Fantasy Hockey Powerplay Budget Players: Sean Monahan, Quinton Byfield and More

Hey folks! Today we are going to talk about five players who have on average an under 50% rostered rate that you could steal as a gem in your draft, or add into a trade at a bargain who will be getting great deployment as they are all slotted into the top powerplay units on their respective teams.

While these players may not be the most elite talent, they are going to be on the ice with superstars on the man advantage and will have added value based on their potential for increased production.

Make sure to check out our new Fantasy Hockey Projections. Outlooks at your fingertips that always give you an in-depth snapshot and an accurate outlook of what you expect from every player -  all season long. Powered by AI; refined by our experts.

Mikael Granlund - Anaheim Ducks

Granlund is in his third home in just two seasons, now starting this year with the Ducks. If Granlund can grow some roots back in California, he has an excellent opportunity to be a main veteran presence on the rebuilding squad.

Granlund is not surrounded by veterans like he was in Dallas with the Stars, and has more talent around him than he had in San Jose, so although he is likely to play a middle six role here, he is a lock for the top powerplay unit and should be a steady 60+ point guy for a few more years to come.

Granlund had 22 goals, 44 assists, and 19 powerplay points in 83 games as a forward. He also had 169 shots on goal, 57 hits, and 60 blocked shots.

Sean Monahan - Columbus Blue Jackets

Another player in his third home in quick succession. Monahan has been an inconsistent player since his long stint in Calgary with the Flames, although last season with the Blue Jackets he had a nearly 60-point effort and seemed to be back to himself.

Despite the fact that the Blue Jackets way over exceeded expectations last season, there were some glimmers of hope that the Blue Jackets may not be as good as they played, they are certainly a lot further ahead than anticipated.

Playing alongside up and coming talent such as Zach Werenski, Kirill Marchenko, Adam Fantilli, Dmitri Voronkov, or Kent Johnson - one could argue Monahan is on the best rebuild team of his career. Further, he will also be playing a very important role in the development of these talented youngsters and will benefit by just being there as a mentor, nevermind that Monahan is on the tail end of his prime.

Monahan had 19 goals, 38 assists, and 14 powerplay points in 54 games as a forward. He also had 128 shots on goal, 30 hits, and 34 blocked shots.

Quinton Byfield - Los Angeles Kings

For two years, Byfield has quietly put up 50-point seasons. Once touted as an elite up and comer, Byfield is the most over achieving underachiever in the league. 

As crazy as it sounds, he is only going into his third full NHL season, and no longer has a spotlight on him.

Can you say a perennial 50-point player is under achieving? Some do, and many have written off Byfield as a bust but if you take him for what he is, he is a sneaky good producer who adds in some sandpaper, which has value for bangers leagues.

What's better is he is a late or bottom round ADP in most leagues, but what people seem to forget is Byfield is likely to put up 50 points again, he will hit, is on one of the better teams in the league, and owns a powerplay spot. What's not to like here, especially for a late-round pick?

Byfield had 23 goals, 31 assists, and seven powerplay points in 81 games as a forward. He also had 157 shots on goal, 80 hits, and 33 blocked shots.

Trevor Zegras - Philadelphia Flyers

A fresh start in a new city is likely what this Michigan goal-scoring tricker needs. A couple 60-point seasons, with a steep decline for the following two years made it apparent something wasn't working.

Consecutive years with a high level of production isn't a fluke, so what went wrong? We may never know, but coupled with an ankle injury, maybe it was just time for a change in scenery.

Now this former NHL 2023 cover athlete can show his skill next to the likes of Matvei Michkov and Travis Konecny on the top powerplay line and have all the help necessary to get back to a 60-point effort.

While not a much better team, the Flyers have certainly put the right pieces together to move their rebuild forward and Zegras is poised to now be a cornerstone which should give his confidence the boost it needs.

Zegras had 12 goals, 20 assists, and four powerplay points in 57 games as a forward. He also had 98 shots on goal, 50 hits, and 27 blocked shots.

Pavel Buchnevich - St. Louis Blues

Buchnevich is a year over year sneaky gem. While his physical play doesn't necessarily translate to fantasy as a lot of his grit isn't counted as hits - Buchnevich has had five low key 20-goal seasons in a row. He also has 30 apples in five of his past six seasons. What? I know, right?

Buchnevich is one of those sneaky late pick gems that everyone always seems to forget about, and coupled with his decent production he has elite deployment. He has been a mainstay as a top six forward who always gets powerplay time, which is shadowed by the Blues constant basement standings. 

Even still, he is playing with the likes of Jordan Kyrou, Dylan Holloway, and Colton Parayko with Jordan Binnington guarding the crease. Given his sneaky production, elite deployment, and very low ADP Buchnevich is the very definition of a gem.

Buchnevich had 20 goals, 37 assists, and 12 powerplay points in 76 games as a forward. He also had 145 shots on goal, 44 hits, and 32 blocked shots.