w Next up in our 2023 Fantasy Hockey Sleepers series is the New York Rangers. The Rangers have a strong roster heading into 2023-24. Rangers stars like Adam Fox, Artemi Panarin, Igor Shesterkin, and Mika Zibanejad are must-haves for your fantasy hockey team. However, they also have several sleepers who are worth considering, too. Let’s discuss three of them now.
New York Rangers Sleepers for 2023-24 Fantasy Hockey
Alexis Lafrenière
Alexis Lafrenière is a sleeper who all hockey fans need to watch this season. The 2020 first-overall pick has the potential to be a star, but he has not broken out yet over his three-year NHL career. Yet, that should change in 2023-24. He is expected to see time at right wing this year, and that will finally give him top-six minutes. This is something he needs if he hopes to become a star.
Lafrenière took a step forward with the Rangers last season, posting 16 goals and a career-high 39 points in 81 games. However, with his expected increased role and a new coach to play for, expect a breakout campaign from the youngster. Due to this, seriously consider selecting him in your fantasy draft once the big-name stars are gone.
Kaapo Kakko
Similar to Lafrenière, Kaapo Kakko has a lot of potential but has not emerged as a star yet. However, he also had a career year for the Rangers last season and will be looking to build off it in 2023-24. In 82 games, he set new career highs in goals (18), assists (22), and points (40). Yet, he has more in the tank and should improve even further in 2023-24.
When noting that Kakko is heading in the right direction, he’s a sleeper to consider selecting in your fantasy hockey draft. The potential for him to score 25 goals and reach 60 points this season is there. This is especially so if the Rangers give him a bigger role this upcoming campaign. Thus, consider him in the middle-to-later rounds of your fantasy hockey draft.
Filip Chytil
Rounding off this list, let’s focus on Filip Chytil. The 2017 first-round pick quietly broke out in 2022-23, posting 22 goals and 45 points in 74 games. This was all while playing third-line minutes, which is quite impressive. Yet, he will now compete for the 2C job, and this should lead to his production improving further this upcoming season. Thus, he’s another Rangers sleeper who warrants consideration for your fantasy hockey draft.
Although Chytil’s development took some time, it is clear after last season that he’s heading in the right direction. This is excellent, as he will now get the chance to see more time with the Rangers star players. Due to this, don’t be surprised if he hits 25 goals and 55 points at least in 2023-24. If he does, he would be a steal of a pick in the later rounds of your fantasy hockey draft.
Nevertheless, it is clear that the Rangers have some great sleeper options to consider in fantasy hockey. Lafrenière, Kakko, and Chytil all have the potential to break out in 2023-24, and it will be fun to see how well they perform from here.
Make sure to check out all of the sleepers and breakouts of the 2023 fantasy hockey season!