It’s going to be an interesting year for the NHL Playoffs, as many of the league’s young stars are slated to play postseason hockey for the first time. Many of the league’s best players–including Connor McDavid–are going in with something to prove.
As the first round of the 2023 NHL Playoffs get going, and the final 16 teams have officially been finalized, there are tons of factors to consider in selections. That includes longevity, production and the club around any given player. These are the sleeper picks to consider in the 2023 NHL Playoffs.
Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils
As the New Jersey Devils’ forward enters his first ever postseason campaign, he can be considered a sleeper pick just because he has no track record before this. The Devils were an unexpected surprise this season as a whole, exceeding expectations and charging to a top spot in the ultra-competitive Metropolitan Division.
They have a hard-fought battle ahead of them against the New York Rangers, but could easily cause disappointments across the league, led by Hughes’ offensive efforts. At better than a point-per-game pace, Hughes will be helped by playing with his brother, Luke, and could be a real sleeper pick if the Devils make it far in the 2023 NHL Playoffs.
Evan Bouchard, Edmonton Oilers
Playing with Connor McDavid is bound to result in point collection for anyone, but Evan Bouchard in particular has been playing a particularly confident, poised game of late. The 2018 first rounder has collected five points in as many games, and was gifted with increased ice time as a result of his strong game.
As a whole, the Oilers have been steadily improving as they enter the playoffs each year, led by the dynamic duo in Draisaitl and McDavid. This means, of course, that Bouchard’s longevity will likely span at least a few rounds and well into May.
What’s more, Bouchard plays a top role on the best power play in history, meaning he is certain to benefit on the score sheet, building on the key goals he scored in last year’s effort. He’s likely a solid sleeper pick as the Oilers will continue to make a Stanley Cup push.
J.T. Compher, Colorado Avalanche
The 28-year old forward is in the end of a team-friendly, $3.5 million deal, according to CapFriendly. His club heated up when it mattered most, charging to the top of the Central Division just ahead of the playoffs. Compher played a huge role for the entire campaign, slotting in for injuries and playing a two-way game that has kept the Avalanche alive and relatively consistent.
As the club heads into the first round against the Seattle Kraken with a ton of question marks surrounding injured players (most notably captain Gabriel Landeskog), Compher will still carry a heavy workload, likely to see both power play and penalty kill time and be relied on to take a bunch of faceoffs.
Heading into free agency, he’s likely to make the most of every opportunity he gets, so he’ll likely be a sleeper pick with a solid return for both fantasy players and the Colorado Avalanche, who are chasing a repeat victory.
Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers
It seems counterintuitive to have players from both the Rangers and the Devils on this list, as only one of these clubs can make it out of the first round of the NHL Playoffs. But, really, it could go either way, and Trocheck could be the leader the Rangers need to end the woes and go over the hurdle.
Trocheck has registered 16 points in 33 playoff games. But his stats are stifled by his 2019-2020 playoff performance with the Carolina Hurricanes, where he only collected two points in eight playoff games.
This season, he’s been respectable for the Rangers. But could take off offensively with playoff veterans and high-scoring forwards Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko around him. He’s not the biggest name on the Rangers’ roster sheet–making him the very definition of a sleeper pick–but could benefit from the dynamic team around him.
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