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Left Wing Rankings

September 10, 2009 By John Leave a Comment

Following up the centre rankings, here are the top 60 NHL left wingers for fantasy hockey as I see them right now.

Alexander Ovechkin

Alexander Ovechkin

Ilya Kovalchuk

Ilya Kovalchuk

Zach Parise

Zach Parise

  1. Alexander Ovechkin, WAS – Arguably the greatest hockey player in the world, and nearly always healthy. Ovechkin’s missed only 4 games in four NHL seasons.
  2. Ilya Kovalchuk, ATL – Maybe the most entertaining player to watch in the NHL.
  3. Zach Parise, NJ – At 25 Parise looks to put together another monster season.
  4. Rick Nash, CBJ – Posted career highs in assists and points last season, but will he still have incentive after signing the big contract?
  5. Dany Heatley, OTT – Could be a 70-point man if he stays in Ottawa, or potentially a 90 if he’s traded.
  6. Thomas Vanek, BUF – Averaging 39.7 goals per season over the last three years.
  7. Daniel Sedin, VAN – A model of consistency, Sedin’s usually good for 30-45-75.
  8. Simon Gagne, PHI – A pure scorer, but fairly injury prone.
  9. Loui Eriksson, DAL – Eriksson burst onto the scene last year with a 22 goal and 32 point increase from his totals in 2007-08. His shooting percentage last year was an incredible .202.
  10. David Booth, FLA – Booth finished the season strong with 22 points in 17 games and looks to continue that pace this year.
  11. Patrik Elias, NJ – Posted his first 70 point season in 5 years – beware.
  12. Patrick Marleau, SJ – Mr. Inconsistent had just 8 points in his final 20 games of 2008-09.
  13. Ray Whitney, CAR – The 37 year old should be good for another 70 point season.
  14. Mike Cammalleri, MTL – Coming off of a career season during a contract year, drafters should be wary.
  15. Alexander Frolov, LA – This is a contract year for the Russian and money could be just the right incentive to send his numbers skyward.
  16. Chris Kunitz, PIT – He’ll be lining up next to either Crosby or Malkin which bodes well regardless of your offensive skills.
  17. Alex Burrows, VAN – A classic late-bloomer from the minors on up, Burrows is especially valuable in pools that reward PIMs.
  18. Alex Tanguay, TB – Chemistry could spark playing with either Lecavalier or Stamkos.
  19. Alexei Ponikarovsky, TOR – Perhaps the Leafs’ greatest offensive threat, Poni had 22 points in 18 games to close out the season.
  20. Milan Michalek, SJ – Not a star, but a solid mid to late round winger.
  21. Pierre-Marc Bouchard, MIN – A true playmaker, Bouchard will try to regain his form after an off year in 2008-09.
  22. Scott Hartnell, PHI – Had a spectacular season in 08-09 hitting 30 goals and 60 points. He’ll get you PIMs as well.
  23. Kristian Huselius, CBJ – Saw an expected dip in points after leaving Calgary but still capable of 55-65 points.
  24. Jason Blake, TOR – Developed great chemistry with Dominic Moore last season but slowed down after the centreman was dealt to the Sabres.
  25. Rene Bourque, CGY – Not spectacular in the points category but gets PIMs and SHGs.
  26. Vyacheslav Kozlov, ATL – At 37 he’s becoming a risky pick but it’s tough to argue with numbers.
  27. Tuomo Ruutu, CAR – After what seems like an enternity, Ruutu finally had a successful fantasy season in 2008-09.
  28. Brenden Morrow, DAL – He’ll be forgotten about in most drafts after missing all but 18 games last season, but Morrow is an all-around fantasy stud when healthy.
  29. Andrew Ladd, CHI – The former 4th overall pick finally emerged as an offensive threat last season.
  30. Paul Kariya, STL – After logging three straight 82 game seasons, Kariya was limited to just 11 games last season.
  31. Ryan Clowe, SJ – A power forward who’s good for 50 points and some PIMs.
  32. Todd Bertuzzi, DET – This former fantasy stud is injury prone and inconsistent, but he could be a viable option in Detroit if he stays healthy.
  33. Ryan Smyth, LA – Smyth will play a veteran leadership role for the young Kings.
  34. David Perron, STL – Thrived playing with the other young guns on the Blues last year. 60 point potential.
  35. Steve Sullivan, NAS – A huge injury risk having played only 98 games over the past three seasons, Sullivan is good for a point per game when in the lineup.
  36. Erik Cole, CAR – He thrived with Staal after being acquired by the Canes at the deadline last year.
  37. Ryan Malone, TB – A mid-rate power forward who will get PPGs and PIMs.
  38. Kris Versteeg, CHI – Burst onto the scene as the favourite for rookie of the year but really faded as the season wore on.
  39. Christopher Higgins, MTL
  40. Wojtek Wolski, COL – Should play on the first line with Paul Stastny and Milan Hejduk this season which could mean a career year.
  41. Milan Lucic, BOS – The 21 year old power forward will have added incentive to play well this year, as he tries to earn a spot on Canada’s Olympic squad.
  42. Andrei Kostitsyn, MTL – Disappeared at times in 2008-09 and saw a 12 point dip from the previous season.
  43. Sean Avery, NYR – The pesky Avery is back where he belongs in the Big Apple, and looks to post career high numbers.
  44. James Neal, DAL – Neal surprised analysts everywhere last year finishing second in rookie goal scoring with 24.
  45. Sergei Samsonov, CAR – Samsonov is a model of inconsistency but seems to have settled into a 50 point role in Carolina.
  46. Patrick O’Sullivan, EDM – Was not able to continue his 2007-08 success and had just 6 points in 19 games after being traded to the Oilers.
  47. Andrew Brunette, MIN – At 36, Brunette’s fantasy stock is dropping.
  48. Nick Foligno, OTT – If Heatley does end up being traded, Foligno’s stock will soar, as the 21 year old will find himself on the top line.
  49. Niklas Hagman, TOR – This workhorse has settled into more of a two-way role player with the Leafs.
  50. Fabian Brunnstrom, DAL – The former Swedish Elite League star had a decent rookie campaign with the Stars with 17 goals in 55 games.
  51. Mikkel Boedker, PHO – The speedy Dane looks to build on a solid rookie campaign.
  52. Clarke MacArthur, BUF – MacArthur’s stuck behind a logjam of veterans at LW for the Sabres but could find himself on a scoring line before long with his strong work ethic.
  53. Cory Stillman, FLA – The wily veteran has become quite an injury risk but can still notch points when in the lineup.
  54. Nikolai Kulemin, TOR – The former Magnitogorsk Metallurg star finished his rookie season strong with 8 points in his last 9 games.
  55. Vaclav Prospal, NYR – The Rangers think Prospal still has a few goals left in his stick, but be careful – he was -20 last season.
  56. Mason Raymond, VAN – After a disappointing 2008-09 campaign, Raymond looks to silence the critics.
  57. Dustin Penner, EDM – Penner has become a fantasy disappointment, and it doesn’t bode well for him that the Oilers’ cut his ice-time last year.
  58. Keith Tkachuk, STL – The aging veteran is dropping out of fantasy-relevancy, and could even hurt you if plus-minus is a category in your pool.
  59. Nikita Filatov, CBJ – The flashy rookie had a successful season in the AHL last year and could be ready for the bigs.
  60. Max Pacioretty, MTL – A super sleeper who should only be picked in the deepest of pools, but success in junior and a big frame could translate to NHL success.

Filed Under: Fantasy Hockey

Ovechkin Top Winger – Who’s #2?

April 1, 2009 By John 1 Comment

Alexander Ovechkin is arguably the best hockey player in the world, and he’s certainly head and shoulders above the rest of the wingers in the NHL. But determining the second best wingman proves to be more of a tedious task. Let’s run through the potential candidates.

Jarome Iginla

Through 76 GP: 32G-53A-85P, -2

Often hailed as the best Captain in the NHL, Iginla is the complete package. The Calgary Flames’ leader is starting to get up there in years, but can still be relied upon for dazzling dekes, jarring bodychecks, and his signature one-timer.

Ilya Kovalchuk

Through 73 GP: 40G-47A-87P, -12

One of the purest snipers in the game, Ilya Kovalchuk is a defenseman’s worst nightmare. He is gifted offensively with incredible speed and soft hands to match. Unfortunately, he hasn’t garnered the attention players like Iginla and Zetterberg receive, having been stuck on poor teams in Atlanta over his 7 season career.

Rick Nash

Through 73 GP: 36G-38A-74P, +12

A former Rocket Richard Trophy winner, the Columbus Blue Jackets Captain is another winger who fits into the sniper’s role, often scoring his goals in spectacular fashion. Don’t believe me? Check out the video clip below which was largely considered the goal of the ’07-08 campaign.

Zach Parise

Through 76 GP: 42G-47A-89P, +30

He’s elevated his game this year and has even garnered Hart Trophy talk. He scores from every possible angle and his plus 30 rating indicates that he has bought into the New Jersey Devils’ mindset: to work hard at both ends of the rink.

Henrik Zetterberg

Through 71 GP: 30G-38A-68P, +13

Last year’s Conn Smythe winner and the only Stanley Cup winner of the bunch is known for his highlight reel goals. Zetterberg is a great all around player, and definitely someone coach Mike Babcock wants on the ice in game-determining situations.

So who did you chose as the second best winger in today’s game? If I had to pick one player with all-around ability, I’d go with Parise. He fits a similar mold to a Zetterberg, but younger and with better finishing ability. Iginla at his current skill level would also be an obvious choice, but with the all-out brand of hockey he plays, his skills could very well start deteriorating over the next couple seasons. You could even argue he hasn’t looked quite as dominant this year as in seasons past. I would probably follow Parise with Kovalchuk, Iginla, Zetterberg, and then Nash. How did you rank these five stars?

Filed Under: Fantasy Hockey

3rd Quarter-Pole NHL Power Rankings

March 16, 2009 By John Leave a Comment

Since opening day in October, the San Jose Sharks have been the best team in the NHL. They have been poised and consistent, stringing together win streaks with regularity and rarely losing more than a game in a row. While centre Joe Thornton has been a sure top 10 fantasy pick for years, the Sharks have another veteran emerging as a legitimate first round pick for the next few seasons; goaltender Evgeni Nabokov. While not as flashy as a Roberto Luongo or as fundamentally sound as a Martin Brodeur, Nabokov can be your fantasy hockey savior if you’ve got him, and your worst nightmare if you don’t.

His value can be indicated by the 80 wins he’s compiled over the last two seasons, which is tops in the league. In our current era where most starting goalies suit up for 60 games or less, Nabokov’s 90% start rate is unmatched, especially when you consider the strength of the Sharks team in front of him. It’s likely that he will be at the top of my projections for 2009-10, so if you own him in a keeper league, consider him untradeable. With fantasy sports, nothing is certain, but Evgeni Nabokov is as close to a sure thing as you’ll find.

The surging New Jersey Devils appear to be the real deal, and Martin Brodeur doesn’t seem to have lost a step after his return from bicep surgery, as he tied Patrick Roy’s all-time wins record Saturday night in Montreal. Zach Parise has been a man possessed in the second half of the season, and should break the impressive 83 point career-high projection I had for him. Evidently, the Devils make for an extremely difficult matchup for any opponent in the first round of this season’s Stanley Cup playoffs.

The young Pittsburgh Penguins are up five spots to 11th in this edition of the power rankings. They have played a more inspired brand of hockey since the All-Star break, and their key additions, Chris Kunitz and Bill Guerin, have paid immediate dividends. A first round matchup with the Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, or Philadelphia Flyers could make for a long, but massively entertaining series.

I know it’s a tad late, but here are our Power Rankings at the 3rd quarter of the 2008-09 season.

1. (1) San Jose Sharks 11. (16) Pittsburgh Penguins 21. (21) Dallas Stars
2. (2) Boston Bruins 12. (19) Florida Panthers 22. (23) Toronto Maple Leafs
3. (3) Detroit Red Wings 13. (11) New York Rangers 23. (24) Los Angeles Kings
4. (4) Washington Capitals 14. (20) Columbus Blue Jackets 24. (26) Ottawa Senators
5. (9) New Jersey Devils 15. (12) Anaheim Ducks 25. (28) St. Louis Blues
6. (7) Chicago Blackhawks 16. (13) Buffalo Sabres 26. (18) Phoenix Coyotes
7. (8) Calgary Flames 17. (17) Edmonton oilers 27. (27) Tampa Bay Lightning
8. (5) Philadelphia Flyers 18. (14) Minnesota Wild 28. (22) Colorado Avalanche
9. (6) Montreal Canadiens 19. (25) Nashville Predators 29. (29) Atlanta Thrashers
10. (10) Vancouver Canucks 20. (15) Carolina Hurricanes 30. (30) New York Islanders
Note: Brackets indicate prior power rank.

Filed Under: Fantasy Hockey

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