The coaching change gives New York’s elite forwards, Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad, even more fantasy appeal for next season.
Goalie Igor Shesterkin remains a top 10 fantasy option at the position under Gallant, who coached elite veteran Marc-Andre Fleury during his time with the Golden Knights, and gives the Rangers four players around the top 50 overall in NHL.com’s fantasy rankings.
Lafreniere scored 21 points could be a deep sleeper if he plays more often at right wing on Panarin’s line.
The Columbus Blue Jackets, one of the most disappointing teams in fantasy this season, have slightly renewed upside after the hiring of Brad Larsen as coach June 10.
Columbus’ top fantasy player, defenseman Seth Jones, can become an unrestricted free agent after next season and reportedly does not plan to sign a contract extension.
Despite Columbus missing the playoffs this season, valuable wing Oliver Bjorkstrand took another step forward, scoring an NHL career-high 44 points in 56 games.
Larsen’s biggest task will be to help wing Patrik Laine, who scored 21 points improve considering Laine scored 20 power-play goals and 31 power-play points with the Winnipeg Jets in 2017-18.
Drafting goalies Elvis Merzlikins and Joonas Korpisalo was a popular fantasy strategy this season after the Blue Jackets established themselves as a safe defensive team under Tortorella, but neither option returned much value.
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