RELATED: [Fiala traded to Kings by Wild]
The addition of Fiala could positively impact Kopitar, who now has another talented wing to play on his line along with Adrian Kempe, who led Los Angeles with 35 goals and 247 SOG this season. Kopitar led the Kings in points (67 in 81 games) this season and helped them return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs but didn't come close to his NHL career high (92 points in 2017-18). Kopitar rejoins the top 100 overall fantasy rankings, giving the Kings three players in that range (Fiala, Doughty, Kopitar).
Fiala is more likely to play with Kopitar and Kempe than on the second line, which emerged as an underrated fantasy trio this season. Wing Viktor Arvidsson was productive when healthy in his first season with the Kings (49 points, 227 SOG in 66 games) playing mostly on the second unit with center Phillip Danault (NHL career-high 27 goals) and breakout wing Trevor Moore (career-high 48 points).
Arvidsson (disk surgery) and Doughty (wrist surgery) did not play in the postseason because of injuries but are expected to be ready for the start of next season. The Kings were already a strong possession team with the fifth-best shot attempts percentage (54.2) this season, and Fiala had a plus-87 shot attempts differential in 82 games for the Wild.
Doughty, who had 31 points (seven goals, 24 assists) in 39 games this season, is ranked among NHL.com's
top 15 fantasy defensemen
for next season and also stands to benefit from the Fiala trade. Wing Arthur Kaliyev could lose some fantasy appeal in the short term with less of a chance to be elevated onto the top line next season but still has high upside in keeper and dynasty leagues.
The goalie tandem of Jonathan Quick and Cal Petersen, which was tied for 19th in the NHL in team save percentage (.901) this season, should also get at least a slight fantasy boost for next season with the potential for more goal support; the Kings scored 2.87 goals per game (20th). Quick, who had a .910 SV% and two shutouts in 46 games this regular season and started all seven postseason games for Los Angeles (3-4, .904 SV%, one SO) against the Edmonton Oilers, should now be considered a fringe top 15 fantasy goalie for next season and Petersen, the clear backup, becomes a deep sleeper candidate.
The departure of Fiala could negatively impact Boldy, who led NHL rookies in points per game (0.83; 39 in 47 games) among those who played more than 10 games this season, the Wild's secondary scoring and chances of winning the Stanley Cup. Kaprizov, who ranked fifth in NHL scoring and also set Minnesota records in goals (47) and assists (61) this season, played on the top line with center Ryan Hartman and right wing Mats Zuccarello. Boldy has dropped just outside of the top 100 overall rankings after the Fiala trade and is Minnesota's third most-valuable fantasy forward behind Kaprizov and Zuccarello.
---
Listen: "NHL Fantasy on Ice" podcast 🎧
Watch: Podcast episodes on YouTube 📺
