Rieder appeared in 55 games with the Flames last campaign, notching 10 points while averaging 11:05 of ice time per contest. He'll be one of many fourth-line options for the Sabres in 2020-21, so he'll likely be in and out of the lineup with some regularity, and won't produce enough offense when he's on the ice to warrant fantasy consideration.
Rieder took a major step back in 2018-19, finishing the season with no goals and 11 assists in 67 contests with Edmonton. The German's first (and likely last) season in Edmonton was, by far, the worst of his professional career and ended with him averaging the lowest ice time of his NHL career (12:39). Rieder might still find an opportunity with another NHL club before training camp commences, but until he shows the hockey world something more than he did a season ago, the 26-year-old shouldn't be on fantasy radars.
Rieder split the 2017-18 campaign between the Coyotes and Kings, adding 12 goals and 13 assists over 78 games. Now with the Oilers after signing a one-year, $2 million deal in July, the German has the potential to be a mainstay in the top six, but there had been a ton of variance in terms of how his past employers utilized him. While Rieder is projected for a third-line role to open the new season, it wouldn't be surprising to see him latch on with fellow countryman Leon Draisaitl for a cushy second-line assignment. If that comes to fruition, he'd be a nice sleeper pick for fantasy owners to consider drafting in the late rounds.
Rieder sustained an ankle injury during the IIHF World Championships that required surgery, so there's an outside chance he's a little behind the eight ball to begin training camp. The 24-year-old winger has played well through his first three seasons in the league with 43 goals and 92 points through 234 games. However, Rieder appears to trending into a defensive specialist after beginning just 39.2 percent of his five-on-five shifts in the offensive zone in 2016-17. Additionally, with Arizona's offseason acquisitions and internal promotions, Rieder might struggle to carve out a consistent role on a scoring line.
After playing in all 82 contests with the Coyotes, Rieder suffered a knee injury at the World Championships, but has insisted he'll be completely healthy to start off the 2016-17 season. That’s great news for Arizona, as the 23-year-old took a big step forward in just his second campaign as a professional. The 2011 fourth-round pick notched 14 goals and 23 helpers, both improvements on his rookie year. However, the German did register a minus-21 rating, second-worst on the team. Locked into the top six, Rieder is trigger happy and rounds out a youthful roster – with some veterans sprinkled in – that promises to be exciting for years to come. As long as he’s healthy and working to get better on ice, the third-year forward will be a solid option on the wing with plenty of upside.
Rieder started the past season with the Coyotes' AHL affiliate in Portland, but played just nine games there before being called up and seizing a regular role with the big club. He ended up playing in 72 games with Arizona, recording 13 goals and 21 points. Perhaps most encouragingly, Rieder finished third on the team in shots (189) and seventh in hits (123), suggesting that he could see an improvement in his production in the coming season after showing he could handle the physicality of the NHL game while getting in a position to generate offense. He should have a spot reserved for him among the Coyotes' top-six forwards and is worth watching early on if he's able to maintain or increase his shot production.
