Fantasy hockey sleepers: Metro Division: Devils and Islanders

With the calendars getting close to the end of September and training camps underway, 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 some may be regressing in other cases. 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.

We kicked off this series by looking at the Atlantic Division, and then the Central Division, each of which was completed. This column continues the Metro Division review which will be followed by the Pacific. As noted, in each column, two teams are covered. To simplify it, we are going alphabetically by first team name rather than by nickname. The Devils and Islanders are the focus of this column, as we move through the Metro Division review.

New Jersey Devils

Vitek Vanecek carried the load the majority of the regular season last year in his season in New Jersey. In the playoffs, Vaeneck faltered and the Devils turned to Akira Schmid, who helped the team defeat the Rangers and face the Hurricanes. Schmid also was solid during the year, posting a 2.13 goals-against average (GAA) and .918 save percentage (SV%) with a 9-5-2 record.

Vanecek, by virtue of his 33-11-4 mark, 2.45 GAA and .911 SV% in 2022-23, should open the season as New Jersey’s starting netminder. We all have heard the rumors of Connor Hellebuyck being on the block and his name has been linked to the Devils, who may be a stud goalie away from Cup contention. That could occur down the road, but for now, Vanecek or Schmid will man the pipes at the Prudential Center.

If Vanecek does falter, Schmid showed enough during the year and playoffs that New Jersey should feel confident in turning to him. Schmid has the upside potential that he could take the job and run with it. One other possible is Alexander Holtz, who has yet to live up to his lofty draft status, but came to camp significantly stronger and should get a chance for a full-time spot.

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New York Islanders

The Islanders are basically running back the same lineup that ended last season. Despite that, opportunities still exist for players to step up. Julien Gauthier and Simon Holmstrom will get opportunities to break camp with the team, but both are still likely bottom-six options.

If you are looking for a player to possibly step up, Pierre Engvall is the one to keep in mind. Engvall, acquired at the deadline from the Maple Leafs, signed a seven-year, $21 million contract to remain in New York. Engvall had nine points in 18 games down the stretch for the Islanders and looks to be pencilled in at the second-line left wing.

For the Islanders to reach the playoffs, power play production is paramount. Kyle Palmieri got off to a brutal start but tallied 15 points in his final 18 games to make his overall production look mildly respectable. Someone has to step up for New York, and even though Palmieri is 33, has dealt with injuries recently and seen his output decline the last few seasons, maybe he has one more moment in him.

Atlantic Division:

Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres

Detroit Red Wings and Florida Panthers

Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators

Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs

Central Division:

Arizona Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks

Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars

Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators

St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets

Metropolitan Division:

Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets