Ryan Hartman

Plenty of players had unexpected offensive breakouts a season ago, but Hartman's explosion may very well top the list. He entered the year having never posted more than 19 goals or 31 points in a single season, before raising those totals to 34 goals and 65 points last year. One would think Hartman's increased role on the power play (2:21 per game) would be a key cog in his production, but he had just eight points with the man advantage. Any significant dip to Hartman's career-high 14.2 percent shooting percentage could result in a massive drop in his scoring totals. It's not a bet most fantasy owners should be willing to make in the middle rounds.

After being traded multiple times early in his career, Hartman has seemingly found a home in Minnesota where he's posted back-to-back 20-point seasons. Last year, he averaged a career-high 15:04 of ice time per contest while pocketing seven goals and 22 points in 51 games. The South Carolina native was a key penalty-killer and also chipped in three power-play assists. Hartman is locked into a middle-six role and should continue to contribute on both special teams units.

Hartman put up a solid 20 points, 69 PIM and 114 shots on goal in 69 games with the Wild last year, his first season with the team. The 26-year-old winger is known for a hard-nosed playing style, but he only had 44 hits last season. A first-round pick of the Blackhawks in 2013, Hartman has developed into a sturdy bottom-six player with a little ability to add depth scoring. Fantasy managers in deeper formats will likely benefit from his reliable 20-point pace, a mark he's reached in each of the last four campaigns. He's not afraid to shoot or fight either, which adds a little value in some formats.

Hartman signed a two-year deal worth $3.8 million with the Wild on July 1, which means he'll be playing for his fourth team in three years in 2019-20. It's definitely possible that all of that movement has hampered his production -- Hartman has not been able to replicate the 19 goals and 31 points he recorded as a rookie in either of the past two campaigns. Last season with the Predators and Flyers, the American winger only managed to notch 12 goals and 26 points in 83 games. However, the 2013 first-round pick can be pretty useful in leagues that count PIM and hits. The 24-year-old has posted at least 100 hits and 70 PIM in each of his three full NHL seasons despite never averaging more than 13:10 of ice time per contest. Owners can expect Hartman to produce 10-plus goals and 30-plus points while adding 100-plus hits and at least 70 PIM as a bottom-six forward for Minnesota in 2019-20, making him a solid depth option in fantasy leagues that reward the rough stuff.

Hartman was enjoying a successful second season in Chicago last year before a last-minute deal at the February trade deadline saw him shipped to Nashville. After scoring 25 points in 57 games with the ‘Hawks, Hartman proceeded to disappoint in Nashville with just six points in the final 21 regular-season contests. In the playoffs against the Avs and Jets, he missed one game due to suspension and three more as a healthy scratch, finishing with just three points in nine games. There is no question the Preds were hoping for more of an offensive display from Hartman, especially after seeing him score a combined 61 points over the better part of two seasons in Chicago. To be fair, though, he was slated for offseason shoulder surgery in May, so injuries may have been a factor for him following his arrival. Looking ahead, after re-upping with the Preds on a one-year deal in July, a healthy Hartman should return to a bottom-six role and provide some decent scoring punch.

Hartman was a steady contributor in his first full season with the Blackhawks in 2016-17, notching 31 points (19 goals, 12 assists) while registering 121 hits in 76 games. The 2013 first-round pick had primarily skated in a bottom-six role last campaign, averaging just 12:46 of ice time per game, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him occupy a top-six role in 2017-18 after Artemi Panarin departed via trade and Marian Hossa was ruled out for the entire season due to health concerns. If Hartman locks down a spot on one of Chicago’s top two lines, he shouldn't have any issue eclipsing the 20-goal mark next season, and he could even approach the 45-point and 180-shot thresholds, which would make him a solid bench option in most fantasy formats.

Hartman made quite an impression in his first taste of professional action last season, registering three goals and four assists in limted action for AHL Rockford. A first-round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Hartman has previously spent time in the junior ranks at OHL Plymouth and with the U.S. National Development Team. Of his many strengths, Hartman’s adept passing ability and smooth skating shine the brightest. The Blackhawks will probably keep Hartman at Rockford for the entire 2014-15 season for additional seasoning, as the team is no rush to fill a forward spot.

Hartman is the top agitator in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft -- he hits, he trashes, he hacks and he isn't afraid to back it up. The pick is a dream for him -- he's an Illinois boy. If you like guys like Andrew Shaw and Brad Marchand, you'll like him. He might even have a little Ryan Callahan in him and could be a multi-category, third-line stud in three or four years. He underwent surgery in the offseason to repair a dislocated shoulder, but should be ready to start this season back in the OHL.