Training camp is where fantasy hockey starts getting interesting. All summer, we make projections based on last season’s numbers, offseason moves and potential breakout candidates. Then the players hit the ice, coaches start experimenting with line combinations and suddenly we get our first real clues about how teams are planning to use their players.
For fantasy managers, those changes can be extremely important. A player moving onto a top line, earning power-play time or getting an opportunity beside an elite scorer can see his fantasy value change dramatically before the regular season even begins.
That’s what this list is about.
I’m not simply looking for players who are having a good preseason. I’m looking for players whose fantasy outlook has improved because of what we’re seeing at training camp. Some of these players are established NHLers who could be taking on bigger roles. Others are young players trying to establish themselves. There are also a few deeper names who could become interesting if their current opportunities stick.
Training camp is still a work in progress, so none of these situations are guaranteed to remain unchanged. But these are 20 players whose fantasy stock is trending in the right direction heading into the final stages of draft season.
20 Training Camp Risers
1. Quinton Byfield — Los Angeles Kings
Fantasy Stock: ⬆️ Rising Fast
Why: Top-line opportunity with Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe
Byfield was already one of my favorite breakout candidates heading into the season, but his current deployment makes the upside even more interesting. He opened camp between Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe, giving the 24-year-old center an opportunity to play alongside two of Los Angeles’ most dangerous offensive players. Byfield is coming off a career year in which he scored 24 goals and recorded 180 shots, and he finished last season particularly well after Panarin arrived in Los Angeles. The Kings also need Byfield to take on a larger role following Anze Kopitar’s retirement, so this isn’t simply a random preseason experiment.
The Add List Take: Byfield was already on my breakout list. If this line sticks, I’m moving him up another notch.
2. Ryan Leonard — Washington Capitals
Fantasy Stock: ⬆️ Rising Fast
Why: Top-six role with Alex Ovechkin and potential PP1 opportunity
Leonard is exactly the type of player whose fantasy value can change quickly during training camp. He’s been skating alongside Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome, putting him in an excellent offensive environment, and there has been discussion of him potentially seeing time on Washington’s first power-play unit. Leonard’s combination of youth, physical play and scoring ability already made him an attractive late-round target. Add a top-six role and possible PP1 exposure, and suddenly the ceiling looks considerably more interesting.
The Add List Take: This is one of the situations I’m watching most closely. Leonard could become significantly more expensive by draft day.
3. Mason Marchment — San Jose Sharks
Fantasy Stock: ⬆️ Rising
Why: Top line with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith
Marchment is becoming one of the more intriguing fantasy sleepers coming out of camp. He’s started on San Jose’s top line alongside Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, which gives him an opportunity to play with two of the most talented young offensive players in the league. He also finished last season strongly with Columbus, producing 32 points over his final 39 games. Marchment brings another element that fantasy managers shouldn’t overlook: physical production. If he remains attached to Celebrini and Smith, he could become much more than a late-round depth option.
The Add List Take: I already liked the signing. The line combination makes me like it even more.
4. Gavin McKenna — Toronto Maple Leafs
Fantasy Stock: ⬆️ Rising
Why: Immediate opportunity beside Toronto’s elite offensive players
McKenna was always going to be one of the most watched rookies in fantasy hockey, but training camp is giving us a better idea of just how aggressively Toronto may use him. The No. 1 pick has been getting looks with established offensive players, and Toronto has several ways to build a high-end scoring line around him. He also has a potential path to the first power-play unit, which would dramatically increase his fantasy ceiling.
The Add List Take: The rookie hype is justified, but the important part is the opportunity. If Toronto gives him premium minutes, his fantasy ceiling is enormous.
5. Chris Kreider — Montreal Canadiens
Fantasy Stock: ⬆️ Rising Fast
Why: Started camp on Montreal’s top line
Kreider wasn’t a player I expected to be a major fantasy story this early in camp, but Montreal has immediately given us something to watch. The veteran winger opened camp alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield on the Canadiens’ top line. Kreider obviously isn’t the player he was during his peak years in New York, but he doesn’t need to be. If he receives consistent top-line minutes and gets opportunities with Montreal’s best offensive players, he’s suddenly worth consideration in deeper leagues and as a late-round flyer.
The Add List Take: This is exactly the type of camp development that can turn an undrafted player into a draft-day consideration.
6. Oliver Kapanen — Montreal Canadiens
Fantasy Stock: ⬆️ Rising
Why: Top-six exposure with Slafkovsky and Demidov
Kapanen is a name I’m increasingly interested in for deeper fantasy leagues. He scored 22 goals last season, which ranked third among NHL rookies, and he’s currently getting an opportunity alongside Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov. That’s a pretty significant jump in offensive opportunity for a young player who may still be overlooked in many drafts. He doesn’t need to become a star to pay off a late selection; simply holding onto a top-six role could make him useful.
The Add List Take: Kapanen is moving onto my sleeper radar. The opportunity is too interesting to ignore.
7. Ilya Protas — Washington Capitals
Fantasy Stock: ⬆️ Rising
Why: Top-six opportunity with Jordan Kyrou and Aliaksei Protas
Protas is one of the more interesting deep sleepers coming out of Washington. He’s started camp alongside his brother Aliaksei Protas and offseason addition Jordan Kyrou, giving him an opportunity to play in a much more offensive role than his current fantasy profile suggests. He also showed some immediate NHL production last season, collecting four points in his first four games. This is a player who probably won’t be on the radar in standard leagues yet, but the current deployment makes him worth tracking.
The Add List Take: He’s a deeper-league watch for now, but this is exactly the kind of situation that can create a waiver-wire breakout.
8. Roman Kantserov — Chicago Blackhawks
Fantasy Stock: ⬆️ Rising
Why: Getting a look with Frank Nazar and Patrick Kane
Kantserov is another young player whose fantasy value is being influenced by his camp deployment. He’s been skating alongside Frank Nazar and Patrick Kane, giving him a chance to play with experienced offensive talent while also establishing himself within Chicago’s young core. He isn’t someone I’d be drafting aggressively yet, but line combinations like this are worth tracking because Chicago has plenty of motivation to find out what its younger players can do.
The Add List Take: Keep him on the watch list. A strong preseason could put Kantserov on the deep-league radar quickly.
9. Maxim Shabanov — Minnesota Wild
Fantasy Stock: ⬆️ Rising
Why: Getting an opportunity alongside Kirill Kaprizov
Shabanov’s fantasy ceiling becomes much more interesting when you consider who he’s skating with. He’s been getting looks alongside Kirill Kaprizov and Ryan Hartman, which gives the young winger an opportunity to play with one of the league’s elite offensive players. Of course, one training-camp line doesn’t guarantee a regular-season role, but this is precisely the type of situation fantasy managers should monitor closely during preseason.
The Add List Take: If Shabanov stays attached to Kaprizov, his fantasy stock could move very quickly.
10. Nick Robertson — Pittsburgh Penguins
Fantasy Stock: ⬆️ Rising Fast
Why: Strong camp alongside Sidney Crosby
Robertson is one of the newer names I’m adding to the riser list. He’s consistently been skating alongside Sidney Crosby during the early stages of Pittsburgh’s camp and has reportedly made a strong impression with his shooting and offensive play. Robertson has already shown he can score in the NHL, but the opportunity to play regularly beside Crosby could give him a much higher ceiling than we’ve seen in Toronto. It’s still early, but this is exactly the type of camp development that can create a late fantasy value play.
The Add List Take: Robertson is climbing my late-round watch list quickly. Crosby’s wing is a pretty good place to start looking for fantasy value.
11. Gabe Perreault — New York Rangers
Fantasy Stock: ⬆️ Rising
Why: Continued top-line opportunity
Perreault’s name has been on breakout lists all summer, but what’s happening in New York is encouraging because the Rangers appear willing to give their young players meaningful responsibility. Perreault has continued to receive top-line looks alongside Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafrenière. He also finished last season strongly, giving fantasy managers some evidence that his offensive game is beginning to translate at the NHL level.
The Add List Take: Perreault is moving beyond sleeper territory for me. I’m starting to see a legitimate breakout candidate.
12. Matvei Michkov — Philadelphia Flyers
Fantasy Stock: ⬆️ Rising
Why: Stronger offseason and increased expectations
Michkov isn’t a player who needs a training-camp introduction, but the reports coming out of Philadelphia have made me more interested in his second NHL season. He’s reportedly arrived in better physical condition and has been working on his skating and strength. After scoring 63 points as a rookie and 51 points last season, Michkov has an opportunity to take another significant step offensively.
The Add List Take: Michkov is already being drafted as a breakout candidate, but I think there is still room for another jump in production.
13. Luke Evangelista — New Jersey Devils
Fantasy Stock: ⬆️ Rising
Why: Top-six opportunity and first power-play looks
Evangelista is one of the deeper names I’m watching after New Jersey’s early camp deployment. He’s been skating alongside Nico Hischier and Timo Meier while also receiving looks on the first power-play unit. That’s a combination that deserves attention. First-unit power-play time can dramatically change a player’s fantasy value, particularly when the player is available well outside the early rounds.
The Add List Take: I’m not reaching for him yet, but if the PP1 opportunity continues, Evangelista could become a very interesting late-round target.
14. Elias Pettersson — Vancouver Canucks
Fantasy Stock: ⬆️ Rising
Why: Expected return to a prominent top-line role
Pettersson is an interesting riser because his value is tied less to a brand-new opportunity and more to the possibility of getting back into a role where he can drive Vancouver’s offense. Current camp reports have him projected to reprise the top-line center position under new coach Manny Malhotra. After a difficult stretch, this is exactly the type of situation where fantasy managers need to pay attention to deployment rather than simply looking at last year’s numbers.
The Add List Take: I’m willing to give Pettersson another look if the camp deployment holds. His current cost could provide some bounce-back appeal.
15. Mackenzie Blackwood — Colorado Avalanche
Fantasy Stock: ⬆️ Rising
Why: Colorado appears ready to give him a chance to establish himself as the starter
Goaltending is always one of the trickiest positions to evaluate during camp, but Blackwood is an interesting riser because Colorado appears to be giving him an opportunity to seize the No. 1 job. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar has praised Blackwood’s offseason, although the position remains something to monitor. If Blackwood can establish himself as the primary starter behind a strong Colorado team, his fantasy value could move substantially.
The Add List Take: This is a goalie situation I’m watching very closely. Starting opportunity in Colorado can be extremely valuable in fantasy.
16. Spencer Knight — Chicago Blackhawks
Fantasy Stock: ⬆️ Rising
Why: Opportunity for another heavy workload
Knight isn’t necessarily a dramatic camp riser, but Chicago’s goaltending situation makes him interesting. NHL.com’s current fantasy rankings place him 21st among goalies, and the team appears positioned to give him another significant workload. For fantasy managers waiting on goaltending, Knight has the combination of age, opportunity and upside that makes him worth considering in the middle-to-late rounds.
The Add List Take: Knight remains one of my favorite late-round goalie targets.
17. Cole Hutson — Washington Capitals
Fantasy Stock: ⬆️ Rising
Why: Potential first-unit power-play role
Hutson is one of the rookies I’m watching particularly closely because his fantasy value could be driven by his usage rather than his five-on-five role alone. Washington has a potential opening for him on the first power-play unit, and Hutson’s offensive instincts make that opportunity especially interesting. A young defenseman who gets PP1 time can become fantasy relevant very quickly.
The Add List Take: If Hutson gets confirmed PP1 duty, I’m moving him up my defense rankings.
18. Ivar Stenberg — San Jose Sharks
Fantasy Stock: ⬆️ Rising
Why: Another young San Jose forward entering a potentially strong offensive environment
Stenberg is a player I’m watching as part of San Jose’s larger youth movement. The Sharks already have Celebrini and Smith driving their offense, and the organization has several young forwards competing for expanded roles. Stenberg’s current draft cost makes him more of a speculative fantasy selection, but the potential for him to earn meaningful NHL minutes makes him worth monitoring as preseason progresses. NHL.com’s latest fantasy mock had him selected in the 14th round, which gives you an idea of where the market currently values him.
The Add List Take: He’s still a speculative pick, but the San Jose situation is one I want to keep watching.
19. Frank Nazar — Chicago Blackhawks
Fantasy Stock: ⬆️ Rising
Why: Continued opportunity in Chicago’s young offensive core
Nazar is another Chicago player whose fantasy value could benefit from the organization’s willingness to give its young players bigger roles. His current line combinations with Patrick Kane and Roman Kantserov are particularly interesting because they give him a chance to play with experienced offensive talent while remaining part of Chicago’s developing core. With Bedard’s availability also a storyline early in the season, there could be opportunities for other young Chicago forwards to take on additional responsibility.
The Add List Take: Nazar is one of those players I want on my draft-day watch list even if I don’t select him.
20. Juraj Slafkovsky — Montreal Canadiens
Fantasy Stock: ⬆️ Rising
Why: Opportunity to lead a productive second line
Slafkovsky isn’t a new name, but Montreal’s current lineup gives him an interesting opportunity. With Kreider starting alongside Suzuki and Caufield, Slafkovsky has been working with Demidov and Kapanen. That trio could give Montreal another dangerous scoring line, and Slafkovsky’s continued development remains one of the bigger fantasy storylines in Montreal. He has already shown flashes of the offensive upside that made him the first overall pick, and another step forward could make him considerably more valuable.
The Add List Take: Slafkovsky remains one of the young players I’m watching for a bigger offensive jump this season.
The Add List Take
Training camp shouldn’t completely change your fantasy rankings. Coaches experiment, lines move around and preseason combinations don’t always survive into opening night.
But that’s exactly why we’re paying attention.
The goal isn’t to react to every line combination that appears on a practice sheet. It’s to identify the situations that could actually change a player’s fantasy opportunity. Top-line minutes, first-unit power-play time, increased ice time and better linemates are the things that can turn a late-round player into a legitimate fantasy asset.
That’s what makes these next few weeks so important.
Some of these 20 players will probably settle back into the roles we expected before camp. Others could enter the regular season in completely different fantasy situations than we anticipated in August.
For fantasy managers, that’s an opportunity.
The draft board is still moving and the best time to identify a rising player is before everyone else catches up.
I’ll be watching these 20 players closely throughout preseason, because by the time the regular season arrives, some of them may no longer be late-round targets at all.
– The Add List +