Sportsnet`s Fantasy Hockey Cheatsheet `09

★ hockey cheatsheet
UMM Presents:
Sportsnet’s Fantasy Hockey Cheatsheet ‘09
By Dan Zaiontz
Fantasy hockey fans take notice, Sportsnet’s hockey experts are about to unlock the secrets to winning
your hockey-pool in ’08-’09; because the sweetest victory comes in defeating your buddies
Sportsnet’s panel selected five NHL players from five fantasy categories
The Superstar, The Young Gun, The Best on the Blueline, The Top Stopper and The Darkhorse.
Sportsnet’s Fantasy Hockey Experts
Nick Kypreos,
John Garrett,
Charlie Simmer,
Garry Galley,
Daren Millard,
Hockey Analyst seen
on Hockeycentral and
Hockeycentral at Noon
on Rogers Sportsnet
Hockey Analyst seen
on Hockeycentral, the
Flames on Sportsnet
West and the Canucks
on Sportsnet Pacific
Hockey Analyst for
the Calgary Flames on
Sportsnet West
Hockey Analyst for the
Ottawa Senators on
Sportsnet East and
Ontario
Host of Hockeycentral
and Hockeycentral
at Noon on Rogers
Sportsnet
Stat Legend: The panel has selected the statistical categories that eac h of their selections wil l help you dominate.
G = Goal s, A = A ssists, PP = Powerplay Points, SH = Shorthanded Points, GW = Game Winning
Goal s, +/- , PIM = Penalty Minutes, W = Win s, SVP = Save Percentage , and SO = Sh utouts.
In the realm of fantasy hockey, there are two unquestionable truths. The first is that making shrewd picks at the
draft will lead to a strong season in the standings and the
second is that Nicklas Lidstrom, if you are lucky enough
to draft him, is sure to be a stud on your defence corps.
When the Detroit Red Wings’ All-Star became the first
European captain to raise the Stanley Cup last June, he
capped off yet another spectacular season – both on the
ice and in fantasy hockey. The perennial Norris Trophy
winner captured his sixth award in 2008 and has been a
rock on fantasy rosters since 1991 averaging a plus-23
over 16 National Hockey League seasons.
At age 38, Lidstrom rarely misses a game and remains an
anchor on Detroit’s veteran blueline as both a defensive
stalwart and an offensive threat – last season he notched 70
points in 76 games.
As the 2008-2009 NHL season approaches, players like
Lidstrom will be top-of-mind for any fantasy General
Manager. Stars of his calibre never go un-noticed in fantasy drafts. Sportsnet’s Fantasy Hockey Cheatsheet ’09
understands that your pool is not won in the early rounds
but later in the draft with those elusive sleeper selections.
Photos: Sportsnet
Enter Rogers Sportsnet hockey analysts and former
NHLers Nick Kypreos, John Garrett, Charlie Simmer,
Garry Galley and Hockeycentral host Daren Millard, with
the inside information that will make you look like a pro.
Sportsnet’s hockey experts can’t promise that you’ll end
up with Nicklas Lidstrom in your buddy’s draft but they
can offer you a shot at fantasy hockey immortality.
42 | fall 2008
Nick Kypreos selects:
The Superstar: Sidney Crosby,
even better. Chara can get you 50-60 points and
he’ll beat the crap out of you. You couldn’t ask for
anything more from your fantasy blueliner.
– You’ve got to believe that Sidney is going to be
motivated, even more so, coming off a Stanley
Cup Final where he was less than spectacular
and his team lost in six games. Surrounding Sid
with great talent makes him a shoe-in for the Art
Ross Trophy and a ‘can’t-miss’ fantasy pick in
‘09. Some fantasy managers might be scared
off by his injury problems last season but that
would be a dumb mistake, and it could cost you
the pool.
The Top Stopper: Evgeni Nabokov,
San Jose Sharks (W, SVP, SO)
Pittsburgh Penguins (G, A, PP, GW)
The Young Gun: David Booth,
Florida Panthers (G, PP)
– Fantasy watchers might be talking about
this kid if he hadn’t played his entire career
in South Florida. He’s a big strong guy who
powers to the net well. Booth is sure to
emerge as a top star in ’09 with more icetime and an increased role in all situations.
Did you know this kid scored 22 goals in
2007-2008? Neither did your buddies.
- Sure, Martin Brodeur nabbed the Vezina last year but
Nabokov was right there in that elite group. He’s three
years younger than Brodeur and he’s got a better team
in front of him. Todd McLellan will play him till he can’t
play anymore, and why not? Coming off a great year,
he proved he can handle the load and he even took on
a leadership role. Need any other reasons to make him
your top-stopper? Yeah, 46 wins in ’07-’08 can’t hurt.
The Superstar:
Sidney Crosby
The Best on the Blueline: Zdeno Chara,
Boston Bruins (G, A, PP, +/-, PIM)
– He spent the summer climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro,
which is neat since this guy’s a rock on defence.
He’s got it all, size, shot, he’s big and physical, he
can play the point, and with more support he’ll be
fall 2008 |
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★ hockey cheatsheet
The Young Gun:
Jonathan Toews
The Best on the Blueline:
The Best on the Blueline: Dion Phaneuf,
– This kid scored 20 goals as a 21 year-old in
Ottawa and now he’s ready to take the next
step in a town where the pressure is off. He’s
got a chance to be a great hockey player and
a new environment will be a welcome change
for this young guy. He won’t be your top pick
in the draft but when everyone else is sorting
through the stiffs, you’ll be able to pull this
rabbit out-of-a-hat.
– Singing the praises of Phaneuf isn’t tough
because any manager in his right mind would
love the chance to add him to the mix. The same
applies to the fantasy world. Dion has another year
of experience and his coach likes to play him tons
of minutes. But who wouldn’t? He’s the guy on
the blueline in Calgary and he’s added nastiness
to his game that hasn’t been seen in years past,
evidenced by his career best 182 penalty minutes.
John Garrett selects:
The Superstar: Mike Richards,
The Top Stopper: Carey Price,
Philadelphia Flyers (G, A, PP, SH, GW, +/-)
Calgary Flames (G, A, PP, SH, +/-, PIM)
Montreal Canadiens (W, SVP, SO)
– Richards signed a big-money, long-term contract in
December and his second-half and playoffs proved he
can take the heat and that he’s the next leader of the
Flyers. He earned his big bucks with an outstanding
performance as the Flyers’ top centre, putting up
numbers certain to get better as his career progresses.
The Kenora, Ontario native is an even-strength and
powerplay threat and drafting him alongside one of his
high-flying Philly team-mates won’t be a mistake.
– The leap from the American Hockey League to the
NHL was a non-issue for Carey Price. He proved he
could be a number-one goalie, even if he stumbled in
the second round. Price should be even better next
year, and that means he’s going to have a regular
season worthy of fantasy league ownership. His savepercentage was amongst the best in the league tied
with the likes of Martin Brodeur and former team-mate
Cristobal Huet. Forgive the cliché, but the price is right
for Carey, if you can nab him early on in the draft.
The Young Gun: Jonathan Toews,
The Darkhorse: Sean Horcoff,
– Toews missed a month of the season and
was still a rookie of the year candidate. He’s
already become a leader on an improving squad
in Chicago and watching him develop beside
Kane, Martin Havlat and Brent Seabrook will be
exciting for hockey fans and fantasy managers
alike. There are a lot of pool points to be had
in Chicago and Toews tops a promising list of
players to consider on your cheatsheet.
– Horcoff was on his way to a career season before
Edmonton lost his services to a knee injury. In
the meantime, the young Oilers made a run for the
playoffs and just missed the post-season. Leading
their young nucleus in ’08-‘09, Horcoff should be
back in a big way and drafting him, likely, will be
a very smart move. Edmonton will be an exciting
team this year, and Horcoff’s numbers will benefit
from their offence-first mentality.
Chicago Blackhawks (G, A, PP, GW)
44 | fall 2008
Edmonton Oilers (G, A, PP)
Charlie Simmer selects:
The Superstar: Sidney Crosby,
Pittsburgh Penguins (G, A, PP, GW)
– Did you see Sidney Crosby in last year’s NHL
playoffs? After an injury-riddled season, he played
like he was back to 100% and his club came close
to topping the mighty Detroit Red Wings in the
Stanley Cup Final. Expect Sid to come back in
’08-‘09 with a new level of desire after getting to the
Finals. How will that translate in your hockey pool?
Crosby will return to that 100-point form and he
should be your top pick.
The Young Gun: Jonathan Toews,
Chicago Blackhawks (G, A, PP, GW)
– He’s a kid coming back from an injury in his
rookie season but don’t expect a sophomore jinx.
Toews didn’t nab the Calder Trophy (that went to
his teammate Patrick Kane) but know this, the two
of them will lift the Blackhawks to new heights
in Chicago when Wrigley Field hosts the Winter
Classic in 2009. JT has 30-goal, 80-point potential
and that will surely be realized this coming season,
when you take him in your draft.
The Best on the Blueline: Dion Phaneuf,
Calgary Flames (G, A, PP, SH, +/-, PIM)
– Phaneuf begins year two under Mike Keenan with
a bigger emphasis on offence. Dion will be a big
part of a re-tooled Flames powerplay which now
includes former Los Angeles King Mike Cammalleri.
We all know Dion can hit and put up points, but
’08-’09 will be Phaneuf’s year in Calgary. His
career-high 60 points last year is a sign of things to
come. A Norris candidate, Phaneuf is ready to win it
this year and lead your fantasy blueline.
Photo: Sportsnet
The Darkhorse: Patrick Eaves,
Carolina Hurricanes (G, A)
Jonathan’s Photo: Keystone Press Agency
Dion Phaneuf
Photo: Keystone Press Agency
★ hockey cheatsheet
The Top Stopper:
Henrik Lundqvist
The Top Stopper: Miikka Kiprusoff,
Calgary Flames (W, SVP, SO)
– No one was harder on Miikka in ’07-’08 than
Miikka. His 39 wins certainly weren’t a source
of disappointment on the Red Mile, but rather
his 26 losses including 10 in overtime. Miikka
posted a career-high in games played with 76
but fans in Calgary want playoff success. As a
fantasy manager, here’s what makes Miikka the
Top Stopper – adversity makes him stronger. He
followed up a Stanley Cup Final defeat in ’04 with
42 wins, post-lockout, and be certain he’ll follow up
a career-high in losses with career numbers in ’09.
The Darkhorse: Daniel Briere,
Philadelphia Flyers (G, A, PP) – His first-year
in Philly was filled with ups-and-downs including
a disappointing minus-22 rating during the regular
season followed by a career-high nine goals in 17
games during a surprising playoff run. Fans expect
more from the diminutive centre and with a talented
young group, he’s sure to improve on his 72 points
in 79 games.
who is coming into 2008-2009 well rested,
motivated, healthy and primed to impress a new
head coach. The former Rocket Richard Trophy
winner should be amongst your top picks in the
draft - not because of what he’s done over his
career, but rather because, some say, he’s still
got another level.
The Young Gun: Anze Kopitar, Los
Angeles Kings (G, A, PP, SH, GW)
– The Los Angeles Kings are now Anze Kopitar’s team af ter Mike Cammalleri was dealt to
Calgar y. This kid is due to have a monstrous
season because he can play in all situations.
His 32 goals and 77 points in 82 games was,
just the beginning for the 21 year-old who,
under a new head coach, has something to
prove. His appearance in the All-Star game in
’08 was the first of many to come. If you need
another reason to draf t Kopitar, it’s the young
nucleus he plays with: Dustin Brown, Patrick
O’Sullivan and Jack Johnson to name a few.
Kopitar isn’t just a top pool selection, he’s a
keeper too.
Garry Galley selects:
The Superstar: Vincent Lecavalier,
The Best on the Blueline: Nicklas Lidstrom,
– On the worst team in the league last season,
Vincent Lecavalier put up 40 goals and 92
points. And things can only get better from
here. Lecavalier is one of those special talents
– Who else would I pick? With yet another Stanley
Cup and Norris Trophy under his belt, Nicklas Lidstrom is a sure-fire Hall-of-Famer, with no indication
that he’s slowing down. Even approaching 39 years
old, the Swede is primed for another strong season
Tampa Bay Lightning (G, A, PP, SH, GW, PIM)
46 | fall 2008
Detroit Red Wings (G, A, PP, SH, +/-)
manning Detroit’s blueline. He just completed the
second of back-to-back plus-40 seasons and he’s
never missed more than six games in one season.
Quite simply, Lidstrom is the best of the best.
The Top Stopper: Henrik Lundqvist,
New York Rangers (W, SVP, SO)
– The only thing Vezina candidate Henrik Lundqvist
has yet to prove is that he can backstop a team
to the Stanley Cup. But in the regular season,
since the lockout, there has been no better player
between the pipes. His 37 wins and ten shutouts in
’07-08 were amongst the best in the league and the
Rangers rewarded his consistency with a six-year
contract extension in February. Lundqvist will be a
Top Stopper for years to come in this league, you’ll
regret not drafting him in ’08-‘09.
The Darkhorse: Mats Sundin,
Unrestricted Free-Agent (G, A, PP, SH, GW)
– Consistency, thy name is Mats Sundin. Every
time Mats steps onto the ice he has the potential to
be a difference-maker. In the pool world, whether
you play on a playoff contender or a bottom-feeder,
it’s your individual numbers that count and that’s
what Sundin has offered fantasy managers since
the early nineties. Even at 37, Sundin can change a
game with his size, strength and playmaking ability;
take a flyer on the big Swede, they say he’s still got
something left in the tank.
The Darkhorse:
Miikka Kiprusoff
The Trash Talker:
Sean Avery
Miikka’s Photo: Sportsnet
Photo: Keystone Press Agency
Daren Millard selects:
The Superstar: Alexander Ovechkin,
Washington Capitals (G, A, PP, GW, +/-)
– He’s the no-brainer at any draft, there’s no doubt.
Alex Ovechkin is physical, fast, he has worse
hair than me but the tipping point is his absolute
unbridled enthusiasm for scoring. Add to the mix
that the Capitals are all about marketing his flash.
A.O. has the green light 24/7 and you should aim to
make him your top pick at all costs. Big contract?
Big pressure? No problem. This kid is a fantasy
difference-maker.
The Young Gun: Fabian Brunnstrom,
Dallas Stars (G, PP)
– Because I have finally accepted Pat Falloon will
not follow through on his potential, I have tagged
Fabian Brunnstrom as the Top Young Gun to look
out for on the Cheatsheet. From You Tube to Texas,
the Dallas Stars won the sweepstakes for this aged
rookie. The Stars have invested, thus he will get
a shot. If the video evidence means anything, he
could be a stellar mid-to-late round selection.
The Best on the Blueline: Kimmo Timonen,
Philadelphia Flyers (G, A, PP)
– Nick Lidstrom is the guy everyone wants, we all know
that. I appreciate that fact, I really do, but I truly dig what
Kimmo Timonen does on the blueline. The Finn is a
steadying force who can play defence without ‘the big
hit’ in his arsenal. His playmaking skills have made him
an offensive threat and that sometimes leaves him out
of position but his quick feet make up for that gamble.
He is one of the top five most under-rated players in the
game and people do appreciate him. Vote Kimmo in
this year’s fantasy draft. Did I mention he’s averaged
45 points per season over the last six years? I knew that
would help.
The Top Stopper: Marty Turco,
Dallas Stars (W, SVP, SO)
– Another big step in last year’s playoffs will only
benefit one of the game’s great personalities. Turco has
confidence, he’s battled through adversity his entire
career and he is back to being the undisputed numberone guy. Oh, and if my character reference isn’t enough,
he hasn’t won less than thirty games in five years.
The Darkhorse: Miikka Kiprusoff,
Calgary Flames (W)
– Stay with me on this one and please know that I
didn’t want to do it. Miikka Kiprusoff was yanked
twice in the playoffs by Dr. Hook and finished
the last game of the first round on the bench.
The normally unflappable Finnish tender never
seemed totally in-sync last season under Mike
Keenan. Coincidence or is there something there?
Know this, another soft opening for the perennial
slow-starter could make for fireworks. That’s why
Kiprusoff falls under the darkhorse category –
because even with a trigger-happy coach, a slow
start and an inconsistent club in front of him, he
still won 39 games. Let’s face it, you could do a
lot worse in goal.
Obscure Fantasy Notables: Sportsnet’s Fantasy Hockey Experts understand that sometimes, winning the hockey pool isn’t about who you draft – it’s
about who you don’t. Here are five of their selections of the players to avoid at your fantasy draft.
The Fantasy No-Show: Ray Emery, Atlant Mytishchi (Russia)– I can’t recall a young star dropping so quickly in such a short period of time. Playing in Russia
might be what he needs to rebuild his professional career, but right now, taking a fantasy flyer on this player would be a big mistake. He’s talented but he’s got to
get his head on straight. – Nick Kypreos
The Puck-Hog: Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta Thrashers – Under a new coach, Kovalchuk might have to learn how to play team defence because right now, he’s a
joke. He has to come back in his own zone and he is not the most renowned passer. Kovalchuk is a glorified cherry picker and under John Anderson, that won’t
continue. – John Garrett
The Injury Risk: Mike Ribeiro, Dallas Stars – After a very good season in Dallas, look for the more physical Western Conference to take notice of Ribeiro. His
numbers no doubt impressed but he lacks size and that may land him on the IR. – Charlie Simmer
The Trash Talker: Sean Avery, Dallas Stars – Avery talks a big game, in fact, more often than not, his mouth gets him more attention than his play on the ice,
but he is no doubt a factor. Just ask Martin Brodeur in the playoffs. But unless your league rewards penalty minutes, Avery’s mouth won’t win you any pools. –
Garry Galley
The Quick Starter: Jason Spezza, Ottawa Senators – Does anyone remember his first-half of the season? It was a distant memory by the time the playoffs
rolled around. Craig Hartsburg (unofficial inventor of the heavy hand) could change the culture in Ottawa using motivation, mixed in with some old-school
inspiration. But Spezza’s disappearing act will be tough to forget. – Daren Millard
NHL fans turn to Sportsnet for regional, high definition coverage of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Ottawa Senators, Calgary Flames, and Edmonton Oilers. In
2008-2009, Sportsnet’s regional NHL schedule will breakdown as follows: 28 Leafs games on Sportsnet Ontario (The Official Broadcaster of the Leafs), 40 Senators games on
Sportsnet East/Ontario, 48 Flames and Oilers games on Sportsnet West, as well as 45 Canucks games (The Official Broadcaster of the Canucks) on Sportsnet Pacific. Hockey fans
follow the latest news and happenings from the NHL by tuning into Hockeycentral weekly, watching Sportsnet Connected nightly, and visiting sportsnet.ca.
fall 2008 |
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