Fantasy Hockey – Who to Pick in Later Rounds

25 Sep 2008 by Craig in Fantasy NHL

While getting ready for your fantasy draft for the up coming season, you need to be prepared to fill out your rosters with players who are not superstars. These players can make or break a fantasy season, and a good sleeper pick can be used in trades or become a superstar. It’s important to fill category needs when playing fantasy hockey, depending on the pool these could be things like plus / minus, penalty minutes and shorthanded points. You will be able to find players who will fill these needs in later rounds you just need to know what you are looking for.

If you missed out on some of the top end goalies and need to find a back up in late rounds here are a few guys you should look at:

Manny Legace – Downfall is that St. Louis isn’t good at all, but Legace is a good goalie and could serve as a backup in most fantasy leagues. He had 5 shutouts last year.

Tim Thomas – I don’t know if he is starting in Boston, but the guy always tends to put up numbers. If Fernandez is healthy Thomas will get less time, but might be worth the risk.

Mathieu Garon – Garon is starting in Edmonton and the Oilers are greatly improved. Mathieu isn’t great, but if Edmonton plays well he may put up the wins of a starter.

When picking goalies pay attention to injuries, if a teams starter go’s down you may be able to pick up the back up for his run in a starting position.

Defenseman are commonly picked in later rounds, when choosing D – men look to fill your needs in plus / minus and penalty in minutes. The worst thing you can have is d – man who is minus a lot.

Kris Letang - There is a lot of injuries on Pittsburgh’s blue line and Letang will no doubt have to play more minutes. He played 63 games last year, but look for him to be with Penguins all year.

Craig Rivet - Rivet went to Buffalo in the off season, he is a steady veteran. He won’t put up anything big for you, but he should be a plus player with chance to get 100 penalty minutes.

Shane O’Brien - Penalty minutes is what this guy will offer you, he has had more then 140 minutes in the last two seasons. Tampa is improved and he should be a plus player this year. He is a true sleeper pick and you should be able to get him in the very late rounds.

Brad Stuart - Numbers weren’t very good last year, but after the trade to Detroit they were improved. Detroit’s d – men tend to have big plus numbers and that is what you’ll get out of Stuart.

Mike Komisarek - Not going to light it up offensively for you, but will get penalty minutes. He plays in Montreal so his plus/minus numbers should be good.

Everyone knows that you need great production out of your forwards to have a good fantasy hockey year. Look for some guys to have bounce back years and some young guys who may produce in the coming year in the late rounds.

Johan Franzen - He was great at the end of last season and through the playoffs. If he can ride that success he might be the best sleeper in your pool. Also look for him to possibly play with Marian Hossa. Franzen could score more then 30 goals this year.

Nikolai Zherdev - All the talent in the world, and he should put up a lot of points. Hopefully the change a scenery to New York will help him realize his potential. He’s a risky pick, but he has the talent to be a point a game player.

Miroslav Satan – He’s in Pittsburgh and should play with Sydney Crosby. Satan is a good player, but playing with Crosby might make him put up numbers beyond his skill level maybe a point a game.

Michael Ryder - He is finally out of Montreal and found a home in Boston. He should get a chance to play with a good center, and he has proven he can score in this league. I think Ryder will re-energize his career with Boston, he could score 30 plus goals.

Daniel Carcillo - If penalty minutes count in your pool you want Carcillo. He had over 300 minutes last year playing with Phoenix. Daniel is a good player in a addition to the penalties, he might be able to put up 40 – 50 points this year.

Nik Antropov - Toronto has no depth in there forward lines making Antropov there best offensive option. Somebody has to get goals for the Maple Leafs and Nik will get the chance playing on the top line and on the power play. His plus/minus might drag down your team this year.

Taylor Pyatt - Might be playing on the top line in Vancouver and get a chance to put up some numbers. Look for him to have a career year this season.

R.J. Umberger - He got traded to Columbus in the off season and will get a chance to play with Rick Nash. He had 50 points last season and I would expect those numbers to be way higher this year.

Ruslan Fedotenko – Another guy who might have chance to play with Crosby in Pittsburgh, Syd makes everyone better around him and Fedotenko might get 50 – 60 points this season.

Well sleeper picks can push your fantasy team to greatness. The first couple of rounds are easy pick and all star and move on, but you can win the pool in the later rounds with just a little research. Don’t be fooled by big names new players come in every year and don’t be tricked to pick players who are past there prime. Hope you find the players you are looking for and have a good season.