With NHL training camps around the corner, that means not only is the 2024-25 NHL season starting in less than a month. Fantasy hockey lovers will also be either joining a fantasy league or scheduling their hockey drafts very soon.
Oftentimes, people participating in drafts will turn to websites tailored to fantasy hockey for advice. One of the areas that needs the most answers is “boom-or-bust players,” so without further ado, let’s get into three boom-or-bust players to be mindful of when drafting your 2024-25 fantasy hockey roster.
2024 Fantasy Hockey Boom-or-Bust Players
Pierre-Luc Dubois, Washington Capitals
First up, the Washington Capitals’ newest forward, Pierre-Luc Dubois. He was moved to the Capitals after only one season, following his acquisition by the Los Angeles Kings during the previous off-season. He hasn’t truly shown that he can turn out the narrative that has been surrounding him. However, with a new team that has veteran leadership and one of the best goalscorers of all time likely on his wing, this could be the year that he turns it around.
He appears to have an incredibly hard time finding a place that feels like “home” in the NHL. He is a risky draft pick, but if he is still available in the later rounds, it may be worth taking him. If he can earn the top center spot on the team, it’ll likely mean he will get 30+ assists. The benefit to this draft pick is that it’s very low risk-high reward, and if he isn’t working it, then drop him.
Jonathan Huberdeau, Calgary Flames
Next up, Calgary Flames’ forward, Jonathan Huberdeau, has struggled a ton since the trade in the 2022 off-season. Before the trade, he led the NHL in assists with 85 and also had 30 goals for 115 points. Now that the Flames are moving into a bit of a rebuild/retool. This could be the year that Huberdeau finds himself and his game and finally breaks the 60-point mark as a Flame.
Much like Dubois, he will likely be available much later in the draft. He could be a great pickup for a team that is in need of a winger late in the draft. Huberdeau can still provide your team with 50 points. But could end up being a good secondary point-producing forward on a team.
Tyler Bertuzzi, Chicago Blackhawks
Lastly, one of the Chicago Blackhawks’ biggest additions this off-season, Tyler Bertuzzi. Last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he started the season very slowly. After the All-Star break, he turned it around and was one of the Maple Leafs’ best players at points in games. However, this season, he will be playing with one of the best young players in the NHL, Connor Bedard.
If he and Bedard mesh well with each other, Bertuzzi is in for a great season. Their other linemate will likely be Taylor Hall, who will add more skill and offensive production to the line. Bertuzzi’s career high in points is 62 in 2021-22. This season, he has a very high chance of beating that. Especially if he can crack the top line out of training camp. Additionally, he can also provide your club with hits, blocks, and power play points if those are scored in your league. Personally, I see Bertuzzi as the biggest boom player on this list.
There are a few other boom-or-bust players in the NHL that could be a target for your fantasy club. A few other names are Jake Debrusk, who is joining the Vancouver Canucks. As well as Patrik Laine, who was traded to the Montreal Canadiens. However, Bertuzzi, Dubois, and Huberdeau are the most intriguing boom-or-bust players to look at in your 2024-25 fantasy hockey league.