Alex Kerfoot

Kerfoot has something to prove this season. The pivot was exposed, but not selected in the Seattle Kracken expansion draft after two consecutive sub-par offensive seasons. Back in blue-and-white, Kerfoot has the skill to seize a job in the Maple Leafs' top six this year as the team juggles left wingers. His competition? The perennially underperforming Nick Ritchie and the prove-it Michael Bunting over from Arizona. Kerfoot put up his best offensive numbers in a scoring role in the Mile High City from 2017-19 and could replicate that success beside either Auston Matthews or John Tavares this year. Don't count on power-play production, but a career mark in points will be on tap if Kerfoot is able to score one of those gigs. Major sleeper alert.

Kerfoot struggled in his first year with the Maple Leafs, producing just 28 points in 65 contests. His nine goals were a career low, and it was also the first time he's missed the 40-point threshold since entering the NHL in 2017. The chances for a bounce-back campaign aren't great, either -- Nick Robertson is ready to make the leap, and that could come at the expense of Kerfoot's playing time. Mired in a bottom-six role, Kerfoot has limited upside despite his successful track record. He'll be worth a look in deeper formats, but managers in standard leagues can likely pass on the 26-year-old forward.

Toronto's 33-year-old GM Kyle Dubas continues to make shrewd moves. This summer, he acquired the signing rights to Kerfoot and courted puck-moving defenseman Tyson Barrie -- with Colorado agreeing to retain half of his salary -- in a blockbuster deal for Nazem Kadri, Calle Rosen and a 2020 third-round draft pick. Kerfoot has made an immediate splash in the NHL, with the third-line pivot looking to build upon the 34 goals, 51 assists and 33 power-play points that he's produced since his top-level debut to open the 2017-18 campaign. The B.C. native has moved from one offensive powerhouse to another, so it's only a matter of how quickly he can adjust to his new team and the Eastern Conference itself. Best of all, there will be no monetary distractions for Kerfoot since the ink is still drying on his four-year, $14 million deal contract with the Leafs.

Kerfoot weighed his options prior to the season as a valued incoming rookie free agent, ultimately signing a two-year deal with the Avalanche in August. He landed an Opening Night roster spot with the Avalanche after a strong preseason and didn't waste the opportunity. The 23-year-old pivot proceeded to rattle off 19 goals and 24 assists in his rookie season, lighting the lamp on an astounding 23.5 percent -- a league-best mark among players with 25-plus games -- of his 81 shots on goal. Considering he averaged just 13:27 of ice time as a rookie, an improvement in this department, combined with Kerfoot's presence on a young and improving power play could also bump up his counting stats in 2018-19.