Mathew Barzal, C (NHL.com rank: 64) -- The New York Islanders' No. 1 center averaged 0.88 points per game last season, his second playing for coach Barry Trotz, up from 0.76 in 2018-19. Barzal, who led the Islanders in assists (41), points (60) and power-play points (12) in the regular season, scored 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 22 postseason games to help them reach the Eastern Conference Final. Barzal is a fringe top 50 fantasy forward capable of the elite production from his rookie season, when he scored an NHL career-high 85 points (22 goals, 63 assists) in 82 games in 2017-18.
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Semyon Varlamov, G (80) -- The Islanders had a .911 save percentage last season that was eighth in the NHL. Varlamov and Thomas Greiss alternated starts early last season but Varlamov ended up starting more games (39-29). Varlamov also started 19 of the 22 postseason games and was 11-7 with a .921 save percentage and two shutouts. Greiss agreed to terms with the Detroit Red Wings on a two-year contract Oct. 10, but Varlamov still will have competition for playing time this season from prospect
Ilya Sorokin
. That said, Varlamov is the latest goalie to thrive under Trotz after a previously inconsistent NHL career and is a top 15 option (13th).
Ilya Sorokin, G (139) -- Given Trotz's success the past two seasons with Greiss, Varlamov and Robin Lehner (Vezina Trophy finalist in 2019), Sorokin has a high ceiling as a rookie playing for the defensive-minded coach. Sorokin led the Kontinental Hockey League in shutouts each of the past two seasons (20 in 80 games) and could be part of a timeshare with Varlamov this season. Sorokin already is ranked among the top 25 fantasy goalies, and similar to Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers and Ilya Samsonov of the Washington Capitals, could join the top 10 at the position by the end of his first season.
Anthony Beauvillier, LW (172) -- The left wing is a fantasy sleeper candidate who should be available in the late rounds of a standard draft. He scored at least 18 goals in each of the past three seasons and excelled in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (scored nine goals; tied with center linemate Brock Nelson for New York's lead). Beauvillier could score 25-30 goals this season if he's utilized more often on Barzal's line and/or the first power play.
Brock Nelson, C(173) -- Nelson averaged 0.79 points in 68 games last season, the highest rate of his seven NHL seasons and significantly better than the 0.50 points per game he averaged during his first six seasons. Nelson, a staple on the Islanders' second line, led them during the regular season with 26 goals, which tied his NHL best (26 in 2015-16). He and his other linemate, right wing Josh Bailey, remain underrated fantasy options who should return significant value late in drafts or off the waiver wire again this season.
