Now that there is some glimmer of light appearing under the door, it may be time to start getting serious about preparing for some last-minute hockey drafts.  We've previously highlighted some breakout and rebound candidates to spice up your roster, but for the most part, it's not a bad idea to play it safe.  These guys aren't the superstars, but they're a solid, safe pick. They probably won't compete for the Art Ross, but you know what you're getting with these guys and can sleep at night with them on your roster.

Offense

Loui Eriksson                     DAL         

Check out Loui's point totals for the last three seasons: 71, 73, 71. His goal totals have lingered between 26 and 29 as well. Gotta love that consistency. And the truth is, he's capable of more. The Stars brought in some help for the top 2 lines, but Eriksson will still be counted on to be the team's top sniper. I fully expect 35 goals out of brother Loui in 2012-13.

Anze Kopitar                     LOS         

Kopitar seems to start each season with a bang, giving hope that he'll emerge as an elite fantasy forward. Mid season struggles have kept him from reaching the next level, but few fantasy options have been as consistent as this one over the past few years. He's good for 25-30 goals and close to 80 points.

Milan Lucic                     BOS         

Lucic managed to repeat the solid effort he displayed in 2010-11 that vaulted into the fantasy conversation. His blend of production in goals, assists, and PIMs make him a safe 4th or 5th round pick.

Jason Pominville                     BUF         

Pominville's numbers had been on the decline for the past few seasons, but 2011-12 brought a sudden bump in production. He hit the 30 goal mark for the 2nd time in his career. #29 turned 29 this year and there's no reason to predict a major dropoff. Another 70 point season should be in the cards, though banking on 30 goals may be optimistic. Flag him as a safe mid-round selection.

Henrik Sedin                     VAN         

If you're looking for a safe, reliable pick early in your draft, Henrik Sedin is a good place to start. His numbers have noticeably dipped for two straight seasons, but that still kept him at a point a game. The biggest drawback here will always be his lack of goal-scoring. If goals matter more to you than assists, adjust him accordingly. Either way, you have a guy who has put up 7 consecutive seasons of 75+ points. During that stretch, he hasn't missed a single game.

Patrick Sharp                     CHI         

If it's goals that you seek, Sharp has been one of the most consistent producers in recent years. He has topped 30 goals in 3 of the last 5 seasons, including the last two. He has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career, which has kept him shy of hitting the 40 goal mark. 8 Game Winners and a +/- of +28 helped boost his overall fantasy rank to 12th best among forwards. Some of the young guns in the NHL will likely pass him by this season, but he's still a reliable contributor, particularly at right wing. He'll retain his place on the top unit in Chicago, which ensures him plenty of opportunity to pop in another 30+ tallies.

Martin St. Louis                     TAM         

True, his stats took a dive last season, dropping by 25 points and registering his lowest goal total in a decade. He's also 37 years of age. It's tempting to assume the end is drawing near; however, he's been overcoming doubts his entire career. As long as he remains the Stamkos wingman, (no reason to believe that will change) he has significant value. When you're trying to rank St. Louis, you also must consider your point system. He doesn't take penalties. All told, he's one of the safest 4th or 5th round picks out there.

Eric Staal                     CAR         

Aside from one monster season coming out of the lockout (100 points in '05-06), Staal has been remarkably consistent from year to year, lingering between 70 and 80 points. Could the arrival of little brother be enough to spur him on to greater heights once more? He's been one of the most durable forwards in the league, playing just one season with less than 81 games. With the moves Carolina made to boost his support, you should expect Staal to take at least a 10 point jump back into the 80's in 2012-13.

Joe Thornton                     SAN         

It seems like Thornton has been playing hockey forever. He started dominating the NHL at such a young age, it's tempting to assume he's nearing the end. In reality, he's "just" 33, plenty young enough to continue to near point-a-game storyline he has written for years now. As always, the problem is all assists, no goals, but man, those are a lot of assists. The man hasn't put up less than 68 points in a season yet this millennium. So, just write in 24 goals and 50 assists minimum. Use pen.

Defense

Matt Carle                     TAM         

Matt Carle is another safe, if un-sexy, pick for you to fall back on late in the draft. For the last 3 seasons, he's popped in a handful of goals and lingered between 35 and 40 points. He will be the go-to guy for the Lightning this season and will probably remain in that territory.

Alexander Edler                     VAN         

When Ehrhoff bolted for Buffalo last summer, Edler slid into the #1 man job description. He seemed to fill that role nicely, racking up close to 50 points, including an impressive 228 shots on net. Even with the addition of Garrison and the presence of a healthy Bieksa, Edler will continue to carry the mail for one of the league's top contenders. Look for another strong effort in the 10 goal, 50 point territory.

Dion Phaneuf                     TOR         

Phaneuf put together a solid comeback season last year, restoring faith in his ability to rejoin the ranks of the top fantasy D. His 12 goals ranked 6th at his position and helped him slide into 6th in total fantasy production. Look for another solid play in 2012-13 from the Leafs captain.

Brent Seabrook                     CHI         

If you're looking for a safe pick on defense, you can't do much better than Seabrook. His potential is probably limited, but you can't beat the reliability. For seven years, he's been very healthy and has regularly put up decent goal and point totals for the Hawks. Expect another decent go in the realm of 8 goals and 40 points.

Mark Streit                     NYI         

Bad news first: -27 on the +/- hurt his overall fantasy value in a big way in many league formats. He's also seen his point totals decline for four straight seasons. However, he had set the bar extremely high. Despite another slip, he still posted 47 points for a team going nowhere. Streit showed no ill affects after missing all of 2010-11, having played in all 82 games last season. Expect another solid season from Streit.

Goalies

Ryan Miller                     BUF         

Miller had a rough start to the season, which included missing a few weeks with concussion issues. It took him (and the Sabres) just a bit too long to salvage the season, but man did they look solid down the stretch. Miller was playing at All-Star levels through most of the spring, which may bode very well for his prospects heading into 2012-13. The Sabres are now a confident bunch and their young forwards are starting to click. This means more help for Miller in getting those W's on the stat sheet. Look for a solid, bounce-back year for Miller to re-establish himself as a top-notch fantasy starter.

Antti Niemi                     SAN         

Niemi's second season with the Sharks was much like his first. Another solid 34 wins to complement a respectable 2.42 GAA. He's still unchallenged for the #1 job and will see close to 70 games again this year if healthy. While the Sharks no longer get a regular mention with the league's elite, they're good enough to put wins on the table and keep Niemi as a safe, low-end #1 option.

Carey Price                     MON         

Price had plenty of pressure (nothing new) after the Habs dealt away Halak. He rose to the challenge and exceeded expectations. Montreal is clearly not among the elite teams in the league, so he won't challenge for tops in wins; however, he'll give you good stats across the board. Strong #2 goalie option.

Pekka Rinne                     NAS         

Rinne put together another fine season as the Predator's workhorse, amassing a whopping 43 wins in 73 attempts. That would be good enough for 1st in the NHL last season. On the positive side, Rinne has seen his wins increase every season and he's really just entering his prime. On the downside, he's going to feel somewhat abandoned when camp opens and one of his two prime protectors is MIA. The loss of Suter will be felt. The Nashville defense goes from being one of the best in the business to somewhat undefined, as they're forced to promote some of their younger talent. It may be unreasonable to expect Rinne to compete for the Vezina again this season, and a repeat of the 43 wins is a long shot. That said, as far as Rinne himself is concerned, he's done nothing to this point in his career that would suggest he's not worthy of remaining among the elite at this position from a fantasy perspective.

Get it done, or the sport is toast.

At a time when the wounds have finally healed from the last mistake, and the NHL is on the verge of new heights in terms of popularity, why is it that two groups of rich guys can't settle on who should get richer and move on?  When I take the time to think through the issues, I can see both sides of the issue.  For the owners: it's their business.  They risk their wealth on an investment and can run their company as they please.  That's the way it should be.  For the players: without them, there would be no league.  They're the best in the world, and that's who we pay to see.  They gave up huge concessions in the last lockout and are being pounded into submission again. 

That said… I just don't care.  I'm a fan, not an arbitrator.  In fact, I'm a die-hard fan.  I watch over 100 hockey games a year.  I spend many hours a week on a hockey website, because I love the game.  And I have become indifferent and numb.  If games are canceled, I'm ready to tune out.  If the season is scrapped, I may never come back.  If that's the feeling from a die-hard, imagine the blowback from the average fan, or the new fan.  Believe it or not, there other forms of entertainment available to the world. 

Get it done, or landsharkhockey, and millions of other fans (of all levels) may just find something else to do when/if sanity finally returns.

If you're that guy that drafts your team based purely on last season's stats, you're inevitably going to waste early picks on players who won't give you the same return this time around.   Don't get caught up in the hype. Sit back and let the less-informed GM's waste a pick, while you go for value.   Here is a bucket full of players that may be worth drafting (eventually), but will likely be picked earlier than they should.

Offense

David Clarkson                     NJD         

Clarkson has never been known for racking up the points, so try not to get too excited about those 30 goals he scored last year. That number, combined with a healthy dose of PIMs was enough for him to finish ranked 56th in total fantasy value. Don't expect a jump from there, or even a repeat. It's too much to look for Clarkson to get back to 30 goals again this time around. Don't overpay for one good season…

Patrik Elias                     NJD         

Every few years Elias shows up and has a crazy good campaign, only to slide down into average for a couple years between. Last season was one of those crazy good ones. You see where I'm going here... In other words, do not expect a repeat of those 78 points in 2012-13. 20 goals and 60 points is a safer bet.

Scott Hartnell                     PHI         

For those who know their history from the other side of the state, think Robbie Brown. Few players in recent memory have had such dramatic success that is so clearly tied to lining up next to a superstar. Hartnell pieced together a fantastic season, finishing 4th among forwards in total fantasy value. None of this would have been remotely possible on the 2nd line, but lined up next to Giroux, he was money. Should he retain that sweet spot this season, he has considerable worth; however, there are a handful of up and coming youngsters that will press for a chance on the top line. Don't overpay based on one great season.

Chris Kunitz                     PIT         

While he's a key contributor the Penguins success, his style of play doesn't translate well to fantasy success. Despite regularly playing with Crosby (when #87 is healthy), the best he's managed in his 8 year career is 26 goals and 61 points, which he did last season. It's tough to see him rising above those numbers at this point. As long as Crosby is healthy, he'll have some value, but his upside is limited.

Radim Vrbata                     PHO         

Vrbata was perhaps the biggest surprise of the year in 2011-12, coming out of nowhere to produce 35 goals. He was actually on pace for 40-45, before cooling off in the final 6 weeks. This came after a decade of 20-goal production. So where do we go from here? Keep in mind, Ray Whitney will not be back to dish him the puck. Let others draft him early and watch him slide back down to 20 goal territory again.

Ray Whitney                     PHO         

Every few seasons, Whitney emerges with a solid point per game season on a new club. He did it again last year, climbing all the way up to 14th in overall fantasy value on offense. Entering the season at age 40 on yet another new team, it seems like a crazy long-shot to expect it to happen again this season. He will be drafted way too early. If he falls to round 10, give him a look. But he won't…

Defense

Brian Campbell                     FLA         

With Campbell, you need to know your system to assess his value. If points are all that matter, he's a valuable commodity. What holds him back is his goal production. He averages about 6 goals a season, while his assists are near tops in the league. At age 33, he's still a workhorse for the Panthers, averaging close to 30 minutes a game. Regardless of your point system, he obviously has value. It's up to you to determine how much.

Jason Garrison                     VAN         

Garrison timed his career-season perfectly. He cashed in with a big deal with his hometown Canucks. As a fantasy GM, it's going to take more than one good season to sell me. A look back at his college career, his minor season with Rochester and his first few years with the Panthers shows little history of offensive production. You can't completely overlook the fact that he was a beast for Florida last season, racking up 16 goals, but he managed just 17 assists. Goal scoring is harder to reproduce for defensemen, particularly in new environment. Don't overvalue him until he repeats this success.

Ryan Suter                     NAS         

Due to the frenzy that surrounded Suter over the summer, some GMs may be tempted to overvalue him on their draft lists. He wasn't highly coveted for his fantasy value alone, but he can contribute as a solid #2 option. He's been very consistent throughout his career, producing a handful of goals and 30-some assists a year. His situation in Minnesota should mimic what he was accustomed to in Nashville. Both teams have a healthy respect for defensive play and lack superstars on offense to help pad his stats. Another 40+ point campaign is all but certain here.

Goalies

Craig Anderson                     OTT         

The Senators were perhaps the most surprising team of the year, with Anderson racking up an impressive 33 wins in the process. On paper, they still seem more likley to miss the playoffs than to make it. It will be a challenge for Anderson to crack 30 wins again this time around. Besides, carrying a 2.83 GAA again last season did little to help anyone's fantasy squad. Count him as a low-end #2 goalie for your draft with more downside than upside.

Brian Elliott                     STL         

A case could be made that Brian Elliot was the best goalie in the NHL last season. The only thing that held him back from serious Vezina consideration was his lack of games played. 9 shutouts in 38 starts certainly raises a brow. So why not rank him with the elite heading into 2012-13? At best, Elliot will split starts with the team's true #1, Jaroslav Halak. At worst, he is remembered for that one great season where he almost become a #1 goalie. Assuming Halak gets healthy and stays hot, you can expect Elliot to take more of a backseat this time around. Don't overrate his one great season.

Jimmy Howard                     DET         

Howard has been remarkably consistent during his three years as Detroit's #1 man. He has hit the 35 win marker in all 3 seasons. This year, Detroit threw Gustavsson into the mix as Howard's backup, but don't expect that to bite into Howard's games played. He hasn't topped 63 games played in his career to this date. Detroit won't be the same team without Lidstrom, and nobody will feel that pain more than the goalie. It seems unlikely that Howard will get back to 35 wins again this time around. Overrated.

Miikka Kiprusoff                     CGY         

Kiprusoff continues to exceed expectations. He's one of the few goalies who provide consistent fantasy value on a consistently poor NHL team. One man can't continue to carry the load forever and Calgary has done little to show they're serious about turning the ship around any time soon. Kiprusoff tends to get drafted a bit too early for my taste. Too much working against the aging veteran to trust beyond a bench spot.

Ondrej Pavelec                     WIN         

Pavelec remains the #1 goalie in Winnepeg by default. He's done little in his career thus far to get fantasy owners excited with career GAA of 2.99. On the plus side, he has seen his playing time, and wins, increase steadily over each of his 5 NHL seasons. He's entering his prime and faces only a slight challenge from Montoya for the job. Draft him if you're in dire need of goalie starts. Otherwise, look elsewhere.

Cam Ward                     CAR         

With Ward, it's important to know your particular league's point system. If saves are heavily rewarded, he's your man. Ward faces more rubber each night than most, playing behind the pourous Carolina defense. However, if more traditional stats, such as GAA and Wins drive your point system, Ward may be a bit overrated. Through 7 seasons, he has gone below a 2.5 GAA just once. Last season, his numbers inflated to 2.74. His job in Carolina is never in doubt, so he will get his chances. Consider him a servicable #2 goalie option.

Often times the best value to be found at the draft table is on players who recently suffered a downturn, but are poised to turn things around.  Sometimes you have to just forgive and forget. Last season is in the past and let's move on. Here are some guys who should see a significant rebound in their production this season.

Offense

Jeff Carter                     LOS         

It was a fascinating season for Carter, as he journeyed through highs and lows before ending the season with a Stanley Cup held over his head. He was traded twice, and injured multiple times, which prevented him from finding any kind of chemistry or rhythm. He ultimately was able to contribute for LA and should be ready for a fresh start in 2012. Expect a bounce back in goal and point totals this year, in the neighborhood of 35 / 70.

Matt Duchene                     COL         

Duchene set the bar pretty high with his first two seasons, which made last year's troubles so disappointing. If the Avs are going to improve, it will have to be on the shoulders of this man. 2012-13 was significantly interrupted by a sever knee injury in late December. He never found his form after that and finished with just 28 points in 58 games. He may fall off the map for most in your draft, so put the ole * next to his name and snag him in a late round. A fresh start should help him get back into fantasy relevance. Remember, he's just 21 years old and his best is still to come.

Alex Ovechkin                     WAS         

The last two seasons have been disappointments for fans of #8, who had grown accustomed to seeing him dominate the league for first five years of his career. So, can he get back to that level again? Perhaps only Adam Oates knows. Last season, Ovechkin ranked 30th in total fantasy value. It's hard to imagine him finishing that low again. Look for a big correction in 2012-13.

Derek Roy                     DAL         

Roy has average a mere 40 points over the last two seasons. 2011 can be explained, since he only played 35 contests and scored 35 points. What happened last year is a mystery. 80 games, 44 points, and a ticket to Dallas. I'm not ready to write off this talented center, particularly since he has a new start and will be feeding Jagr early in the year. Expect a comeback.

Chris Stewart                     STL         

2011-12 was a complete write-off for Stewart, who all but disappeared from the fantasy picture. This followed a couple of seasons where he projected as a top notch power forward. The adjustment to St. Louis has not been easy. He still provides plenty of PIMs, but will need to regain the goal-scoring touch that netted back-to-back 28 goal seasons. You can target him late on the hopes of a comeback season.

Defense

Drew Doughty                     LOS         

Doughty was a colossal disappointment through the first half of last season. By the end of the season, and certainly after lifting the Cup, memories of the big-contract hangover were long gone. Through January 2011, he had managed just 2 goals. He closed the season with 10 goals and 36 points. With a Cup ring on his finger, he is poised to challenge for some personal hardware this time around.

Mike Green                     WAS         

Has there ever been such a dramatic fall from grace for a fantasy hockey superstar? After consecutive seasons with 70+ points, the last two years for Green have been horrific. He hasn't been healthy for a long time, which obviously limited his chances. When he did play, he struggled to understand his role in the new-look controlled Capitals systems. He was the heart of the run and gun Capitals and found himself wondering what his role is. Assuming he's healthy, he still has the raw talent to be a huge fantasy factor. It may come down to Adam Oates and how much of a green light he gives Green. Green claims to be healthy and optimistic about the 2012 coaching situation, so this could be the steal of the draft if you catch him with a mid-round selection.

Tyler Myers                     BUF         

Myers has now recorded 3 season in the NHL and has seen his stats drop each year, following his Calder Trophy year. Last season was largely interrupted by a broken wrist that held him out for all of December. The Sabres came on strong down the stretch last season, as did Myers. Expect a big time bounce back for his fantasy value in 2012-13.

Often times the best value to be found at the draft table is on players who recently suffered a downturn, but are poised to turn things around.  Sometimes you have to just forgive and forget. Last season is in the past and let's move on. Here are some guys who should see a significant rebound in their production this season.

Offense

Jeff Carter                     LOS         

It was a fascinating season for Carter, as he journeyed through highs and lows before ending the season with a Stanley Cup held over his head. He was traded twice, and injured multiple times, which prevented him from finding any kind of chemistry or rhythm. He ultimately was able to contribute for LA and should be ready for a fresh start in 2012. Expect a bounce back in goal and point totals this year, in the neighborhood of 35 / 70.

Matt Duchene                     COL         

Duchene set the bar pretty high with his first two seasons, which made last year's troubles so disappointing. If the Avs are going to improve, it will have to be on the shoulders of this man. 2012-13 was significantly interrupted by a sever knee injury in late December. He never found his form after that and finished with just 28 points in 58 games. He may fall off the map for most in your draft, so put the ole * next to his name and snag him in a late round. A fresh start should help him get back into fantasy relevance. Remember, he's just 21 years old and his best is still to come.

Alex Ovechkin                     WAS         

The last two seasons have been disappointments for fans of #8, who had grown accustomed to seeing him dominate the league for first five years of his career. So, can he get back to that level again? Perhaps only Adam Oates knows. Last season, Ovechkin ranked 30th in total fantasy value. It's hard to imagine him finishing that low again. Look for a big correction in 2012-13.

Derek Roy                     DAL         

Roy has average a mere 40 points over the last two seasons. 2011 can be explained, since he only played 35 contests and scored 35 points. What happened last year is a mystery. 80 games, 44 points, and a ticket to Dallas. I'm not ready to write off this talented center, particularly since he has a new start and will be feeding Jagr early in the year. Expect a comeback.

Chris Stewart                     STL         

2011-12 was a complete write-off for Stewart, who all but disappeared from the fantasy picture. This followed a couple of seasons where he projected as a top notch power forward. The adjustment to St. Louis has not been easy. He still provides plenty of PIMs, but will need to regain the goal-scoring touch that netted back-to-back 28 goal seasons. You can target him late on the hopes of a comeback season.

Defense

Drew Doughty                     LOS         

Doughty was a colossal disappointment through the first half of last season. By the end of the season, and certainly after lifting the Cup, memories of the big-contract hangover were long gone. Through January 2011, he had managed just 2 goals. He closed the season with 10 goals and 36 points. With a Cup ring on his finger, he is poised to challenge for some personal hardware this time around.

Mike Green                     WAS         

Has there ever been such a dramatic fall from grace for a fantasy hockey superstar? After consecutive seasons with 70+ points, the last two years for Green have been horrific. He hasn't been healthy for a long time, which obviously limited his chances. When he did play, he struggled to understand his role in the new-look controlled Capitals systems. He was the heart of the run and gun Capitals and found himself wondering what his role is. Assuming he's healthy, he still has the raw talent to be a huge fantasy factor. It may come down to Adam Oates and how much of a green light he gives Green. Green claims to be healthy and optimistic about the 2012 coaching situation, so this could be the steal of the draft if you catch him with a mid-round selection.

Tyler Myers                     BUF         

Myers has now recorded 3 season in the NHL and has seen his stats drop each year, following his Calder Trophy year. Last season was largely interrupted by a broken wrist that held him out for all of December. The Sabres came on strong down the stretch last season, as did Myers. Expect a big time bounce back for his fantasy value in 2012-13.