Fantasy picks: Leon Draisaitl offers plenty of upside

Each day this season, NHL.com's fantasy staff will provide daily picks for DraftKings NHL contests. This list of targets includes expensive and value options at each position to help you build a winning roster.
C - Leon Draisaitl, EDM ($5,400)
The obvious choice would be to go with captain Connor McDavid, who has started the season with a pair of three-point games, but his $8,700 price tag makes him more of a luxury. Draisaitl had one assist and one shot on goal in a 7-4 win against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday, and two goals and an assist with five SOG in a 5-3 victory against the Flames on Friday. Take him against the Buffalo Sabres.

C - Henrik Sedin, VAN ($4,900)
Sedin had 55 points (11 goals) last season and is always a threat to score points, especially playing on a line with his brother, Daniel Sedin. The two are paired with fellow Swede Loui Eriksson and should have some chemistry, having played together internationally. Playing against the Carolina Hurricanes, Sedin's opponent and price make him worthwhile if you want to spend money elsewhere on a top-end player.
C - Sam Reinhart, BUF ($4,900)
Buffalo scored once in its season-opening 4-1 loss against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday and Reinhart assisted on the goal. He had three shots on goal in the game, but that total should increase because more will be expected of Reinhart with center Jack Eichel sidelined with an ankle sprain. Reinhart finished tied for third in goals (23) and eighth in points (42) among rookies last season. His price and opponent (Oilers) make him a good option in DFS lineups.
W - Lee Stempniak, CAR ($4,300)
Stempniak is on his 10th NHL team, but provides great value at this price. He had two points (goal, assist) with three SOG in the Hurricanes' 5-4 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. He was leading the New Jersey Devils in points (41 in 63 games) before he was traded to the Boston Bruins last season. Stempniak had 19 goals and 51 points in 82 games last season and should be a factor in the offense against a Vancouver Canucks team that has been subpar defensively.

D - Cam Fowler, ANA ($4,700)
Fowler has fared well in his first two games; he has one goal, six SOG and three blocks. The goal was on the power play in a 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, and Fowler figures to see time with the man advantage. Fowler faces a New York Islanders team that has allowed seven goals in two games.
D - Nick Leddy, NYI ($4,300)
Leddy is the Islanders best offensive defenseman; his 40 points ranked first on the team among defensemen and tied for fourth overall. He had a goal and three SOG with three blocks, in a season-opening 5-3 loss to the New York Rangers on Thursday. Leddy also had four blocks in a 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Saturday, and should prove valuable against the Anaheim Ducks.
G - Eddie Lack, CAR ($7,100)
Lack is the cheapest starting goalie in the contest, which already gives him a leg up in a three-game night. He'll make his first start of the season after Cam Ward allowed five goals on 26 shots against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. Lack played for the Vancouver Canucks, Sunday's opponent, for two seasons and knows many of their shooters and tendencies, which is also a positive.
G - Jaroslav Halak, NYI ($7,800)
Halak didn't look great in his season debut, allowing four goals on 38 shots against the New York Rangers on Thursday, but the Islanders will turn to him after Thomas Greiss (26 saves) started against the Washington Capitals on Saturday. A bounce-back performance against the Anaheim Ducks is expected from Halak, who was very good for Team Europe at the World Cup of Hockey 2016.