New Jersey Devils:Center Jack Hughes (No. 1 pick in 2019 NHL Draft) is expected to make an immediate impact and should finish as a Calder Trophy finalist if he skates on the top line with elite left wing Taylor Hall, an injury bounce-back candidate. Regardless of even-strength line combinations, Hughes will likely skate on the power play with Hall, right wing Kyle Palmieri and defenseman P.K. Subban, who's back among the top five at the position after being acquired from the Nashville Predators on June 26.
If either goalie Mackenzie Blackwood or Cory Schneider emerges as the clear-cut No. 1 starter, the Devils could have a sneaky-high ceiling in fantasy. Right wing Wayne Simmonds, who signed with the Devils on July 1, could slot into their top-six and power-play mix and has rejoined the top 250 rankings. It's worth noting the Devils have gone from last in the previous power rankings to 18th in this edition.
Players in top 250 (nine): Taylor Hall, LW; P.K. Subban, D; Jack Hughes, C; Kyle Palmieri, RW; Nico Hischier, C; Mackenzie Blackwood, G; Cory Schneider, G; Wayne Simmonds, RW; Jesper Bratt, LW/RW
New York Rangers: Elite left wing Artemi Panarin, who signed with the Rangers on July 1, significantly improves their overall fantasy outlook moving forward. He could achieve an NHL career high in goals on a line and power play with valuable center Mika Zibanejad. Rookie wing Kaapo Kakko should capture a top-six and first power-play role and could lead all first-year skaters in goals with 30 or more, especially if he plays on Panarin's line at even strength.
The addition of defenseman Jacob Trouba, who had an NHL career-high 50 points (eight goals, 42 assists) last season, gives New York much more intrigue at the position. Rookie defenseman Adam Fox could also emerge as a fantasy-relevant option and compete with Trouba for a spot on the top power play. Right wings Pavel Buchnevich and rookie Vitali Kravtsov have also joined the top 250 rankings because of potential exposure to Panarin and/or Zibanejad. Fantasy owners should consider handcuffing goalies Henrik Lundqvist and Alexandar Georgiev in standard 12-team fantasy drafts.
Players in top 250 (10): Artemi Panarin, LW; Mika Zibanejad, C; Kaapo Kakko, LW/RW; Henrik Lundqvist, G; Jacob Trouba, D; Chris Kreider, LW; Pavel Buchnevich, RW; Vitali Kravtsov, RW; Alexandar Georgiev, G; Adam Fox, D
Arizona Coyotes:Right wing Phil Kessel, acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins on June 29, gives the Coyotes a much-needed point producer. Kessel, a four-time 80-point scorer, should boost the value of forwards Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz on the top line and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson on the first power play.
Center Derek Stepan has been added to NHL.com's top 250 rankings and is worth drafting in deep leagues with potential exposure to Kessel and/or Keller. Goalies Antti Raanta (injury bounce-back) and Darcy Kuemper (sleeper) are worth drafting separately or together with the Coyotes likely to challenge for the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season.
Players in top 250 (seven): Phil Kessel, RW; Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D; Clayton Keller, C/LW/RW; Antti Raanta, G; Darcy Kuemper, G; Nick Schmaltz, C/LW; Derek Stepan, C
