Looking ahead to the next NHL season, there are already some fantasy-relevant roster situations worth monitoring.
While there are obvious breakout candidates and rookies likely to make an impact, several intriguing players aren't yet cemented as must-draft options, but could rise up fantasy rankings by summer's end.
Here are three players to keep an eye on as the new season approaches:
Thomas Chabot
Chabot would have much more value playing alongside Erik Karlsson, but that's looking less likely by the day. However, the 21-year-old could still be worth a look if his superstar partner is dealt.
Even if the Ottawa Senators get a player like Mikhail Sergachev in a Karlsson trade, Chabot will be in line for a big boost in ice time, and his upside is undeniable.
On the other hand, the Senators won't be good in 2018-19, and how he handles an expanded role without much help around him remains to be seen.
Chabot is at the very least worth adding to your watch list as the Karlsson situation continues to unfold, and his stock could improve as the season approaches.
Elias Lindholm
Lindholm looked like a very solid fantasy option after being traded from the Carolina Hurricanes to the Calgary Flames on day two of the draft last month, but then the Flames signed veteran sniper James Neal to a five-year deal on Monday.
Without Neal, Lindholm would probably have had the inside track for first-line duties alongside Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. That assignment would've made drafting him a no-brainer. Now, though, it's looking like Lindholm could be relegated to second- or third-line duties.
That would mean lining up with Matthew Tkachuk and Mikael Backlund on the second forward unit, or potentially with the likes of Sam Bennett and Derek Ryan on the third. Also, Lindholm's power-play output would take a big dip if he ends up on PP2 instead of PP1.
Flames head coach Bill Peters, who had Lindholm with the Hurricanes, might even opt to balance things out by putting Neal on the second line and his former Carolina forward on the first.
Lindholm's fantasy impact will come down to his usage. The latter isn't entirely clear yet, so he's simply worth watching for the time being.
Jesse Puljujarvi
Puljujarvi's role for next season isn't clear yet and won't be for a while. However, he's worth flagging this summer, and watching when training camp opens in September.
The young Edmonton Oilers winger might start the season on the club's third line, which would severely limit his fantasy value, but he can avoid that fate and boost his production potential by securing a spot on the second unit with Leon Draisaitl.
He could even end up getting some ice time with Connor McDavid, though Ty Rattie will likely receive the top-line assignment first (and rightfully so after Rattie's success in that spot in 2017-18).
Pujujarvi only potted 12 goals in 65 games this past campaign, but 10 of those goals came at even strength, which bodes well for the 20-year-old's future production.
If he ends up getting time on the power play (especially on the first power-play unit that should feature both McDavid and Draisaitl), Pujujarvi would warrant fantasy roster consideration. Even getting into Edmonton's top six would be enough to make him relevant in most leagues.
Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.