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Money
These boys are money. Promote them to the top of your list and draft with confidence.
Offense
Defense
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Drew Doughty
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LOS
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If anyone has a shot at rivaling Green in points from the back, it's going to Doughty. The smooth skating King is entering just his third season, and he's already amoung the elite at his position. Don't hesitate to take him in the first round.
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Mike Green
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WAS
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When it comes to defensive scorers, Green is in a class by himself. If your league awards more points for points by a defenseman (as it should), you ought to strongly consider Green as your overall #1 pick. True, his goal totals were way down last season, but he still pounded home 19 and led all blueliners in points with 76. He repeat or improve on those totals in 2010-11. If there's a such a things as a sure thing in fantasy hockey, his name be Mike Green.
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Duncan Keith
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CHI
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Keith has finally got the respect due him after finishing 2nd in defensive scoring, winning the Cup, and claiming his first Norris Trophy. No reason to expect any major setbacks here, though it may be tough to reach 69 points again. He looked a little gun shy in the finals after loosing half his teeth, but he has the summer to get over that fear. Bank on 60 points or more and be content with him as your top defenseman.
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Shea Weber
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NAS
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Shea Weber has arrived as a top-rate fantasy defenseman. Putting aside the 2007 season when he was hurt, Weber has delivered goal totals of 17, 23, and 16. His shot from the point is the hardest we've seen since Al Iafrate and Al MacInnis retired. 20 goals should be a given this season in Nashville.
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Goalies
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Martin Brodeur
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NJD
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Some GMs will start to get gunshy when it comes to Brodeur, fearing that he can't do what he does forever. Until he actually shows any sign of decline, show no fear. Brodeur doesn't play a particularly acrobatic style, so being an old man won't affect him like it might other goalies. The Devils will be the Devils and Brodeur will be Brodeur once again in 2010. Rank him as high as you please.
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Henrik Lundqvist
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NYR
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When it comes time to spend that 1st round pick, you want to make sure it's not wasted. In terms of goaltenders, Lundqvist has been as consistent as they come since coming into the league. Over the past 5 seasons, his GAA has stayed between 2.2 and 2.5. He finished 7th in fantasy points last season, so he may not be the sexiest pick in the early going, but you know what you're getting with Lundqvist, and that is a very solid #1 goalie.
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Ryan Miller
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BUF
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If there is such a thing as a can't miss goalie pick these days, Miller is it. He may not finish at the top of the charts again in 2010-11, but you can bet he'll be up there. Miller's stats have improved for 4 straight seasons, culminating in a Vezina Trophy last year. Move him to the top of your list.
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