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Money
These boys are money. Promote them to the top of your list and draft with confidence.
Offense
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Claude Giroux
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PHI
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There can be no doubt, Giroux has earned his spot among the elite. Through his first four NHL seasons, his point totals have steadily increased. The only factor holding him back from going first overeall is his meager goal production. He should have no problem finishing in the top 5 again this season, and should push for a career high 30 goals this time around.
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Ilya Kovalchuk
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NJD
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Aside from a disappointing season in 2010-11, Kovalchuk has been one of the most consistent fantasy stars over the last decade, and he often does it alone. He has topped 30 goals every year since 2001 (when he had "just" 29). The loss of Parise won't affect his stats in a significant way. Bank on another 35 goal effort.
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Evgeni Malkin
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PIT
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Malkin was clearly The Man last season. He did everything right and earned every bit of the hardware he was handed. So can he repeat as the best player in the league? Much like his fellow center Crosby, it will come down to health. The last time he put up 100 points (113, actually) in '08-09, he followed it up with seasons of 77 and 37 points, due to various injuries. Still, the upside is far too high to pass on. Good enough to go first, shouldn't go beyond 3rd.
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James Neal
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PIT
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The Real Deal emerged last season as the winger the Pens have been craving for a decade. He formed instant chemistry with Malkin and his lethal shot started connecting from the first game of the season. His success was somewhat tied to Malkin, but even if Malkin goes down at some point, he has Crosby to fall back on. I'm comfortable enough with that scenario to take a first round chance on Neal repeating that magic.
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Corey Perry
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ANA
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Following his MVP season of 2010-11, Perry was a bit of a disappointment last season, registering just 60 points. Despite the dropoff, he still ranked 10th in total fantasy points, thanks in large part to his 127 PIMs and 37 goals. While the situation in Anaheim shows little hope of getting better, Perry's ability to produce in every stat column will keep him relevant. Look for a bounce back season, somewhere between 2010 and 2011 levels.
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Daniel Sedin
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VAN
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Following a tremendous campaign in 2010-11, Sedin stumbled a bit last year. Part of that was due to injury problems. Even with 10 games missed, he still managed to hit 30 goals. With a summer to heal, you can expect him to get back to sniping goals and challenging the big dogs at the top of the scoring list. Given a healthy season, 30 goals and 80 points is the floor.
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Steven Stamkos
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TAM
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If you're adverse to risk and just want a superstar you can count on (who can stay on the ice), then Stamkos is your guy. Three straight seasons of 90+ points. He was far and away the leading goal scorer in the league last season and will likely repeat that accomplishment this time around. Look for his first 100 point season. He has earned the right to go 1st overall in your draft.
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John Tavares
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NYI
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After three seasons in the NHL, Tavares is right about where the Isles pictured him when they made him the #1 overall selection in 2009. He reached the 30 goal and 80 point barriers last season and also put up an impressive 8 Game winners. So, has he reached his potential, or this just another step towards a higher standard? The summer loss of P.A. Parenteau may hurt a bit as Tavares will need to form similar chemistry with a new Right Winger. His goal total should continue to rise either way, making him a top-notch fantasy pick you can count on this season.
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Defense
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Dustin Byfuglien
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WIN
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Despite sitting out 16 games with a knee injury in 2011-12, he still settled into 5th place in total fantasy points on defense last year. The big man has entered into double-digits in goals for five straight seasons. He's the showcase event in Winnepeg and is allowed more freedom than most at his position to roam as the 4th attacker. Another solid fantasy season should be a given.
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Zdeno Chara
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BOS
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Few hockey players have been as consistent in fantasy production as Big Z. Goals. Assists. +/-. Penalties. All Star slap shot records. He does it all. Through 11 NHL seasons, the most games he's missed in a year is 11. Can't go wrong here.
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Erik Karlsson
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OTT
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If Karlsson continues to improve at the pace he's gone for his first three seasons, he'll be looking at somewhere around 25 goals and 100 points. While that's not likely to happen, there is no reason to think he can't continue to be the most prolific defensive weapon in the league.
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Shea Weber
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NAS
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In the five full, healthy seasons logged to date, Weber has fired home 16 or more goals each time. Since contract issues will not be distracting him for the next 14 years, he's free to focus on remaining one of the top fantasy hockey defensemen in the world. The loss of Suter shouldn't affect him much, as the Preds have a stable of young puck-movers to complement Weber. He'll get his 28-30 minutes a game and should crack the 20 goal level in 2012-13. Pencil him in for a Norris this time around.
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Keith Yandle
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PHO
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Playing in the desert has kept Yandle one of the best fantasy secrets going. His production, at least in terms of assists, dipped slightly last season, but he remains a model fantasy defenseman. Three straight seasons of 82 games and 11 or more goals to his credit. There remain rumors of Yandle on the trade market. For now, he's the man in Phoenix and will fit in nicely as your #1 defenseman.
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Goalies
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Henrik Lundqvist
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NYR
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There are very few sure things from year to year when it comes to fantasy goalies. The King was finally rewarded for his steadiness with his first Vezina. Probably a season or two late in coming. Whether it's wins, saves, or any other goaltending stat that you covet, you can't miss with Lundqvist again this season. He may finally reach 40 wins for the first time in his career this season.
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Jonathan Quick
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LOS
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Topping last season is a bit too much to ask, after all, what else could he add to the dream that culminated with a Conn Smythe and a Stanley? You can draft him this year with full confidence that even if he just comes close to last year's performance, you'll have a top 3 goalie on your hands. Remember, the Kings struggled mightily through the middle half of the season. Assuming they pick up where they leaft off in June, Quick could be looking at 40+ wins this time around.
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