Any fantasy hockey manager who owned players like Connor McDavid, James Van Riemsdyk or Justin Faulk understands how negative of an impact injuries can have on a fantasy hockey season. Those that remember the level of production players delivered before their injuries can take advantage by predicting bounce back seasons for those players the following year if they think they can stay healthy. There is a good chance McDavid will be taken among the top picks this season but for players like Van Riemsdyk and Faulk there could be some strong value should they slip far enough in your fantasy draft. Here is a look at the top five fantasy assets that should bounce back from injury plagued NHL seasons in 2016-17.
LW: Rick Nash, New York Rangers
Nash missed almost two months with a bruised bone in his leg and he really struggled when he returned to the Rangers’ lineup. He had just three goals over the course of his final 15 games. The veteran winger who had 42 goals and 69 points in 79 games the previous season dropped to 15 goals and 36 points in 60 games and never really looked like his former self. A full offseason to recover and work on his fitness should help Nash bounce back in 2016-17 and while he might not score 40 goals he should be a lock for 30 goals and 70 points if he stays healthy. It’s worth keeping mind that this former NHL star is getting up there in age, so don’t overpay for him in drafts.
LW: Jaden Schwartz, St. Louis Blues
Schwartz missed more than half of last season with an ankle injury but he thrived when he returned and then recorded 14 points in 20 playoff games while playing on the same line as Vladimir Tarasenko. The Blues are extremely high on Schwartz’s potential and the fact that they intend to keep him on the top line with Tarasenko means the potential is there for a breakout season. Schwartz, who had 63 games in 75 games in 2014-15, could easily top the 70-point mark if he stays healthy on a line with Tarasenko for the entire 2016-17 campaign.
LW: James Van Riemsdyk, Toronto Maple Leafs
Van Riemsdyk had 29 points in 40 games last year before suffering a fractured foot that forced him to miss the rest of the season. The fact that he missed so much time should lead to him sliding in fantasy drafts but he is back at full strength and should benefit from playing on the same line as rookie first-overall pick Auston Matthews on the Maple Leafs’ top offensive line. Van Riemsdyk averaged 58.5 points in 81.0 games over the previous two seasons so if he can stay healthy on a line with Matthews there is a very good chance he reaches 60 points. He’s one of the young NHL stars that’s on the rise.
D: Justin Faulk, Carolina Hurricanes
Faulk scored 12 powerplay goals in his first 30 games but his production tailed off dramatically after that and a lower body injury that forced him to ultimately miss 18 games likely had an impact. Faulk finished with 16 goals and 37 points in 64 games played, which was 12 fewer points than he had in 82 games the previous season. Plus/Minus will likely remain a sore spot with Faulk, but he definitely has the potential to challenge for 50 points if he can stay healthy this season. There is great opportunity for him on a team that really needs his production.
RW: Brendan Gallagher, Montreal Canadiens
Gallagher was on track to register career-high numbers through his first 22 games of the 2015-16 season when he suffered a broken finger. He was limited to 53 games but still finished with 40 points including 10 powerplay points. The 24-year-old has the potential to produce a breakout season if he remains on the Canadiens’ top line with Alex Galchenyuk and Max Pacioretty. Everything is trending in the right direction for Gallagher and if he can stay healthy, he will have a chance to break the 60-point barrier. He’s one of the young NHL players on this team that could surprise in terms of fantasy production this season – assuming the Canadiens rebound and contend once again.
