Fantasy: 3 sleepers to watch on draft day
Dougie Hamilton
Yahoo average pick: Round 13.7 - 146.1 overall
Entering his third NHL season, Boston Bruins defenseman Dougie Hamilton appears to be on the cusp of a breakout, which could mean very big things for fantasy managers.
In 64 games last season, Hamilton scored seven goals and added 18 assists for 25 total points, putting him on track for 32 over the course of a full 82-game season. On top of that, he led all Bruins defenseman with a five-on-five Corsi For rating of 56.5, while starting only 52 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone.
Hamilton showed even greater promise during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, with two goals, five assists and 23 shots on goal in approximately 19 minutes of ice time. At that pace, Hamilton would be good for 13 goals, 34 assists and 157 shots. If he comes anywhere close to those numbers, drafting him in the 13th round would be akin to the Great Train Robbery.
Yes, it's a small sample size, but the ramped up pressure of the postseason, as well as an increased role for the fast-maturing defenseman, bodes well for success in the midst of the regular season grind. Draft him, and other managers in your league will be asking you to teach them how to Dougie.
Alex Stalock
Yahoo average pick: Round 15.1 - 169.2 overall
This one's contingent on Stalock usurping the starting gig in San Jose from Antti Niemi, which, let's be honest, is entirely possible. All summer long, the Sharks preached some sort of on-the-fly rebuild, stemming from the team's epic collapse at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings. Niemi was sub par at best in that series, with a save percentage of .884.
On top of that, Niemi's entering the final year of his contract, while Stalock was extended for two years this past offseason.
Stalock brings only 27 games of NHL experience to the table, but impressed last season when called upon. Among goalies with at least 1000 minutes played, Stalock ranked ninth with a save percentage of .934 (with a .932 mark overall), winning 12 games and posting two shutouts.
Niemi might get the call early on, but there's a very real possibility that Stalock will grab hold of the number one job sooner than later. At the very least, Niemi owners should handcuff him with Stalock, while others could end up drafting him as a second or third option in net while benefing from high-level numbers.
Valeri Nichushkin
Yahoo average pick: Round 15.7 - 174.9 overall
19-year-old Nichushkin barely scratched the surface with a 14 goal, 20 assist performance in his rookie season with the Stars, while receiving under 15 minutes of ice time per game and only 1:19 per game on the power play. Entering his second year with the club, Nichushkin is in line for a plum assignment as a top-six forward in Dallas.
Nichushkin is set to play on a line with either Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn or Jason Spezza or Ales Hemsky, meaning Nichushkin should pile up some points by association alone. His power play time may be hindered by the presence of the two latter acquisitions, but if he's able to demonstrate more of an ability to help out in his own zone - which he should based on positive possession and plus/minus numbers as a rookie - he'll be entrusted with more than enough playing time to so some serious damage.
In short, Nichushkin possesses the size (6-foot-4, 205 pounds) and skill necessary to be a veritable force in fantasy hockey. The fact that he landed with the Stars means his advanced trajectory will greatly benefit fantasy owners as soon as this season.
Drafting him as your 15th or 16th player will be a coup.