Yesterday the Columbus Blue Jacets sent a 2026 sixth-round pick to Philadelphia while retaining Ivan Fedotov's full $3.275 million cap hit. In reality, they'll only pay $775,000 in salary. Fedotov was a seventh-round pick of the Flyers in 2015. He played 26 games last season, finishing 6-13-4 with a 3.15 GAA and .880 save percentage. Across three NHL seasons, all in Philadelphia, he owns a 6-14-5 record with an .874 SV% and 3.29 GAA. However, he built a strong résumé in the KHL over the span of eight years going 61-55-8 with a .921 SV% and 2.22 GAA.

This deal does not move the needle much for Fedotov himself. He has not shown NHL-caliber numbers yet, and while his KHL track record is impressive, his time in Philly was rocky at best. With Columbus, he looks more like organizational depth and a solid AHL goalie than a serious threat for fantasy value.

For Elvis Merzlikins, this is actually a small vote of confidence. He is still the starter, and the Blue Jackets clearly do not see Fedotov as a challenger for that role, just yet. Merzlikins carries the usual risk, streaky play and team inconsistency, but he should continue to get the lion's share of starts. Jet Greaves is the more interesting name here. Columbus hopes that he turns into more than just a backup and even with this move they still see him as the one to push for NHL minutes behind Merzlikins. For the Flyers there is not much of a change either. Both Samuel Ersson and Dan Vladar will be tending the twine on the back end, likely with Ersson getting the first chance at being in the starters net. 

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There are a number of players who could deliver strong value later in drafts. Either they are coming off injuries, and others might be overlooked because managers forget their past production or are wary of their history. A few of these names also offer solid multi-category contributions, making them worth considering as mid-to-late round targets. Here is a closer look at their roles, underlying metrics, and fantasy potential.

Kent Johnson

I am looking to see Johnson have another solid season. He finished last year with 23 goals and 33 assists for 57 points, but I can see him again pushing closer to another 65–70 points if he hits an 82-game pace. He is a great facilitator who is consistently creating opportunities and controlling play. His 19.5% shooting rate from last season suggests some regression is coming, and his even-strength efficiency may dip slightly, but that could be offset with more power-play opportunity. Last season, Johnson averaged 17:18 of even-strength ice time and just 2:33 on the power play, putting him on pace for nearly 70 points. With an expanded role this season, especially more power-play time, he could offset some regression in his shooting and stay in that same point range. All indications suggest he will at least maintain his current deployment, with the potential for a slight increase, which only boosts his upside. He is likely to be available late in drafts and if he has the potential to replicate his point pace into actual production this season, that should be enough to make him one player to earmark heading into your drafts.

Aliaksei Protas

Aliaksei Protas broke out with 30 goals and 66 points in 76 games, but the underlying numbers hint at some regression. His shooting percentage jumped to 21.4%, almost double his career 11.6%. Sustaining that kind of efficiency is extremely rare unless you are in elite company, so expecting a repeat is a stretch. That said, his situation in Washington matters, skating with Alexander Ovechkin and Dylan Strome could keep him relevant even if the finishing cools off.

What stands out is his usage. He averaged over 16 minutes of TOI, his OZ starts jumped to nearly 60% from 40%. The shot volume (6.7 SOG/60) is more middle-six than top-line scorer, and his on-ice production outpaced his expected numbers, pointing to a hot run that may settle down. However, Protas was not just along for the ride. His involvement in goals rose to 76%, showing he drove offense, not just benefitting from it. I personally have a vested interest in Protas as I hold shares of him in a few leagues so I am certainly hoping he replicates his numbers from last year but I know that's a stretch. He looks closer to a 15–20 goal, 40–50-point player with sneaky upside and a solid late round swing.

Josh Norris

Josh Norris enters the season as a mix of promise and risk for fantasy managers. He has proven scoring ability, but durability remains a real question. He posted 21 goals and 35 points in 56 games last year between Ottawa and Buffalo which translates to just over 50 points across a full season. The catch is his 21.6% shooting rate, above his career 18.1% so we will see regression there. Still, Norris produced on the power play with six goals and 11 points and logged over 18 minutes a night.

At even strength, the picture was not as strong. His 5v5 shooting percentage fell to 6.9% and his xG% sat at 46.1, meaning his line was often out-chanced. His 2.0 PTS/60 was steady but down from the 2.7 mark he posted during his 35-goal breakout in 2021-22. For him to push past 50-point mark again, a few things need to align: top-six consistency in Buffalo (ideally alongside Tage Thompson), a clean bill of health, and a bump in shot volume, all of which are possible. Norris looks like a volatile pick but there is a world where we see 20-goal, 50-point stability, but the ceiling remains 30+ goals if he stays healthy and can get back to his old form.

Carter Verhaeghe

Carter Verhaeghe has been a steady producer the past three seasons, averaging close to 68 points per 82 games with strong play-driving numbers to back it up. It is his number last year that are throwing fantasy mangers off and some also forgetting about what he can do. He had an 8.3% shooting rate, well below his career norm of 13–15%. If that rebounds, the production should follow. However, the bigger storyline is Matthew Tkachuk being sidelined until at least January. Tkachuk usually drives much of Florida's offense, but his absence could actually benefit Verhaeghe with added usage, power-play time, and a chance to carry more of the scoring load.  Verhaeghe's five-on-five metrics remain strong, and if he holds top-line minutes, he has a real shot to push back toward the 70-point mark he hit in 2022-23. Even once Tkachuk returns, he will need time to get back up to speed, meaning Verhaeghe could still hold strong fantasy value if Tkachuk returns in January. At worst, he is a safe bet for 60 points with the upside for more.

Ryan Donato

Most fantasy managers will target Connor Bedard in Chicago, but Ryan Donato is worth a closer look after his breakout last season. On the top line with Bedard, Donato finished with 31 goals and 62 points in 80 games. His value comes from both role and peripherals as he also contributes across multiple categories, including shots and hits, which makes him useful in more than just scoring leagues. Donato posted an impressive 5v5 shot rate of 8.4 SOG/60 and an xGF/60 of 2.24, paired with a strong PDO that could regress slightly. If he remains on Bedard's wing and earns first-unit power-play minutes, a repeat in the 55–65 point range with 25–30 goals are realistic. He is not a superstar, but with triple-position eligibility and solid counting stats, Donato offers excellent value as a last round pick.

Thanks for reading! See you next week! For more fantasy hockey content and analysis, follow me on X @Punters_hockey. If you have any questions about your team or a trade? My DMs are always open, happy to help!