Brayden Point

After a dip in scoring over his previous few seasons, Point rebounded with a career year during the 2022-23 campaign. He set new career highs in several categories, including goals (51), points (95), shooting percentage (21.7 percent) and shots on goal (235). He tallied 30 power-play points, including 20 goals. Point didn't provide much in the non-scoring categories, though, as he totaled just seven PIM and 37 hits. The 27-year-old center has secured his spot on the top line alongside Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos. Combining that with his role on the first power-play unit, Point has a safe floor and a strong ceiling for an early-round fantasy forward. His goal total may dip with some shooting percentage regression, but another point-per-game performance is expected.

Point struggled to stay healthy a season ago for the first time in his brief career. He played in 66 of Tampa Bay's 82 regular-season games, before being sidelined for 14 of the club's final 16 postseason games due to a torn quad. Reports had Point making a full recovery a couple weeks after the Lightning were eliminated, so the ailment shouldn't be a concern this coming year. As you would imagine, Point was exceedingly productive when in the lineup, posting 28 goals and 58 points. He's a legitimate threat to finish at a point-per-game pace this coming season, if not better, so don't hesitate to target Point in the early rounds if he starts to slip on draft day.

Point was his typical solid self (23 goals, 48 points in 56 games) for the Lightning in 2020-21, but his production was down just slightly with both Nikita Kucherov (all) and Steven Stamkos (some) out for long stretches of the regular season. Both were back for the playoffs, and Point responded with a playoff-high 14 goals in 23 games, helping Tampa Bay win their second straight Stanley Cup. Point was rewarded with a new, well-deserved eight-year, $76 million contract this summer. Just 25 years of age, it's scary to think Point's best days may be ahead of him as he is locked into a major role on the NHL's best team. Point has legitimate 90-point upside in addition to an extremely high floor. He makes for a fine early round selection in all fantasy formats.

Point didn't come close to his 41 goal, 92 point breakout 2018-19 performance in 2019-20, but he was still a highly productive player, totaling 25 goals, 39 assists and 13 power-play points while firing 141 shots on goal in 66 regular-season games. The 24-year-old pivot did, however, seem to find his 2018-19 form during postseason play, racking up 14 goals and 33 points in 23 contests, helping Tampa Bay to its second Stanley Cup championship in franchise history. Point will continue to be featured on the Lightning's top line while also seeing ample time on the man advantage as a member of his team's No. 1 power-play unit in 2020-21, and at just 24 years old, it's safe to assume the best is yet to come for the 2014 third-round pick. Despite his regression in 2019-20, Point will still possess 40-goal and 100-point upside over the course of a full season going forward, making him more than worthy of an early-round pick in this year's fantasy drafts.

Point's breakout in 2018-19 gave the Bolts three scorers in the league's top-12. His 92 points, which included a whopping 41 goals, were a massive jump from his 66 (32 goals, 34 assists) from the season before. Point pretty much does it all. His offensive skills, speed and hockey IQ are off the charts, and his defensive game is already mature. For keeper owners, Point is a stud, but fantasy owners in single-year leagues need to think long and hard about his potential in 2019-20. We can't help but believe there will be some regression in his game, primarily because he posted an unsustainable 21.5 shooting percentage last campaign. Point's average over the previous two seasons? Try 14.75. Additionally, the 23-year-old is expected to miss the first few weeks of the season after undergoing offseason hip surgery, which will further cut into his production. All things equal, grab another guy in round one. But leap on him if he's there in round two.

Point's sophomore season was so much better than predicted. He exploded for 66 points, good for third-best on the Bolts, and his 32 goals were second only to Nikita Kucherov's 39. Point then delivered at a point-per-game in the postseason. More impressively, he was the best Bolt on the ice in the team's playoff series win over the Bruins as well as the superior producer facing the Caps in the conference final. Point can be deployed in all situations and is a strong 200-foot player. As Tampa's second-line center, the 22-year-old could bring his fantasy owners a solid 75-point campaign. He's no longer a fantasy sleeper. He's a star.

Point's excellent rookie campaign last season was overshadowed by the explosion of rookie talent in the NHL. He finished with 40 points in 68 games, which projected to close to 50 if he'd played a full season. That's pretty darn good for a guy who made the jump from Moose Jaw of the Western Hockey League all the way to Tampa. At 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, Point could stand to add some bulk, but his combination of speed, skill and grit make him a virtual lock as the pivot on the Bolts' third line in 2017-18. There's value in that spot, as the team will push that line hard, and Point's versatility means he can flip to the wing and skate with the big boys on Tampa's top two lines, if needed. Point will bring sneaky value to fantasy owners, and keeper-leaguers can bank on rising value over the next three or four seasons, whether it's in Tampa or elsewhere.