2022-23 Fantasy Hockey: Draft sleepers embrace Vincent Trocheck, Jakub Vrana, Boone Jenner

September 27, 2022

It is essential to take advantage of your high picks in Fantasy drafts, but it surely’s additionally essential to search out worth within the later rounds. Figuring out sleepers, gamers poised for breakouts, and rookies set to have key roles may also help tremendously in that regard. I will not be protecting gamers who will likely be within the operating for the Calder Trophy right here. Nonetheless, the vast majority of the gamers on this listing have great upside thanks largely to improved conditions and elevated roles anticipated to come back their manner in 2022-23.

Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers 

Trocheck accounted for 21 objectives and 51 factors in 81 video games for Carolina final season. It marked the primary time he is hit the 50-point plateau since 2017-18 when he exploded for 31 markers and 44 assists in 82 matches as a member of the Panthers. Trocheck can have a superb opportunity to get again into the 60-70 level vary in 2022-23 after signing a seven-year, $39.375 million contract with the Rangers this offseason. He is slated to middle a line alongside Artemi Panarin at even power following Ryan Strome’s departure in free company, and he must also land a spot on the crew’s high power-play unit.

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Tyler Toffoli, Calgary Flames 

Toffoli completed the 2021-22 season with 20 objectives and 49 factors by way of 74 video games. He generated 11 objectives and 12 helpers in 37 appearances with Calgary after being acquired by the Flames in a commerce with Montreal in February. Toffoli logged most of his ice time on the second line with Mikael Backlund and Andrew Mangiapane, however he is slated to skate with Jonathan Huberdeau and Elias Lindholm on the highest line in 2022-23. That elevated position might result in a career-best marketing campaign for Toffoli. 

Jakub Vrana, Detroit Crimson Wings 

Vrana has been a goal-scoring machine since being acquired by Detroit from Washington in 2020-21, having discovered the again of the web 21 instances in 37 outings with the Crimson Wings. Sadly, he missed 56 video games final season following shoulder surgical procedure. The Wings’ improved their ahead depth this offseason with a number of free-agent additions, which might result in further competitors for power-play time, however Vrana’s spot on the second line ought to stay safe. Vrana’s offensive instincts make him a possible breakout participant this yr, and he might fly underneath the radar a bit due to the time he missed final season. 

Evan Bouchard, Edmonton Oilers 

Bouchard stuffed the stat sheet throughout his first full season as an NHLer in 2021-22, registering 12 objectives, 31 assists, 112 blocks and 80 hits in 81 matches. Bouchard additionally ranked eighth amongst defensemen final yr with 205 photographs on web. His power-play time could also be considerably restricted behind Tyson Barrie once more this marketing campaign, however his multi-category contributions make him an amazing possibility for Fantasy managers. 

Artturi Lehkonen, Colorado Avalanche 

Lehkonen notched 19 objectives and 38 factors in 74 video games final season. He picked up 9 factors, together with six markers, in 16 appearances with Colorado after he was acquired from Montreal on the commerce deadline. Lehkonen additionally added eight objectives, together with 4 game-winners, and 14 factors in 20 playoff video games en path to a Stanley Cup championship. He largely performed with Gabriel Landeskog and Nazem Kadri through the postseason, whereas logging some minutes with Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon as properly. Lehkonen has been again with MacKinnon and Rantanen throughout coaching camp. With Landeskog set to overlook the start of the yr as a result of a lower-body damage, Lehkonen might additionally discover himself on the highest power-play unit early on. 

Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars 

Heiskanen nonetheless hasn’t reached the 40-point mark in a single season regardless of teasing Fantasy managers with six objectives and 26 factors by way of 27 video games through the 2020 playoffs. He stands an amazing probability to meet his intriguing scoring upside in 2022-23 following the offseason departure of John Klingberg, who signed with Anaheim as a free agent. Heiskanen ought to see a rise in offensive alternatives, together with a hike in power-play time this yr. Moreover, he brings strong class protection to the desk on the subject of photographs on purpose and blocks. Heiskanen finds himself in an amazing place for a long-awaited offensive breakout this season. 

Boone Jenner, Columbus Blue Jackets 

Jenner was properly on his approach to a profession yr in 2021-22 earlier than he was sidetracked by a again damage. He sat out the ultimate 23 video games of the season because of the ailment, however earlier than hitting the sidelines he racked up 23 objectives, 21 assists, 160 photographs on web, 56 blocks and 80 hits in 59 appearances. Jenner’s multi-category protection makes him an intriguing possibility for Fantasy managers heading into 2022-23. His Fantasy worth may even enhance considerably if he manages to earn the top-line middle position between Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine. Jenner is predicted to get the primary crack at that position, however he might face competitors from Jack Roslovic and Cole Sillinger. 

Seth Jarvis, Carolina Hurricanes 

Jarvis made an impression throughout his rookie season in 2021-22 with 17 objectives and 40 factors in 63 appearances regardless of averaging simply 13:53 of ice time per sport. His enjoying time elevated down the stretch and within the playoffs, and his position with the Hurricanes is predicted to increase even additional in 2022-23. The truth that offseason addition Max Pacioretty is projected to be sidelined till at the very least February after present process surgical procedure to restore a torn Achilles solely additional helps that notion. Jarvis spent most of his enjoying time with Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen final yr, and that’s unlikely to alter this marketing campaign. With Pacioretty set to be unavailable for a lot of the season at a minimal, Jarvis must also see extra time with the person benefit.

Ondrej Palat, New Jersey Devils 

Palat signed a five-year, $30 million contract with New Jersey after enjoying the primary 628 regular-season video games of his profession for Tampa Bay. He additionally piled up 138 profession playoff appearances as a member of the Lightning. Palat is predicted to tackle a management position with the creating Devils and is slated to play alongside Jack Hughes, who’s a breakout candidate this season, within the crew’s high six. Palat might additionally see time with New Jersey’s high power-play unit. 

Gustav Forsling, Florida Panthers 

Forsling reached new private bests in objectives (10), assists (27), factors (37), photographs on purpose (145), blocks (86) and hits (45) in 71 video games through the 2021-22 season. He additionally tied for the sixth finest plus-minus ranking within the league final yr at plus-41. Forsling is predicted to tackle a bigger position in 2022-23 after MacKenzie Weegar was dealt to Calgary within the offseason. He is slated to maneuver as much as the highest pairing alongside Aaron Ekblad. It would not be shocking to see the 26-year-old blueliner’s statistics enhance throughout the board for a second straight marketing campaign. 

Different potential sleepers/late-round gems: Alex Tuch (Buffalo), Elvis Merzlikins (Columbus), Vince Dunn (Seattle), Phil Kessel (Vegas), Max Domi (Chicago), Connor Brown (Washington), Oliver Bjorkstrand (Seattle), Nick Schmaltz (Arizona)