One of the biggest mistakes that fantasy hockey league managers make is expecting NHL player production to remain steady on an annual basis. The reality is that player performances depend on a number of factors that could result in production fluctuating from one year to the next. On one hand, it’s unreasonable expect a player to produce at a high level based solely on their production from the previous season. At the same time, there are players primed to do better than they did the previous year after their production suffered the year before for one reason or another. Here is a look at five NHL players that should bounce back this season.
Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars
It seems unreasonable to include a star that recorded 26 goals and 69 points in 77 games among the list of players primed to bounce back this season. However, there are a number of factors that indicate Benn should produce better numbers this season. The Stars captain recorded a career-high 41 goals and 89 points in 2015-16 but injuries and a general lack of support prevented him from reaching that level again last season. Dallas reloaded in the offseason with the additions of Alexander Radulov and Martin Hanzal, who should be able to provide that much more help for Benn and Tyler Seguin. The Stars are absolutely loaded up front so as long as Benn stays healthy he should be expected to produce better numbers than he did last season.
Matt Duchene, Colorado Avalanche
One year after scoring a career-high 30 goals, Duchene struggled last season with 18 goals and 41 points in 77 games. The Avalanche was historically bad and as a result the individual stars on the team were held well below their potential. There have been reports out of Colorado that it’s an inevitability Duchene will be traded but even if he remains with the Avalanche, he should put up better numbers this season. Duchene is capable of a lot more than he delivered last year. 25 goals and 60 points isn’t an unrealistic expectation for the young center this season. A trade would give his career a shot in the arm. He should be near a point-per-game player and if he lands with a contender or a team with ample talent, he’ll be back among the NHL fantasy elites.
Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers
The 21-year-old Ekblad was hampered by injuries last season, so there is a good chance that a return to health could be enough on its own for him to produce at a higher level this season. Ekblad won the Calder trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year when he registered 39 points in 2014-15, but concussions and a neck injury have limited his production in each of the last two seasons. It’s important to remember that Ekblad is only now entering the prime of his career. If he stays healthy, he could bounce back with career-high numbers in 2017-18. It should help if the team – as a unite – bounces back as they were a big disappointment last year.
Cory Schneider, New Jersey Devils
Schneider was another victim of the lack of talent around him last season. One year after posting a 27 wins along with a 2.15 goals against average and a .924 save percentage, Schneider posted a 2.82 goals against average and only 20 wins last season. The Devils have improved at both the forward and defense positions and Schneider should benefit from the additional help. While he still isn’t an elite fantasy goaltender, Schneider should be good for 22-25 wins and a sub-2.50 goals against average this season.
Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia Flyers
Gostisbehere was a Calder trophy finalist in 2015-16 when he impressed with 17 goals and 46 points. However, the young blueliner struggled to find his form after undergoing hip and abdominal surgery in the offseason and he fell well short of expectations in his second season. Gostisbehere still registered 39 points but his plus-minus dropped to a disappointing minus-21, which was the worst on the team. Gostisbehere is healthy again and with another year of experience and development in the Philadelphia organization he should be primed for a strong bounce back performance in 2017-18.
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