Ottawa Senators fantasy preview for 2019-20

As part of NHL.com's 31 in 31 series, the fantasy hockey staff identifies relevant players from the Ottawa Senators. For more fantasy coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy and subscribe for free to the NHL Fantasy on Ice podcast.

Senators 31 IN 31: [Season preview | 3 Questions | Top prospects | Behind the numbers]
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Thomas Chabot, D (NHL.com rank: 101) -- The defenseman burst onto the scene last season, finishing 10th at the position with 55 points and tied for eighth with 14 goals in 70 games. Chabot also covered power-play points (16) but only had one goal on 34 shots (2.9 percent) in those situations. However, his 5-on-5 shooting percentage (8.6 percent) and NHL career rate in all situations (8.2) suggest his power-play goal total could increase this season. Ottawa is thin on defense, so Chabot should continue to play heavy minutes on the top pair. He is a top 20 fantasy defenseman capable of reaching 60 points and worth targeting in the middle rounds of standard drafts and even higher in keeper leagues.
Brady Tkachuk, LW (159) -- The left wing was a bright spot for Ottawa last season with 45 points (22 goals, 23 assists) in 71 games as a rookie. The 19-year-old found his scoring touch down the stretch with nine points, including six goals on 40 shots, in his final 10 games. With an increased role as the go-to guy on the top line after right wing Mark Stone was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights on Feb. 25, Tkachuk could be a 60-plus point player this year with solid category coverage. His 174 hits ranked second on the Senators last season and first among their forwards, and he led them in shots (214; 3.0 per game). Those totals should increase over a full season, making Tkachuk worth reaching for anytime outside the top 100 at a scarce position.

Erik Brannstrom, D (237) -- Acquired by Ottawa as part of the Stone trade, Brannstrom made his NHL debut on March 14 but didn't have a point in two games. A first-round pick (No. 15) in the 2017 NHL Draft, Brannstrom showed he could score in the American Hockey League, combining for 32 points (seven goals, 25 assists) in 50 games with Chicago and Belleville last season. Brannstrom, who will turn 20 on Sept. 2, should begin the season with Ottawa and land a top-four role with power-play time, making him a sneaky rookie to consider late in drafts.
Colin White, C/RW (245) -- The 22-year-old had 41 points (14 goals, 27 assists) in 71 games as a rookie last season. Although White had 11 multipoint games, he will need to find more consistency this season, something he could do if he plays on the top line again with Tkachuk and gets more power-play time (five PPG last season, eight PPP). He won't provide much category coverage but does take face-offs (799 attempted, 47.4 percent) and could score between 50-60 points with increased ice time in his second full season.
Other players to consider in late rounds or off waiver wire: Maxime Lajoie, D; Drake Batherson, C/RW; Anthony Duclair, LW/RW; Connor Brown, LW/RW
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