Shea Theodore

Theodore topped 40 points for the second straight year, notching eight goals and 34 assists in 53 games last season. The high-scoring defenseman garnered 15 of his helpers with the man advantage, successfully fending off Alex Pietrangelo for the quarterback role on the top power-play unit. At this point, Theodore is pretty much a household name on the blue line. He should be a lock for 40-to-50 points with a high shot volume and power-play production while also playing a steady enough game to not hurt his plus-minus rating. Whether paired with Alec Martinez (foot) or Brayden McNabb, Theodore will have free reign to act as a de facto fourth forward whenever he's on the ice -- that's music to fantasy managers' ears.

Theodore emerged as an elite offensive defenseman last year, leading Vegas with 19 points in the playoffs after registering a career-high 46 points during the regular season. His performance represented the highest point total by a defenseman in Vegas' franchise history, and the 25-year-old is once again poised to set new highs in 2020-21. Using his speed, agility and shooting ability, he was consistently excellent at creating scoring chances in 2019-20. He was just one of 19 defensemen to score double-digit goals and one of four to register over 200 shots last year. Theodore possesses tremendous upside on offense, falling just short of the elite tier if only because of his inexperience. He should be considered a top-15 option at his position heading into this year's drafts.

Theodore is entering his prime as a mobile power-play quarterback with all the right physical tools. Last season was his second with the Golden Knights, and the B.C. native showed plenty of maturity en route to career highs in goals (12), assists (25) and shots (202) through 79 contests. The burgeoning left-shot defenseman must continue performing at a high level to justify the seven-year, $36.4 million contract that GM George McPhee bestowed upon him ahead of the 2018-19 campaign. Fortunately, there's plenty of cohesion between Theodore and top-pairing cohort Nate Schmidt, who is also bound by a long-term contract with the young Vegas franchise. Using a first-round draft pick on Theodore would be a reach in shallow leagues, though he appears to be only a small step away from the elite class of fantasy blueliners.

Rated as a top prospect in the 2013 draft, Theodore's NHL career to date has been interesting to say the least. After failing to impress in limited action with the Ducks, the young blueliner was dealt by Anaheim to the Golden Knights at the expansion draft in order for the Ducks to keep Josh Manson and ensure Vegas selected Clayton Stoner. It took some time, but Theodore became a valuable contributor on the Golden Knights' blue line, finishing the regular season with 29 points and supplying offensive production during the team's Stanley Cup run. Theodore has plenty of upside and will likely be a part of a star-studded first power-play unit that includes William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault, making him a prime candidate for a breakout campaign. He's yet to play a full 82-game season, so a full-time position on the Vegas blue line should do wonders for his fantasy value.

Theodore logged just nine points in 34 games with the Ducks last year, but the 2013 first-rounder has plenty of untapped offensive potential. The lack of an established pecking order in Vegas certainly plays into Theodore’s hands, as he'll be in the mix for a first or second-pairing spot that would have been tough to obtain on Anaheim’s stacked blue line. He’s also the favorite to operate as the point man on the top power-play unit after excelling to the tune of 57 points in 76 games over the past two seasons with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls. Theodore’s a low-risk, high-reward option at his current draft price.

Theodore, a first-round selection by the Ducks in 2013, may be among the most offensively-gifted blueliners in the non-professional ranks. The 19-year-old tallied an astounding 22 goals and 57 assists in 70 games for the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds in 2013-14, making him a promising asset in dynasty formats. He still needs some further refinement in his own zone, but even if he never develops into a shutdown defender, his scoring ability would likely still make him an above-average fantasy option. Theodore will be sidelined for the start of the upcoming season due to an elbow sprain, but it shouldn’t be long before he starts making an impact again for the Thunderbirds.