Nemeth, 25, has split his first few professional seasons between the NHL and AHL. In 2016-17 he appeared in the most NHL games to this point, suiting up for 40 contests, but only managed to record three assists. Nemeth has not posed strong offensive numbers at any level, so don’t expect him to start now.
McCollum was a first round pick of the Red Wings in 2008 and spent six years in the organization before being dealt to the Flames. A year ago he found himself in the AHL and ECHL, posting a 2.10 GAA and .926 SV% in 17 starts with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). McCollum will likely share a crease with Jared Coreau after Eddie Pasquale walked in free agency.
After being a highly sought after college free agent, Folin struggled to find his way with the Wild, posting just 23 points (4G / 19A) in 118 games. Folin has good size (6-foot-3 / 214 lbs) and a strong two-way game, but won’t do a lot of damage offensively, which keeps him off of the fantasy radar.
Miller, 36, is getting up there in years, but should serve as a quality backup and mentor to the seemingly oft-injured John Gibson. Miller started 150 games in his three years with the Canucks, posting a 2.69 GAA and .914 SV%. Miller will play behind a much better defensive team, which makes him one of the better backup options/handcuffs available on draft day.
Flynn, 28, had six goals and four assists (10 points) in 51 games with Montreal last season. Flynn is a quality fourth line forward that excels on the penalty kill—averaged 1:37 SH/TOI per game last year. Flynn will attempt to help a Stars PK that ranked dead last in the NHL last season at 73.9%.
Dadonov, 28, was a third round pick of the Panthers in 2007 but has been in Russia since 2012-13. Dadonov had 20 points (10G / 10A) in 55 NHL games in his first go-around in North America. In his last three seasons in the KHL, Dadonov averaged 24 goals and 29 assists and comes back to the NHL where he is expected to play a top-6 role. Panthers’ GM Dale Tallon has said he expects Dadonov to play with Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau, which makes him a huge fantasy sleeper heading into 2017-18.
Ferraro, 25, had some strong years in Grand Rapids (AHL) as a part of the Red Wings organization, but has been less successful in the NHL since. In 2016-17, the winger had 15 points (7G / 8A) in 22 games with the Chicago Wolves (AHL) and should start this season in Iowa.
Murphy has had an interesting week. He was traded from Carolina to Calgary and then bought out before signing with the Wild on Saturday. The former No.12 overall pick is mobile and has a lot of offensive upside, but needs to polish his defensive game. Injuries have been a concern for the 24-year-old as well, but sticking in the NHL should be his main concern.
O’Reilly, 30, has been a strong producer at the AHL level, but hasn’t been able to do the same during his NHL stints. Cal isn’t as talented as his brother Ryan, but he can be a serviceable bottom-6 forward for the Wild, but he will likely spend more time in Iowa (AHL) than Minnesota.
Leighton, 36, has been a strong AHL netminder throughout his lengthy career, but has posted a 2.98 GAA and .900 SV% in 111 career NHL appearances. Leighton has posted a SV% above .918 in each of his last three AHL seasons and will help replace Kristers Gudlevskis, who was traded to the New York Islanders.
Bouma, 27, is a big forward (6-foot-2 / 208 lbs) that likes to play a physical game, but has some offence to go along with it. Since registering 34 points (16G / 18A) in 2014-15, Bouma has just 14 points (5G / 9A) in 105 games over the last two seasons. Bouma has averaged 2.6 hits per game over the last four seasons and will bring size and physicality to the Blackhawks’ fourth line.
Vecchione, 24, signed with the Flyers after posting 63 points (29G / 34A) in 38 games at Union College and should be a big part of the Flyers’ bottom-6 in 2017-18. He has shown the ability to score in college, but likely won’t be a big contributor in his first full NHL season.
Froese had 39 points (24G / 15A) in 48 games with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) before being traded to Tampa Bay for Brian Boyle last season. The 26-year-old added seven more points with the Lightning’s affiliate, but has managed to record just five points (2G / 3A) in 62 career NHL contests. Froese is an extremely hard worker and that just might be enough to land him a spot with the Canadiens out of training camp.
It was believed that Jones was capable of being a No.1 NHL netminder and he’s been excellent since being given that opportunity in San Jose. Jones has made 65 starts and won 37 and 35 games in each of his first two seasons with the Sharks and has posted a 2.33 GAA, .915 SV% and eight shutouts in the process. Jones is a solid No.1 fantasy option and should be one of the most trusted netminders in 2017-18.
Vlasic is viewed as one of the best two-way defensemen in the NHL, but failed to top 30 points in 2016-17 after setting a career-high with 39 points (8G / 31A) the year before. The 30-year-old will likely be a top-25 fantasy defenseman in 2017-18, but the length of this deal could hurt the Sharks’ cap situation down the line.
Hainsey posted strong offensive numbers early in his career, but has not topped 20 points in the last seven seasons. Hainsey is a mobile defenseman who is expected to play the right side in Toronto, but likely won’t be called upon to play heavy minutes.
Fowler has been a part of trade rumours for years but we can put those to bed after inking an eight-year pact with the Ducks. In 2016-17, Fowler set a career-high with 11 goals and 39 points in 80 games. Fowler has No.1 fantasy defenseman upside, but should be selected as a No.2.
Randell is a strong bottom-6 forward thanks to his tenaciousness on the forecheck. However, he doesn’t offer a lot in terms of offence having produced just 19 points (1G / 9A) in 59 games with Providence (AHL) a season ago.
Agostino was named the AHL MVP in 2016-17 after recording 24 goals and 59 assists (83 points) in 65 games with the Chicago Wolves (AHL). In three AHL seasons, Agostino averaged 21 goals and 40 assists (61 points) and his next step is to translate that into the NHL. The 25-year-old will get a shot to make the Bruins this fall and could have a fantasy impact depending on his role.
Rattie, 24, averaged 23 goals and 22 assists (45 points) in his first three AHL seasons, but had just five points (2G / 3A) in 22 games with Chicago (AHL) last year. The former No.32 overall pick has registered 10 points (4G / 6A) in 35 career NHL games, but posted elite numbers in junior and will be given a shot to make the Oilers out of training camp.
