24. Marc Savard - C - Boston Bruins - 31
The 2008 season was another huge season by Savard. The late blooming center was on pace for another 70+ assist season. If you own Savard you will most likely finish in the upper echelon of the assist category yearly. The guy is a magician with the puck, he has extraordinary vision and sees passing lanes where they do not seem to exist. With the talent level improving in Boston, plenty more 90+ point season exist in his future. If anybody can make Michael Ryder a viable fantasy option again, it is Savard.
23. Niklas Lidstrom - D - Detroit Red Wings - 38
The best defenseman of this generation would be in the top 5 if you removed 5 years from his age. With six Norris trophies in the last seven seasons and his sixth 60+ point season in his last eight, Lidstrom continues his elite level production in to his late 30s. He is still a plus/minus machine and one of the most durable fantasy picks of the last decade. The perfect blend of finesse and toughness hangs on to the top 25.
22. Marian Gaborik - RW - Minnesota Wild - 26
Mr. Brittle enters his eighth season of underachievement. Gaborik has unbelievable skills but has never matched the hype of the TUP label. A highly skilled winger with a tremendous burst and laserlike release is always going to have owners shy away because of his inability to stay healthy. With a huge contract on the horizon, expect Gaborik to post a career year, but how will he react to a monster 10 year deal? Be very wary of investing in Mr. Brittle.
21. Thomas Vanek - LW - Buffalo Sabres - 24
Vanek had a down year last year, it was most likely due to his struggle with the huge contract expectations. With the loss of leaders Briere and Drury and the disappearance of Max Afinogenov, Vanek had an unexpected downturn. With fantastic quickness and deadly hands a return to 80+ points is likely. With the Sabres up tempo style Vanek is a good bet to crack 50+ goals in the next couple of years. Definitely on the rise.
20. Ryan Whitney/Sergei Gonchar - D - Pittsburgh Penguins
Whoever quarterbacks the Penguins powerplay is a fantasy monster. Whitney is the future, Gonchar is the present. Is lumping these two together lazy? No, more like I did 85% of the list and then realized I had left Gonchar off because of his injury. This is my creative way of not having to do the whole list over, or agonize over who to drop from 40-50.
19. Evgeni Nabokov - G - San Jose Sharks - 33
The former rookie of the year had a dream season after the departure of Vesa Toskala in 2008. Quick and agile Nabokov should expect a lighter load this season, but I expect this ranking to sink as I do not believe he can repeat last season's numbers. Still an elite goaltender on a team in the upper echelon, but questions about how long he can maintain his prime remain for me.
18. Pavel Datsyuk - C - Detroit Red Wings - 30
A magician with the puck, his vision and array of dazzling moves make him almost unstoppable. When you add his shot and it's laserlike precision, you have a very scary fantasy force. Just entering his prime, Datsyuk registered a career season in 2008 and has not reached his top end potential. I believe Datsyuk has one more gear, but it is just not enough to place him among the absolute elite of the game.
17. Eric Staal - C - Carolina Hurricanes - 24
Was the 100 pt season a fluke? A dominant close to the season in which he averaged over 1.5 PPG would suggest otherwise. A great top gear, the gigantic pivot is a handful down low and when presented with open space, releases a bullet shot that gives goaltenders nightmares. With a little more passion added to his game, Staal can break into the elite centers of the game. Scary to think that this kid has 3-4 years before he reaches his prime.
16. Marian Hossa - RW - Detroit Red Wings - 29
Hossa followed up a monster season in 2007 with a lacklustre effort in his Free Agent season. Hossa has strong instincts and uses change of pace to create openings for his quick release. He is among the elite right wingers of the game, which helps his ranking. Would I trade him straight up for Staal if he was a center? No, but his eligibility on the right wing definitely increases his value.
15. Mike Green - D - Washington Capitals - 23
Effortless skater exploded on the scene last season. Green possesses an elite rushing ability and can change the pace of a game through the back end. Is he on the same level as Dion Phaneuf? It is really irrelevant, because if you add his production from last season and his age, most keeper league owners will ask for the moon for Green. The Ovechkin factor only increases his inflated value. Green may have overshot his actual value, and I would not be surprised to see him fall before he rises once again.
14. Henrik Zetterberg - LW - Detroit Red Wings - 28
Zetterberg's determination was on full display in the Stanley Cup Finals last season, his 5 on 3 performance was the defining performance of the playoffs for me. With superb instincts, speed, finishing ability and vision added to the determination, Zetterberg becomes a very serious fantasy player. Another 90+ point season is in the offing. But I have a feeling that we have seen his offensive ceiling.
13. Carey Price - G - Montreal Canadiens - 21
Just another superstar goaltender spit out by the Canadiens goaltending factory. Price's ascension to the elite of the NHL has been meteoric. An unbelievable 2006 saw him win every award possible in junior, as well as dominate the AHL. Once he forced Huet out of town Price put up one of the greatest statistical seasons by a 20 year old goalie in NHL history. His butterfly style when combined with his lateral quickness leaves very little for NHL shooters to see. A dedication to diet and the gym in the off season increased his fitness level and quickness and resulted in a 30+ lb drop. Poised to be the best goaltender in fantasy within the next 2-3 years.
12. Jason Spezza - C - Ottawa Senators - 25
I despise Jason Spezza, and will never own him in any of my fantasy leagues. Let's say he registers very high on my Patrick Lalime scale. But the guy is extremely productive. An elite playmaker with great vision, Spezza's flashy play and soft demeanor may be a negative in the real NHL, but his elite production in fantasy is not. Spezza is a lock to average over a PPG, and has not reached his potential yet. The problem is wether he will ever unlock his full potential? If so, look out.
11. Henrik Lundqvist - G - NY Rangers - 26
King Henrik has started his NHL career with 3 straight 30+ win seasons and is a three time Vezina trophy finalist. Lundqvist is agile and covers a ton of net due to his flexibility and reflexes. Poised and competitive, Lundqvist possesses all the qualities that are desired in an elite goaltender. He rarely overpursues and the flair for the spectacular make him a favourite among keeper owners and the denizens of the Garden.
10. Dion Phaneuf - D - Calgary Flames - 23
If you own Phaneuf in a keeper league, you are most likely inundated with calls about the availability of the future Norris winner. Tough as nails and just as determined, Phaneuf is still in education mode and when he matures look out. A strong puck handler who possesses an absolute cannon for a shot, Phaneuf should anchor the Flames powerplay for the next 15 years, and if you are fortunate your defense corp as well.
9. Dany Heatley - LW - Ottawa Senators - 27
With two 50 goal/100+ point season on his resume, Heatley is just entering his prime. Has enjoyed a fruitful relationship as Spezza's triggerman. Is adept at finding and creating open space, with a heavy quick release Heatley has become one of the elite snipers in the game. Coming off a tournament MVP in the World Championships, it is going to be interesting to see if Heatley can access one more gear.
8. Vincent Lecavalier - C - Tampa Bay Lightning - 28
Vinny finally reached his TUP in 2007 and made a bid for the best player in the NHL early last year. An classic pivot in the mold of Jean Beliveau, he uses his size to physically challenge defenders and is able to freeze the opposition with his ability to change pace. Major shoulder surgery is a concern, but also may open the door for you to acquire him from a nervous owner.
7. Jarome Iginla - RW - Calgary Flames - 31
The elite right wing in the game, Iginla is your prototypical power forward and is indispensible in a league that counts PIMs. An explosive skater who plays in your face and physically imposes his will on defenders. The deadly sniper has begun to round out his game with the emergence of a patient side that has improved his playmaking ability. Although he is about to enter the tail end of his prime, to acquire him you would have to sell your soul.
6. Joe Thornton - C - San Jose Sharks - 29
Amazing to think that Thornton is only 29. I guess technically Thornton should be below Brad Stuart, Marco Sturm and Wayne Primeau. That deal that would have started a fist fight among friends if it was made in a fantasy keeper league. Thornton is one of those rare players that when somebody is moved to his line waiver wires light up with his winger de jour. Jonathon Cheechoo anyone? Equipped with elite vision, he controls the pace better than any center in the game and the only thing keeping him from number one is motivation or a little anger.
5. Roberto Luongo - G - Vancouver Canucks - 29
After a breakout season in 2007, Luongo was plagued by inconsistencies and a depleted defense core last season. His inability to build off his breakthrough season is cause for concern. His combination of size, quickness, anticipation, lateral movement and technique make him a candidate to dominate any team on any night. With his skill set keeper league owners covet Luongo making him virtually untouchable. With Price and Lundqvist nipping at his toes, Luongo needs to step it up this season or his ranking will suffer.
4. Ilya Kovalchuk - LW - Atlanta Thrashers - 25
Matched in explosiveness and fire by only Alexander the Gr8. A wizard with the puck, Kovalchuk arguably possesses the best finishing ability in the NHL. With the ability to shift gears at will, his one on one bursts are a joy to watch. 40+ goals is almost a guarantee, if the Thrashers can ever surround him with elite level talent to round out his playmaking ability, Kovalchuk will ascend to even greater heights.
3. Evgeni Malkin - C - Pittsburgh Penguins - 22
Malkin grabbed the reigns when Crosby went down last season and rapidly rose to the elite of the fantasy ranks. An outrageous 3rd quarter of the season saw Malkin average 1.71 PPG and lifted him from Crosby's immense shadow. A slick, athletic puckhandler, Malkin has the ability to use his large frame to create space, and with that space to bury his opportunities. A cornerstone for a keeper league franchise who still has the ability to ratchet it up a few more levels.
The top two spots were the easiest positions on this list to chart. But the difficulty came with who deserved the top slot. Choosing between the two was like the Jolie/Pitt twins choosing which breast to feed from, you really can't go wrong.
2. Alexander Ovechkin - LW - Washington Capitals - 23
I have to admit, the passion and exuberance with which Ovechkin plays the game is fun to watch. His unbelievable competitive streak lead Alex the Gr8 to one of the most dynamic seasons of all time. A great sniper with the ability to create from almost nothing, Ovechkin's explosiveness and physical play may wear down his body over time. A dynamic player who may top this list in the coming calendar year, but not in October.
1. Sidney Crosby - C - Pittsburgh Penguins - 21
It is amazing the expectation level placed on Sid the Kid and how quickly people were looking for his replacement. The joy of watching Ovechkin in 2008 lead many to feed off Crosby's faults and annoint a new MVP. But in a keeper league my money is on Crosby. One must not forget that Crosby is two years behind Ovechkin's development, and already has two 100+ point seasons and would have accrued three if not for injury. I got a feeling that Crosby has two to three more gears that we have not seen and within a year will be the undisputed NHL MVP.
Or until November, when everything could change
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