Pacioretty's fantasy stock on the rise with move to Vegas
Max Pacioretty was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Tomas Tatar, prospect Nick Suzuki, and a second-round pick early on Monday morning, and his fantasy stock is now booming.
Pacioretty is coming off a down year with only 17 goals, but he's otherwise been remarkably consistent throughout his career. Over the last seven seasons, he's averaged 33.6 goals, 65 points, and nearly 300 shots per year over an 82-game average.
Early in Pacioretty's career, he earned the top-line left wing spot on the Montreal Canadiens and never let it go. In Vegas, the top unit of Jonathan Marchessault, William Karlsson, and Reilly Smith isn't likely to be split up, leaving Pacioretty with a reduced second-line role.
That could result in less ice time, likely bringing his shot total down. However, the 29-year-old won't be the primary focus of his opponents, which will lead to easier matchups. He'll also probably get a chance to line up alongside free-agent acquisition Paul Stastny, who would be the best playmaking center Pacioretty has ever played with by quite a wide margin.
As for special teams, the Golden Knights' power play was solid in 2017-18 while ranking 11th. It's possible Pacioretty, a five-time 30-goal scorer, replaces Alex Tuch on the top unit, but it seems more likely he anchors the second power-play line alongside Stastny, Erik Haula, Colin Miller, and possibly former Hab Daniel Carr.
A return to his 35-goal form with around 60 points and 275 shots is within reach for Pacioretty. He can safely be selected between rounds five and seven in standard leagues, depending on the size of your league. In banger leagues, which have hits as a category, he can be taken a round earlier thanks to Pacioretty's willingness to throw his weight around (118 hits in 2017-18).
Tatar's ceiling is capped in Montreal's fantasy wasteland
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Tatar has reeled off four straight 20-goal seasons, and while he may continue that streak in Montreal, prospective fantasy owners shouldn't expect a whole lot more. He should grab a first-line role with the Habs and replace Pacioretty. But he won't be paired with a legitimate center, making 25 goals his likely ceiling.
Tatar doesn't contribute in many other fantasy categories outside of goals. He should contend for the green jacket this year (the league's worst plus/minus), and needs to be a late-round pick in deeper leagues, and nothing more than a streaming option in standard 10- or 12-team leagues.
However, there is still fantasy value to be extracted from this trade for the Habs. Suzuki, the 13th overall pick in 2017, has racked up 196 points over the past two seasons with the OHL's Owen Sound Attack. If he continues to develop, the 19-year-old could become a top-two center in Montreal within a year or two, making him a solid late-round pick in dynasty leagues that carry NA spots.
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