Vegas Golden Knights: 2018-19 Fantasy Hockey Options
There are some players on the Vegas Golden Knights roster you may want on your fantasy team.
With the regular season just around the corner, the Vegas Golden Knights sophomore season should be as successful as their first. The regular season also comes with another popular game to the fans, and that’s fantasy hockey. Who would’ve thought Vegas hockey fans would be drafting players from their very own franchise?
For those not familiar with fantasy hockey, let me explain some of the rules. Fantasy hockey leagues are usually made up of 10-12 teams where players build a team that competes with other players. Scoring is based on statistics generated by professional hockey players or teams.
It’s pretty simple; the most frequent scoring is Head to Head categories, Head to Head points or just points. In most leagues, you must pick two centers, two left wings, two right wings, four defensemen, one utility player and two goaltenders for your starting lineup. You also have a few reserve spots on your team, usually around four or five players.
I won’t bore you with the rest of the rules, but I will write this based on the most common scoring which is Head to Head categories. So without further ado, here are three players you should draft from the Golden Knights roster.
This is an easy one. Marchessault came into Vegas and made noise right out of the shoot. He ended the year in second place on the team in points.
In 77 games played in 2017-18, Marchessault totaled 27 goals, 48 assists, and 75 points. Playing with linemates William Karlsson and Reilly Smith for much of last season obviously attributed to those numbers big time. The trio looks to be intact for another season as the Golden Knights are set for another run at Lords Stanley.
The Cap-Rouge Quebec native is only 27 years old, and he appears to be hitting the prime years of his career. I wouldn’t be surprised to see even a more significant uptick in production as shocking as that sounds. Marchessault has all the tools at his disposal for a big 2018-19 campaign.
Remember last year when I said not to draft Fleury? Yeah, I was dead wrong on that one. Despite suffering a concussion in early October of 2017, Fleury sizzled when he returned in December and never looked back.
In 46 games played, Fleury put together a solid 29-13-4 record with a 2.24 GAA, a .927 SV% and four shutouts. When Fleury was in the cage for Vegas, he always gave the team a chance to win even when they didn’t deserve it. The future hall of fame goaltender is a must own in every fantasy league.
Now that we know who the Golden Knights are as a team, draft Marc-Andre Fleury. My only concern with the Flower is a potential injury. Concussions have been a bit of a challenge for Fleury in the past, and it has held back regarding performance. But, when he’s healthy, and he’s on, Fleury is one of the best goaltenders in the NHL.
The problem with Max Pacioretty has not been about him but rather his linemates around him. In Montreal, Pacioretty has always had a center that’s lacked offensive production. Now that he’s in Vegas, that problem is officially solved.
The 29-year old put up just 17 goals, 20 assists and 37 points with the Canadiens last season. However, he has reached 30 goals in five of the past six seasons excluding the 2013 shortened campaign. I have a ton of faith that Pacioretty will right the wrongs from last season and show us he can go back to being the prolific goal scorer we know he can be.
The newest Golden Knights acquisition will slot in at left wing playing with another new addition in Paul Stastny and potential rising star Alex Tuch on the second line. While we don’t know how well this trio will gel, the New Canaan, Connecticut native will finally have a gifted center playing with him for the first time in his career.
Next. Vegas Golden Knights Remain Undefeated In Preseason. dark
All in all, a ton of the Vegas Golden Knights have fantasy value. Aside from the three I mentioned, William Karlsson, Erik Haula, Shea Theodore (if he resigns), Paul Stastny and Alex Tuch will have enormous stock in fantasy. Pick up these Golden Knights if you have the chance to do so.