Sometimes, all you need in life is a fresh start. Turning the page. Searching for a different approach. Beginning anew. All worthy mantras to adhere to that also hold true in the NHL and fantasy hockey world. For varying reasons, players fall out of favour, lose opportunity, and end up not fitting in with their current club, leading to dips in overall production and, ultimately, fantasy relevancy. Not all the names on this list are coming off poor seasons, but all of them could definitely benefit from a move elsewhere that would lead to a boost in fantasy value and output.

As July 1 and free agency looms, we break down the top-10 NHLers in need of a change in scenery.

10. Jake DeBrusk

One of those names that has seemingly been a regular part of the NHL trade rumour mill over the past couple seasons, DeBrusk is a fantasy asset that definitely fits the bill as a player who could benefit from a move elsewhere. Debrusk enters this summer as an unrestricted free agent who will assuredly garner attention from a number of clubs in search of a depth scoring winger with creative upside. Topping out at a career high 50 points last season, followed up by a 40 piece in 2023-24, the 27-year-old has failed to live up to the expectations set early in his career that made DeBrusk the 14th overall pick of the 2015 NHL draft. However, with a different roster and more ice time, DeBrusk will become a very attractive fantasy option in the final few rounds of drafts who can also chip in with peripheral category value.

9. Tyler Bertuzzi

Bertuzzi was able to pick up his production in the second half of his first season as a Toronto Maple Leaf, but he was basically invisible and very droppable for more than 55 games. Bertuzzi put up only six goals through the first four months of the campaign while managing just 21 points through 51 games, but more importantly, he looked out of place and uncomfortable until the very late stages of the season and into the playoffs. Bottom line: Bertuzzi needs a new home and considering the money he's likely looking for and Toronto's cap situation, his days as a Leaf are numbered. With that said, Bertuzzi will be a very sneaky option next year should he slot into a top-six role on a decent team in a new city.

8. Nikolaj Ehlers

Given the balance and depth of the Winnipeg Jets' forward core, hearing Ehlers' name as one of the odd-men out really comes as very little surprise. Aside from clear injury risk, Ehlers brings 60-point fantasy production as an excellent offensive option who could see even more output with increased ice time and opportunity to play regularly in a team's top six. Ehlers was able to set a career high with 26 assists last season while playing under 16 minutes a night and we can't help but feel that his name might be one of the key assets Jets' general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff uses to potentially address some of his team's issues on the blue line this summer. To note, Ehlers is under contract for the upcoming season at six million before becoming an UFA next July.

7. Linus Ullmark

As we alluded to off the top, not all of these players need a change of scenery because of poor play. Ullmark is one of those names that's in a situation that's out of his control. Only a season removed from a Vezina Trophy, Ullmark was forced to share the cage this year due to Jeremy Swayman's sensational performance that also transferred into the playoffs while seemingly cementing Swayman as the Bruins' number one option. Boston has a lot of holes to fill up front, especially down the middle. With two No. 1 options in the cage, it's starting to make a lot more sense for the Bruins to turn one of their stud goalies into a promising young forward or two, in an attempt to bring more depth and scoring punch to an at-times anemic offense. Ullmark's recent Vezina Trophy and 88-26-10 regular-season record since joining the Bruins will make him an extremely hot commodity should Boston actually consider dangling him in trade talks.

6. Martin Necas

Similarly to the player above and below, Necas has been playing pretty solid hockey over the past two seasons while showing off his offensive chops, playmaking, and skating ability. Necas has developed into being a draftable fantasy piece who can score in the 70-point range and also bring legit categorical production in hits, shots, and penalty minutes. The 25-year-old is entering his prime as a restricted free agent this summer, coming off a bit of a disappointing season following 71 points two years ago, and if reports are to be believed, Necas' time in Raleigh is coming to an end. A fresh start on a new team is exactly what the doctor ordered for this player and if that comes to fruition, Necas deserves to come off the board in the mid-to-late rounds.

5. Elias Lindholm

Let's just be honest: Elias Lindholm did not look good as a Vancouver Canuck. Sure, it was a limited post-deadline stint, but considering Lindholm had over 40 goals only a few years ago, six of them in 26 games in Vancouver is leaving a lot to be desired when it comes to Lindholm and his relevancy as a fantasy option.

T1. Patrik Laine, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Trevor Zegras, Johnny Gaudreau

The next four names on this list have very similar characteristics and all of them are tied for top spot in terms of players searching for a fresh start to rejuvenate their careers and fantasy value.

Patrik Laine and the Blue Jackets – just this past week – have agreed to look for a new home for the often-injured winger so the wheels are already in motion there. As for the second-most likely player to change cities, Trevor Zegras feels like a guy who will be rocking new colours very soon as his name has been regularly in the mix as a target for teams this summer (the Montreal Canadiens at the forefront of them). In terms of the two less likely to move that would benefit from new surroundings just as much – if not moreso, Dubois and Gaudreau are arguably two of the most disappointing and frustrating fantasy hockey players of recent memory.

The Los Angeles Kings got fleeced by the Jets in the deal for Pierre-Luc Dubois and yet again, PLD's value takes a nosedive following a poor regular season of only 16 goals and 40 points while he makes well over eight million a year on a long-term deal. As for Gaudreau, a 12-goal season that he basically slept through has many front-office executives wondering what the future holds for a former 40-goal man. Clearly, no-movement clauses and beastly contracts make PLD and Johnny Hockey hard to move, but the angle holds true, new teammates and a system could be the last hopes to turn these sinking fantasy ships around.