NHL Fantasy Hat Trick consist of 6 different installments (6 divisions), where I will answer the same 3 questions for each team. These answers, along with my insight will hopefully help you to further your knowledge in the current hockey world. But better yet, help draft a trade for the right players for the upcoming fantasy hockey season.
Now before I start, I got to say that this concept is hard to write because I am making 3 points for each team, 90 points in total, so it feels like I have 90 different opinions.
Please remember 3 things as you read the six installments;
1) A lot of what I have written is very opinionated
2) I am a very active hockey fantasy player
3) I write hockey because I love to discuss it. So if you don’t like or understand some of my points of view, please comment on the website or at my twitter account and let’s discuss it.
Follow me on twitter @thejazlive
Southeast Division
Washington Capitals
What player should I have on every fantasy hockey team?
Alex Ovechkin – Need I say anything! I just personally hope he breaks the 100 point mark this season, since I have him in a deep 16 team dynasty league, where I have won the league the first two years.
What player should I not have on my fantasy hockey team?
Joel Ward – There has been a lot of hype over Ward because of his performance in last year’s playoffs. But I don’t expect what Ward did in the playoffs; will happen over the course of the season. Matter of fact Ward only recorded 29 points in the regular season, 5 points down from his 34 point performance the year before.
Who could be the sleeper for this team that I should be drafting?
Marcus Johansson – Johansson is the best young forward for the Capitals right now. With Brooks Laich versatility, we could see Johansson get some time as the 2nd line center, while Laich moves over to the wing. Johansson is a good guy to get now for you fantasy teams now, as I project him to be a solid two way forward, capable of playing either the center or wing position.
Tampa Bay Lightning
What player should I have on every fantasy hockey team?
Steven Stamkos – Need I say anything! Best goal scorer in the league for the last two years; some will be drafting Stamkos over Sidney Crosby this season.
What player should I not have on my fantasy hockey team?
Eric Brewer – Brewer fantasy days were over when he left the Edmonton Oilers. Ever since then it’s been low point totals year after year and an unappealing +/-. He is a defensive specialist, no need to draft him at all.
Who could be the sleeper for this team that I should be drafting?
Dwayne Roloson – As Roloson gets older he seems to not slow down at all. Roloson is a sleeper because if you draft him around his ranking, he will get your great value. He’s old, but he is on a high powered offensive team that will get him the lead and in my opinion Roloson is still worth it.
Winnipeg Jets
What player should I have on every fantasy hockey team?
Tobias Enstrom – There are some nice Jets players I want on my fantasy team, but none more than Enstrom. His 38, 32, 50 and 51 point performance in his first 4 seasons have focused my attention on this defensive stud. He has only missed 10 games in 4 years. In my opinion he can carry the load as your first defenseman on your fantasy teams.
What player should I not have on my fantasy hockey team?
Blake Wheeler – His first season of 45 points and a +/- of 36 caught a lot of eyes. But the last two seasons have turned all the eyes away and I think you should two. Package him in a trade to get more value.
Who could be the sleeper for this team that I should be drafting?
Evander Kane – No, this is not Patrick Kane, but Evander, who is skilled enough to put up Patrick Kane like numbers. Kane should break 50 points this season, but what makes him a sleeper is he is skilled enough to break 70+ points.
Carolina Hurricanes
What player should I have on every fantasy hockey team?
Cam Ward – I personally hate when my starters on my fantasy team don’t start because they need a rest. Well you don’t have to worry too much about that with Ward, since he led the NHL last season with 74 games played. I overlooked his bad 2009/10 season and was rewarded with 37 wins last season. He has #1 fantasy goalie stats, even though the Carolina Hurricanes have a tough time making the playoffs.
What player should I not have on my fantasy hockey team?
Alex Ponikarovsky – Will we ever see a 61 point performance by Ponikarovsky again… I don’t think so. Even though he is reunited with former Leaf Tomas Kaberle in Carolina, I wouldn’t expect 50 points from him at all.
Who could be the sleeper for this team that I should be drafting?
Zach Boychuk – Boychuk has all the skill in the world, I just wish he could be kept up longer with the parent club and be given the minutes he deserves. Then he can prove he is worth to start in your fantasy leagues.
Florida Panthers
What player should I have on every fantasy hockey team?
David Booth – I have always like Booth because of his two way play and his ability to score and be physical. Booth has slowed down ever since Mike Richards almost killed him (a little exaggeration there) in 2009/10. Booth came back last season, playing all 82 games. I would draft him as a border line starter or he will be a quality back up fantasy player.
What player should I not have on my fantasy hockey team?
Sean Bergenheim – Bergenheim showed the same playoff attributes as Joel Ward this past season. But same as Ward, both have never amounted to anything worth of fantasy recognition during the regular season.
Who could be the sleeper for this team that I should be drafting?
Mike Santorelli – Santorelli is a sleeper because of his skill, but he will have a tougher time this season because the Florida Panthers had a very busy off season. Santorelli will get you points, but his +/- will hurt you.
If you missed my last installment of the NHL Fantasy Hat Trick please click on this link below to view the Northeast Division.
http://www.rantsports.com/fiveholedive/2011/09/09/nhl-fantasy-hat-trick-northeast-division/
Two days from now I will be publishing the Central Division.
