New York Islanders 2017-18 NHL Season Fantasy Rankings

The NHL put out its annual top 250 fantasy rankings. And nine New York Islanders players made the cut. Are they getting more attention from last year or not though?

The New York Islanders enter the 2017-18 NHL season with a significant addition to the lineup. They swapped Ryan Strome for Jordan Eberle. The hope is that stapling Eberle to Tavares’ wing will reunite a dominant duo from the 2009 World Junior Championship.

It’s exciting to think of John Tavares having an elite winger on his flank. Someone who he has previous chemistry with. And not whatever the Isles could attract in free agency.

We’re all excited about the potential not only the two can have, but what Anders Lee can do a season after scoring 34 goals. Not to mention what the flurry of prospects expected to make the roster.

We’re excited, but how are those willing to place money on the games feel? Looking at the roster and it’s potential construction how excited are they?

The NHL released its annual top 250 fantasy rankings for the 2017-18 season and nine New York Islanders players made the cut. What does their change in the rankings from the 2016-17 ranking tell us about how the fantasy market feels about them?

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Rankings

John Tavares 19 (13)

The captain went down a few spots to 19 from lasts season’s 13th spot. Trace his drop to a few young kids jumping into the mix. Kids like Matthews, Laine, Eichel, Scheifele, and Draisaitl.

It might also have something to do with the uncertainty around this team. Can Eberle be the help that Tavares has needed all these years? Fantasy analysts aren’t convinced enough to think Tavares is going to be better to warrant pushing some of those kids down.

Jordan Eberle 100 (79)

It’s an even bigger drop for Jordan Eberle who had a big drop in his productivity. He had a career-low .62 points per game last season with 51 points in 82 games played.

Playing with John Tavares is likely the only reason that Eberle stays in the top 100, even if just barely.

Anders Lee 109 (218)

Scoring 34 goals in a season will open many eyes around the league. Who knows if he’ll hit that number once again. But fantasy players are willing to believe he has the potential to get close to it.

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Jaroslav Halak 128 (111)

He had a tough season in 2016-17 but fantasy players still think Halak can be a good player. We all know what Halak can do when he’s in the zone. And there’s no reason to believe he can’t be that same goalie this season.

Halak won’t get as many starts as he would if he was the clear number one. A 1a-1b situation with the Islanders might scare off some fantasy players who like to set their lineups and forget about it.

Josh Ho-Sang 173 (N/A)

Ho-Sang wasn’t in last year’s ranking obviously. He didn’t start his NHL career until March of 2017. But since making his start he’s turned heads.

There’s no reason to think Ho-Sang won’t be on the New York Islanders starting roster and fantasy players think there’s some value here with Ho-Sang. In 2016-17 David Pastrnak ranked 172 in the top 250.

Nick Leddy 190 (161)

Nick Leddy falls down the rankings even though he had his most productive season with 46 points. I know it didn’t start that well for Leddy, but throughout the year he made up for it.

There are points to be had in fantasy pools with Leddy. He scores on 5on5 and on the power play and he’s getting more shots on net than ever before.

Thomas Greiss 196 (139)

Greiss was exactly what the New York Islanders needed over the last two season when Halak was injured or underperformed. He was rewarded with a $3.3 million three-year deal.

He falls down the standings because he may have fewer starts than counterpart Halak. No one wants a goalie that’s an uncertainty to play.

Mathew Barzal 218 (N/A)

This spot was reserved for Anders Lee in 2016-17. Barzal is going to have some big minutes to play and fantasy players are weary of a player that might just get start struck out of the gates.

Ryan Pulock 237 (N/A)

Injury prone. When I was doing my research for my pool that’s all I thought of when I thought of Ryan Pulock. If he can play a whole 82 games he should make this ranking look silly.

Take him in your pool if you have an extra defensive spot to fill.

Next: Ho-Sang Gives Pure Gold in TSN Interview

Tavares and Eberle seem like a great duo. And if Eberle is viewed this low in the rankings he and Tavares might be a great early season combo. If you were building a fantasy roster what New York Islanders player are you taking on your team and why?