As part of NHL.com's 31 in 31 series, the fantasy hockey staff identifies relevant players from each team for 2018-19. Today, we look at New Jersey Devils players, listed in order of rank in NHL.com's top 250 . For more fantasy coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy .

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Taylor Hall, LW (NHL.com rank: 19) -- Coming off a career-high 93 points (39 goals, 54 assists), the reigning Hart Trophy winner will be drafted much higher than last season (ADP: 92.6). Hall set career highs in almost every statistical offensive category, including goals, assists, rating (plus-14), power-play points (37), and shooting percentage (14.0), and led Devils forwards in ice time (19:09). From Jan. 2 to March 6, Hall had 38 points (18 goals, 20 assists) in a personal 26-game point streak. Playing on the first line and power-play unit, Hall will once again be the focal point of the offense. It may be asking too much for another 90-point season, but he should be in line for 80-85 points and complete category coverage if healthy.

Video: NJD@PIT: Hall goes five-hole on breakaway in OT

Nico Hischier, C - INJ. (146) -- The No. 1 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft quietly finished tied for sixth in scoring among rookies with 52 points (20 goals, 32 assists) in 82 games. Hischier played mostly with Hall on the top line and has room for improvement on the power play, where he had six points (one goal) last season. However, he was plus-10, had 180 shots on goal and an 11.1 shooting percent, and could exceed his average draft position (middle-round selection). It's worth noting Hischier dealt with hand and wrist injuries last season, meaning he could increase his production if 100 percent this season.

Video: NJD@TBL, Gm2: Hischier buries first playoff goal

Cory Schneider, G - INJ. (157) -- While Schneider will likely miss the start of the season after having hip surgery in May, his playing time could be in question even when healthy. Last season, Schneider went 17-16-6 with a 2.93 goals-against average, .907 save percentage and one shutout in 40 starts and was outperformed by Keith Kinkaid down the stretch. Schneider went 0-10-2 with a 4.04 GAA and .863 save percentage in his final 12 starts of the regular season, with his last win coming Dec. 27. But in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Schneider looked like his old self, going 1-2 with a 1.78 GAA and .950 save percentage in four games (three starts) against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has won at least 20 games in three of the past four seasons, but his GAA has increased and his save percentage and shutouts have decreased in each of the past three seasons. Schneider should be available in the 20-25 goalie range and could be a bargain if he bounces back. But those selecting Schneider may also want to select Kinkaid for insurance purposes.

Kyle Palmieri, RW (181) -- Limited to 62 games because of injury, Palmieri had 44 points (24 goals, 20 assists) last season, which, if healthy, would equate to 58 points in 82 games. He was dominant on the power play with 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) and averaged 2.9 shots per game. Palmieri should play right wing on either the first line with Hall and Hischier or the second line with left wing Marcus Johansson and center Travis Zajac. Johansson and Zajac each missed time with injuries last season, but has the creativity to give Palmieri, who has scored at least 24 goals in each of the past three seasons, plenty of scoring chances.

Video: TBL@NJD, Gm4: Palmieri scores PPG on one-timer

Will Butcher, D** (184) -- The 23-year-old made an immediate impact as a rookie last season after winning the Hobey Baker Trophy as the top player in the NCAA in 2017. Butcher led all rookie defenseman in points (44) and assists (39) and quarterbacked the first power-play unit (23 PPP) alongside Hall and Palmieri for much of the season. One concern is that Butcher is a pass-first player; he was one of 26 players to play at least 75 games and have fewer than 90 SOG (88). Since he also scored more than half of his points on the power play, he could regress if Sami Vatanen cuts into his special teams usage. But with John Moore signing with the Boston Bruins, Butcher is poised for a bigger role at even strength.

Sami Vatanen, D - INJ. (222) -- After being acquired in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks on Nov. 30, 2017, Vatanen had 28 points (three goals, 25 assists) in 57 games with New Jersey, including 11 PPP. The top-pair defenseman led the Devils in ice time (22:45) and averaged at least 1:30 each on the power play and shorthanded. In his final 18 games of the regular season, Vatanen had nine points (two goals, seven assists) and 14 multi-shot games. Ranked outside the top 40 defensemen and top 200 overall by NHL.com, Vatanen has late-round fantasy appeal.

Other players with fantasy upside in late rounds or off waiver wire: Keith Kinkaid, G*; Marcus Johansson, LW*; Jesper Bratt, LW/RW; Brian Boyle, C*; Damon Severson, D

*Potential 2019 unrestricted free agent

**Potential 2019 restricted free agent

INJ. - Injury concern entering 2018-19