Fantasy: Most improved teams for 2018-19

NHL.com identifies the three most improved fantasy teams for the 2018-19 season. These are teams that missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2017-18 but have gained fantasy momentum as a result of factors including but not limited to offseason improvements (trades, signings, 2018 NHL Draft picks and/or coaching changes), number of players in NHL.com's top 100 or 250, young players and/or prospects and lineup or injury trends. For more fantasy coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy.

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres had the fewest points (62) in the NHL last season but have improved through the 2018 NHL Draft, free agency and multiple trades. Buffalo made one of the biggest moves of the offseason, acquiring left wing Jeff Skinner from the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. Skinner, a three-time 30-goal scorer, ranks 20th in the category (204) since entering the NHL in 2010-11 (won Calder Trophy), has a consistently high shot volume (ranked in top 15 in four of past five seasons), and should improve a Sabres power play that finished 20th last season (19.1 percent). Skinner moved up from 165th in NHL.com's rankings to 92nd after the trade.
Skinner had 49 points (24 goals, 25 assists) last season, a drop from 63 in 2016-17, and his shooting percentage dipped to 8.7 percent playing in a third-line, second power-play role. But he should play with elite center Jack Eichel (ranked 30th overall by NHL.com) to form a potentially dynamic fantasy duo, with either breakout candidate Sam Reinhart or bounce-back hopeful Kyle Okposo likely to be the third member of that line. Other players who can benefit throughout the lineup include rookie forward Casey Mittelstadt and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen.

Eichel has increased his point total in each of his three NHL seasons, but he has missed significant time because of multiple ankle injuries. After playing in 81 games as a rookie in 2015-16, Eichel sustained a high ankle sprain in October 2016 (missed first 21 games that season), and then sustained another high ankle sprain in February (missed 15 games last season).
Although Buffalo lost its best two-way forward in Ryan O'Reilly (traded to St. Louis Blues), it was able to sign goaltender Carter Hutton (finished 45th in Yahoo) to provide some stability in net; the Sabres finished 29th in goals allowed per game last season (3.39). If Hutton can carry over his NHL-best peripherals (led League with 2.09 goals-against average, .931 save percentage) to a heavier workload (50-60 games), he would be a late-round fantasy sleeper. And the Sabres will also see an influx of young talent this season, most notably with defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (No. 1 pick in 2018 NHL Draft) and Mittelstadt.
Dahlin, who's ranked 71st (12th at position) in NHL.com's fantasy top 250, is a puck-moving defenseman who had 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 41 games for Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League last season and was named top defenseman in the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship. With the opportunity to average 20 minutes per game while potentially seeing time alongside Eichel and Skinner on the first power play, Dahlin is worth targeting among the top 15-20 defensemen with an even higher ceiling. Mittelstadt, projected to be Buffalo's second-line center, made an immediate impact in his NHL trial last season (five points in six games) and could join Dahlin in the Calder Trophy race if multiple factors comes together at once for the Sabres.
Sabres players in NHL.com's fantasy top 250 (in order of rank): Jack Eichel, C; Rasmus Dahlin, D; Jeff Skinner, LW; Rasmus Ristolainen, D; Sam Reinhart, C/LW/RW; Carter Hutton, G; Casey Mittelstadt, C; Kyle Okposo, RW

Calgary Flames

The Flames showed a ton of promise last season, but dealt with injuries down the stretch and faded in the standings (5-13-1 in final 19 games) before missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, with new coach Bill Peters, key additions and a healthy lineup, the Flames could be a sneaky team in the Pacific Division.
Peters has brought some familiar faces with him to the Flames, who acquired forward Elias Lindholm and defenseman Noah Hanifin from the Hurricanes on June 23. Lindholm had 44 points (16 goals, 28 assists) in 81 games last season, but was a consistent secondary scorer for Carolina who provides the Flames with power-play depth (at least 10 power-play points in three of past four seasons) and face-off efficiency (54.5 percent last season; Matt Stajan led Calgary at 51.4 percent last season, minimum 200 face-offs). Hanifin is still developing defensively, but his offensive game began to flourish last season; he scored more goals (10) then he had in his first two seasons combined (eight) and made his first NHL All-Star Game appearance. With Dougie Hamilton being traded to the Hurricanes, veteran Mark Giordano remains a workhorse No. 1 fantasy defenseman, with Hanifin likely to get every opportunity to fill Hamilton's role.

The Flames also signed James Neal, who scored 25 goals with the Vegas Golden Knights last season, his 10th straight season of at least 20 goals. Neal, along with Lindholm, remains a potential sleeper candidate with the possibility to raise his stock if he plays alongside elite fantasy forwards Johnny Gaudreau (ranked 28th overall by NHL.com) and Sean Monahan (55th) on the top line. Gaudreau has reportedly
said
Neal "would be a great fit" with him and Monahan.
In Peters' tenure in Carolina (2014-15 to 2017-18), the Hurricanes were a strong possession team, ranking second in shot attempts percentage (52.43) behind the Los Angeles Kings (54.16). However, the power play remains a big question moving forward. Calgary ranked 25th (18.0 percent) the past four seasons and Carolina finished right behind, 26th at 17.9 percent. The hiring of assistant coach Geoff Ward from the New Jersey Devils should help; the Devils finish tied for ninth in the NHL last season (21.4 percent).
There is plenty of optimism with the Flames if their players stay healthy. Center Sean Monahan missed the final seven regular-season games last season and underwent wrist, groin and two hernia surgeries in April. Left wing Matthew Tkachuk (upper body) and goalie Mike Smith (lower body) also missed time in the second half, but each should be ready for training camp. Monahan and Gaudreau have been an elite duo on the first line, Tkachuk (finished in Yahoo's top 100 each of his two NHL seasons) has 60-point potential with strong category coverage, and Smith could be a top 10 fantasy goalie. Prior to Smith's injury Feb. 11, he was 23-16-6 with a .921 SV% and two shutouts.
Flames players in NHL.com's fantasy top 250 (in order of rank): Johnny Gaudreau, LW; Sean Monahan, C; Matthew Tkachuk, LW; Mark Giordano, D; Mike Smith, G; James Neal, LW/RW; Elias Lindholm, C/RW; Noah Hanifin, D; Mikael Backlund, C

St. Louis Blues

The Blues were one of the most disappointing teams last season, missing the postseason for the first time since 2010-11. However, with the addition of O'Reilly and others, the Blues could be primed for a deep playoff run this season.
Acquiring O'Reilly in a trade with the Sabres and signing forwards David Perron, Tyler Bozak and Patrick Maroon in free agency, the Blues have strengthened their forward group, which is led by elite right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (25th overall by NHL.com) and forward Brayden Schenn (83rd).

O'Reilly had 61 points (24 goals, 37 assists) in 81 games last season and has scored at least 55 points in each of the past six full seasons. He has added value on the power play, with at least 22 PPP in four of the past five seasons, and also in leagues that count face-off wins. O'Reilly won 58.3 percent of his face-offs over the past three seasons, second in NHL behind Antoine Vermette (59.2), and was second in the League last season (59.98), also behind Vermette (60.0).
Perron is coming off an NHL career-high 66 points (16 goals, 50 assists) in 70 games with the Vegas Golden Knights last season. He had 18 PPP (second on Vegas) on mostly the second unit and will likely have a similar role with St. Louis. Perron also covers hits (led Golden Knights forwards with 118 last season) and takes face-offs as a wing. Bozak will center the third line in St. Louis, but he could also see time on the second power play (second on Toronto Maple Leafs with 59 PPP over past four seasons) with Perron.
The biggest question that remains for St. Louis is its goaltending. Jake Allen is a potential top 10 fantasy goalie capable of at least 30 wins as the full-time starter (without Hutton), but Allen's inconsistency has hindered him in the past. Last season, Allen went 27-25-3 with a 2.75 GAA and .906 SV%, but was 9-13-1 with a 2.99 GAA and .896 SV% after Jan. 1 (last in SV% and tied for last in wins over span; min. 25 games). But with an improved top-six and power-play outlook, along with St. Louis' deep defense, Allen could be poised for his most complete fantasy season yet.
Blues players in NHL.com's fantasy top 250 (in order of rank): Vladimir Tarasenko, RW; Brayden Schenn, C/LW; Jake Allen, G; Alex Pietrangelo, D; Jaden Schwartz, LW; Ryan O'Reilly, C; Colton Parayko, D; David Perron, LW/RW; Alexander Steen, C/LW/RW; Vince Dunn, D