Spezza, McDonagh among bounce-back players

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price was the Fantasy MVP last season and no doubt helped many who owned him to fantasy championships.

But it takes more than a great season from a goalie to win. You also need to be able to identify when to drop a player who is playing below his draft value. It's not easy dropping Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon, who had 38 points one season after winning the Calder Trophy, but holding on to a player and waiting for them to turn the corner during a rough year can be costly.

Here are 10 players you can expect to have bounce back fantasy seasons:

Lucic should see a spike in his offensive numbers and peripherals as well.Milan Lucic, Los Angeles Kings, LW -- Lucic is always coveted in fantasy hockey because he covers every offensive category (goals, assists, points, plus-minus) and also adds penalty minutes and hits. But last season was the worst of his career. In his first 37 games, Lucic had six goals, 18 points (four power-play points) and was a plus-3. In the remaining 44 games, he had 12 goals, 26 points, and was a plus-10. The 44 points and 141 shots on goal were his lowest in a full season since 2009-10, and the 81 penalty minutes were his fewest since 2012-13. He did have a career-high 259 hits, which ranked 10th in the League. Now with the Kings, and with better talent around him,

Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche, C/RW -- The No. 1 pick in the 2013 NHL Draft and Calder Trophy winner saw a drop in production across the board last season. In 2013-14, he played 82 games, had 24 goals, 63 points, was a plus-20, had eight power-play goals, 26 penalty minutes and 241 shots (10.0 shooting percentage). But the only number that increased was his penalty minutes (34); the goals (14), points (38), plus-minus (-7), power-play goals (three), shots (192) and shooting percentage (7.3 percent) all decreased. True, he missed 18 games with a broken foot, but he wasn't nearly as productive as he was in 2013-14. Expect his third season to be closer to his first, in terms of production.

Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins, D -- One of the most coveted fantasy defenseman for the past decade, Chara's production took a hit last season. His eight goals and 20 points were his fewest in a full season since the 2000-01 season, showing how valuable he's been. In 63 games, Chara had 42 penalty minutes, four power-play goals and 138 shots on goal, and a zero plus-minus ranking, each low totals for him. He missed seven weeks with a knee injury, but hadn't been very productive prior to that, so it's tough to blame most of his disappointing season solely on the injury. In the past 10 full NHL seasons, Chara has averaged 13.7 goals, 42.8 points, 96 penalty minutes, 8.1 power-play goals and a plus-17.6 rating. Chara is the 48th-ranked defenseman on Yahoo!, but should be taken well above that number.

Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes, LW/RW -- Skinner has been in the League for five seasons, and 2014-15 was the first time in a non-shortened season that he scored fewer than 20 goals (18). He had 31 goals and 63 points in 2010-11 when he won the Calder Trophy. In 2013-14, Skinner had 33 goals, 54 points, 11 power-play goals and was a minus-14. He had fewer points (31) last season than goals the previous season and had fewer power-play goals (four) and 39 fewer shots on goal in six more games, and his shooting percentage fell from 12 percent to 7.7 percent. Playing on the first line with likely linemates Eric Staal and Elias Lindholm, expect Skinner to top 20 goals and 50 points.

Chris Kunitz, Pittsburgh Penguins, LW -- Seventeen goals and 40 points are not what you expect from a six-time 20 goal scorer. Kunitz did have nine power-play goals, but was a plus-2 and had 170 shots, and a shooting percentage of 10 percent. In 2013-14, he had 35 goals, 68 points, was a plus-25, had 13 power-play goals and 218 shots (16.1 shooting percentage). The Penguins finished 19th in the League in scoring last season, but the addition of right wing Phil Kessel should help that, and Kunitz, who likely will skate on a line with Kessel and Sidney Crosby is primed for a bounce back season.

Matt Duchene, Colorado Avalanche, C/LW -- It was a difficult season for the Colorado Avalanche, failing to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Matt Duchene had 21 goals and 55 points which may seem like good numbers, but it was his second-lowest goal total in five full NHL seasons. The 55 points matched his total from his rookie season (2009-10) and more was expected from Duchene, especially after 23 goals, 70 points and 217 shots on goal. His plus/minus rating went from plus-8 to plus-3 and he had fewer penalty minutes (16) and power-play goals (two) in 11 more games. Because of his disappointing season, Duchene likely will still be around in the seventh or eighth round.

Mike Smith, Arizona Coyotes, G -- In 62 starts, Smith won 14 games and lost 47 last season and had the highest goals-against average of his career (3.16) and his lowest save percentage (.904) since 2010-11 when he was with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He also failed to have a shutout for the first time in his nine-year career. It's difficult to imagine Smith not doing better than each of those totals this season, even if the Coyotes' offense (29th in goals per game last season) and defense (28th in goals allowed per game) aren't much improved. Coach Dave Tippett and general manager Don Maloney have continually expressed confidence in Smith and he should see another 60-plus starts this season, barring an injury.

Ryan McDonagh, New York Rangers, D -- McDonagh, who sustained a broken foot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, said he is fully healed. After a career year in 2013-14 (14 goals, 43 points, plus-11, 36 penalty minutes, 177 shots on goal, 7.9 percent shooting percentage), the 26-year-old defenseman played more of a shutdown role last season. McDonagh scored eight goals, had 33 points, was a plus-23 and had 26 penalty minutes. The 148 shots and 5.3 shooting percentage were also lower than his previous season. Expect a 10-goal, 40-point season from McDonagh, who should finish higher than last season when he was tied for 43rd in goals among defenseman and tied for 45th in points.

Antti Niemi, Dallas Stars, G -- A change in scenery may be beneficial to Niemi, who struggled last season in San Jose. He went 31-23-7 in 61 games with five shutouts but had the highest GAA of his career (2.59). He's won at least 24 games in each of the past six seasons, although that number could slip this season, since he's slated to split time with Kari Lehtonen. The Stars have a high-powered offense, but they also have a suspect defense. But expect Niemi to improve on most numbers from last season, except the win total.

Jason Spezza, Dallas Stars, C -- Spezza struggled with 17 goals and 62 points, his fewest goals since his rookie season (2002-03) and his fewest points since the 2010-11 season. He's an eight-time 20 goal scorer, and the addition of Patrick Sharp creates one of the best top-six forward combinations in the League. Spezza likely will either be centering Sharp and Ales Hemsky or on a line with Jamie Benn andTyler Seguin. Either way, the 32-year-old Spezza is in line for a big offensive season for the Stars, who added punch this offseason to what was already one of the highest scoring teams in the League.

Honorable mention: Alexander Semin (Montreal Canadiens), Bobby Ryan (Ottawa Senators), Artem Anisimov (Chicago Blackhawks).

Heika: As a team, Stars should lead the league in scoring this season

Dallas Stars insider Mike Heika hosted a chat Wednesday to talk all things hockey. Here are some of the highlights:

How should the Stars approach this season to avoid that slow start like they had last year?

Heika: They've already started in the summer. The players are all aware of the problems and have been working on them in their heads or even on the ice (in the World Championships). Two things that should help. One, every player is going to be dedicated to better defensive play. And two, they seem better prepared for injuries and transition to new players. Spezza and Hemsky struggled early last season, and Nichushkin and Nemeth were hurt. I believe the Stars will be better prepared for the assimilation of Sharp and Oduya, and the depth will be ready to jump in if injuries become an issue.

I'm predicting that Tyler Seguin leads the league in scoring this year. Takes that title away from Benn.

Heika: That's a fair bet. He was on pace to do it last year. The Stars were second in scoring last season and have added Patrick Sharp and Val Nichushkin to the lineup. They should have several players among the scoring leaders and should lead the league in scoring as a team.

What move from the offseason do you think the club will regret the most that they didn't do?

Heika: Wow, that's a tough one. I was interested in Cody Franson, and that was certainly a doable move, but the league is not high on him right now. The book is he doesn't move the puck fast enough and isn't physical enough. So, I'm going to say the Stars enter the season with no regerts at this time. They might even get that tattooed on their logo somewhere.

What will Jordie Benn's role be this year?

Heika: He is very hard to knock off that mountain. There has been a line of young defensemen trying to take his minutes for a couple of years, and coaches still want him on the ice pretty much every game. This could be the year he becomes a seventh defenseman, and if he does I think he would be a great seventh defensemen. He's very dependable when his minutes don't get too high.

Dallas Stars preview: They now have a Blackhawks vibe

Arrivals: RW Patrick Sharp and D Stephen Johns (trade with Chicago Blackhawks), G Antti Niemi, D Johnny Oduya (free agents)

Departures: D Trevor Daley, F Ryan Garbutt (traded to Chicago), G Jhonas Enroth (signed with Los Angeles Kings)

Goaltending: The perception is the Stars are overpaying for average goaltending. They Stars have committed a combined $10.3 million for Kari Lehtonen (34-17-10, 2.94, .903) and Niemi (31-23-7, 2.59, .914). Neither is coming off a strong season. But Niemi and Lehtonen are fellow Finns who know and like each other. They will push each other to a higher performance level. Keep in mind that Lehtonen played well for the Stars two seasons ago and worked hard on his conditioning in the offseason. The Stars also like that Niemi owns a .916 career save percentage and was in net for the Blackhawks’ championship run in 2010.

Analysis: GM Jim Nill’s aggressive managerial style showed this summer when he acquired three players with Stanley Cup rings to help his team take the next step. With Sharp’s arrival and RW Valeri Nichushkin’s continued development, the Stars might be able to surpass the Tampa Lightning as the NHL’s most dangerous offensive team. The Stars ranked second in goals last season. The Tyler Seguin-Jamie Benn offensive connection was unstoppable. But dominant offense wasn’t enough to push the Stars into the playoffs. They need improved goaltending and defensive work to be a factor in the race. The Stars expect Oduya to have a stabilizing impact on the blue line and are convinced their goaltending will be sharper.

What advanced stats say: C Tyler Seguin led the NHL with 3.33 points per 60 minutes of playing time, and LW Jamie Benn was eighth at 3.19.

Breakthrough candidate: Nichushkin, 20, was limited to eight games last season by injury and projects to be a 20-goal scorer this season. He netted 14 goals as a rookie two seasons ago. It’s not unthinkable that he could score 25 to 30, depending upon how coach Lindy Ruff sets up his lines and power play. Nichushkin fit well with Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky in four games at the end of the season.

Youngster to watch: Johns, 23, was an important element of the trade with the Blackhawks. He’s 6-4, 220, and if he had not been injured, he might have been in Chicago’s third pairing. The Stars have penciled him in to play this season. The Stars’ best prospect is D Julius Honka, and he might be ready to step in at some point.

What the team really needs: They need to win now. The Stars have missed the playoffs six of the past seven seasons. They need to send a message to fans that they are permanently heading in the right direction. Improved defensive play is crucial. If the younger defensemen can’t step up, the Stars will have to acquire a veteran.

Key question: Shouldn’t we expect more than 32 points out of Hemsky? Absolutely. He had 43 points the season before, and he should be closer to 50 playing with Spezza. But it should be noted that he had two points in his first 18 games last season, and then 30 points in his last 58 games. In other words, over the final 70% of the season he scored at the same pace he did the season before. With Sharp and Nichushkin in the lineup, his numbers should be up.

Forecast: The stars are aligned for Dallas to make the playoffs. What happens after that will depending on defense and goaltending.

Seguin Pots a Pair in Cedar Park Scrimmage

Dallas Stars top line center Tyler Seguin notched a pair of goals for Team White in Sunday's scrimmage against Team Victory Green in Cedar Park, TX. Seguin came close to notching a hat trick but was stopped by goaltender Philippe DeRosiers on a penalty shot.

Team White won, 5-2. Among the NHL level regulars appearing on Team White apart from Seguin were Patrick Sharp, Antoine Roussel, Vernon Fiddler, Johnny Oduya, Jason Demers and Jamie Oleksiak. Team Victory Green featured Valeri Nichushkin, Patrick Eaves, Alex Goligoski, Jyrki Jokipakka and goaltender Kari Lehtonen (six saves on nine shots). 

Goals by Matej Stransksy, Demers and Brandon Magee rounded out the Team White scoring to supplement Seguin's two goals. For Team Victory Green, Jokipakka and Jason Dickinson notched one goal apiece.

The Stars open their preseason schedule on Tuesday with a road game in Sunrise, FL against the Florida Panthers. Game time will be 6:30 p.m. CDT.

Heika: Patrick Sharp 'very impressed' with Tyler Seguin after scrimmage

CEDAR PARK -- Tyler Seguin showed some top-end speed Sunday.

While the Stars center had some ups and downs in his first scrimmage action, his ups were breathtaking. Seguin sauntered in on the right wing and snapped a laser past Philippe Desrosiers to give his team a 4-2 lead in the third period, and then blew through Alex Goligoski in three-on-three play to tally his second goal within minutes.

It was a subtle reminder of Seguin’s capability.

“The speed combined with the shot … I don’t know what’s quicker: how fast he skated or how fast he shot it,” said Stars coach Lindy Ruff. “It really does put him in a dynamic category. One step, and he creates his own ice, and then the shot is so quick the goalie flat out is not ready for it.”

That’s really not a surprise to anyone. Since joining the Stars in a 2013 trade, Seguin has 161 points (74 goals, 87 assists) in 151 games and is among the leading scorers in the NHL. So lighting up the third period of an intra-squad scrimmage isn’t that big of a deal.

But the flashes of energy, jump and enjoyment revived memories of just what the 23-year-old can do.

“I was having fun,” Seguin said. “But it was definitely the first day. It was a bit rusty, and there was some finding the timing of the game, but it felt good for the first day.”

It also was Seguin’s first chance to skate beside veteran Patrick Sharp, the three-time Stanley Cup champion acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in the summer. Sharp has skated beside Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa, so he has a pretty good understanding of high-end talent. And he said Seguin has similar skills to his former teammates.

“It’s like just throw the puck in his area, and get yourself a few points,” said Sharp, who assisted on both Seguin goals. “I’m very impressed with Tyler.”

Seguin and Sharp will probably play with captain Jamie Benn when he is ready to compete. Benn had double hip surgery in the offseason and the team is being cautious with his recovery. In the meantime, Seguin and Sharp will work on their timing.

“You can put lines together in the offseason, but until you get out there on the ice and work through the kinks, you don’t really know,” Sharp said. “It’s a process, and you have to get better week by week. The first thing you want to do is come together as a team, and for me being the new guy, I can feel the chemistry building already.”

Seguin is expected to benefit from the NHL’s new rule for three-on-three overtime. He can skate and find open ice, and that should be abundant in the new OT. As he has talked about extensively in training camp, Seguin said the key is playing defense first. In fact, he could become the driving conscience of the team when it comes to defensive play by the forwards.

“I think a lot of it is going to be on our forwards,” Seguin said. “If our forwards can improve — and I speak for myself as well — by going back to our own net and playing good defensively, we’re going to be a good team this year.”

And Seguin and Sharp can be a big part of that on both sides of the ice.

“It’s fresh and new to both of us,” Seguin said. “There were a few passes I could have given him that were more in his comfort zone of shooting the puck. It’s going to take some time, but it’s coming together.”