A look at the fantasy seasons from rookies Oscar Lindberg, William Karlsson, Darnell Nurse, Ben Hutton and Jake McCabe …

The Journey looks back on the 2015-16 NHL season to point out some of the under-the-radar rookies that stood out over the course of the year. These are players to keep an eye on as cheap fantasy hockey options who have the potential to improve in the 2016-17 season.

Oscar Lindberg – New York Rangers – Drafted 2010, 57th overall (ARI)

Lindberg started the season with four goals in his first three games, and rode that wave to a successful rookie season for the New York Rangers. Despite playing just over 12 minutes per game, Lindberg finished the season with 28 points in 68 games with only two of those points coming with the man advantage. The 24 year-old winger also added 135 hits, an average of just over two hits per game. The Rangers will be in a state of flux this offseason and Lindberg could carve out a bigger role in 2016-17. In cap leagues, his $600,000 cap hit can provide real value for those trying to find cheap hits with the potential for secondary scoring.

William Karlsson – Columbus Blue Jackets – Drafted 2011, 53rd overall (ANA)

It was a tale of two seasons for Karlsson, playing in his first full year with the Columbus Blue Jackets after he was acquired in a trade deadline deal from Anaheim in 2015. Before January 1st Karlsson was struggling mightily with just six points in his first 38 games, while playing to a minus-17 rating. However, once the calendar flipped to 2016, the Swedish-born center improved drastically. In his final 43 games Karlsson tallied 14 points and played to a plus-8 rating. His shooting percentage jumped from a well below average 6.0% to a more respectable 10.3%. Karlsson is not a high-volume hitter, but did block 48 shots, a decent number for a center. He was second among Blue Jacket forwards with 416 faceoff wins, and led all Columbus forwards playing 2:08 minutes per game on the penalty kill.

Darnell Nurse – Edmonton Oilers – Drafted 2013, 7th overall (EDM)

Edmonton’s best defensive prospect had a decent start to his NHL career this season. A player who has long been touted as a potential multi-category monster in fantasy hockey teased owners with 160 hits, 103 blocks, 120 shots on goal and 60 penalty minutes in his rookie year. As he continues to grow into his role, expect his offense to expand in the future. Nurse only scored three goals despite finishing fourth in shots among rookie defensemen. Expect his shooting percentage to rise, and when it does, his point totals will as well. Although Nurse may never be a top power-play producer, in coming seasons he should get more opportunity than 13 seconds on average he played with the man advantage this year.

Jake McCabe – Buffalo Sabres – Drafted 2012, 44th overall (BUF)

In a somewhat surprising move, McCabe spent 77 games with the Sabres this season. A player who likely was a year ahead of where Buffalo fans thought he would be on the developmental curve, the former Wisconsin Badger played valuable minutes alongside Zach Bogosian and was relied upon as a puck-mover all season. Finishing with 14 points, McCabe also topped the team with a plus-6 rating, and added 114 hits to go along with 109 blocks. It’s unlikely that McCabe will be a power-play producer in his career, but he could be a 20 points defenseman with over 100 blocks and hits per season.

Ben Hutton – Vancouver Canucks – Drafted 2012, 147th overall (VAN)

Hutton was overlooked this season on a poor Vancouver team, finishing third among rookie defensemen in scoring behind the more highly touted Shayne Gostisbehere and Colton Parayko. Despite only scoring once and sporting a 1.0% shooting percentage, Hutton posted 25 points on the year with seven of those coming with the man advantage. The Canucks goal differential was worst in the league at -53, and Hutton’s minus-21 rating does stick out, but for owners in leagues where plus minus is not weighted, he provided value at a low price. His 100 blocks finished third on the team.

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