A few weeks back we took a look at some of our favourite under-the-radar-type fantasy hockey targets primed for sneaky-good seasons that other GMs could be sleeping on or overlooking. Players that might not be getting a lot of shine or playing time but that could still serve as valuable peripheral pieces to round out a winning squad. Focusing this time on the Metropolitan Division, it's time to break down our top fantasy sleepers that could surprise this upcoming season. Nailing one, or even two, of these types of players can sometimes mean the difference between a team in the money or out of it.

Kent Johnson, Columbus Blue Jackets

There's something about this group of young players in Columbus that just screams fantasy sleepers. A franchise loaded with up-and-coming talent at seemingly every position on the ice, the Blue Jackets' front-office crew deserves a lot of love for its ability to stack their cupboard full of intriguing players with growing fantasy allure. Johnson, a former fifth overall draft pick, is a piece that has all of the dynamic offensive upside in the world that needs to put it all together to earn his coaches' trust to gain minutes and deployment in all situations. If Johnson can hone his defensive skills and become a smarter player at both ends of the rink, he could potentially crack the top power-play unit and take his fantasy value through the roof. Establishing himself as an offensive threat two seasons ago with 40 points in 79 games at only 20 years old, Johnson is just starting to scratch the surface of his ability and should be a player counted on for 50-to-60 points should he increase his time on ice to more than the 14 minutes he's averaged over his short career.

Anthony Duclair, New York Islanders

One of the more low-key offseason moves that could pay dividends for the Islanders and fantasy GMs alike was New York's sneaky addition of Anthony Duclair, a player that's struggled to settle in with a single franchise but one who has an underrated release and a ton of speed that generate scoring chances. Now with his ninth NHL team, Duclair is looking to stick and form lasting chemistry while likely getting a legitimate look to play on the Isles' top line next to Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal. That trio could be dangerous and if Duclair can return to the form that saw him put up eight goals and seven assists in 17 games for the Tampa Bay Lightning down the stretch last year, he's the type of player that could provide the offensive fantasy value targeted in the last few rounds.

K'Andre Miller, New York Rangers

Miller has been one of those names fantasy hockey GMs have been waiting to see takeoff and it really hasn't happened to the level many thought it would. Size, offensive upside, skating ability, tendency to throw big hits, Miller has all the makings of a banger league blue-line beast who looked to be ready for the fantasy limelight following a 2022-23 campaign that saw him register triple digits in hits and blocks while also chipping in with 40 points. Last season was disappointing, as Miller regressed somewhat to a total of only 30 points in 80 games. However, Miller lines up with the perfect kind of D-pairing partner in Jacob Trouba that should allow the six-foot-four stud to do his thing at the offensive end and given how good the Rangers are overall, were willing to take a risk on a really good two-way rearguard with all of the tools to be a force at both ends of the ice. Don't be surprised if this is the breakout year for the former first-round pick.

Michael Bunting, Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins are a really hard team to project fantasy value for and even hard to predict where this roster will land them in the standings when all is said and done on the 2024-25 NHL and fantasy seasons. After Sidney Crosby, things get a little dicey in terms of targeting a surefire fantasy stud, but Bunting offers up a ton of intrigue as a piece that makes for the ideal peripheral piece or even early waiver-wire target that brings a lot of value with penalty minutes, points, and occasional hits. Not only did he fit in nicely after joining the Pens at the deadline last year from Carolina, notching 19 points in 21 games, but he's going to get a long look to stick on the left side with Evgeni Malkin while also seeing deployment on the second power-play unit. Don't sleep on Bunting, if he forms any chemistry with Geno, we could see a return to form from his Toronto days and the 50-to-60-point realm making him a prototypical fantasy hockey sleeper option.