NHL Waiver Wire: Kicking off 2017-18

The NHL preseason has concluded and the regular season kicks off Wednesday. With many fantasy drafts completed or taking place over the next two nights, here are a number of players that can be plucked from waivers or targeted late in upcoming drafts.

League sizes and setups vary, so this is an extensive list with concise analyses. While players are ranked at each position by personal preference, please hit the comments with questions — especially if a player of interest wasn't covered.

Forwards

Brayden Point, TB (Yahoo: 27%, ESPN: 46%, CBS: 43%): After capping off 2016-17 with nine goals and 16 points through his final 15 games, Point projects to skate with Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov on the top line to start this season. The sophomore is talented enough to score and maintain value if relegated down the lineup, too.

Elias Lindholm, CAR (Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 38%, CBS: 45%): It's unlikely Lindholm is ever going to establish himself as a go-to scorer, but he's coming off a career-high, 45-point campaign and will remain a key offensive cog for the Hurricanes this year. The 22-year-old forward also showcased his upside with a midseason stretch where he recorded 32 points in 38 games in 2016-17.

Evgeny Dadonov, FLA (Yahoo: 33%, ESPN: 0%, CBS: 57%): The 28-year-old winger scored 30 goals and 66 ponts through just 53 games in the KHL last season, and now he projects to skate on the top line with Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau. Dadonov could be a little inconsistent early on, but he owns the talent to score and is in a position to do just that.

Paul Stastny, STL (Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 24%, CBS: 56%): With three consecutive mediocre seasons in St. Louis, Stastny's unsurprisingly surfing the waiver wire in plenty of settings. However, he's expected to open the season between Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz, which is a cushy fantasy setup. After all, the wingers have combined for 3.26 goals per 60 minutes last year.

Clayton Keller, ARI (Yahoo: 30%, ESPN: 8%, CBS: 53%): With eight points through four preseason games and projected a top-line gig, Keller is set to have a strong freshman showing. He recorded two assists during a three-game cameo to finish 2016-17, and then scored seven points in eight games at the World Championship. In fact, all he's ever done is score.

Brock Boeser, VAN (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 11%, CBS: 44%): The Canucks project to be a basement-dwelling team, but Boeser's talent and goal-scoring upside is unquestioned. He's had a strong preseason (four goals and seven points) and also flashed excellent chemistry alongside projected linemate Bo Horvat last year with 3.03 goals per 60 minutes.

Josh Ho-Sang, NYI (Yahoo: 30%, ESPN: 10%, CBS: 50%): Where Ho-Sang settles into the lineup at even strength will have a significant impact on his overall fantasy value, but the talented -- and polarizing -- winger has significant upside. He's expected to receive power-play looks with the No. 1 unit, and if Ho-Sang secures a top-six role, he'll reward in the majority of settings.

Kevin Fiala, NSH (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 3%, CBS: 25%): With a more prominent role in all situations in store for the 2017-18 campaign, Fiala is in line to take a step forward. He posted an impressive 1.0 goals and 9.3 shots per 60 minutes at five-on-five last year and flashed game-breaking upside during the playoffs.

Nick Schmaltz, CHI (Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 12%, CBS: 37%): There were a number of strong stretches for Schmaltz in a top-six role last season, and he posted a respectable 2.1 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five. There's no questioning his offensive potential. However, there's still uncertainty about his role, and Schmaltz is a low-volume shooter (just 66 shots through 61 games last season).

Jakub Vrana, WAS (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 3%, CBS: 27%): Everything is in place for Vrana to have a breakout season. He's a skilled winger with untapped offensive upside, and now he's being given an opportunity to start the season on a line with Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. His line assignment alone warrants attention in most deep settings.

Pavel Buchnevich, NYR (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 8%, CBS: 21%): After posting an excellent 2.1 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five during his rookie campaign, Buchnevich should take a step forward in Year 2. He's been skating with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider on the No. 1 line, which projects as a perfect fit for Buchnevich's offensive vision and scoring touch.

Jordan Weal, PHI (Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 8%, CBS: 16%): The accomplished AHL scorer capped off 2016-17 with seven goals and 11 points through his final 16 games, and now he's back with the Flyers and projected to have a top-six role with power-play time. While his fantasy ceiling might be a little low, Weal is a good bet to provide consistent scoring numbers.

Anders Bjork, BOS (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 3%, CBS: 31%): A top-six role appears to be a foregone conclusion at this stage of the game, and Bjork owns all the on-ice skills needed to flourish offensively. He's coming off a 54-point campaign with Notre Dame, after all. Rookies always carry risk, but the top of Boston's depth chart is loaded with talent, so Bjork is in position to succeed.

Pavel Zacha, NJD (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 7%, CBS: 19%):Travis Zajac (pectoral) injury opens the door for Zacha, and the 20-year-old center is projected to begin the season between Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri on the No. 1 line. Zacha has recorded five points through three preseason games, and 17 of his 24 points came in his final 33 games of last season.

Micheal Ferland, CGY (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 2%, CBS: 6%): While Ferland is probably more of an option in formats including penalty minutes and hits, he's also coming off a career-best season and projects to skate on the No. 1 line. The acquisition of Jaromir Jagr complicates things, and Ferland will also need power-play time to fulfill his upside, but there is potential.

Defensemen

Shea Theodore, VGK (Yahoo: 47%, ESPN: 6%, CBS: 49%): As the projected quarterback of the No. 1 power-play unit, Theodore should lead all Vegas defensemen in points while moving the fantasy needle in the offensive categories. There's a legitimate concern about his plus-minus rating and even-strength production, but his role with the man advantage should mitigate most of the risks.

Damon Severson, NJD (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 22%, CBS: 31%): With a six-year contract extension inked before training camp, Severson's role as the Devils' top offensive defenseman was solidified. New Jersey isn't an ideal fantasy setup, but the Devils should score more than in years past. Additionally, Severson is going to quarterback a sneaky top power-play unit.

Mike Green, DET (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 65%, CBS: 82%): Still Detroit's top offensive defenseman, Green is a serviceable option who's played 70 games and topped 35 points in each of the past four seasons. He presents a respectable fantasy floor, and there's likely also positive regression ahead with the man advantage after he recorded just 10 power-play points last season.

Brandon Montour, ANA (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 4%, CBS: 30%): A steady riser through the Ducks system, Montour exploded for 32 points through 36 AHL games last year before debuting with Anaheim. He was a key cog in the playoffs (seven points through 17 games) and boasts elite skating ability. Additionally, there are multiple injuries on the Anaheim blue line, so Montour could get off to a quick start.

Nathan Beaulieu, BUF (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 15%, CBS: 18%): With untapped offensive upside, Beaulieu is an intriguing piece for the improved Sabres. He posted 1.2 points per 60 minutes last season and should see an expanded role with Buffalo, which includes power-play time on the No. 2 unit. He'll also chip in across the peripheral categories.

Tyler Myers, WPG (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 9%, CBS: 47%): At this time last season, Myers wasn't available in many fantasy settings, so he checks out as potential flier to start 2017-18. He was limited to just 11 contests last season, but the 27-year-old defenseman has posted a respectable 47 points through 108 games as a Jet.

Esa Lindell, DAL (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 4%, CBS: 13%): Expected to have a significant role in all situations for the Stars, Lindell should improve on his respectable rookie campaign. He offers a cross-category profile and projects to man the point on the No. 2 power-play unit. If Dallas scores as expected, Lindell could flirt with a 30-point showing.

Mark Streit, MON (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 29%, CBS: 15%): There are a lot of unknowns with the Canadiens, and Streit couldn't even crack the Pittsburgh lineup in the playoffs. However, Montreal lacks defensemen with Streit's skill set, so there is a chance the veteran moves the offensive needle enough to provide serviceable fantasy numbers.

Goaltenders

Steve Mason, WPG (Yahoo: 31%, ESPN: 29%, CBS: 40%): For the most part, last season was a write off for Mason and the Flyers, but the veteran netminder still posted a high-end .921 save percentage over the prior three seasons. The Jets have an encouraging collection of young talent, and Mason should see enough starts to push for top-20 status at his position.

Jimmy Howard, DET (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 26%, CBS: 41%): For everything that went wrong in Detroit last season, Howard posted a .927 save percentage and 2.10 GAA. He's projected to slot into a near timeshare with Petr Mrazek, and the Red Wings aren't likely to secure a playoff berth, but Howard can still help fantasy clubs when started in favorable matchups.

Eddie Lack, CGY (Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 7%, CBS: 7%): The Calgary blue line warrants mention with the best in the league, and while Mike Smith projects to see the bulk of starts, his track record is iffy. Lack posted a .921 save percentage and 2.15 GAA over his final 13 starts last year, and he could quickly push for close to a 50-50 timeshare with a strong start to the season.

Juuse Saros, NSH (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 8%, CBS: 30%): After posting a 13-2-0 record with a 1.86 GAA and .934 save percentage in the AHL last season, Saros ascended to the backup role for the Predators. Despite all of Nashville's success last season, Pekka Rinne has been far closer to a league-average goalie than an elite one over the past five years. Saros should see enough starts to be a solid depth piece in most fantasy setups.