventh-round pick in the 2011 draft into a two-way threat who uses his speed on the forecheck and backcheck -- and after scoring 49 goals over the last two seasons, he's established himself as a middle-six forward who can handle a variety of roles. After signing a two-year deal with the Hurricanes in the offseason, Dzingel probably won't see the power-play time he did with the Senators, and while he should still be productive he could have trouble topping 50 points again.
Dzingel was one of the only Senators to take a real step forward last season, scoring 23 goals to tie Matt Duchene for the team lead. Yet, Dzingel isn't getting much attention because he hasn't proven himself on a regular basis. His upward progression -- from three goals to 14, and now to 23 -- suggests he could possess the talent required to become a consistent producer for Ottawa. Odds are he's going to get plenty of chances this year which makes him a reasonable target as a late-round flier or an early waiver-wire pickup. Once you've filled out your starting lineup, feel free to take a flier on the 26-year-old, who is well-positioned to have a breakout season as one of the only legitimate offensive threats in Ottawa.
Dzingel enjoyed a breakout of sorts in his first full NHL season, setting career highs in goals (14), assists (18) and shots on goal (123) last year. A natural center, he’s still adjusting to playing on the wing, but if his performance last season is any indication of how well he’s adapting to his new position, he could burst through the 40-point threshold in 2017-18 if he gets enough opportunities. The American forward will likely occupy a bottom-six role while the Senators are at even strength next season, but he should also continue to skate on Ottawa’s second power-play unit. Dzingel won't be a sexy pick in this year’s fantasy drafts, but he'll be a decent option for fantasy owners in deeper leagues who are looking to round out their forward corps in the later rounds.
