10. John Gibson – Detroit Pink Wings
John Gibson lastly will get a contemporary begin, touchdown in Detroit after years of commerce rumors. The Pink Wings desperately wanted stability in internet after biking by means of 5 goalies final season, and Gibson brings expertise and pedigree to the crease. The upside remains to be there, as when wholesome, Gibson has proven he generally is a legit difference-maker. Detroit provides a extra structured system, giving up fewer pictures and high-danger possibilities than Anaheim, which may go a great distance in stabilizing his recreation. Nonetheless, sturdiness is a priority. Cam Talbot remains to be within the combine, so Gibson has to show that he can deal with a lion’s share of the workload.
9. Andrew Mangiapane – Edmonton Oilers
Any time a participant makes the transfer to Edmonton, you need to issue within the upside that comes with skating subsequent to 2 of the league’s prime producers. Andrew Mangiapane now will get that chance. For a participant who has already hit 35 targets in a season, if he locks down a top-six function it may simply get him again inside vary. It’s a low-risk transfer for the Oilers, however one with actual upside. Mangiapane could not carry a lot identify worth in drafts, however the alternative in entrance of him is legit. In aggressive fantasy leagues, he ought to completely be on the radar and doubtless not sitting in free company for lengthy.
8. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – Buffalo Sabres
The JJ Peterka commerce could not have been Buffalo’s most popular end result, however they managed to benefit from the state of affairs, and it could have labored in UPL’s favor. With the addition of Alex Lyon, the Sabres have doubled down on their dedication to UPL as their clear No. 1 giving Devon Levi extra time to develop within the AHL. Whether or not it was James Reimer earlier than or Lyon now, the backup function stays simply that, assist for Luukkonen, not a menace. A blue line that includes Dahlin, Energy, Kesselring, Samuelsson, and perhaps Byram provides Buffalo a robust basis in entrance of UPL who’s slowly beginning to meet the expectations that adopted him on the draft.
7. Connor McMichael – Washington Capitals
With Andrew Mangiapane‘s departure, Connor McMichael has an actual shot to lock down a full-time top-six function. The flashes had been there final season, he noticed time on the second line and even PP1 however fixed lineup shuffling made it arduous for him to achieve traction. Now, the left facet opens up, and outdoors of Anthony Beauvillier, there may be little standing in McMichael’s method. That is doubtless the clearest path to regular minutes and offensive deployment. It’s the form of alternative that would spark actual progress, however it can come down to suit and belief. If he clicks early and earns Carbery’s belief, McMichael has an actual shot to construct on final 12 months’s momentum.
6. Alexis Lafreniere – New York Rangers
Alexis Lafrenière enters the season dealing with a well-known query, does he lastly break into the Rangers’ prime power-play unit, or has that ship sailed? His draft pedigree now not carries weight with practically 400 video games in, he nonetheless lacks a transparent offensive identification, particularly with the person benefit. Even-strength progress has been modest, however the power-play ceiling stays untouched. On paper, that is the very best shot he’ll ever have at unlocking extra worth, nevertheless it may additionally be his final. If he lands on the highest unit and eventually clicks, there may be nonetheless time to reshape his narrative. If he misses the reduce once more, or underperforms within the function, the dialog could shift from “what may very well be” to “what by no means was.”
5. Lukas Dostal – Anaheim Geese
Dostal now steps into the No. 1 function in Anaheim and the timing feels proper. The 25-year-old proved he may deal with the load final season, posting a 12.04 GSAx. His calm reads and technical recreation saved the Geese aggressive in loads of matchups that they had no enterprise hanging round in. The state of affairs round him can be beginning to enhance. Anaheim remains to be rebuilding, however the items are coming collectively. Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier are growing, whereas veterans like Chris Kreider and Mikael Granlund convey construction and management. The stress goes up, however so is the assist.
4. Matias Maccelli – Toronto Maple Leafs
Maccelli’s scoring tempo dropped arduous final season, falling to 27 factors after back-to-back years across the 60-point mark. He has been catapulted from a bottom-six function to a top-six, using shotgun subsequent to Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, an on the spot improve. Maccelli is a high-end passer and playmaker, so enjoying with an elite finisher like Matthews ought to elevate his 5v5 manufacturing considerably. The one downside is PP time. In Toronto, he’ll doubtless land on the second unit, just like his PP share in Utah or perhaps even decrease. Both method, Maccelli lands in a stronger offensive setup in Toronto with higher linemates, steadier utilization, and clear bounce-back potential.
3. Tony DeAngelo – New York Islanders
With Noah Dobson now in Montreal, Tony DeAngelo has a transparent shot at working the Islanders’ prime power-play unit. He dealt with that function in stretches after arriving midseason from the KHL, and with no Dobson within the image, the chance is his to lose. A wholesome Mathew Barzal returns, and the additions of Jonathan Drouin and Maxim Shabanov convey extra puck ability and offensive creativity, each ought to assist DeAngelo’s setup recreation. Nevertheless, nothing is locked in. His monitor document of clashing with coaches and his offense-only fashion makes his utilization unstable. Excessive threat, excessive reward!
2. JJ Peterka – Utah Mammoth
In Buffalo, Peterka noticed robust minutes and performed with top-tier expertise like Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin, however the Sabres’ energy play was bottom-tier. Utah brings a unique construction. He doubtless slides in behind Clayton Keller on the second line with Logan Cooley, Nick Schmaltz, or Barrett Hayton, who’re strong linemates, even when not fairly the identical degree. The actual win may very well be on the PP. Utah completed prime 10 in PP effectivity final season, and there’s a good shot Peterka grabs a spot on the highest unit. Even when his 5-on-5 utilization dips, the improve in man-advantage alternative provides his fantasy worth an actual raise.
1. Nikolaj Ehlers – Carolina Hurricanes
Nikolaj Ehlers arrives in Carolina on a stacked roster, however his worth hinges on touchdown in the precise function. The most effective case is a prime line spot with Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis, a setup that may unlock his offensive upside. That may push Andrei Svechnikov all the way down to the second line with Jesperi Kotkaniemi, one thing Carolina has achieved earlier than and will simply do once more. Coach Rod Brind’Amour will tinker with line combos early on, and Ehlers is sort of sure to get a shot with the highest unit. It isn’t assured, however his possibilities of securing that function in Carolina are much better than what he had in Winnipeg.
Thanks for studying! See you subsequent week! For extra fantasy hockey content material and evaluation, comply with me on X @Punters_hockey. In case you have any questions on your workforce or a commerce? My DMs are at all times open, glad to assist!
