Fantasy Hockey Preview: Top 60 Players
SportingNews.com
Sep 23, 2009
As you prepare to form your teams in Sporting News' Salary Cap Ultimate Hockey and Salary Cap Challenge Hockey: Season 1 fantasy games, pay special attention to SN's rankings of top fantasy players. There are no-brainers on the list, but there are gems here that will make you a winner.
The list:
1. Alex Ovechkin, LW, Capitals: The NHL's best shooter and biggest personality is first in hearts, minds and fantasy pools.
2. Ryan Getzlaf, C, Ducks: This talented playmaker with a serious mean streak will take a run at MVP honors.
3. Sidney Crosby, C, Penguins: The Stanley Cup-winning captain will be focused on greater success this season.
4. Evgeni Malkin, C, Penguins: Monster skills and reckless abandon make him a fantasy machine.
5. Pavel Datsyuk, C, Red Wings: Consecutive 97-point seasons lock him in as a solid top-five draft pick.
6. Jeff Carter, C, Flyers: On fire down the stretch last year, he's a sizzling selection this season as well.
7. Zach Parise, LW, Devils: The numbers show that last season's breakout was not a fluke.
8. Marc Savard, C, Bruins: He is still underappreciated even though he consistently puts up elite statistics.
9. Jarome Iginla, RW, Flames: Expect Iggy's tough-as-nails offensive abilities to rule the pool.
10. Rick Nash, LW, Blue Jackets: Nash is big with great wheels, soft hands and a flair for the highlight reel.
11. Marian Gaborik, RW, Rangers: A risky pick, but the rewards will be rich if he avoids injury.
12. Niklas Backstrom, C, Capitals: Serves them up for Alex the Great and gets full marks as a result.
13. Joe Thornton, C, Sharks: Not the threat for 100 points he once was but still a prodigious producer.
14. Ilya Kovalchuk, LW, Thrashers: Despite his defensive shortcomings, there's no doubting his offensive skills.
15. Patrick Kane, RW, Blackhawks: The former phenom has passed the sophomore test and become a leader.
16. Henrik Zetterberg, LW, Red Wings: The Big Zee is A-1 on the power play and has 40-40 potential.
17. Martin St. Louis, RW, Lightning: This speedy little sniper is powered by a heart twice his size.
18. Marian Hossa, RW, Blackhawks: Lord Stanley's bridesmaid will bring his golden gifts to Chi-town.
19. Corey Perry, RW, Ducks: This is another rising young star in Anaheim's impressive offensive arsenal.
20. Martin Havlat, RW, Wild: A risky pick, but his new team's uptempo style makes him worth the gamble.
21. Alexander Semin, LW, Capitals: The points will pile up if he stays healthy and out of the doghouse.
22. Olli Jokinen, C, Flames: A giant comeback looms large as he increases his productivity with a new coach.
23. Vincent Lecavalier, C, Lightning: Trade rumors and team turbulence have lessened expectations.
24. Eric Staal, C, Hurricanes: Staal storms the net with hard-nosed enthusiasm and has an eye for goals.
25. Michael Cammalleri, C, Canadiens: This marquee free-agent addition will flourish and score a ton in La Belle Province.
26. Mike Richards, C, Flyers: Another 80 points possible on this talent-laden team.
27. Daniel Sedin, LW, Canucks: This is the talented twin who scores off his brilliant brother's passes.
28. Henrik Sedin, C, Canucks: This is the talented twin who sets up his brilliant brother's goals.
29. Johan Franzen, RW, Red Wings: The Mule proves he doesn't just kick it up a notch in the playoffs.
30. Dany Heatley, LW, Sharks: A desperately needed address change should lift the ex-Senators spirits and points.
31. Mikko Koivu, C, Wild: As skilled with the puck as anyone, but he could use a triggerman.
32. Mike Ribeiro, C, Stars: He overcame a slow start last season to finish with almost a point per game again.
33. Bobby Ryan, RW, Ducks: Drafted after Sidney Crosby, he's stepped out from the shadows and will shine this season.
34. John Taveres, C, Islanders: Believe the hype. This talented rookie will likely top 70 points.
35. Mike Green, D, Capitals: His remarkable 31-goal, 73-point season has tagged him as the No. 1 defenseman.
36. Phil Kessel, C, Maple Leafs: Hockey's good-news story is also a good hockey player.
37. Ales Hemsky, RW, Oilers: The new coach's uptempo offense will put Hemsky in offensive wonderland.
38. Jonathan Toews, C, Blackhawks: This young gun should improve on his impressive second season.
39. Chris Kunitz, LW, Penguins: Give him a year with Sid's kids and watch him flourish.
40. Patrick Marleau, C, Sharks: Marleau should be back on track with a career best in goals following a horrible off year.
41. Scott Gomez, C, Canadiens: New surroundings will position him for 50-plus assists for a fifth time.
42. Derek Roy, C, Sabres: The steady, if unspectacular, playmaker should net 70-plus points this season.
43. Brad Boyes, RW, Blues: Only if plus-minus matters should he be avoided in any fantasy pool.
44. Valtteri Filppula, C, Red Wings: This breakout candidate has improved significantly with increased ice time.
45. Patrik Elias, LW, Devils: The ability is there but offseason surgery is a draft-day concern.
46. Simon Gagne, LW, Flyers: After bouncing back from injury to score 74 points last season, he should again land himself in that scoring bracket.
47. Anze Kopitar, C, Kings: He slipped some last season but is good for at least 70 points in 2009-10.
48. Shane Doan, RW, Coyotes: With twice the goals as any teammate last season, he could sue for nonsupport.
49. Jason Spezza, C, Senators: Maybe he'll be healthy, give his all and regain his touch. Maybe.
50. Steve Sullivan, LW, Predators: Keep your fingers crossed that his back problems are a thing of the past.
51. Devin Setoguchi, RW, Sharks: Last season's smoking surprise has secured himself a coveted top-six forward spot.
52. Brenden Morrow, LW, Stars: He missed most of last year with an ACL tear but is ready to pick up where he left off.
53. Daniel Alfredsson, RW, Senators: A dysfunctional team takes its toll on a venerable but aging captain.
54. Derick Brassard, C, Blue Jackets: He's poised for a big breakout as the puck passer on Rick Nash's top line.
55. Scott Hartnell, LW, Flyers: Points and penalty minutes make this rugged winger a desirable commodity.
56. Steven Stamkos, C, Lightning: Last year's second-half flash forecasts a second-year improvement of 20 points.
57. Brian Rafalski, D, Red Wings: It'll be odd to see Nicklas Lidstrom playing second banana, but that's what should happen when Rafalski steps on the ice.
58. Travis Zajac, C, Devils: Last year's plus-33 and 62 points bode well for Zajac's long future in fantasy.
59. David Booth, LW, Panthers: His 30-goal season in 2008-09 earned him a big contract and the leadership role.
60. Andre Markov, D, Canadiens: This power-play quarterback will welcome an impressive new group of scorers to help him.
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