Fantasy Hockey: 2023-24 Top 10 Bounceback Candidates
The fantasy hockey columns are coming fast and furious. Just remember that if you’re not reading Trey, you’re asking to lose. The resume speaks for itself at this point. However, today is going to be guys that are sort of difficult to project for the 2023-24 NHL Season. Do we like their chances to bounce back or will it be more of the same this year? Let’s talk our way through this.
*This is in no particular order*
10: Bo Horvat (New York Islanders)
You may be looking at this with skepticism. I understand that but we have to acknowledge that Horvat’s season was a tale of two halves. Horvat put up mega numbers with the Canucks. His production dropped off big time with the Islanders. Horvat posted 54 points in 49 games with Vancouver compared to 16 points in 30 games with the Islanders.
Can Horvat bounce back because we’re referring to if he can post quality production with the Islanders? Of course, if you read my post when the trade went down you’re not surprised. This Islanders offense is broken and expecting Horvat to carry it is foolish.
I’m selling on Horvat again. He plays for the Islanders and I want nothing to do with that team unless it’s Brock Nelson late. 56th overall is too rich for my blood. Not interested at that price.
9: John Klingberg (Toronto Maple Leafs)
John Klingberg was arguably the worst player in hockey last year. He’s pretty terrible in general and don’t really expect him to bounce back. It’s a matter of if he bounces back from a fantasy perspective. Can he be good enough on the PP to produce in fantasy?
At 200th overall, I actually don’t hate the dart throw here. I mentioned this in my sleeper defensemen post. Early reports indicate that Klingberg could run with the first unit that includes Tavares, Matthews, Marner, and Nylander. Even if the guy stinks (and he does) how do you not like the gamble when he’s essentially free?
8: Sean Couturier (Philadelphia Flyers)
Really tough one to project. Mostly because we have no idea if Couturier can get back to the same player. Plus the Flyers stink so is it even worth it? The guy didn’t play at all last year and barely played the year before. The positive is that he’s the first-line center which means he can sleepwalk his way to points. I think the high end here is probably around 75 points on a best-case scenario basis. He’s ranked 127 on ESPN and I just don’t think I’m willing to go quite that high. If he didn’t play in Philly my answer might be different.
7: Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning)
I’ll buy the dip and won’t think twice. Hedman will head into his age 33 season and I refuse to believe that he’s fallen off a cliff. Maybe the back-to-back Cup runs slowed him down last year. After an early exit, I think Hedman bounces back and gets closer to that 60-70 point mark.
Hedman is ranked 72nd overall. No problem. I’ll take him there. It’s Victor Hedman. If he bombs again I’ll live with it and adjust accordingly next year. I just don’t see it happening.
6: Seth Jones (Chicago Blackhawks)
The draft cost (102) is kind of reasonable. Chicago will be better this year simply because Connor Bedard is there. Jones controls the PP in Chicago and will rack points just doing that. I don’t really love the pure talent, and for that reason, I’ll pass. 37 points last year ain’t it. Not in the role that he has. This team is going to stink again too. I get if you want to take a chance but he’s about 50 spots too high for me.
5: Jack Campbell (Edmonton Oilers)
As mentioned in the goalie post, Campbell is basically free. The Oilers are paying him $5 million per year too. The Oilers are so damn good that I like the buy option here. Plus Campbell literally can’t be worse than last year. His .888 SV% last year was a career low if you don’t count his rookie year. Even a marginal improvement makes Campbell a serious sleeper while racking wins with the Oilers.
4: Ivan Provorov (Columbus Blue Jackets)
This is the lowest Provorov has been ranked that I can remember. His new draft cost of 139 makes it more intriguing. I’m still a pass here. The dysfunction in Columbus is good enough for me to pass on most of their team. Especially a defenseman that won’t get any PP time.
3: Jacob Markstrom (Calgary Flames)
You gotta play the stock market with goalies. They’re the bullpen pitchers of baseball. Like Campbell, Markstrom can’t be any worse than he was a season ago. His .892 SV% was his lowest since 2014. A new coaching staff could be all Markstrom needs to rebound. He’s also free as compared to being a top 20 player a year ago.
2: Alex DeBrincat (Detroit Red Wings)
Buy the dip. To me, this one isn’t that hard to figure out. DeBrincat is a sniper and played second fiddle in Ottawa. When he plays first fiddle in Chicago, the numbers were there. Now he’s playing first fiddle in Detroit. A team that’s on the cusp of a playoff spot compared to the tanking Blackhawks. I think he crosses the 80-point mark for the first time in 2023-24.
1: Jonathan Huberdeau (Calgary Flames)
I’m in. Let’s run this back. Darryl Sutter literally hated him. Huberdeau went from being a 115-point guy to 55 last year. His ice time last year was his lowest since his age-21 season. All indications point to Huberdeau being on the top line with Elias Lindholm. He’s ranked 158th and at that price, I’m willing to take the shot. Conventional wisdom would suggest that he will bridge the gap and get back on track. He’s one of the best pure passers in the sport.
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