Fantasy Hockey – Let’s Get Started

24 Sep 2008 by Craig in Fantasy NHL

The season is upon us, therefore its time to prepare for the Fantasy NHL season. Drafts will happen soon and its up to you to get the players who will have the best years. Of course there are some easy picks out there, but I am going to take you through what should be the top 15 picks in your draft. All fantasy leagues are different and some picks may vary depending on the rules of the league. This list will help you get an idea of the direction you should head in. Lets get the mock draft started the 1st overall pick is ….

1 – Alexander Ovechkin - You can expect 50 plus goals and 100 plus points from Alex. Ovechkin had 400 plus shots last season and a very respectable plus 28. The cast around him is getting better and should help his numbers even more. Ovechkin is the best goal scorer in the NHL and you can’t overlook him at the first pick.

2 – Sydney Crosby - Injured last year, but look for “Syd the Kid” to get back to 100 points this year. Crosby might be the best player in hockey and if anyone will put up a crazy amount of points it might be him. If Syd is healthy mark down 35 goals and at least 100 points. In a lot pools Crosby might even go 1st overall.

3 – Martin Brodeur – The first goalie on the board, Brodeur can be counted on for 40 plus wins. He may not have the best numbers for a goalie at year end, but he is the safest goalie pick. Brodeur plays almost every game for New Jersey, and you can look for him to have a goals against average in the low twos.

4 – Evgeni Malkin – Proved last year that he is a true MVP like player in the NHL. I am not sure his year will be as good as it was last year, but he has the ability to score 50 goals and get 100 points. Malkin had 40 points on the power play last year and look for the numbers to be around the same.

5 – Jerome Iginla - After Ovechkin, Iginla is the best goal scorer in hockey. He can have 50 goals easy this year and 90 plus points. Jerome had 9 game winning goals last year and leads Calgary on the power play. Iginla is a solid pick at 5, but don’t be tempted to take him any earlier then that.

6 – Henrik Zetterberg - Conn Smythe trophy winner last season, Henrik has the ability to score 50 goals for the Red Wings. Zetterberg is a good pick at 6 because he plays in all situation for the Wings, he will get you power play points and some short handed goals. His plus minus will be high, Zetterberg might the most consistent fantasy player in all categories.

7 – Dany Heatley - Had some injury problems last season, but Dany is a pure goal scorer. Last season 82 points in just 71 games, a healthy Heatley scores 50 this season. Ottawa should play an offensive game this year, and Dany should get the opportunity to rack up the points on the power play.

8 – Henrik Lundqvist – The Rangers are good and Lundqvist should get 70 plus starts this year. He led the league with 10 shutouts last season, and should post more then 40 wins this year. If Lundqvist gets close to 10 shutouts again this year he will be an excellent pick at number 8.

9 – Pavel Datsyuk – Like Zetterberg, Datsyuk will play in all situations for the Wings. Pavel can easily get 30 goals and may lead the league in assists this year. His plus / minus is always near the top of the league and he will record more then 30 power play points. Datsyuk may not score you a lot of goals, but is a great pick if can get him at 9.

10 – Vincent Lecavalier – The Lightning have improved, and that will only make Vinny’s numbers better. Lecavalier performed well short handed last season and will easily put up 30 plus power play points this year. 300 plus shots and 40 plus goals should be expected out of Vinny this season.

11 – Daniel Alfredsson - The Senators captain will not have the most points for you, but the biggest perk of picking Alfredsson is his shorthanded production. He had 9 shorthanded points last season and will produce on the power play as well.

12 – Joe Thornton - If you need assists Thornton is your man. In a lot of pools he will be picked inside the top 10, so you might get good value if you can get him at 12. Joe led the league with 67 assists last year, but he did manage to score 5 game winning goals. Don’t be tempted to pick him to early 12 is a good spot for Thornton to go.

13 – Roberto Luongo – Don’t expect Luongo to last until pick 13, but if he does pick him. Roberto is a work horse and will play almost every game in Vancouver, the problem is Vancouver isn’t very good. The wins might be down this year, but he should get 5 plus shutouts and have a good save percentage.

14 – Ilya Kovalchuk - Pure goal scorer, but that’s it, expect 50 goals, but not a lot of assists. Atlanta is a bad team therefore his plus / minus will struggle. He will be great value at the 14th pick, but no doubt someone in your pool will pick him earlier then this. He can contribute a good amount of power play points.

15 – Nicklas Lidstrom – The Red Wings captain has to be the 1st defenseman taken in any fantasy draft. He will be plus 40 or better and get you the power play points that most good forwards would. Nick can easily get a point a game and will be a great pick if you can get him at 15.

That’s the first 15 picks has I see them, good luck with your fantasy season.