NHL fantasy hockey sleepers: Top 10 players to target late in drafts

Looking for the next Carter Verhaeghe? You’ve come to the right place.

When it comes to your fantasy draft, finding value is the name of the game. That’s why identifying potential sleepers is of vast importance before you pick your team.

A sleeper can be categorized as someone who could or is very likely to punch above their weight in value. Every NHL season, there’s a plethora of players who either bounce-back from a disappointing year, finally live up to expectation, or erupt unexpectedly altogether.

To find success, it’s paramount that you do some damage late in your draft.

Here’s a top-10 list of potential sleeper picks to target:

The below rankings are derived from Sportsnet’s top-250 pre-season fantasy rankings and are quantified based on past production, projection, age, and potential.

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1. Viktor Arvidsson, LW/RW, Los Angeles Kings (SN Rank: 146)

Conventional wisdom suggests a change of scenery could go a long way in helping the dual-eligible winger rediscover his scoring touch. After potting 94 goals scattered across three different seasons (2016-2019), the 28-year-old has failed to live up to those standards ever since. That’s where Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown enter the equation, Arvidsson’s new line mates in Los Angeles. Translation: My money’s on a big-time bounce-back season.

2. Kirby Dach, C, Chicago Blackhawks (SN Rank: 151)

Unfortunately, Dach’s sophomore season was pretty much derailed before it even started. After fracturing his wrist in World Junior exhibition play for Canada last December, the 20-year-old was limited to just 18 games for Chicago, notching two goals and 10 points. Dach, who’s entering a contract year (RFA), will likely start the season off centreing Chicago’s third line. Having said that, don’t read too much into that, because he’ll be playing a prominent role for the Blackhawks in no time. Enjoy the ride.

3. Evgenii Dadonov, LW/RW, Vegas Golden Knights (SN Rank: 162)

Suffice to say, the Dadonov experiment didn’t go as planned in Ottawa. The Russian winger mustered just 13 goals in 55 regular-season games, which is a problem when you’re making $5 million a season. Prior to joining the Sens in free agency, the 32-year-old had averaged 27 goals and 61 points across three seasons with Florida. Now in Vegas following an off-season trade, Dadonov finds himself on a perennial contender, and he should have no problem returning to fantasy relevance once again.

4. Calvin Petersen, G, Los Angeles Kings (SN Rank: 170)

Not so hot take: The Los Angeles Kings will go as far as Cal Petersen can take them this season. In 54 career NHL appearances, the newly re-signed 26-year-old has posted a 2.79 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage, not too shabby for someone on a rebuilding team. Following an aggressive summer, the Kings enter this season with way more depth, something that should equate to more victories. That, in turn, should boost the fantasy value of Petersen, who’s unquestionably the number-one in front of veteran Jonathan Quick. Lookout for a breakout!

5. Tony DeAngelo, D, Carolina Hurricanes (SN Rank: 171)

If you can look past all the potential baggage, DeAngelo could turn out to be a massive steal for not only Carolina but also his fantasy managers in the long run. After all, the 25-year-old isn’t far removed from a steady 15-goal, 38-point output in 53 regular season games in the 2019-20 campaign. But yes, this is somewhat of a risky proposition. DeAngelo skated in just six games last season before the Rangers kicked him off the team following an altercation with teammate Alexandar Georgiev. After an off-season buyout, the blueliner signed a one-year ‘show me’ deal with the Hurricanes with much to prove, both on the ice and off it. We’ll see how it plays out. There’s certainly value to uncover here.

DEEP SLEEPERS

6. Christian Dvorak, C/LW, Montreal Canadiens (SN Rank: 178)

Considering Marc Bergevin’s lengthy track record for winning trades during his tenure as Canadiens general manager, don’t be shocked if Dvorak ends up exceeding expectations in Montreal. The newcomer, who’ll take over for the departed Phillip Danault as Montreal’s second line centre, has shown impressive chemistry early on with Josh Anderson and Jonathan Drouin in training camp. From an offensive standpoint, the 25-year-old is set up well to improve upon career highs in goals (18) and points (38). Undoubtedly, Montreal’s first line will attract a good deal of attention, which should give the Dvorak trio more time and space to do their thing.

7. Yegor Sharangovich, LW/RW, New Jersey Devils (SN Rank: 192)

If you’re feeling a Jack Hughes breakout, then you might want to double-down on some Sharangovich stock, too. Quietly, the Belarussian finished fourth among NHL freshmen last season with 16 goals and 30 points. The 23-year-old dual-eligible winger is expected to start the year on New Jersey’s top line with Hughes and newcomer Tomas Tatar. Sharangovich is severely underrated; 20 goals and 45 to 50 points is well within reach. Take the plunge!

8. Eeli Tolvanen, LW/RW, Nashville Predators (SN Rank: 199)

Some prospects take longer to mature than others and Tolvanen’s a perfect example of that. After several turbulent years the 22-year-old put together a steady first full NHL season with the Predators, tallying 11 goals and 22 points (12 PPP) in 40 outings. In a full 82-game slate, 20 goals and 45-50 points seems like a fair barometer. Tolvanen, who’ll likely start at left wing on the second line, figures to get plenty of exposure on the first power play unit to Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg as well. Take a flier.

9. Bowen Byram, D, Colorado Avalanche (SN Rank: 217)

Due to injury, the 20-year-old skated in just 19 games as a rookie, tallying just two assists. When he was healthy, Byram impressed, despite the point totals not being there. Right off the bat, the youngster figures to see an uptick in minutes on the back end to start the season; Devon Toews is currently sidelined due to injury. Even with Colorado’s uncanny depth on the blue line, Byram will be too talented to hold back. There’s no question that the 2019 fourth overall pick has a bright future, and he has the potential to be an elite fantasy defenceman.

10. Yanni Gourde, C/RW, Seattle Kraken (SN Rank: 225)

Attention bargain shoppers: Gourde is an exceptional IR stash option to kick things off. The 29-year-old, who’s reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery from off-season shoulder surgery, will go from a depth role in Tampa to a prominent one with the Kraken. Everyone’s looking for a breakout candidate in Seattle, why not Gourde? It’s easy to forget but the late bloomer has hit the 20-goal mark twice and the 60-point plateau once. Take a late round look. Love the value here, too.

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