For the last 22 years (13 with The Hockey News) Dobber has reviewed each team from a fantasy-hockey standpoint and graded them.

The 23rd annual review will appear here on DobberHockey throughout the summer. This is not a review of the likely performance on the ice or in the standings, but in the realm of fantasy hockey both for the season ahead as well as the foreseeable future. Offensively, will the team perform? Are there plenty of depth options worthy of owning in keeper leagues? What about over the next two or three years? These questions are what I take into consideration when looking at the depth chart and the player potential on that depth chart.

Enjoy!

* * Pick up the DobberHockey Fantasy Guide here – always updated * * 

Gone – Tanner Pearson, Dylan Coghlan, Nicolas Roy, Nicolas Hague

Incoming – Mitchell Marner, Jaycob Megna, Colton Sissons, Jeremy Lauzon

Impact of changes 

The Golden Knights enter the season with a different look . A significant loss on the back end is Alex Pietrangelo who is on long term injured reserve. Losing a player of his caliber is not only a blow to the defensive structure but also to the leadership group that has guided this team since their Stanley Cup run. Pietrangelo faced tough minutes against opposing stars and with him unavailable along with Nicolas Hague no longer in the picture, the defense looks thinner. Shea Theodore remains the top defenseman on the team, while Noah Hanifin will be asked to take on more responsibility along with new additions in Jeremy Lauzon and Jaycob Megna, however the latter options are more for depth, but neither is capable of matching the impact that Pietrangelo or Hague brought.

Up front the picture is much brighter. Mitch Marner completely changes how this team will attack. He is a difference maker who can drive a line and his presence alongside Jack Eichel creates the potential for one of the most dangerous duos in the league. The Golden Knights now have the kind of firepower that should make their top power play unit a consistent weapon, as if it was not before. Mark Stone and Tomas Hertl add stability in the top six, while Pavel Dorofeyev remains an exciting scoring option after his breakout season. Depth moves such as adding Colton Sissons are more about balance than offensive punch, but his reliable two-way game and ability to handle difficult minutes help solidify the roster.

Ready for Full Time 

Lukas Cormier missed most of last season with injury and did not see action until March, giving him plenty to prove entering training camp. The Golden Knights have a deep and competitive roster, but there is always room for a mobile and puck moving blueliner. A full, healthy camp could give him a chance to push for NHL minutes this fall, even if he begins the season in the AHL. Matyas Sapovaliv is another prospect who could see an NHL opportunity. He adjusted well to the AHL schedule in his rookie season, putting up 11 goals and 20 points in 71 games. His production was not earth shattering, but nonetheless he fared well in his first full AHL season. He still needs development before earning a full-time NHL role, but the path is opening as veterans move on.

Fantasy Outlook

From a fantasy perspective, Marner is a premier target and should be drafted as a forward who will produce at 90+ points on the season with strong power-play production. Eichel should stand to benefit from Marner's arrival. However, in his ten-year career, Eichel has reached the 30-goal mark in just two NHL seasons. The key to all of this is that Eichel will need to shoot more rather than deferring to his linemates as he has been accustomed to rather than being a sniper.   Mark Stone and Tomas Hertl remain steady fantasy plays who gain value from improved depth around them. Pavel Dorofeyev is still worth tracking after a 35-goal breakout and could thrive in an expanded role despite the stiffer competition for minutes.

On the backend, Shea Theodore becomes the clear No. 1 option and a major fantasy riser, given his expanded workload on both special teams and even strength. Noah Hanifin should also see a boost in usage, though his fantasy impact is more modest. Without Pietrangelo, the blue line produces fewer reliable options beyond those two. In goal, health and consistency remain the key questions. If Adin Hill can continue to play 50 or more games this season, he should be rostered in most fantasy formats as he will provide solid win totals, however Akira Schmid's limited track record introduces some risk. The overall takeaway is clear: this version of the Golden Knights is built for offense, making their forwards and power-play anchors a good bet and appealing fantasy investments.

Grade – A (last year was a A)

*For the rest of the Offseason Fantasy Grades series, just click here.