With the calendars flipping to September and training camp just a few weeks away, fantasy hockey leagues have started to schedule their drafts. Hopefully, you have been keeping up with the off-season moves, rookies added and players looking to take a step forward, while in other cases, some may be regressing. To help you plan, this series of columns will focus on fantasy hockey sleepers, one per team in each division.
Fantasy hockey sleepers mean different things to each person. For some, it’s the hot rookie. For others, it’s those who will take a step forward. Some view them as prior year players or acquisitions in new situations, enabling that individual to exceed projections or their initial role. For purposes of this series of columns, the focus will mainly be on the latter – those who have a chance to surpass expectations or prior production. I welcome feedback, criticism, thoughts, etc., as one man’s meat is another man’s poison, and your view may differ vastly from mine.
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Ep 69: NHL Preseason, Rumors, Mike Babcock Saga
by Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 4:07 am
Jim and Chris are back to discuss the beginning of the NHL preseason, the […]
We kicked off this series looking at the Atlantic Division, which will be followed by the Central, Metro, and Pacific. As noted, in each column, two teams will be covered. To simplify it, we are going alphabetically by first team name rather than by nickname. The Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs are covered in this column, completing the Atlantic Division review.
Tampa Bay Lightning:
For the Lightning, last year saw Brandon Hagel – acquired during the 2021-22 season – take a major step forward in production, earning an eight-year deal this offseason. Hagel took advantage of increased ice time and line placement to have a breakthrough campaign. The question is, for this year, who potentially can take that leap forward?
Tanner Jeannot could be the next to benefit from a trade to Tampa Bay. Jeannot burst on the scene with 24 goals in 2021-22 for Nashville, substantially aided by a 19.4 percent shooting percentage. He regressed last season, before and after arriving in the state of Florida, finishing with just six goals and 12 assists in 76 games. Despite the drop in scoring, Jeannot contributed 290 hits after dishing out 318 the prior year.
Jeannot potentially gets a bump in value as he is slated to open the year on the second line. In addition, his shooting percentage dropped from 19.4% to 5.6%, meaning if that regresses somewhat back to the mean, his production should rise. Tampa Bay doesn’t have many other options for that line, though Conor Sheary could move from the third to the second line if he shifts from the left to the right side.
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Toronto Maple Leafs:
The Core Four in the Six is supported by several role players. Toronto added Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi this offseason, lengthening their lineup. In addition – and one player I considered for this column – Matthew Knies is expected to provide additional heft and scoring to the roster. Knies, the Maple Leafs’ top prospect and selected 57th overall in 2021, is expected to fill a top-nine role, likely as the third-line left wing.
My focus for the Leafs in this column is John Klingberg. Before last season, Klingberg failed to sign a long-term deal – blame can be assigned to several for that major faux pas – landing a one-year deal with the Ducks. That move proved to be an abject failure, as he struggled offensively and defensively in Anaheim before getting traded to Minnesota. Klingberg was mildly better for the Wild, though not significantly enough to warrant a multi-year deal in the open market.
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Klingberg signed a one-year, $4.15 million contract with the Maple Leafs. He will bring Toronto offense from the blue line, skating on the second blueline pair while likely playing the point on a similar power play unit. Defensively, don’t expect a major uplift on that end, but the power play production and talent around him at even strength should result in increased production.
Atlantic Division:
Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres
Detroit Red Wings and Florida Panthers
Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators
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Ep 69: NHL Preseason, Rumors, Mike Babcock Saga
by Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 4:07 am
Jim and Chris are back to discuss the beginning of the NHL preseason, the […]
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Ep 68: Auston Matthews Extension, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Much More
by Full Press Coverage on September 1, 2023 at 2:23 am
Jim and Chris are back to chat about the Auston Matthews extension, the […]
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Ep 67: Karlsson Trade, Matt Dumba Signs, NHL News and Notes
by Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2023 at 2:21 am
Jim and Chris discuss the big Erik Karlsson trade to Pittsburgh, the Matt […]
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Around the NHL: What is Going in Tampa and Toronto As Training Camps Begin
by Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Vox Media NHL Analyst Bruce […]
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Around the NHL: Mike Babcock Resigns as Head Coach In Columbus
by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 1:48 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Vox Media NHL Analyst Bruce […]
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Around the NHL: From Columbus to Montreal To Calgary To Atlanta
by Full Press Coverage on September 16, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Vox Media NHL Analyst Bruce […]
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Ep 86: David Krejci Announces Retirement
by Full Press Coverage on August 14, 2023 at 10:28 pm
Ian and Chris react to David Krejci's retirement. Learn more about your ad […]
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Ep 85: Offseason Reset: Lucic, Bergeron, Krejci, and More
by Full Press Coverage on July 23, 2023 at 2:10 pm
Ian and Chris discuss the changes the Bruins have seen over the last few […]
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S5Ep3 - Mike Babcock Out in Columbus and Steven Stamkos Drops The Hammer in Tampa
by Jim Biringer on September 22, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back for the fifth season of the Final Word on Hockey […]
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S5Ep2 - What Carey Price Meant to the Montreal Canadiens
by Jim Biringer on September 19, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back for the fifth season of the Final Word on Hockey […]
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Nashville Predators Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 25, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Hunter Logan Previews the Nashville Predators Stack the Pucks gives a […]
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Minnesota Wild Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 22, 2023 at 4:10 pm
Hunter Logan Previews The Minnesota Wild Stack the Pucks gives a […]
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Dallas Stars Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 21, 2023 at 3:45 pm
Hunter Logan Previews The Dallas Stars Stack the Pucks gives a breakdown […]
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Episode #144: 22-23 AHL Awards Show
by Full Press Coverage on July 14, 2023 at 10:00 pm
The 2022-23 AHL season has come to a close, and what better way to […]
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Episode #143: Dessert > Desert
by Full Press Coverage on June 24, 2023 at 5:54 pm
On this episode of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and Sarah wrap up the […]
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Full Press Canadiens - 9-22 - Bogan Konyushkov is dominating the KHL
by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 4:30 pm
Josh Gosse and Jesse Poirier speak about the latest Montreal Canadiens […]
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Full Press Wild - 9-25 - Recapping the Wild’s preseason opener.
by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Preseason, Daemon Hunt, injury Learn more about your ad choices. Visit […]
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ROP Special Commentary: Representation Matters
by Charlie Saunier on September 24, 2023 at 5:01 am
ROP Special Commentary: Representation Matters Learn more about your ad […]
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Full Press Canadiens 9-22 - Intra-squad scrimmages
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Josh Gosse and Jesse Poirier speak about the latest Montreal Canadiens […]
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Full Press Wild - 9-22 - Recapping prospect camp and a player signing.
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Prospect camp, signing, Jujhar Khaira Learn more about your ad choices. […]
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Leafs Digest - 9-22 - Nylander MOVED to Center, Murray and Muzzin OUT for Season | Toronto Maple Leafs News and Updates
by BCM on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Zack Phillips reacts to Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach, Sheldon Keefe, […]
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9/25 - Week 3 Reactions, Dolphins Hang 70, Biggest Disappointments
by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Ian and John react to a fascinating Week 3 in the NFL and talk about some […]
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9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
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9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talk
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
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9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teams
by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
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9/25 - Week 3 Reactions, Dolphins Hang 70, Biggest Disappointments
by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Ian and John react to a fascinating Week 3 in the NFL and talk about some […]
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Ep 184: Week 3 Instant Reaction
by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 12:47 am
The Green Bay Packers were in another 1-point game, this time a 18-17 win […]
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Ep 135: 49ers Move To 3-0, NFC South Buy or Sell, Week 3 Picks/Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 3:13 pm
Ian and Braden discuss the 49ers win on Thursday Night Football, the […]
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Ep 171: Discussing The Career Of George Kunz With Son Matt
by Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Matt Kunz, son of former Colts lineman George […]
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Ep 183: The Sandman
by Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
This week we're diving back into the extreme and looking at the career of […]
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9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
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9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talk
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
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Ep 183: Week 3 Preview vs Saints
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:11 am
In this episode, Kyle Senra is joined by Courtney Burrows (luvtractor3) […]