The action heated up big time with an unprecedented couple of months around the NHL in June and July of 2017. From the expansion draft to the NHL entry draft and the free agent frenzy period, there was no shortage of excitement in terms of player movement. The offseason movement will result in some significant movement in fantasy values for at least a handful of players. Here is a look at the top players whose NHL fantasy situations improved the most this offseason.
RW: Alexander Radulov, Dallas Stars
Radulov scored 18 goals and registered 54 points in his return to the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens last season. He was rewarded with a five-year contract from the Stars that will pay him $6.25 million per season. Radulov will get the opportunity to play with Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza in Dallas. His surrounding his cast will be a major upgrade over the players he skated with in Montreal last season. With elite talent around him, Radulov has a legitimate chance to produce a 60-point season in 2017-18.
Dallas only scored 223 goals last year but keep in mind that that was one of the biggest year-over-year drop-offs of any team in the league. They had 267 goals in the 2015-16 season, which was the most in the NHL. If you’re playing NHL fantasy, the assumption is that Dallas has the weapons to get back to that. If that’s the case and they’ve added another strong scorer in Radulov, he’ll be a great asset in NHL fantasy next season.
RW: T.J. Oshie, Washington Capitals
Oshie decided to return to Washington on an eight-year deal this summer. The Capitals still have a lot of work to do in order to fill out the remainder of their roster while dealing with salary cap issues but the reality is that Oshie will remain a key piece. Washington will use the veteran forward on the top line at even strength while also giving him top powerplay and penalty kill minutes. Another season playing on the wing beside Nicklas Backstrom could improve his chemistry as well as his production next season.
C: Sam Gagner, Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks are stuck between contending and rebuilding and they don’t seem to be in any hurry to make a firm decision on the direction of their franchise. The addition of Gagner on a three-year deal is proof of that. Gagner scored 18 goals and registered 50 points with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season. The talent level around him won’t be as high in Vancouver but he could play more minutes both at even strength and on the powerplay.
C: Nick Bonino, Nashville Predators
After winning back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Penguins, Bonino was rewarded with a three-year deal with the Predators that will pay him $4.1 million per season. Depth down the middle was a major issue for Nashville last season. Bonino could fit in nicely as a second-line center. Bonino has topped 40 points only once before in his NHL career. He has the potential to record 50 points in a second-line role with the Predators this season.
G: Anders Nilsson, Vancouver Canucks
Another name to watch or the Canucks is Nilsson, who signed a two-year deal with a $2.5 million cap hit per season. Nilsson will challenge for the No. 1 job win Vancouver and if his numbers last season are any indication he could surprise as a capable option. Nilsson produced a respectable 2.67 GAA and a .923 save percentage with the Buffalo Sabres a year ago. At 27-years-old, he is a talented goaltender entering the prime of his career. If the Canucks can improve the level of play in front of him, then Nilsson could be a sneaky sleeper option to keep an eye on in 2017-18.
Not many people will be eyeing the Vancouver Canucks goaltending situation in terms of NHL fantasy. The Canucks were the lowest scoring team in the Pacific Division and amassed just 69 points. They also finished the year on an eight-game losing streak. However, they can only go up in terms of direction. Nilsson could be decent in NHL fantasy where you start two goalies.
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