Sounds like Harding is at least healthy enough to backup Backstrom. His .915 career save percentage indicates he may be worth a look if he ever stays healthy and earns a starting goalie gig.
No immediate fantasy hockey value in the AHL.
Scandella gets his first legitimate shot at a top-6 assignment due to Lundin's injury. Last season he produced two assists in his first NHL campaign. Look for Scandella to improve those point totals in his first full season.
Havlat could be back for Game 2, so not all is lost. The winger scored 22 goals and 62 points in 78 games with the Wild last season. Tommy Wingels will take his place on the second line.
Fresh off a 23-goal, 50-point campaign, Kostitsyn is a go-to scorer on the Preds. Expect him to at least hit those totals in his second full season under coach Barry Trotz.
Murphy made the squad but does not yet have a full-time spot. Last season he scored 26 goals and 79 points through 63 games with the Kitchener Rangers of the AHL.
Connolly was projected to start the season on the top line but he likely misses a few games. Connolly scored 13 goals and 42 points last season as injuries limited him to 68 games. Tyler Bozak will take his place in the interim as the top line center.
Havlat should be fully healthy, or close to it, to start the season. The winger scored 22 goals and 62 points in 78 games with the Wild last season. He should be able to improve those numbers with a much improved supporting cast.
At this point consider Niemi close to fully healthy, ready to start the season as the Sharks' starting goalie. Last season, Niemi won 35 games while sporting a 2.38 GAA and .920 SV%. With Antero Niittymaki already out, the two options for the Sharks would be Thomas Greiss or Harri Sateri if Niemi suffers a setback.
Last season the 27-year-old made his NHL debut and scored a goal over four games. He should start the season centering the fourth line.
Elliott failed to make the roster but should be on the Avs by the end of the season. Last season the younster potted 31 goals and 81 points, establishing himself as one of the WHL's top defensemen. He should quickly take over the role as go-to, puck-moving defender on the Avs blue line.
Good news for Read, who proved himself ready with a strong preseason. Last season the versatile forward scored 22 goals and 35 points through 37 games at Bemidji State University before finishing the season strongly with the Adirondack Phantoms. Expect him to add some grit and offense to the bottom two lines.
Hiller's play will stay under the magnifying glass for most of the season but his strong preseason is certainly a welcome sign. Last season the Swiss 'tender posted a 2.56 GAA and .924 SV% through 49 games played. Feel safer drafting/keeping the Swiss 'tender.
Sounds like Walker is the front-runner for the bottom pairing. He posted no points in his four games as a Philadelphia Flyer last season. No reason to roster him at this point although he might approach 100 PIM over a full season.
Bodie has no fantasy hockey relevance at this point.
Brodie failed to make the team but remains one of the team's top prospects. Last season he scored five goals and 34 points through 68 games with the Abbotsford Heat of the AHL -- finishing second on the team. Look for him to eventually make the team.
Parise should certainly score more than last years totals where he produced only three goals and six points through 14 games. The Devils hope he remains a big part of their roster and return to the form that saw him score 30+ goals and 80+ points. Look for him to approach those totals, if healthy, over a full season.
Following a Cup victory, Bergeron is now a leader and the clubhouse. The second line center scored 22 goals and 57 points through 80 games and should be expected to at least replicate those totals. In deeper leagues, look for Bergeron to be quite useful, especially if your league counts faceoff wins.
Halak starts the season as the undisputed starting goalie. Last season he posted decent stats as a member of the Blues finishing with a 27-21-7 record with a 2.48 GAA and .910 SV%. Look for him to improve on those totals in his second full season in St. Louis.
Boedker could be primed for a more offensive role following a few years of shuffling between the AHL and NHL. Last season he scored four goals and 14 points through 34 points. Look for around 30-40 points over a full season.
