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Player Notes

  • Barzal, Eberle likely moving up to top line
    Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle will likely be moving up to the top line following the departure of John Tavares.

    Advice: Playing primarily as the second line center, Barzal finished his rookie season with 22 goals and 85 points in 82 games, running away with the Calder Trophy. Pete Jensen of NHL.com is currently projecting either Anders Lee or Anthony Beauvillier as being the third party on New York's new top line. Despite losing the franchise's best player, the Islanders still have plenty of talent that will make their roster fantasy relevant. Rotoworld.com Today, 6:58 am
  • 2018-19 could be Kronwall's last season
    Niklas Kronwall admitted that the 2018-19 season could be his last.

    Advice: "I love the game," Kronwall said. "I can't say enough good things about it. But at the same time you have to be realistic. I know where I'm at right now. A year from now I don't know where I'll be at. I'd love to sign [for] another year but let's face it. The team's getting younger. I'm getting older. The game's getting faster. I'm not the same player I was 10 years ago. But I'm going to do what I can this year both on the ice and off the ice. And just try to be as efficient as I possibly can." Kronwall has had his share of injuries over the years, but he's put together a solid career. The last few seasons have been a lot more difficult for him. Don't expect him to carry any fantasy value going forward. Rotoworld.com Today, 5:02 am
  • David Backes confident he will be healthy
    David Backes is confident that he'll be able to stay healthy this season.

    Advice: The 34-year-old played in just 57 games last year because of various ailments, including colon surgery, but he's expecting to be healthy in 2018-19. "We had a lot of freak injuries, a lot of missed time that was kind of one-off type instances," Backes said. "So I'm looking forward to a full season, getting in the trenches, getting in some games and getting deep in the [Stanley Cup] Playoffs. I put it in perspective. You have colon surgery -- that's not going to happen this year. Chances say you get your leg cut by a skate, that [hadn't] happened in 12 years. A suspension, that [had] never happened before. So all those things just happening in the course of one season -- my money's on none of that happening this year." Even if Backes is able to stay healthy, he isn't worth owning in standard fantasy leagues. Rotoworld.com Yesterday, 2:43 pm
  • Ilya Kovalchuk gets dual eligibility in Yahoo
    In his return to the NHL, Ilya Kovalchuk has been given dual eligibility (LW/RW) by Yahoo.

    Advice: Dual eligibility may seem like a small detail, but it could have large impacts on your squad by giving you added flexibility during days you mainly have players of one position suiting up. Tomas Hertl is the only noteworthy player this season to be tri-eligible (C/LW/RW). A full list of noteworthy dual-eligible players has been compiled by NHL.com and can be seen by clicking the link below. Rotoworld.com Yesterday, 1:01 pm
  • Is 25-30 goals a possibility for Svechnikov?
    Adam Kimelman of NHL.com wouldn't be surprised if rookie Andrei Svechnikov bagged himself 25-30 goals in his rookie season.

    Advice: Svechnikov has impressive size (6'2", 188 lbs) that he combines well with a NHL-caliber shot. The Hurricanes have nothing to lose and should give their rookie all the opportunity to thrive in a top-six role this season. Barring injuries, the 18-year-old Russian will be fantasy relevant this season and is someone you shouldn't shy away from in drafts. Rotoworld.com Yesterday, 12:04 pm
  • Miro Heiskanen believes he's ready for NHL
    Miro Heiskanen believes he's ready to make the leap to the NHL.

    Advice: "I think so," he said of being ready for the NHL. "I had a really good summer. I think I am ready." The Stars drafted Heiskanen third overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, but he stayed in Finland last season. The 19-year-old picked up 11 goals and 23 points in 30 games with HIFK Helsinki. The Stars will bring him along slowly, but they're aware of his immense potential. "We expect him to be an important part of our team," Stars coach Jim Montgomery said. "We expect to bring him along slowly, allowing him to play and play the way he needs to play in order to have success because, ultimately, that is going to make the Dallas Stars better. So we are going to live with mistakes, and he is going to get thrown back out there. We're going to try to make sure he is put in situations to have success early, and as he shows the ability to have success, we're going to give him more and more." Rotoworld.com Yesterday, 10:02 am
    Player Note
    Miro Heiskanen Dal - D
    Not Active
  • Leon Draisaitl thinks Oilers will bounce back
    Leon Draisaitl knows he and his teammates are coming off a disappointing season but that won't stop them from pushing for a playoff spot this season.

    Advice: "I think we’re too good of a team where we’re not at least competing in the playoffs or not in the race," Draisaitl said "And even if we are, that’s probably not good enough. We want to make the playoffs and I think we have the team to do it. Now it’s up to the players to show it." Despite the disappointing season for the Oilers, Draisaitl was still able to put up 70 points, giving him back-to-back 70+ point seasons. Another disappointing season in Edmonton could spell some big changes for the club. Rotoworld.com Yesterday, 7:38 am
  • Preds led NHL in scoring by defensemen
    The Nashville Predators led the NHL in scoring by defensemen last season.

    Advice: The Predators got 56 goals and 150 assists from their blueliners, which isn't shocking when you consider the personnel at their disposal. P.K. Subban led the way with 59 points, Roman Josi had 53, Matthias Ekholm had 34 and Ryan Ellis had 32 (in 44 games). There's a good chance that Nashville defenders will fly off the board during standard fantasy league drafts this year. This is truly a special group. Rotoworld.com Friday, 4:29 pm
  • Patrik Laine slapshot clocked at 103 mph
    Playing at a charity event in his native Finland, Patrik Laine clocked back-to-back slapshots in the hardest shot competition at 103 mph.

    Advice: Just for reference, Alex Ovechkin and Shea Weber won the hardest shot competition the last two years during the NHL All-Star festivities with shots of 102.8 and 101.3 mph. Laine more than doubled his powerplay goal total from his rookie season, going from nine to 20 and it wouldn't be surprising to see make that the norm in future seasons. The 20-year-old Finn is the next great NHL goal-scorer. Rotoworld.com Friday, 11:03 am
  • Rinne close to setting Finnish wins record
    Pekka Rinne is nine wins shy of setting the record for the most wins by a Finnish-born goaltender in the NHL.

    Advice: Rinne at 311 wins, is eight shy from tying Miikka Kiprusoff. Despite being 35, Rinne is showing no signs of slowing down, winning his first ever Vezina Trophy this season. He has a year left on his contract with the Nashville Predators but it's currently unclear if the Preds are interested in extending their star goaltender or going with Juuse Saros who is considered as being one of the best young Finnish goaltenders. Rotoworld.com Friday, 10:22 am
  • Skinner likely to line up alongside Eichel
    Jeff Skinner is very likely to slot into the lineup alongside Jack Eichel.

    Advice: John Vogl of The Athletic currently has Eichel centering Skinner and Sam Reinhart. Reinhart and Eichel's chemistry was evident late last season when the former finished the season with 37 points in Buffalo's last 38 games, giving him a career-high 25 goal and 50 point season. Slotting Skinner, a proven goal-scorer on that line will only bring them to another level. If the newly-acquired Sabre is able to seamlessly transition to his new linemates, we might be looking at one of the best lines in hockey. Rotoworld.com Friday, 9:23 am
  • Kris Versteeg heads to KHL with Omsk
    Kris Versteeg is signing on to play with Omsk of the KHL.

    Advice: In March, Versteeg was ruled out for the rest of Calgary's season with a hip injury that he appears to have gotten over. If this is the end of his NHL career, he'll finish as a two time Stanley Cup Champion (2009-10, 2014-15). Rotoworld.com Friday, 8:16 am
    Player Note
    Kris Versteeg Cgy - LW
    Not Active
  • Ellis believes Preds can compete for 10 years
    Ryan Ellis believes the Nashville Predators can compete for a Stanley Cup for the next 10 years.

    Advice: Ellis just signed an eight-year extension with Nashville, which means he's under contract for the next nine seasons. "If we can keep everyone here and keep the core together, I think we can compete for a Stanley Cup for the next 10 years at least," Ellis said. "I mean that's bold to say, but we believe a lot in the people we have in our room, our coach, our GM and our entire organization." The Predators have one of the best rosters in the NHL, but 10 years is a long time. Rotoworld.com Friday, 7:20 am
  • Tolvanen could be top-six forward this year
    Eeli Tolvanen could earn a top-six role with the Nashville Predators this season.

    Advice: Tolvanen is the Predators' top prospect heading into this season and he could make a real impact in the NHL starting in 2018-19. The young Finn had no points in three NHL games last year, but he put up 36 points in 49 games as a teenager in the KHL and he added nine points in five games at the Olympics, four points in four games at the World Hockey Championship and six points in five games at the World Junior Hockey Championship. "The first couple of games were pretty tough," Tolvanen said. "I was used to playing back on Olympic ice. … It was huge to get those first couple of games out of the way just to see the tempo and what the game was like back here. Now I know I have to get stronger, bigger and faster to be ready when training camp starts." Rotoworld.com Friday, 6:22 am
  • Aho, 'Canes have discussed possible extension
    Sebastian Aho and the Carolina Hurricanes have begun talking about a potential contract extension.

    Advice: The 21-year-old has just one year remaining on his entry-level deal, so both sides will have to get something done before the 2019-20 season. "We've been talking about something," Aho said. "But I've got nothing to say yet." Aho finished his second year with 29 goals and 65 points in 78 games last season. He's one of Carolina's brightest young stars, which means the team should do everything in their power to keep him around. Rotoworld.com Thursday, 12:47 pm
  • Lance Bouma joins Swiss team for 2018-19
    Lance Bouma has signed a one-year deal plus an option with Swiss club Geneve-Servette.

    Advice: The 28-year-old had just three goals and six assists in 53 games with the 'Hawks last season. He also added seven goals and seven assists in 20 games in the AHL. Bouma's former teammate, Tommy Wingels, also signed with the same team this off-season. Rotoworld.com Thursday, 10:30 am
    Player Note
    Lance Bouma Chi - LW
    Not Active
  • Tommy Wingels signs in Switzerland
    Tommy Wingels has signed a one-year contract plus an option with Swiss team Geneve-Servette.

    Advice: Wingels split last season between the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks. He accumulated nine goals and 17 points in 75 games during the regular season. He also participated in four playoff games with the Bruins. The 30-year-old's days of playing in the NHL might just be over. Rotoworld.com Thursday, 10:26 am
    Player Note
    Tommy Wingels Bos - C,RW
    Not Active
  • Price can become Habs' all-time win leader
    Carey Price might become the winningest goaltender in Montreal Canadiens history during the 2018-19 season.

    Advice: Price is currently third on the list with 286 victories, but Patrick Roy (289) and Jacques Plante (314) are within reach. Of course, Price would have to stay healthy to have a shot at setting the franchise mark this year. The 31-year-old had a disappointing season in 2017-18, as he had a 16-26-7 record, a 3.11 goals-against-average and a .900 save percentage. The Canadiens need him to bounce back in a big way if they're going to have any shot at making the postseason. Rotoworld.com Thursday, 8:45 am
  • Nikolay Goldobin has to get more 'explosive'
    Canucks director of player development Ryan Johnson wants to see Nikolay Goldobin become more explosive on his skates.

    Advice: "He needs to get more explosive, he needs to have neutral zone separation speed to use the gifts that he has," Johnson told Sportsnet's Rick Dhaliwal. There's no denying that Goldobin is a gifted offensive player, but he hasn't put it all together yet at the NHL level. The 22-year-old had eight goals and 14 points in 38 games with the Canucks last season. Assuming he has a great training camp, he should be able to get himself onto the Canucks' rebuilding roster. As gifted as he is, he isn't worth owning in standard fantasy leagues for now. Rotoworld.com Thursday, 7:36 am
  • Blashill worried about Zetterberg's back
    Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill is worried about Henrik Zetterberg's back injury.

    Advice: "He’s had a hard summer and I don’t think his back is reacting great," Blashill said. "Certainly we’ll know more in a month (at training camp), but as of today, there’s a lot of doubt as to whether his back will be healthy enough to play." Zetterberg isn't the player he once was, but he's still the most important leader on the roster. The 37-year-old had 11 goals and 56 points in 82 games last season. Even if he's eventually able to suit up again, fantasy general managers will probably want to stay away from him in all formats. Rotoworld.com Thursday, 6:39 am
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