Pheonix Copley

Copley has been passed by Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek on the Capitals' goalie depth chart, but there's still a chance he could factor into the team's plans in 2020-21. With all NHL clubs required to carry a goalie on their taxi squads, it could be a perfect role for Copley. He'll have to outplay one of Vanecek or veteran Craig Anderson to get the taxi squad job, but Copley has 29 games of NHL experience under his belt and doesn't need as much playing time in the minor leagues. Should an injury arise, Copley could step into a backup role, but fantasy managers should probably just keep his name in mind in case it appears he could get playing time -- expecting him to see NHL ice in 2020-21 would be asking too much.

Following Phillip Grubauer's trade to Colorado in June 2018, Copley assumed the role as Braden Holtby's understudy and handled the assignment capably in his first full season. The Alaska native recorded a 2.90 GAA and .905 save percentage en route to a 16-7-4 recorded in 27 starts. Now signed to a three-year contract extension, the 27-year-old netminder could see another 30-plus starts again in 2019-20 and is worth rostering in deeper leagues or for those who wish to handcuff him to Holtby.

An undrafted free-agent signing in 2014, Copley has bided his time in the minors waiting for an opportunity to crack the NHL ranks — that time may be now. Though his 15-17-6 record in 41 starts -- combined with a 2.91 GAA and .896 save percentage from 2017-18 -- doesn't exactly constitute an eye-popping season, the 26-year-old has plenty of experience and boasts a projectable frame (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) with a calm demeanor that's vital to surviving on the big stage. With Philipp Grubauer shipped to Colorado, Copley has the inside track to the backup goalie gig in Washington, though he will need to fend off top prospect Ilya Samsonov (and perhaps another free agent signing) to secure that role. Should he make the big leagues, expect 15-20 starts, but as long as Braden Holtby is around, the Alaskan's fantasy upside could be somewhat limited by the lack of a heavy workload.