Detroit Red Wings fantasy preview for 2019-20

As part of NHL.com's 31 in 31 series, the fantasy hockey staff identifies relevant players from the Detroit Red Wings. For more fantasy coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy and subscribe for free to the NHL Fantasy on Ice podcast.

Red Wings 31 IN 31: [Season preview | 3 Questions | Top prospects | Behind the Numbers]
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Dylan Larkin, C (NHL.com rank: 89) -- He doubled his goal total (32 last season; 16 in 2017-18) and was nearly a point-per-game player (NHL career-high 73 in 76 games). Larkin is a fast skater who plays in all situations (15 power-play points, three shorthanded points last season) and is strong on face-offs (865 face-off wins, eighth in NHL; 54.5 percent). He's a high-volume shooter (287 shots on goal last season) with a relatively low shooting percentage (11.1; 9.6 in NHL career), leaving room for an even higher goal output. Larkin should be targeted in the 76-90 range of standard drafts and much higher in keeper leagues.

Anthony Mantha, LW/RW (147) -- The power forward is coming off his best offensive season; he tied his NHL career high from 2017-18 (48 points in 80 games) in 13 fewer games (48 in 67). Mantha led the NHL in points (15 in eight games) from March 23 to the end of the regular season playing on a line with Larkin and wing Tyler Bertuzzi. Mantha, who missed time last season because of a hand injury, has produced on the power play (16 power-play goals over past two seasons) and is in line to break out for at least 30 goals and 60 points.
Filip Hronek, D (188) -- He ranked fourth among rookie defensemen with 23 points (five goals, 18 assists) in 46 games and second in points per game (0.50) behind Rasmus Dahlin (0.54), who was the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. With veteran defenseman Mike Green (illness) uncertain for this season, Hronek could be a fixture on the top pair and first power play, making him a deep sleeper with exposure to Larkin and Mantha.
Tyler Bertuzzi, LW/RW (194) -- Like Mantha, Bertuzzi was one of the hottest players in the NHL down the stretch last season (13 points in final seven games). He had 47 points (21 goals, 26 assists) in his second full season despite inconsistent lineup placement but finished strong after being promoted to the first line. The 24-year-old covered hits (76) and plus/minus (plus-11) in 73 games and could see more power-play time (six PPP last season) if his chemistry with Larkin and Mantha carries over from even strength. Bertuzzi is a sleeper candidate capable of scoring 55-60 points, and a higher shot volume (131) could offset any dip in shooting percentage (16.0).

Jimmy Howard, G (199) -- He had a respectable win total (23) and save percentage (.909) last season but struggled down the stretch, going 6-7-0 with an .892 SV% over his final 16 games. Howard's SV% was better than backup Jonathan Bernier's (.904 in 35 games; 30 starts) over a much heavier workload (55 games; 52 starts). Howard, who was tied for sixth in even-strength SV% (.923) among the 19 goalies who played at least 50 games, is a potential sleeper who could have 30 wins for the first time since 2011-12 (35) for a young, sneaky offensive team.
Other players to consider in late rounds or off waiver wire: Mike Green, D (200); Andreas Athanasiou, C/LW (212); Filip Zadina, LW/RW (246); Michael Rasmussen, LW/RW; Dennis Cholowski, D; Taro Hirose, LW
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