Don't forget about me
There are just a couple of weeks left in the regular season. Fantasy owners will begin preparing for their playoff pools shortly, but for those of you who are already thinking about next year here are some names who you should make sure to remember. These skaters had their seasons drastically cut short due to injuries in 2014-15, which could place them under the radar on draft sites going into next season.
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Valeri Nichushkin (DAL) - RW
Nichushkin was a popular pick prior to the season as a potential breakout candidate, but his sophomore campaign was ruined because of a hip problem. He appeared in two games in October and another two in early November before he underwent surgery. He hasn't played since, but is poised to head to AHL this weekend for some conditioning action. Nichushkin could get some games in with Dallas before the end of the year and fantasy owners should strongly consider him going into 2015-16. The 20-year-old forward will play with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn or Jason Spezza, which makes him an attractive option when you consider his scoring upside, size and speed.
Pascal Dupuis (PIT) - RW, LW
Dupuis recorded six goals and 11 points in 16 games before a blood clot was discovered in his lung. He hasn't played since Nov. 15 and he's not expected to be cleared until June, so he's done for the season. Dupuis missed the last 43 games of the 2013-14 season due to a torn ACL, but he surpassed expectations. He accounted for a jaw dropping 44 shots on goal, while showing that he can still be dangerous alongside Sidney Crosby and/or Evgeni Malkin. Dupuis is expected to be ready for next year.
Evander Kane (BUF) - LW
Kane skated in 37 games with Winnipeg before he was shipped to Buffalo in a seven-player blockbuster trade on Feb. 11. Prior to the deal, the 23-year-old forward underwent season-ending surgery on his shoulder. His first game with the Sabres won't come until next year as a result and he should be regarded as a key component of the team's rebuild. Kane has 20-30 goal potential and he'll join a young corps of centers that will feature Zemgus Girgensons, Tyler Ennis, Sam Reinhart and whoever the Sabres can add in the 2015 NHL Draft, with Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel as possibilities. Kane racks up hits and shots as well and he can post a fair share of penalty minutes too. He has the ability to hit several categories and a starring role with his new team should do him plenty of good.
Brandon Dubinsky (CBJ) - C, LW
Dubinsky is another player who can help a roster in several categories. In 2013-14, he picked up 16 goals, 50 points, 98 penalty minutes, 189 shots and 234 hits in 76 games. However, this year Dubinsky has suited up in just 38 games so he hasn't had the same impact. The silver lining is that he's generated nine goals, 25 points, 37 penalty minutes, 86 shots and 123 hits when he's been in the lineup. Dubinsky missed the first 26 games of the season after he underwent abdominal surgery, which is difficult to bounce back from. He also missed some time with a concussion and he has an upper-body ailment now, but if he can enter the 2015-16 season with a clean bill of health then he should be viewed as a strong bounce back candidate.
Mikkel Boedker (ARI) - LW
Boedker was one of Arizona's few bright spots before he had surgery to remove his spleen in January. In 45 games, he produced 14 goals and 28 points to go with 79 shots in 17:29 of average ice time. Boedker would have been on pace to record his second straight 50-point season had played in a full 82-game schedule. The Coyotes have some talented prospects in their system, like Max Domi, who could help Boedker overcome the loss of Antoine Vermette. Look for Boedker in the late rounds of your draft next year.
David Krejci (BOS) - C
Krejci deal with a hip/groin injury early in the season, which plagued him for a while. He was in and out of the lineup as a result before he missed 11 games from Nov. 21 to Dec. 16. Krejci's latest trip to the sidelines was caused by a partially torn MCL and he hasn't played since Feb. 20. In 38 games this year, he has registered seven goals, 26 points and 57 shots. Krejci may be back in the lineup soon for the Bruins, as the club battles for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. When he stays healthy, Krejci is capable of 60-70 points and that's what fantasy owners should expect next season.
Olli Maatta (PIT ) - D
Maatta enjoyed a successful rookie season in 2013-14 and he was having a good start this year as well before he was struck by an odd selection of injuries. He was one of several players to suffer from mumps and he had a cancerous tumor removed from his thyroid gland. He missed just six games after that operation, but he required surgery again in January to fix his ailing shoulder. Mattaa hasn't played since Dec. 6 and he's not expected to be available until next season. The 20-year-old blueliner was averaging 20:42 of ice time per contest in 20 games. He had nine points, 33 blocks and 27 shots during that time. Maatta may slot in as a top-pairing blueliner for the Penguins in 2015-16 and he'll get some power-play time.
Mikael Backlund (CGY) - C
Calgary's top line, consisting of Jiri Hudler, Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan, has garnered most of the attention and deservedly so, but Backlund has provided some scoring depth when he's been in the lineup. He sat out 29 games from Oct. 31 to Jan. 2 due to abdominal surgery, but he's earned the highest points per game of his career (0.57) thanks to nine goals and 25 points in 44 matches. The Flames don't have much depth at forward, but if someone is brought in next season then Backlund could be in store for a breakout campaign. 2014 fourth overall pick Sam Bennett may be an internal candidate for that job.
