The first couple of weeks of the 2016-17 NHL season have provided plenty of uncertainty with a record goal scoring pace to start the season that has slowed down dramatically over the last week. While a number of top-100 players from a year ago have started slow out of the gate, there is a strong contingent of sleeper picks that have been excellent early on and have certainly done enough to warrant a roster spot in deeper leagues. Here is a look at the top NHL fantasy pickups for this week.
LW, RW – Marcus Johansson, Washington Capitals
The 26-year-old showed flashes of his offensive potential a year ago when he recorded 17 goals and 46 points in 74 games for the Capitals. With five goals and nine points in his first eight games, Johansson appears to be primed for a major breakout with the potential to shine in Washington’s top-six. Johansson is currently skating on the Capitals second line with Evgeny Kuznetsov while also getting prime minutes on their top powerplay unit along with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. The outstanding start combined with the opportunity he is receiving in Washington should be enough to warrant a roster spot in the majority of fantasy hockey leagues right now.
C – Victor Rask, Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina’s top line of Rask, Jeff Skinner and Lee Stempniak combined for 12 of the team’s first 21 goals this season and all three could be in for productive years. Rask in particular is worth a long look after flashing his upside with 21 goals and 48 points in 80 games last season. Rask should continue to thrive as the Hurricanes top center at even strength and on the powerplay so it might be worth taking a shot on the 23-year-old before somebody else in your league decides to grab him. The Hurricanes have been a decent offensive team so far this season as their 25 goals are fourth-best in their division. Most people expected them to be in the basement.
LW – Jimmy Vesey, New York Rangers
Vesey has lived up to the hype after spending the summer as one of the most talked about college free agents before ultimately deciding to sign with the Rangers. Vesey is skating on a line with veterans Derek Stepan with substantial playing time both at even strength and on the powerplay so it should be no surprise that he is off to a hot start. The 23-year-old has five goals and six points through his first nine games and there is no reason to expect him to slow down as long as he continues to receive plenty of opportunities with New York.
D – Mark Streit, Philadelphia Flyers
The emergence of Brandon Manning and Ivan Provorov on a defense core that already features Shayne Gostisbehere has somewhat overshadowed the veteran Streit, but his play has made him worthy of adding in deeper NHL fantasy leagues. Streit has six points through his first 10 games with four of those points coming on the powerplay. He is already producing at a high enough level to warrant taking a flier on and the potential is there for Streit to receive even more minutes if he continues to perform at a high level.
D – Damon Severson, New Jersey Devils
Only Taylor Hall has played more minutes on the powerplay than Severson to this point in the season and both of them have fared well from a production standpoint. Severson is one point back of Hall for the team lead with six points in eight games, with four of those points coming on the powerplay. He could struggle from a plus-minus standpoint throughout the year but Severson should be a strong source for points and fantasy points so don’t hesitate to pick him up if he is still available in your NHL fantasy league.
The Devils have been one of the better defensive teams so far this season. They’ve given up just 16 goals in eight games, which is the best in the Metropolitan Division and the second-best in the NHL. For NHL fantasy purposes, this is a team to look at for blue liners and goaltenders.
