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
Northwest Division
Vancouver Canucks
What player should I have on every fantasy hockey team?
Ryan Kesler – For obvious reasons the Sedin twins are players that you should have on your fantasy team. But Kesler is has now moved into that category, after a 41 goal performance last season. It looks like Kesler can make the opener this season, but I don’t expect a hot start from Kesler off the bat. But still, long term, this guy is golden. Roberto Luongo is another player you should have on all your fantasy teams as well.
What player should I not have on my fantasy hockey team?
Maxim Lapierre – It is hard to choose a player that I don’t want from a team that is deep in all aspects of the game. But I choose Lapierre because he is buried in the depth charts, down the middle of the ice for the Canucks.
Who could be the sleeper for this team that I should be drafting?
Cody Hodgson – Hodgson has the skills to be considered a sleeper this year, but with the depth of the Vancouver Canuck forwards, I am worried he is not going to get enough minutes to produce points for you fantasy team. If you own him, our only hopes are that someone gets injured over the year.
Calgary Flames
What player should I have on every fantasy hockey team?
Jarome Iginla – Even though Iginla is aging, he is still putting up point per game stats, even with the line mates he has.
What player should I not have on my fantasy hockey team?
Olli Jokinen – It all depends on where you draft this guy that makes him valuable. A lot of people draft him by his ranking because he plays on the first line with Iginla. But if you see Jokinen still there after a round or two after his ranking, then I say go get him. But don’t over pay or over draft from Jokinen because in my opinion he is not worth it.
Who could be the sleeper for this team that I should be drafting?
Mikael Backlund – If Backlund can steal the 1st line center position away from Jokinen, this will boost his fantasy value through the roof. I will be drafting and trading for him… how about you?
Minnesota Wild
What player should I have on every fantasy hockey team?
Dany Heatley – I believe Heatley has been given another necessary new start and he could very well gel with his new line mates in Minnesota. If so, he is one that you will want on all your fantasy teams.
What player should I not have on my fantasy hockey team?
Just about every Minnesota Wild Defenseman!!!
Who could be the sleeper for this team that I should be drafting?
Pierre-Marc Bouchard – Bouchard has most certainly has had an up and down career. He could give you 30 points or surprise us with 60 points. You will need to follow Bouchard closely this season to see if he shows signs of a sleeper performance.
Colorado Avalanche
What player should I have on every fantasy hockey team?
Matt Duchene – No sophomore slump for Duchene last season; I say get him before he becomes a top tier draft choice.
What player should I not have on my fantasy hockey team?
Ryan O’Reilly – O’Reilly is a streaky player and the fact that he is sitting behind Duchene and Paul Stastny in the depth charts. This does not make me optimistic that O’Reilly can be a fantasy productive player.
Who could be the sleeper for this team that I should be drafting?
Peter Mueller – If healthy throughout the year, Mueller could very well reach his 54 performance he put up in 2007/08, as he will play a top six role in Colorado this year.
Edmonton Oilers
What player should I have on every fantasy hockey team?
Ryan Whitney – There is plenty of studs to choose from, but I am not sure which forward I would want on every fantasy team of mine. But what I do know is Whitney will be the go to guy that will help lead the rush for the Oilers on the back end. If Whitney keeps healthy down the road, he could go back to registering 50 point seasons.
What player should I not have on my fantasy hockey team?
Tom Gilbert – In the last three seasons Gilbert went from 45 to 31 to 26 points and his +/- isn’t getting better either. I’m sure there are better options out there than Gilbert.
Who could be the sleeper for this team that I should be drafting?
The 4 Kids – Taylor Hall, Sam Gagner, Jorden Eberle or Magnus Paajarvi… take your pick, any one of these players could but up some serious points this season.
