-- The San Jose Sharks made a splash as training camps opened around the NHL by acquiring defenseman Erik Karlsson from the Ottawa Senators on Sept. 13. Karlsson, who has become the No. 1 fantasy defenseman by NHL.com after the trade, boosts the Sharks' forward group with even strength exposure and also a power play that finished 16th in the NHL (20.6 percent). Since entering the NHL in 2009-10, Karlsson leads all defensemen in points (518), assists (392), power-play points (195) and points per game (0.83; minimum 141 games).
After finishing 13th in goals (247) last season, San Jose could now finish top five in that category and power-play percentage. The move gives dual-eligible forwards Joe Pavelski (C/RW in Yahoo; average draft position: 50.5) and Logan Couture (C/LW; ADP: 80.6) even more appeal in Rounds 5-7 of a standard, 12-team fantasy draft. Defenseman Brent Burns' fantasy stock remains high (ADP: 20.3) with a realistic chance for him and Karlsson to both reach 70 points. Karlsson should be targeted late in the first round and Burns late in the second.
Rounds to begin targeting Sharks players: Erik Karlsson, D (first); Brent Burns, D (second); Evander Kane, LW (fourth); Martin Jones, G (fourth); Joe Pavelski, C/RW (fifth); Logan Couture, C/LW (seventh); Tomas Hertl, C/LW/RW (13th); Joe Thornton, C (14th); Marc-Edouard Vlasic, D (14th); Timo Meier, LW (15th)
-- The Vegas Golden Knights acquired left wing Max Pacioretty from the Montreal Canadiens on Sept. 10, propelling them into the top 10 of NHL.com's team power rankings. Before the Pacioretty trade, there was concern of team regression after Vegas made the Stanley Cup Final last season. But this move solidifies the Golden Knights' top six and gives center Paul Stastny and right wing Alex Tuch, Pacioretty's expected linemates, more appeal in late rounds.
Pacioretty, 29, is tied with Jamie Benn (Dallas Stars) for third among left wings in even-strength goals (112) over the past five seasons behind Brad Marchand (118; Boston Bruins) and Alex Ovechkin (134; Washington Capitals). Pacioretty led the Canadiens in goals (226), shots on goal (2047) and power-play goals (55) since entering the NHL in 2008-09. Dual-eligible forwards Jonathan Marchessault (C/LW) and William Karlsson (C/LW) gain value from the trade with an enhanced top six. The Golden Knights finished fifth in the NHL in scoring (3.27 goals per game) last season and, with the addition of Pacioretty, could feasibly achieve similar success.
Rounds to begin targeting Golden Knights players: Marc-Andre Fleury, G (fourth); Jonathan Marchessault, C/LW (fifth); Max Pacioretty, LW (fifth); William Karlsson, C/LW (fifth); Shea Theodore, D (13th); Paul Stastny, C (14th); Alex Tuch, RW (14th); Colin Miller, D (16th)
FANTASY TEAM POWER RANKINGS FOR 2018-19
1. Winnipeg Jets (SAME)
2. Toronto Maple Leafs (+2)
3. Tampa Bay Lightning (-1)
4. San Jose Sharks (+4)
5. Washington Capitals (SAME)
6. Pittsburgh Penguins (SAME)
7. Boston Bruins (SAME)
8. Nashville Predators (-6)
9. Los Angeles Kings (SAME)
10. Florida Panthers (SAME)
11. Vegas Golden Knights (+6)
12. Dallas Stars (-1)
13. Philadelphia Flyers (-1)
14. Columbus Blue Jackets (-1)
15. St. Louis Blues (-1)
16. Calgary Flames (-1)
17. Colorado Avalanche (+1)
18. Anaheim Ducks (-2)
19. Minnesota Wild (SAME)
20. Buffalo Sabres (SAME)
21. Edmonton Oilers (SAME)
22. Carolina Hurricanes (+1)
23. Chicago Blackhawks (-1)
24. Arizona Coyotes (SAME)
25. New Jersey Devils (SAME)
26. New York Islanders (SAME)
27. New York Rangers (SAME)
28. Vancouver Canucks (SAME)
29. Detroit Red Wings (SAME)
30. Montreal Canadiens (+1)
31. Ottawa Senators (-1)
Read: Fantasy team power rankings for August
