2017-18 Draft Kit: Old Faces in New Places (Part 2)
This two-part series continues with eight more players who will be dawning new uniforms this fall and what the changes mean for their fantasy value in 2017-18. If you missed Part 1, check it out here.
8. Antti Raanta – G – Coyotes
2016-17 Stats: GP-26 | W-16 | GAA-2.26 | SV%-.922 | SO-4
2017-18 Projections: GP-61 | W-30 | GAA-2.61 | SV%-.920 | SO-6
Raanta spent his first four NHL seasons as a backup in Chicago and in New York. During that time, Raanta has a 60% winning percentage, a 2.32 GAA and .917 SV%. This summer the 28-year-old was afforded an opportunity to become a No.1 in the NHL as he was traded to the Coyotes along with Derek Stepan. With Mike Smith now in Calgary, Raanta is the Coyotes’ top option and should be in line for 60 starts.
Raanta’s numbers with the Blackhawks and Rangers show a goalie who is capable of posting No.2 fantasy netminder splits even while playing behind a young, inexperienced Coyotes team. It’s a huge opportunity for the Finnish netminder, but expect his GAA and SV% to take a fairly significant hit with modest win totals.
9. Brayden Schenn – LW – Blues
2016-17 Stats: GP-79 | G-25 | A-30 | P-55
2017-18 Projections: GP-80 | G-23 | A-34 | P-57
After five seasons in Philadelphia, Schenn was dealt to the Blues this summer and will elevate a St. Louis power-play that already ranked eighth with the man-advantage last year (21.3%). Over the last two seasons, Schenn ranks 32nd in goals (51) and tied for 45th in points (114)—however, more impressively he is fourth in the NHL in power-play goals (28) and tied for 10th in power-play points (50) over that span.
Schenn’s propensity for picking up huge numbers on the PP boosts his stock on draft day. Schenn could play on a line with Paul Stastny/Vladimir Tarasenko, which could put him in-line for a career-year.
10. Mike Smith – G – Flames
2016-17 Stats: GP-55 | W-19 | GAA-2.92 | SV%-.914 | SO-3
2017-18 Projections: GP-55 | W-30 | GAA-2.66 | SV%-.913 | SO-3
During his time as the Coyotes’ backup, Smith faced a tonne of shots year in and year out. However, following an offseason trade to Calgary, Smith might not be as busy in 2017-18. The Flames possess one of the best bluelines in the NHL and are coming off of a season in which they gave the eighth fewest shots per game.
Smith is a huge goalie and has the ability to be a workhorse for the Flames—something they’ve been lacking since Miikka Kiprusoff retired. Smith should be able to post a SV% around the .915 mark and his GAA numbers from Arizona should improve, fairly drastically.
11. Derek Stepan – C – Coyotes
2016-17 Stats: GP-81 | G-17 | A-38 | P-55
2017-18 Projections: GP-76 | G-18 | A-37 | P-55
Following seven seasons in the Big Apple, Stepan was dealt to Arizona this summer where he will take over as the team’s No.1 centre and a bridge to the younger centres Dylan Strome and Christian Dvorak.
Stepan has been an extremely consistent producer, posting 57, 55, 53 and 55 points over the last four seasons. During that stretch he is tied for 32nd in the NHL in assists (148) and 44th in points (220). The 27-year-old makes a little more than his production would suggest, but that is not a concern for the Coyotes. Expect more of the same from the Amrican-born centre.
12. Steve Mason – G – Jets
2016-17 Stats: GP-54 | W-26 | GAA-2.66 | SV%-.908 | SO-3
2017-18 Projections: GP-45 | W-21 | GAA-2.49 | SV%-.917 | SO-3
Mason spent the last four and a half seasons in Philadelphia, but signed on with the Jets this summer where he will split time with Connor Hellebuyck. The 29-year-old has been inconsistent from year-to-year, but has showcased the ability to be a solid NHL No.1.
Mason’s fantasy value takes a hit because of the timeshare, but it’s nothing he isn’t accustom to after sharing a crease with Michal Neuvirth over the last few seasons. Mason enters the 2017-18 as a No.3 fantasy netminder, with upside.
13. Patrick Marleau – LW – Maple Leafs
2016-17 Stats: GP-82 | G-27 | A-19 | P-46
2017-18 Projections: GP-82 | G-23 | A-26 | P-49
Marleau, 37, spent the first 19 years of his NHL career with the Sharks, but was not brought back this summer. Instead Marleau inked a three-year contract with the Maple Leafs. The veteran winger joins a young team and brings some leadership and goal-scoring prowess to the Hockey Capital of the World.
A once consistent 30-30 producer, Marleau should only be counted one for goals and assists in the mid-20’s—but there is still a lot of upside as he will be a part of one the NHL’s top offences.
14. Martin Hanzal – C – Stars
2016-17 Stats: GP-71 | G-20 | A-19 | P-39
2017-18 Projections: GP-65 | G-16 | A-27 | P-43
Hanzal has excellent size (6-foot-6 / 226 lbs) but has had tremendous durability issues throughout his 10-year career. In 2016-17, Hanzal appeared in 70-plus games for the first time since 2009-10 and posted 20 goals for the first time in his career.
Hanzal has 20-25 upside, but his injury woes make him a risky pick on draft day. In his new home in Dallas, Hanzal will likely centre the second line behind Tyler Seguin and should be armed with some strong wingers—giving him sleeper potential, especially if he can skate in 70-plus games again.
15. Ryan Strome – RW – Oilers
2016-17 Stats: GP-69 | G-13 | A-17 | P-30
2017-18 Projections: GP-74 | G-16 | A-31 | P-47
Strome was the fifth overall pick in 2011 and after breaking out for 50 points (17G / 33A) in 2014-15, it seemed he was well on his way to a successful NHL career. Since then, Strome has just 21 goals and 37 assists (58 points) in two seasons (140 games).
This summer he was given a fresh start as he was traded to Edmonton in exchange for Jordan Eberle and lands with one of the best, young teams in the league. Strome can play either centre or on the wing and he started training on a line with Connor McDavid and you can’t ask for a better spot to play.
Strome has great hands and high-end playmaking ability and is someone worth taking a late-round flier on. His talent level and surrounding cast make give him a lot of upside if he can put it all together.