Daniel Sprong

Any list for the best bargain player in the NHL during the 2020-21 season is bound to include Daniel Sprong. After signing a two-year, $1.45 million contract with Washington in September of 2020, Sprong quietly became one of the more efficient depth forwards in the NHL, notching 13 goals and a career-high 20 points in 42 games despite averaging just 11:40 of ice time per contest while seeing limited power-play usage. The second-round pick from the 2015 NHL Entry Draft may have difficulty matching his 17.6% shooting rate from 2020-21, but Sprong has the versatility to move around the lineup and should get more consistent usage now that he has ascended further up the Capitals' depth chart. Sprong could be an intriguing option for those in deeper formats, with spot appeal in daily leagues should he carve out a more meaningful offensive role in 2021-22.

Sprong followed up his potential breakout campaign, where he had 23 points in 63 games in 2018-19, with a two-points-in-eight-games dud last year. He added 33 points in 44 contests split between the San Diego Gulls and the Hershey Bears at the AHL level. A second-round pick from 2015, Sprong still has time to work his way into a consistent bottom-six role in the NHL. He'll likely get the chance to rotate into the Capitals lineup during 2020-21, potentially splitting time with Richard Panik or Conor Sheary.

Sprong stumbled out of the gate last season, managing just four assists in 16 games with the Penguins before being traded to the Ducks in exchange for Marcus Pettersson in early December. The 22-year-old winger went on to total an underwhelming 14 goals and five helpers in 47 appearances with Anaheim. On the surface, a 23-point season isn't much to brag about, but it's a solid starting point for the second-round pick from 2015, who was playing in his first full NHL season last year. If Sprong's able to hold onto a top-six role with the Ducks for the entirety of the 2019-20 campaign, he could jump into the 35-to-40 point range while posting double-digit goals, making him a desirable depth option in most fantasy formats.

Sprong's debut might be the most anticipated since Sidney Crosby was literally “Sid the Kid.” Countless Pens fans had been annoyed by the team's reluctance in letting the prospect loose in the NHL, but GM Jim Rutherford has already stated the club's intention to promote the playmaking winger to the NHL for the upcoming campaign. Selected with the 46th overall pick of the 2015 NHL Draft, the sniper tallied an impressive 32 goals and 33 helpers (both team highs) in 65 outings for the Baby Pens last year. While Patric Hornqvist might be the preferred option on Opening Night, Sprong could certainly get a shot at playing with Crosby on the top line during the course of the season -- that's an ideal setup for the young player and fantasy owners alike.