Probably a safe pick to grab if still available in your league. His center-only position is the only thing that may hurt his immediate fantasy hockey value.
Good to see coach Randy Carlyle will let Corey Perry fight at his leisure. Last season, the MVP fought twice according to HockeyFights.com; he might break that marker this season.
Skinner playing on the top line should do wonders for his fantasy hockey value. Last season he scored 31 goals and 63 points over 82 games in his rookie season. As a natural goal scorer, he very well could score 40 goals at some point in his career.
Sounds like coach Randy Carlyle pondered breaking up the Big 3 in an attempt to get them going. Last season, Perry wowed hockey fans around the glob with 50 goals and 98 points. While the manner he scored those goals will be difficult to replicate, 35-40 tallies are to be expected.
Smith holds a career 2-2-0 record with a 3.56 GAA and .877 SV% against the Sharks. He allowed five goals on 39 shots in his only appearance in the HP Pavilion.
Ekholm sticks in the NHL as a bottom-pairing defender. Last season he scored 10 goals and 33 points through 55 games with Brynas IF Gavle of the SEL. Look for him to get his feet wet at the NHL level.
RNH starts the year on a nine-game tryout. If he sticks for the full season, there is no reason to believe he cant match the 22 goals and 42 points Taylor Hall put up last season.
Smith, as the team's top free agent signing, gets the first crack at the starting goalie role. Last season he posted a .899 SV% and 2.89 GAA over 22 games with the Lightning. He should improve on his totals with coach Dave Tippett behind the bench.
No immediate fantasy hockey value in the AHL.
Henrique looked like a shoe-in to make the team out of training camp but has since fallen on the depth chart with Petr Sykora's re-emergence. Last season, the former Windsor Spitfire scored 25 goals and 50 points with the team's AHL affiliate Albany Devils. He shoudl be NHL ready so expect to see him in a Devils' sweater at some point this season.
As the free agent signing, Smith certainly has the inside track. Last season he won 13 of his 22 appearances with a 2.89 GAA and .899 SV% while with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Look for him to improve those totals under coach Dave Tippett.
Nugent-Hopkins could stick for longer than nine games if Gagner fails to return by then. If so, expect a similar rookie season to Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle -- somewhere around 15-20 goals and 40-45 points -- while playing on one of the top two lines.
With the injuries down the middle, Henrique figures to make the team out of camp. Last season, the former Windsor Spitfire scored 25 goals and 50 points with the team's AHL affiliate Albany Devils. Look for him to center the third line until Zajac returns.
Another name to add to an endless list of prospects ready to make the jump to the NHL. Last season he scored 16 goals and 40 points in 43 games for the University of North Dakota. If he makes the big club, he is likely to play a more defensive role.
The Devils may deploy a 'kid line' with Travis Zajac slightly depleting the team's depth. The former Windsor Spitfire scored 25 goals and 50 points with the team's AHL affiliate Albany Devils.
Mike Smith played decently in his brief playoff duties, leading most to believe he would be handed the starting job. However, it appears he will battle the veteran backup for playing time.
The current 1st overall pick will push very hard to make the team out of training camp. Playing between Eberle and Smyth would certainly be putting him in position to succeed.
The 2011 first overall pick sounds eager to make the team out of camp but will need to outplay veterans like Gilbert Brule and Eric Belanger in the process. Training camp should be a litmus test for his work ethic and determination.
Nugent-Hopkins holds a pretty good chance of making the Edmonton Oilers out of training camp as the past four first-overall selections have made their respective teams following the draft.
