Vegas Golden Knights: Top Fantasy Hockey Options

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 19: Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knighhts is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on September 19, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 19: Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knighhts is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on September 19, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Draft:

Vadim Shipachyov

LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 28: Forward Vadim Shipachyov #87 of the Vegas Golden Knights looks on against the Colorado Avalanche during a preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on September 28, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 28: Forward Vadim Shipachyov #87 of the Vegas Golden Knights looks on against the Colorado Avalanche during a preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on September 28, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)

Shipachyov could be a risky pick for your fantasy teams. He’ll more than likely be the number one center on the Golden Knights roster. And not just that, he’ll likely center the first powerplay unit as well. Anyone who follows Shipachyov track record back in the KHL, he puts up a ton of assists, and that’s very valuable to multiple categories.

The big warning sign is he is a 30-year old rookie from the KHL without any NHL experience. We just don’t know how his play will translate at the NHL level. But despite that, Shipachyov could be a big pickup if he continues his KHL pace at the NHL. Especially if Head Coach Gerard Gallant lets him roam freely in the offensive zone a bit.

Jonathan Marchessault

LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 28: Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knights warms up before a preseason game against the Colorado Avalanche at T-Mobile Arena on September 28, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Colorado won 4-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 28: Jonathan Marchessault #81 of the Vegas Golden Knights warms up before a preseason game against the Colorado Avalanche at T-Mobile Arena on September 28, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Colorado won 4-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Marchessault had one hell of a campaign last year for the Florida Panthers. No one saw that one coming; he was a big reason why some fantasy teams won their leagues. Picking up a 30 goal and 51 point player on the waiver wire will do that for you. However, the Cap-Rouge, Quebec natives role may have changed going to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Yes, he won’t have the same talent around him as he did in Florida. But he should maintain a spot on the top line with Shipachyov and be on the top power-play unit as well. And not only does he score, but he also shoots the puck a ton which counts for leagues that use shots on goal as a category. Draft him in the later rounds.

Shea Theodore

LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 28: Shea Theodore #27 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates with the puck during a preseason game against the Colorado Avalanche at T-Mobile Arena on September 28, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 28: Shea Theodore #27 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates with the puck during a preseason game against the Colorado Avalanche at T-Mobile Arena on September 28, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)

Theodore could be a steal in your fantasy draft and highly recommend drafting him. The 22-year-old has a very high ceiling with the way the team might use him. His stats last year with Anaheim is nothing to sneeze at, but he has a ton of potential leading the Golden Knights blue line.

I envision the Golden Knights using him on the top powerplay unit at the point. That position is where most top defensemen get their points. However, Theodore also comes with risk as all fans know the Golden Knights are currently carrying 11 defensemen. Theodore can be in and out of the lineup a ton, especially at the start of the season. Therefore, be cautious and draft Theodore in the last few rounds.