Cody Glass

Injuries and a lack of production combined to make Glass expendable for the Golden Knights before the 2021-22 season. His first year in Nashville wasn't any better, but he finally broke through in 2022-23 with 14 goals, 21 assists, 131 shots on goal and 62 hits over 72 contests in a middle-six role. Glass enters 2023-24 with much more stability in his role. He's a middle-six center who will likely begin the campaign on the third line and the second power-play unit. The 24-year-old is far from a can't-miss player in fantasy, but he could be an effective depth forward in deeper formats. He's still young enough to grow into more offense, but fantasy managers should keep in mind there's a chance last year was a bit of a fluke.

Glass' value has dipped over the past year-plus, but the fact the Golden Knights were willing to deal him to the Predators straight up for Nolan Patrick (who was acquired from Philadelphia) this offseason was still surprising. Glass has his flaws -- mainly a lack of speed and physicality -- but he has excellent hands and represents a worthwhile risk for a franchise that, as a whole, lacks offensive punch. Still just 22 years of age, Glass is likely to start the season in a depth role for Nashville before attempting to work his way up the lineup.

Glass missed large chunks of time with various injuries as a rookie last season. He missed eight games in December with a concussion, 12 games in January and February due to a bone bruise in his leg, and then suffered a season-ending knee injury while playing in the minors in late February. The season still wasn't a complete loss for the sixth overall pick from the 2017 draft, as he was solid in his limited time with the big club, notching five goals, seven assists and six power-play points while averaging 13:22 of ice time in 39 contests. Looking ahead to 2020-21, Glass is expected to be a full-time, top-six player for the Golden Knights, centering Max Pacioretty and Mark Stone on the second line while also seeing time with the second power-play unit, two highly advantageous assignments. It's hard to predict how Glass will produce as a sophomore given his lack of track record, but a 15-goal, 45-point pace with solid power-play contributions is definitely a possibility for him in year two, making him a solid upside pick in the later rounds of fantasy drafts.

Glass had the honor of becoming the Golden Knights' first-ever draft pick -- he heard his name called with the sixth overall selection in 2017 -- but the point-packing pivot figures to be much more than an answer to a trivia question. Glass shattered his competition at junior, amassing 94 goals and 198 assists through parts of five seasons representing WHL Portland. The phenom ended up turning pro with the AHL's Wolves last season, adding five points over six regular-season games and 15 more in a spirited run to the Calder Cup Finals. Vegas should benefit from his calculated approach to the game, but the young franchise can afford to be patient with him since he still has three years remaining on his entry-level contract. Consider stashing Glass in dynasty leagues knowing it could take another year or two before he leaps to the big stage.

Vegas' highest selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft at sixth overall, Glass proved his 94-point WHL campaign in 2016-17 was no fluke by hitting triple digits -- 102 points to be exact -- last season. Possessing tremendous offensive instincts and wheels that constantly spin, Glass should get an opportunity to prove his worth during NHL training camp, but the most likely scenario involves him beginning and spending most, if not all, of the season with WHL Portland. The majority of his fantasy value at this point lies in dynasty formats.