No filler here folks. We’re cutting right to the chase:
Two requirements:
1. I rostered the player(s) in 2022-2023.
2. I will be targeting these players for 2023-2024.
Let’s go:
Connor McDavid, EDM- C:
In a previous article, I called McDavid the most underrated overrated player in the NHL. After two years of rostering him, I stand by that assessment. If ever there was a “plug and play” fantasy player, the Edmonton star fits the bill. While this isn’t breaking any new ground here, and injuries notwithstanding, he is only one of two players (the other is Timo Meier) I’ve ever rostered that I have never not started. Ever. While I’m not necessarily a real life fan, in terms of fantasy hockey (sports?), is there anyone who delivers more consistently? He plays, he scores, he assists, he blocks shots, he shoots, and perhaps even more impressively, he always seems poised to completely go off. In my dictionary of keepers in a Keeper League, there’s a picture of Connor McDavid. Until proven otherwise, he will remain there. While it may seem boring, if you happen to secure the first pick in your league’s draft, this is the mother of all no-brainers.
Clayton Keller, ARI- LW/RW and Nick Schmaltz, ARI- C/RW:
It wouldn’t be a Fantasy Hockey Professor piece without something like this:
Blake Creamer : Boone Jenner :: The Fantasy Hockey Professor : Clayton Keller/Nick Schmaltz.
Those who know, know.
My Batman and Robin for the better part of the past two seasons. Keller, primarily because he’s “a frickin unit,” and Schmaltz because he’s still criminally underrated and I’m a contrarian. I’m a massive fan of this tandem, but even just rostering one is fine. I don’t care if Arizona plays next year on the pond in the backyard, I am down with these Coyotes on my roster. In addition to Keller and Schmaltz, Arizona has quite a few of often overlooked and exciting fantasy players. Plus, I dig their color scheme. You should too.
Jared McCann, SEA- C/LW:
For so much of the past season, rostering Seattle players was like throwing darts. You just never knew who was about to hit. That was until the latter part of last season when McCann got the deployment he deserved and emerged as not only the Kraken’s go-to fantasy player, but also Seattle’s difference maker in real life. I’m keeping a close eye on his deployment going forward. If it’s consistent with what we saw as last year progressed, McCann will continue to be my man.
Alex Tuch, BUF- RW:
Like how ridiculous was/is the Tage, Tuch, Skinner stack? For the past two seasons, I’ve been able to finagle my way to owning at least two (and, at one point, even all three), of these beauties and have ridden them like Turcotte on Secretariat (look it up). Seriously, I’m not sure there were too many other team offensive stacks as productive as the Sabres’ threesome. Going into next season, my sights will again be on securing some, if not all, of their services. Granted, things slowed down toward the end of last year as both Tage and Tuch labored through injuries. Nevertheless, I’m shuffling off to Buffalo come next year. If the team can somehow strengthen their back end, the Sabres will be in store for even bigger things in 2024. And if that’s the case, I’d expect that top line to bust loose again.
Mike Matheson, MON- D:
A Mike nicknamed The Professor. Was there any doubt? If the tail end of Matheson’s season is a preview for next year, he will go relatively unnoticed nevermore. Even if it’s on a down Montreal team, a first pairing PP QB who gets ridiculous deployment is not to be missed. Along with Evan Bouchard, I’m targeting Matheson as must pick not-so-sleepy sleepers for the upcoming season. Shhh…The Professor is lecturing.
Tage Thompson, BUF- C/RW:
For the past two fantasy seasons, Thompson went un-drafted in my home league. And for those same two seasons, I had the good fortune of picking him up early enough on to reap the benefits. As with Meier, Thompson can be one of the most explosive players in fantasy hockey due to his extremely high ceiling and solid floor. Early on through mid-season, Tage was on an absolute tear before relatively slowing down as the season came to a close. My hunch was that he was dealing with a prolonged nagging injury that worsened and kept him out for a while down the stretch. Nothing else that at least I could tell could account for his late season “regression.” Nevertheless, if he comes back at full strength, I fully expect him to be drafted very high next season. This cat is out of the bag and if the Sabres continue to rise, Thompson should continue to lead the way.
Tyler Toffoli, NJ- LW/RW:
Toffoli’s pre-season ranking on Yahoo was 169 and he finished the season at 42. Uh…yes please! While the rest of the Calgary players were flaming out, Taffoli was quietly having a sneaky-good year. He’s sort of a more seasoned Carter Verhaeghe. I’ve rostered Toffoli for two straight years and have been very happy with his overall production. And now that he’s a NJ Devil (are you kidding me! Let’s go Devils!!!!), I’m seriously crushing even more. A solid game in and game out type of player who shoots a ton. My man!
Ilya Sorokin, NYI- G and Jake Oettinger, DAL- G:
I drafted Sorokin and Oettinger with my 3rd and 4th overall picks in last year’s draft. This was pre-Zero G. In a points league, my philosophy has been to fill my goalie positions with “stud” players who I can start without having to give too much thought. Because goalies can be so fickle, I prefer to focus my drops and adds on skaters. For the past two seasons, this strategy has worked well. Going forward, my plan is to continue with this technique in my Points League while adopting the Zero-G strategy in my Categories League. Both Sorokin and Oettinger performed well-enough for me, providing my team with a season total of 783.80 and 757.20 points respectively. More importantly, they were relatively healthy and logged big minutes.
Bonus Baby:
Travis Konecny, PHI- C/RW:
It’s been pretty well-chronicled in my articles that I’m a Timo Meier fanbro. While I realize that his fantasy value has taken a hit since being traded to NJ, I’m still all in. Anyhow, fan bias makes this biz all the more fun, right?! Konecny is my Timo Lite. When healthy, TK was awesome last year and I’m seriously targeting him for next year. I think the Flyers will be improved and I’m confident that he will continue to play a big role for the team going forward. Like Meier, Konecny pretty much does it all and on a relatively talent challenged team, my expectations are for him to continue to play an outsized offensive role.
Thanks for reading and I hope you’re enjoying the offseason.
Mike@Fantasy Hockey Professor
Apples and Ginos 