Everybody knows that fantasy hockey managers can’t afford to miss on their top draft picks but what most people don’t realize is how often hockey pools are won in the later rounds. Think about those that had the knowledge and foresight to grab Artemi Panarin of the Chicago Blackhawks in the later rounds last year and were rewarded with a Calder trophy winner that finished in the top-10 in scoring. Who are the most likely breakout candidates that could thrive as deep sleepers this season? Here is a look at the top five NHL fantasy sleepers heading in to the 2016-17 season. We’re expecting these guys to emerge as viable fantasy contributors.
LW: Andre Burakovsky, Washington Capitals
Last season it was Evgeni Kuznetsov that soared into the fantasy elite as a top-10 scorer despite second-line minutes and a substantial lack of powerplay time. This season, it could be his potential linemate Andre Burakovsky who thrives in Washington. The 21-year-old showed flashes of his ability a year ago when he had 17 goals and 21 assists in 79 games. He won’t get powerplay time on a loaded Capitals’ team but the potential is definitely there for Burakovsky to jump from 38 points to a 50-point player with more minutes and more playing time next to Kuznetsov this season.
C: Victor Rask, Carolina Hurricanes
Rask had a career-high 48 points in 80 games last season and should be primed to take another step forward in his third NHL season. The 23-year-old proved he could be the type of dynamic center that puts up 60 points and the potential is there for him to hit that mark playing next to Jeff Skinner and the recently acquired Teuvo Teravainen. The Hurricanes are poised to take another step forward in 2016-17 and Rask could easily improve his points total by 12 to 60 this season. It should help that Eric Staal is out of the way this season. He was dead weight on the team last year and was clogging up the lineup. Then he was traded away to New York and that created an opening that Rask should take advantage of.
C: Sam Bennett, Calgary Flames
The No. 4 pick from the 2014 NHL Draft struggled with consistency in his first full campaign, but still finished with 18 goals and 18 assists in 77 games. Bennett’s relegation to the second line behind Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau limited his scoring potential but he still showed flashes of his elite skill despite playing with lesser linemates. With another full year under his belt, Bennett has the potential to substantially increase his point total this season and it won’t be a surprise if he jumps from 36 points to 50.
RW: David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins
One of the most important things to remember about Pastrnak heading in to your fantasy draft is his potential to play with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand on Boston’s top line this season. Pastrnak has all of the raw tools to thrive as a top line winger this season and he will get plenty of opportunities to put up points if he can stay healthy and play with Bergeron and Marchand. The Bruins are extremely high on Pastrnak’s potential and Loui Eriksson’s exit from Boston could open the door for him to play top-six minutes this season.
D: Adam Larsson, Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton invested heavily in Larsson with the belief that he could be the stud defenseman that anchors their powerplay and plays big minutes in all situations for them over the next decade. The potential is certainly there and it should help that Larsson is primed to play big minutes from the outset including as the quarterback of a powerplay that should feature Connor McDavid, Jordan Eberle, Milan Lucic and Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers are on the verge of taking a major step forward and Larsson should benefit tremendously from the move to Edmonton as a sleeper defenseman to keep a close eye on this season. Once again, the expectation is that Edmonton should take that next step. If they do, a guy like Larsson could become very valuable in NHL fantasy.
