It is the players who build quiet momentum and carve out bigger roles as coaches start leaning on them more that can move the needle on your fantasy roster. Those types of players who can sneak onto your roster and provide meaningful late-season value, even if they do not jump off the scoresheet at first glance. If you are looking for a deeper breakdown of who to target, the DobberHockey Fantasy Guide is loaded with projections, line combos, and insights to help spot these trends before everyone else, grab your copy here: Dobber Fantasy Guide here.

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Training camps are open and preseason games are rolling, which means opportunity is everywhere for managers who are watching closely. Young players pushing for immediate roles, vets who could find themselves on waivers, and early injuries creating unexpected reps all set the stage for how teams and fantasy rosters might take shape as the season opener closes in.

Jon Cooper was asked over the weekend about Andrei Vasilevskiy's status for opening night. His answer was steady, pointing more to player management than any real concern. Like most elite starters, Vasilevskiy's workload will be handled carefully in the preseason.

Pavel Zacha confirmed he's expected to start the season at center, slotting into a top-six centre role behind Lindholm if camp trends continue. With Boston thin down the middle, I am not that confident in any player that is not playing on David Pastrnak's line, especially given how often the lineup could shuffle as the season goes on.

Yaroslav Askarov has been confirmed as the Sharks' starter for the upcoming season. He spent most of last year with the Barracuda, putting up strong numbers in the AHL, while his NHL stint was more up and down with four wins in 13 games. This year it looks like he will be expected to take on the bulk of the starts, which should give him fantasy appeal simply through volume and the number of shots he will face. Veteran Alex Nedeljkovic will serve as the backup if Askarov stumbles along the way.

The Devils opened preseason with a loss to the Rangers, but Arseniy Gritsyuk stood out in his first game in New Jersey. He picked up a goal on the power play and added an assist. The Devils need scoring depth on their roster, if he keeps producing, he could work his way into a bigger role sooner than expected. I am sure the Devils are hoping for the same.

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The past few weeks I have highlighted value picks and bounce-back candidates, but this time the focus shifts a little more to sleepers. These are the players likely to go undrafted or slide into the last round of your draft. The floor is low, but if they hit, they can make a real impact. The risk is minimal given the cost, and some of these names could easily outperform their ADP. Targeting overlooked players like this can give you hidden value and the kind of edge that pushes your roster forward.

Mackie Samoskevich

I had previously thought Samoskevich's value would take a hit after the Panthers re-signed Sam Bennett and added Brad Marchand, though Bennett plays center and Marchand has historically played left wing. That was back in July. Fast forward to now, and with Matthew Tkachuk expected to miss extended time, Samoskevich suddenly has a solid chance to a bigger role, similar to what Carter Verhaeghe can potentially benefit from. He stepped up last season when injuries hit, and this could be the opportunity that pushes him into a top-six spot again.  He posted 31 points in 72 games as a rookie on a deep Florida roster. That is a solid foundation, especially while averaging just over 13 minutes per night. On the power play, he averaged 1:39 per game and factored on 11 points, just about a third of his overall production, which is significant given Florida's depth.

With Tkachuk out, Samoskevich has the versatility to slot into a second-line role or anywhere in the middle six, giving him more ice time and power-play opportunity. Being paired within the top-six could push his production closer to 40–45 points. His shot generation and the volume of Florida's offense suggest plenty of chances to chip in offensively. He is one of those sneaky late-round or early waiver targets. The floor is not high and he could still slide down the lineup if things don't click, but the upside is real, particularly if he locks in steady while Tkachuk is sidelined.

Isaac Howard and Andrew Mangiapane

If you have not picked up on the theme yet, here is the angle: most of these picks may be serviceable replacements for player who is expected to miss some time at the start off the NHL season, whether short- or long-term. Zach Hyman fits that category, and I am grouping Isaac Howard and Andrew Mangipane together simply because they are on the same team, even though they are very different players at different points in their careers.

Isaac Howard is one of the Edmonton Oilers' newest acquisitions. A Hobey Baker Award winner, he brings speed and skill that could complement Connor McDavid. The Oilers have a track record of adding players who look like they can keep pace with McDavid, until they realize they can't. Howard could earn a look in the top-six, and if he sticks, he is a low-risk, high-upside option. Andrew Mangipane is a more familiar name, a player capable of 30-plus goals, even if has been a while since he hit that mark. Last season with the Capitals, his ice time was limited, just over 13 minutes per game and just over a minute on the power play. Expect similar power-play deployment in Edmonton, but if his overall ice time increases, there's potential for improved even-strength production. Both Howard and Mangipane are the type of players you can take a late-round flyer on or snag off waivers without regret.

John Klingberg

John Klingberg is likely to fly under the radar in most drafts, thanks to his recent track record and injury history. Now he is on a new team that is on the rise with young elite talent that desperately needs a power-play quarterback, the role he has excelled in throughout his career. This is a low-floor, high-upside pick: if he secures the top power-play unit, he could turn into a solid points contributor. Just do not expect much in peripheral stats beyond shots on goal, this is purely a points play. His time in Dallas is well-known. For the right price late in drafts, Klingberg is a low-risk gamble with the potential to pay off big.

Marco Rossi

I know this one does not necessarily count towards the last pick in your draft but I still wanted to talk about Marco Rossi. His current Yahoo! ADP sits at 176 with an overall rank of 203 in Yahoo! Drafts, and wit Mats Zuccarello expected to miss "weeks" according to Bill Gurein you have to think that Marco Rossi is poised to take on a major role for the Minnesota Wild. Early reports indicate Rossi has seen line work with Boldy and Kaprizov, a combination that should excite fantasy managers. Zuccarello's return is uncertain, he is 38 and has averaged 65 games over the last six seasons, so Rossi could maintain a top-line role even when Zuccarello is back. Last season we saw Rossi play 82 games and post 24 goals and 36 assists for 60 points, a clear step forward from his previous full season. With Zuccarello out, Rossi should see increased top-line minutes, more power-play time, and higher-quality zone starts, putting up a repeat, baring any major changes to his deployment. Regardless, Rossi profiles as a top-six forward at the very least with a solid floor and a rising ceiling. His role on the top power-play unit will likely define his overall fantasy impact.

With hockey finally back, the energy around the game is undeniable. Along with that comes some highlight-worthy plays that perfectly shows off the creativity, vision, and skill that make this sport so thrilling. Here are a couple Sundays game: one from Kevin He, a player worth tracking in your dynasty leagues, and another from Brandt Clarke, who threads a slick move around Beckett Sennecke.

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!