Fantasy hockey top 10 bounce-back candidates
Huberdeau, Werenski, Demko have revitalized potential in 2023-24; season preview podcasts
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NOTES: Bounce-back candidates are players who have had past success in the NHL, underachieved compared to fantasy expectations last season (because of injury and/or other factors) but can outperform their average draft position this season. These picks are a collaborative effort by Pete Jensen and Anna Dua. There are separate top 10 lists for breakouts, sleepers and rookies.
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FORWARDS
Jonathan Huberdeau, CGY
He took a big step back last season (55 points in 79 games), his first with the Calgary Flames, but he is only one season removed from being tied for second in the NHL in points (115 in 80 games with the Florida Panthers in 2021-22). Huberdeau finished strong with 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in his final 16 games last season and could rebound with better usage under new coach Ryan Huska.
Filip Forsberg, NSH
Despite missing the final two months of last season because of an upper-body injury, Forsberg is one season removed from NHL career highs in goals (42), points (84 in 69 games) and power-play points (27) in 2021-22. He could be a big beneficiary of the Predators signing Ryan O'Reilly (four years) to be their No. 1 center and should continue to benefit from exposure to elite defenseman Roman Josi.
Taylor Hall, CHI
He has serious upside in a prime role with rookie Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks after playing on the third line for the Boston Bruins, the best team in the NHL last regular season. Hall was a bright spot for Boston in the Stanley Cup Playoffs despite its surprising first-round loss to the Florida Panthers with eight points (tied for third on the Bruins) in seven postseason games. His best season came with the New Jersey Devils in 2017-18, when he had an NHL career-high 93 points (37 on the power play) and won the Hart Trophy, voted as the League's most valuable player.
Matt Duchene, DAL
Two seasons ago, Duchene had an NHL career-high 86 points (43 goals, 43 assists) in 78 games with the Predators. Duchene had 56 points in 71 games last season but has renewed potential on the Stars, who ranked seventh in the NHL in goals per games (3.43). He will also benefit from power-play time on a solid second unit with forwards like Tyler Seguin, Wyatt Johnston and potentially prospect Logan Stankoven (starting season in American Hockey League).
Sean Couturier, PHI
He has returned for the Philadelphia Flyers this preseason after being sidelined since 2021 because of back surgery. He had consecutive 76-point seasons in 2017-18 and 2018-19 with the Flyers and should be back in their top-six forward group and on the first power play, especially given his past chemistry with wing Travis Konecny (led Philadelphia with NHL career-high 31 goals in 60 games last season).
DEFENSEMEN
Seth Jones, CHI
He was tied for 15th among NHL defensemen in goals per game (0.17; minimum 20 games) and tied for 11th in the entire League in average ice time (24:27 per game) last season. Jones is a two-time 50-point producer with an even higher ceiling than his previous NHL career high (57 with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2017-18) considering he'll see plenty of ice time with Bedard at even strength and on the first power play.
Jakob Chychrun, OTT
Despite Chychrun's injury history (never played more than 68 games with Arizona Coyotes in 2016-17), he has a high ceiling for the young, improved Ottawa Senators. He had 41 points (18 goals, 23 assists) in 56 games with the Coyotes in 2020-21 and is part of a fantasy-relevant defenseman group that also include Thomas Chabot and breakout candidate Jake Sanderson.
Zach Werenski, CBJ
He sustained a season-ending shoulder injury in November but is expected to regain his usual spot on the top pair and first power play to start the season. He ranked 14th among NHL defensemen in points per game (0.71; 48 in 68 games) in 2021-22 and has more support around him in the lineup after the offseason additions of Damon Severson and Ivan Provorov and potential integration of elite prospects in center Adam Fantilli and/or defenseman David Jiricek.
GOALIES
Thatcher Demko, VAN
He was limited to 32 games last season because of injury but had 33 wins in 2021-22 and has a high floor with a .910 career save percentage. The Vancouver Canucks allowed the 12th fewest shots on goal per game last season (30.8), and Demko should benefit from playing a full season with defenseman Filip Hronek, who was acquired prior to the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline.
Jacob Markstrom, CGY
He didn't live up to high fantasy expectations last season but has still won at least 20 games in six straight seasons (23 last season; 20th in NHL). It's worth noting Markstrom led the NHL with nine shutouts in 2021-22.
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Other bounce-back candidates to consider: Ryan O’Reilly, F, NSH; Nazem Kadri, F, CGY; Brock Boeser, F, VAN; Thomas Chabot, D, OTT
