Nosek again filled a bottom-six role for the Bruins a season ago, posting seven goals and 18 points in 66 games, virtually identical numbers to his production the prior five years. The upside here is minimal, but Nosek has consistently displayed the ability to serve as an effective forechecker, earning him a one-year, $1 million deal from New Jersey in free agency. He figures to line up on New Jersey's fourth line alongside Michael McLeod when the upcoming season begins.
Nosek rarely played higher than the third line in Vegas, and that shouldn't be expected to change in Boston. He logged a career-best 18 points in just 38 games last season, but he converted his shots at an unsustainable 13.6 percent rate. With regression likely, the Czech forward probably shouldn't be expected to contribute more than 15-20 points even if he earns consistent playing time with the Bruins. He can also add modest physicality having logged 50-plus hits in each of the last four seasons. All things considered, the 28-year-old doesn't make for a very appealing depth option in most fantasy formats.
Nosek has been a reliable bottom-six forward for the Golden Knights over the last three years, recording at least 15 points in each of those seasons. He also had a career-best 91 hits and 20 PIM in 2019-20, often skating between the wrecking-ball duo of Ryan Reaves and William Carrier. The Golden Knights certainly bring intimidation with their fourth line, but that long-lasting trio has also shown a decent scoring touch. Nosek projects to finish between 10 and 15 points with over a hit per game in 2020-21, which could be useful in deep formats.
Pried away from Detroit in the 2017 expansion draft, Nosek signed a $1 million deal to remain in Vegas for the 2019-20 campaign. The Czech winger is stationed in the bottom six with penalty-killing tasks, meaning he can only do so much for fantasy owners in a given season. Still, Nosek has a good handle on the possession game, as evidenced by his career 52.5 Corsi For percentage, and last season, he put forth a serviceable offensive output measured at 1.2 points per 60 minutes. A perfect storm could send Nosek to a scoring line this year, but only then would he be worth a speculative pickup in some of the deeper leagues.
After being taken from Detroit in the expansion draft, Nosek had seven goals and 15 points in 67 games with Vegas. The Czech sniper struck four times in the postseason and re-signed with the team in the summer on a one-year contract worth $963,000. Nosek certainly has some upside, but it might be hard for him to make much noise given his bottom-six role and lack of power-play time. Look for Nosek to take another step forward in 2018-19 and solidify himself as a reliable depth contributor.
There’s never a guarantee that minor-league success will translate into high-end NHL play, but Nosek made quite the case for himself in the Calder Cup playoffs, which is why he should at least get a chance to shine with the Golden Knights, who claimed him in the expansion draft. The 24-year-old led the AHL's Griffins in postseason goals (10) and points (22) on the way to their second championship in franchise history, and he received high praise from head coach Todd Nelson, who said the young forward can play in almost any situation -- whether it's the power play, the penalty kill, or simply winning a key faceoff. Nosek has nothing left to prove in the minors, but Vegas has several established skaters up front, so it's unlikely that the Czech skater finds himself cemented in the top six this season.
Nosek climbed aboard the Red Wings organization as an undrafted free agent, signing an entry-level deal in June of 2014. He then spent the last two seasons almost entirely with AHL Grand Rapids, totaling 26 goals and 38 assists in 125 regular-season games. Scouts have described Nosek as a cerebral player with a playmaker’s touch. Having gone plus-43 in the minors, nobody will be calling him a slouch on the defensive end, either. Nosek signed a two-year contract extension in May and appears to be on the fast track in his development, though he could face stiff competition in training camp as Andreas Athanasiou and Anthony Mantha are more polished at this juncture.
