Nicolas Roy

An underrated part of the Golden Knights' offense, Roy was limited to 30 points in 65 games in 2022-23. A lower-body injury cost him about a month of the season. He's a veritable Swiss Army knife for Vegas, slotting in as a center anywhere from the second line to the fourth line in addition to being able to play on the wing when necessary. Roy projects as a bottom-six center when Vegas is healthy, but he plays enough in all situations to be a de-facto second-liner by usage. Fantasy managers in standard formats can probably leave him on the draft board, but he'll be a solid and versatile late-round option in deeper formats. He could approach the 40-point mark while putting up at least 15 goals if he's able to stay healthy in 2023-24.

An extremely underrated member of the Golden Knights roster, Roy saw an expanded role a season ago with all the injuries the team dealt with. The end result was career-best marks in goals (15), assists (24), points (39) and shots on goal (145). Roy also averaged 1:45 with the man advantage per game after seeing no more than 22 seconds per game in any other prior campaign. Vegas was so impressed with Roy's effort that they awarded him with a new five-year, $15 million contract this offseason. It ensures he should maintain a prominent role with the team moving forward, although it still probably won't be enough to make Roy a fantasy option in most formats.

Roy established himself as a regular for the Golden Knights last season, logging 15 points, 52 shots on goal and 50 hits in 50 contests while mainly seeing third-line minutes. He added nine points and 57 hits in 19 playoff games, which is a good sign going forward. Entering 2021-22, Roy looks like the preferred option as Vegas' third-line center, and the Golden Knights' still-concerning lack of depth down the middle could lead to him earning some top-six minutes later in the year. At 24 years old, the fourth-round pick from 2015 could be in line for a breakout campaign. A 30-point, 100-hit campaign isn't out of the question, although Roy will be fighting an uphill battle if he doesn't earn a power-play role.

Roy was in and out of the Vegas lineup through 2019-20, earning 10 points and adding 39 hits in 28 games. He also posted 22 points in 27 outings with AHL Chicago, but it's safe to say his time in the minors has likely come to a close. Roy projects as a third-line option for the Golden Knights in 2020-21, mostly likely skating with Cody Glass and Alex Tuch. With the Golden Knights expected to have one of the deeper offenses in the West Division, Roy could have some sneaky fantasy value in deeper formats. There's potential for 20-plus points and 80 hits if the 23-year-old maintains an everyday role.

Roy was dealt to Vegas in an offseason trade, and the former Hurricanes prospect will look to make the Golden Knights out of camp. While Roy has yet to score a point in seven career NHL appearances, the 22-year-old center has great size at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, making him a contender for a bottom-six role. His fantasy upside is limited even if he sticks with Vegas, however, as Roy hasn't even been a major scorer at the AHL level, with 74 points in 141 games.

Roy enjoyed a very productive rookie season for the AHL's Charlotte Checkers last season, finishing ninth in team scoring with 38 points (11 goals, 27 assists). The 21-year-old Roy has established himself as a solid, two-way center who is very responsible in his own zone but can also chip in offensively when needed. Although the Canes remain very thin at center and have a need for a guy like Roy, it seems likely that he will open the upcoming 2018-19 season back in Charlotte.

Signed a three-year contract with the Hurricanes in April of 2016.