Keeper Rankings

Keeper Rankings January

2009-02-07T20:42:00.001-08:00

Once again this list is a resource to gauge trade value for the majority of superstars in the NHL. The idea behind it is number 50 was a player I would not trade for number 49, number 49 was a player I would not trade for 48 all the way to the number one player, a player who I would not trade straight up for any other individual.

I also take the approach of a team in the middle of the pack, a team neither contending or in full rebuild mode. A team that may be a Jarome Iginla away from jumping into the upper echelon and may mortgage a future star like Stamkos for him, but also a team that may decide a deal like that would be counter productive and remain patient and hope Stamkos emerges relatively quickly.

This was my original idea behind the monthly ranking. Earlier in the season I got away from this and created a list that can be routinely found anywhere else. I am not giving you some statistical based top 350 keeper list that requires no more effort than punching in numbers and allowing excel to calculate the data. I am individually going through each of these players and assessing whether or not I would realistically deal them for their immediate predecessor on the list.

I believe rotisserie is the best way to run a fantasy pool so my thought process is based upon roto categories, but because of the abundance of different categories that differ from pool to pool I am mainly ranking their overall fantasy potential. Do not expect a guy who may score highly in standard yahoo leagues to automatically appear on this list because they dominate in Shots on Goal and PIMs. if your league uses neither category that player may get drafted or traded to you based on poor information. I am looking for players with high end offensive potential and franchise goaltenders.

This list is my perspective, I have been wrong on players before. Agree or disagree, but I approach fantasy hockey like I would poker. I analyze my position and make my decision. Once it has been made I do not look back, I know with my lack of a crystal ball that some decisions will lose, but at the end of the day I know the majority of my decisions will not. When all is said and done and I list all my decisions, the good will far outweigh the bad, and I can live with that.

On to the list for January

50. Derick Brassard - C - CBJ

Brassard was on his way up this chart one month ago, but with his latest injury I am beginnig to worry about his durability and future place on the Marian Havorik All-Stars

49. Patrick Marleau - C - SJS

Marleau+Wilson equals no list, Marleau - Wilson equals number 49. Marleau is an elite level player who has been given a second life.

48. Devin Setoguchi - RW - SJS

When Joe Thornton is injured for 15 games and Setoguchi continues to produce, then I will believe. Until then he is Rob Brown to me and will most likely remain cemented at the base of this list.

47. Anze Kopitar - C - LAK

I find myself being impatient with the young King, he has all the tools, but my impatience is getting the better of me. If I owned him, it would be a good time to come knocking because I may make a shortsighted decision. Fortunately for me, I don't own him, so it's not my problem.

46. David Krejci - C- BOS

Three years ago a Bruin fan in our pool drafted Krejci and everybody had no idea who he was. Not anymore, huge breakout season for the Czech center who is one of the main reasons behind the Bruins monster first half.

45. Olli Jokinen - C - PHX

No excuses this season, tons of young firepower in Phoenix, where have you gone Olli Jokinen from 2006?

44. Alexander Semin - C - WAS

One more injury away from joining Marian Gaborik and a place far from this list.

43. Steve Mason - G - CBJ

Mason is putting up a season for the ages, enough to debut, but not enough for me to push him to far up the chart. The ghosts of Steve Penney, Jim Carey and Patrick Lalime still haunt me. Especially you LALIME!!

42. Sergei Gonchar - D - PIT

I think the absence of Gonchar is understated in the Pens recent slide into mediocrity. When you cannot transition from your own zone to players like Malkin and Crosby you hamper their ability to create at full speed. With all due respect to Letang, Whitney and Goligoski, they are not Gonchar who has been one of the best offensive defensemen of the last 15 years.

41. Evgeni Nabokov - G - SJS

And I'm freeeeee, freeeee fallllin. Any questions, refer to here.

40. Marc Andre Fleury - G - PIT

When the majority of your value is attached to your team's future potential, and that team is falling faster than Nicole Kidman's face, your ranking will be affected.

39. Mikko Koivu - C - MIN

Koivu started the season with 9 points in three games, and has registered 31 in his last 39 games, good, but not great enough to trade him for those above him on this list.

38. Brian Campbell - D - CHI

You know you have exceeded expectations when you are on pace for 61 pts and are considered a disappointment by some.

37. Andrei Markov - D - MTL

You have to wonder what type of season he would be having if the Canadiens powerplay was clicking like the previous two seasons. Probably would be a lot higher on this list.

36. Steven Stamkos - C - TB

Oh the siren song of youth. He has not earned this by his play in the NHL, but if I was a middle of the pack team and somebody offered me all the players above him on this list, I would pull the trigger in an instant.

35. Paul Stastny - C - COL

I am interested to see how Stastny reacts when he returns. It is never easy replacing a legend in Colorado. Ask Jose Theodore and Jake Plummer how it went.

34. Niklas Backstrom - C - WAS

I don't think this kid needs Ovechkin to succeed in the future, but his production is probably advanced because of him. I don't think that his and Ovechkin's slow start were a coincidence.

33. Nicklas Backstrom - G - MIN

Until his contract situation is settled in Minnesota I cannot really recommend him long term. A long term contract with the Leafs would totally change his future outlook and production.

32. Eric Staal - C - CAR

A 100 pt season at 21 years old is not supposed to be an albatross around your neck. But the question exists, was that a one year abberation? Is Staal just an 80 pt player?

31. Rick Nash - LW - CBJ

Almost there Rick, keep pushing, you can do it. I have been waiting for Nash to hit 82 points for 2 years now, with the young talent finally rising to the surface I think this is the year.

30. Phil Kessel - LW - BOS

I have never seen a player respond to a benching the way Kessel did in the first round last season. He has scored 27 goals in 45 games since the embarrasment of last post season and is finally living up to the hype of the US Sidney Crosby.

29. Simon Gagne - LW - PHI

Gagne has NEVER played a full season, with his concussion history added to that I will remain leary for now. If I owned him I would trade him, outside of his 47 goal year riding shotgun with Forsberg he has never produced at this level.

28. Pavel Datsyuk - C - DET

It must be easy for Datsyuk to see the passing lanes with his giant eyes. If he was an actor he would be Marty Feldman. Why couldn't his parents have given him the Russian name Igor? Screw it, from now on he is Eyegor Datsyuk.

27. Jonathan Toews - C - CHI

Johnny T!! He is one of the players who I WOULD overpay for, the other one is Carey Price. What can I say, there is nothing wrong with a hetero man crush, barring it is a professional athlete not named Mike Piazza, and yes members of the WNBA count as man crushes.

26. Dan Boyle - D - Sharks

I am still amazed that the Lightning dealt him for two cents on the dollar. So why is everybody convinced that Lecavalier will fetch 4 players + 2-3 picks?

25. Henrik Zetterberg - LW - DET

Zetterberg is good, but would any of you deal him for Savard, Carter, Parise, Kane, Weber, Richards, Spezza, Vanek etc? And if you would, how tortorous of a decision would it be?

24. Marc Savard - C - BOS

Nobody sees the passing lanes like Savard, but this is likely as good as he will ever get, he is a victim of the maturation of the 2003 Draft.

23. Corey Perry - RW - ANA

Future is bright for the burgeoning power forward, let's see if Bobby Ryan nipping at his heels can light a fire under his ass in the second half.

22. Jeff Carter - C - PHI

Oops, almost wrote C - TOR. Why do Leaf fans hate Sundin and McCabe and not Kaberle? Sundin is rumoured to have cost the Leafs Higgins, McCabe cost them nothing and Kaberle is rumoured to have cost them Carter. I know I would be pissed off if I bled Blue, Blanc et Lose.

21. Zach Parise - LW - NJD

How would this guy produce if he had been drafted by the Flyers and not the Devils? It is not often that a Devils forward produces more than 90 points.

20. Patrick Kane - RW - CHI

I think Stamkos would sell his soul for Patrick Kane's rookie production right about now. I thought Kane would struggle because of lack of physical strength last year, sorry, there was a typo on my Biff Tannen Almanac.

19. Thomas Vanek - LW - BUF

Vanek is a goal scoring machine, but he needs to step up other aspects of his game to push forward.

18. Shea Weber - D - NAS

Although his production has slowed Weber has flashed enough of his future brilliance to make him close to untradeable. I am giddy at the prospect of Phaneuf and Weber anchoring Canada's defense in 2010. As much as Russia was full credit for their World Championship victory, Canada will not be starting Cam Ward and Pascal Leclaire in goal, add in Crosby, Iginla, Lecavalier, Richards and Carter, with Boyle, Weber, Pronger and Phaneuf on the back end and I have a feeling it may be a little different two years from now.

17. Mike Richards - C - PHI

Richards has a dirty streak in him, but in a Doug Gilmour way. You hate to play him, but you would take 10 of him for your own team. Dogged and determined, this kid will be captain of the National Team one day.

16. Jason Spezza - C - OTT

I cannot stand the way he plays the game, luckily in fantasy that doesn't matter. He is really undervalued right now and at 25 years old is far from finished. Don't get stuck in the present, he has the track record of a fantasy stud and when he finishes sulking will return to his productive ways.

15. Vincent Lecavalier - C - TB

Vinnie, Viiiiiiiinnie, ain't it time you came back hooooooome. Did Bob call you on the phoooone?

14. Marian Hossa - RW - DET

Hossa is one of the most complete fantasy players out there. But I always feel like he is not giving me everything. I think it stems from all of his playoff disppearances with the Sens. This is probably to low, but I think he is underappreciated by every fantasy owner.

13. Dion Phaneuf - D - CGY

Phaneuf is having an off year with a drastic reduction in goal production as well as PIMs, but he is a victim of great years by Mike Green, Ryan Getzlaf and Carey Price. Still a player you can build around, and most likely a player who will rebound in the second half.

12. Mike Green - D - WAS

Green is averaging a point per game, those are Gonchar, Lidstrom numbers and invaluable on the back end. Owning Green in a points league is like having an extra defenseman.

11. Ryan Getzlaf - C - ANA

Getzlaf started the season at number 33. His explosive start has carried Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan to fantasy prominence and has pushed him to the verge of the top 10.

10. Carey Price - G - MTL

These stats at this age on a team that looks to be a contender for the forseable future? With the talent in the Canadiens pipeline, he is going to remain here for a long time. I see a Roberto Luongo type future.

9. Henrik Lundqvist - G - NYR

The King is having an off year, but 40 games is not enough to write off three straight Vezina nominations. For now he holds off Carey Price.

8. Jarome Iginla - RW - CGY

Still the premier RW in hockey, but if somebody called and offered me Ryan Getzlaf it wouldn't be an easy decision, one month from now it may even show in these rankings.

7. Dany Heatley - LW - OTT

It will take more than a poor 40 games to alter my perception of a 4 times 40+ goal, 2 time 100 point scorer. Ottawa is a mess, but Heatley is still a stud.

6. Joe Thornton - C - SJS

The underappreciated superstar. Thornton is a monster in point leagues and his biggest drawback in roto pools are a lack of PIMs and shots on goal.

5. Ilya Kovalchuk - LW - ATL

Don't be concerned about Kovalchuk's performance. He is pouting. But he is the most dynamic player in the NHL not named Alexander Ovechkin. Those two are the only two players in the NHL who scare the shite out of me in a tie game late in the third. When he finally gets dealt to a contender, look out.

4. Roberto Loungo - G - VAN

Still the top fantasy goaltender in the game by a mile. Now if he can only work a personal groin masseuse expense into his contract.

Ah, the top 3, a contentious subject as everybody has their opinion on who the best player in fantasy is. Not only does it get confused with who the best player in hockey is, but what I have discovered through this blog is that fantasy owners have very short memories. So short in fact that the majority of you cannot remember who is at number 6 without scrolling up. With short memories owners tend to forget about last season which can lead to big mistakes.

I have received emails in response to my list telling me how wrong I am to list Crosby at the top because as it is right now, the flavour of the day is Evgeni Malkin. Malkin is the best, Ovechkin is second and Crosby 3rd. A lot of this perception is based on what the stat sheet indicates on January 17th. But a lot of it has to do with the hype that Crosby has failed to live up to. But if you want to find a more productive 18-20 year old you have to look back to Wayne Gretzky. When statistics are adjusted to deal with the different eras Crosby favourably compares to Mario Lemieux, and outdistances Malkin and Ovechkin at those ages. Are these things that should be outright ignored because they did not happen last week?

In order to get the proper perspective on Crosby's numbers in comparison to Lemieux and Gretzky, I adjusted the numbers to reflect if they played in an NHL where 252 goals were scored per team not 300+. With this adjustment Gretzky's rookie total dropped from 137 to 121 and Lemieux's from 102 to 81.

What would Crosby's rookie totals look like if goalie's looked like this...

instead of this.....

Once again I adjusted Lemieux and Gretzky's numbers to compare to Crosby as a 19 year old.

As a second year pro he outdistanced Lemieux significantly and approached Gretzky's rarified air which resulted in the NHL MVP award. So before the age of 20 Crosby has registered two seasons that compared favourably with two of the greatest scorers of all-time. While Crosby was registering these numbers Ovechkin and Malkin had not even attempted an NHL shift. These numbers are conveniently shoved under the rug one and a half seasons later?

A legitimate comparison is not possible until the age of 20 where Malkin, Crosby and Ovechkin all registered their stats in the National Hockey League.

At this point Gretzky's production is literally off the chart, but Crosby still compares favourably to Lemieux and before his injury outdistances Malkin and Ovechkin's debut seasons. There are adjustment factors that have to be taken into account with Ovechkin and Malkin, but the point remains that the proper comparable is not Crosby today, but Crosby to Ovechkin in 2006 and Malkin in 2007. It is easy to forget this and maintain a what have you done for me lately attitude, but you would be overlooking an important factor in Crosby's progress.

At 21 Gretzky and Lemieux begin to pull away, but Crosby's production is on par with Ovechkin's MVP season and Malkin's breakout from last year. All this while everybody wonders what's wrong with Sidney. With all the hype surrounding the Crosby Lottery and Gretzky's assertion that Crosby could break his records it is easily forgotten that Crosby while in his 4th year is still only 21 years old. So while most people just assume that Malkin and Ovechkin are the superior players, try to keep things in perspective and realize that Crosby still has a year to two years to progress before he is on equal footing with Malkin and Ovechkin. In the next two years he will physically mature, he will gain valuable experience in reading the play and in time the game will slow down for him.

So for January my top 3 remains the same.

3. Evgeni Malkin - C - PIT

2. Alexander Ovechkin - LW - WAS

1. Sidney Crosby - C - PIT

Keeper Rankings December - Part One

2008-12-09T13:25:00.001-08:00

A slight change in the Keeper list for December. This list started off before the season as a resource to gauge trade value for the majority of superstars in the NHL. The idea behind it was number 50 was a player I would not trade for number 49, number 49 was a player I would not trade for 48 all the way to the number one player, a player who I would not trade straight up for any other individual.

I also tried to take the approach of a team in the middle of the pack, a team neither contending or in full rebuild mode. A team that may be a Jarome Iginla away from jumping into the upper echelon and may mortgage a future star like Stamkos for him, but also a team that may decide a deal like that would be counter productive and remain patient and hope Stamkos emerges relatively quickly.

This was my original idea behind the monthly ranking. In November I got away from this and created a list that can be routinely found anywhere else. I am not giving you some statistical based top 350 keeper list that requires no more effort than punching in numbers and allowing excel to calculate the data. I am individually going through each of these players and assessing whether or not I would realistically deal them for their immediate predecessor on the list.

I believe rotisserie is the best way to run a fantasy pool so my thought process is based upon roto categories, but because of the abundance of different categories that differ from pool to pool I am mainly ranking their overall fantasy potential. Do not expect a guy who may score highly in standard yahoo leagues to automatically appear on this list because they dominate in Shots on Goal and PIMs. if your league uses neither category that player may get drafted or traded to you based on poor information. I am looking for players with high end offensive potential and franchise goaltenders.

This list is my perspective, I have been wrong on players before. Agree or disagree, but I approach fantasy hockey like I would poker. I analyze my position and make my decision. Once it has been made I do not look back, I know with my lack of a crystal ball that some decisions will lose, but at the end of the day I know the majority of my decisions will not. When all is said and done and I list all my decisions, the good will far outweigh the bad, and I can live with that.

On to the revamped list for December

50. Nicklas Lidstrom - D – DET
Nobody has fallen harder down this list than Nicklas Lidstrom. I tried to offer the proper amount of respect to the best defenceman of this generation, but I would have no use for a 39 year old defenseman if I was in 10th place in a 20 team league. What is the point of a 70 pt defenseman on a middle of the pack team? To move up to 4th? Do you give up Phil Kessel for a shot at 4th place? I love Lidstrom and would jump all over an opportunity to acquire him if I was a contender, but he hangs on to 50th in this list based on his history, 39 year olds not named Barry Bonds generally are already well into their descent.

49. Jason Pominville – C – BUF
The city of Pominville population Rick Jeaneret are probably not happy with this ranking, but I never thought Pominville would surpass his 68 pt season in 2007 and was shocked with last seasons production. I need convincing and remain open minded if Pominville can match last seasons production.

48. Niklas Backstrom – G – MIN
Backstrom deserves to be on this list and I made sure to assure his debut in December. I know he has talent, I watched him steal a game against the Canadiens at the Phone Booth in October, but playing under Jacques Lemaire tends to exagerrate your statistics and until he has locked down a contract with the Wild going forward and does not cash out at 7M per season to solve the goaltending woes of the Toronto Maple Leafs he will stay put in the high 40s.

47. Mikko Koivu – C – MIN
The younger Koivu enjoyed a monster start to the 2009 season and tailed off. He has just begun to produce again and is a definite contender for breakout player of the year. I am still struggling trying to figure out his ceiling, playing in the Wild’s stifling system just makes it more difficult. That little bit of doubt is enough that I would be hesitant to pull the trigger on those rated ahead of him.

46. Phil Kessel – RW – BOS
The US Sidney Crosby struggled to find his way in the NHL, but in season three he has finally begun to live up to his World Junior hype. A 12 game scoring streak and 19 goals in his last 29 games have him on a 50+ goal pace. A gifted playmaker and scorer, Kessel earned his place on this list, when the 20 year old shows me more consistency he will rocket up this chart.

45. Derrick Brassard – C – CBJ
Brassard leap frogs the player who was drafted directly ahead of him in the 2006 draft. Both have futures that could link them with Superstars in Marc Savard and Rick Nash. They both took different paths to the NHL and Brassard gets the one position nod because I was not exposed to his warts for two seasons before his debut. I have also been impressed with his production in relation to his ice time. This kid is going to be good.

44. Devin Setoguchi – RW- SJS
Is Setoguchi Jonathon Cheechoo 2.0? Glen Murray from 2003? Is he the next great forward? Or is he going to be Jonathon Cheechoo 2009 in 3 years? To many question marks for me. His 27 points earned him this ranking, nothing more.

43. Alexander Semin – LW – WAS
My first instinct on Semin was to rank him much higher, but with his application in the mail for the Marian Havorik All-Stars I don’t think I would deal for him without reservation. Marian Gaborik is not on this list, I know the guy is one of the most talented individuals in the league, but I know that for every 40+ goal season he has I will have to deal with a 18 goal 35 GP season. That has left Semin stains in my mind.

42. Sergei Gonchar – D – PIT
By the time Sergei Gonchar returns this season he will be 35 years old. But I let Sergei Zubov walk from the Northstars in 2004 assuming at 34 his days as an elite QB were on the decline and he responded with 71 pts at 36. With Lidstrom dominating into his late 30s and Chris Chelios’ wink wink new training program allowing him to play into his late 40s, I will not give up on a slick puck moving dman like Gonchar to early again.

41. Anze Kopitar – C – LAK
I am a big fan of Kopitar, I wanted the Habs to draft him in 2005 and boy was I lucky they were not listening to me. The Habs would not be were they are if you swapped Kopitar for Price. When he exploded out of the gate as a 19 year old I was less than surprised, but I have been disappointed waiting for him to reach that next level. He seems to be struggling with that leap. With his strength and defensive awareness increasing yearly and the ridiculous amount of burgeoning talent on the Kings, Kopitar is marked for big things.

40. Steven Stamkos - C - TB
Stamkos has been a disappointment during his rookie year and I really can’t make a strong case outside of tremendous upside potential to justify his ranking. The same argument can be made for Kyle Turris who plummeted off the chart this month. But giving up on first round picks like Stamkos is not a wise move, erring on the side of caution is the right play. The hype around Stamkos placed him in Crosby’s league but I don’t see it. I know he is going to be productive as a pro, but I am not convinced he is guaranteed to be more productive than those ranked 40 and below. Melrose has been adamant that he is not physically strong enough for the NHL, and while I tend to agree this year, two years from now I will most likely be singing a different tune.

39. Brian Campbell – D – CHI
Campbell chased the money out of San Jose this summer and probably cost himself about 15 spots on this list. Chicago is a team on the rise and Campbell will reap the benefits of a maturing Toews and Kane, but I have not been impressed so far this season. The quicker the Chicago wonder twins mature, the faster Campbell ascends up the chart.

38. Andrei Markov – D- MTL
Markov is an elite defenceman and his stock has taken a hit because of the struggling Canadiens PP. For the second year in a row he has exploded out of the gate and has only recently begun to return to his early season form. Markov is a stud, but is just a rung below the truly elite defensemen.

37. Olli Jokinen – C – PHX
The underrated Superstar. Jokinen is a power center in the mold of Mats Sundin and just turned 30 on the weekend. He is just entering his prime and with an emerging cast of superstars in Phoenix, Jokinen is a good bet to be a PPG player for the next 3-4 years with a high end in the 90s. The only reason he is this high is because of the youthful studs below him.

36. Simon Gagne – LW – PHI
Call me cautious. I like Gagne but am wary of his history, his concussions remain a concern for me as well as his inconsistency. He can score, but I will not be fully convinced until he can remain healthy for a full season and produce consecutive PPG seasons

35. Rick Nash – LW – CBJ
Nash has been a victim of his breakout season at 20 years old. After leading the league with 41 goals as a sophomore the bar was raised too quickly for the Jackets star. Doug “I was not a good GM” Maclean lined his pockets with a huge deal and placed a terrible franchise on his 20 year old back. Now other stars have had this type of pressure at the age of 20, but they were fortunate enough to have a competent GM to surround them with the requisite talent to compete. Nash has struggled with the burden and looks to be finally turning the corner. Is it because he belives the Jackets are improving? Or does he have his eyes on UFA status in 2010? Either way, I anticipate 80+ points this year and will be disappointed with anything less.

34. Paul Stastny – C – COL
At only 23 years old with the bloodlines of a Hall of Famer Peter Stastny I can’t believe I have him ranked at 37. But the young talent in the NHL is unbelievable right now. Colorado is in a transition period with Joe Sakic struggling to stay healthy, replacing a legend is never easy and I expect the transition to take it’s toll. Once that transition takes place I look forward to Stastny proving my ranking wrong.

33. Jeff Carter – C – PHI
Jeff Carter has exploded out of the gate and has 12 points in his last 9 games. Since being rumoured to have been included in a deal to Toronto for Tomas Kaberle Carter has scored 29 goals in 42 games, a 50 goal pace. He has reinvigorated the concussion prone Simon Gagne and is banging on the door of stardom.

32. Nicklas Backstrom – C – WAS
You have to wonder if Backstrom is just a slow starter. Two seasons in a row he has struggled through October but I don’t think it is a coincidence that his 2009 production spiked with the Ovechkin explosion. The sky is the limit for this kid as long as he plays with Ovechkin, we might be looking at the best tag team since the Hart Foundation. Now if we can only get Bruce Boudreau a megaphone and a pink jacket.

31. Jonathon Toews – C – CHI
I love this kid, he is going to be a superstar. My question is will he be a fantasy superstar? After watching him this last week my answer is yes. I am old enough to have seen Stevie Y as a rookie and the comparisons are legit. If you own him in a fantasy pool, hold on to him tighter than Plaxico Burress held onto his gun.

In regards to Burress, who A. wears sweat pants to a club and B. thinks a sweat pant elastic waistband can hold a gun? If Sean Avery played in the NFL do you really think what he said would have registered? Sean I am disgusted with what you said, can I pencil you in next week for a meeting? I have three murders, two assaults, a domestic abuse, three steroid suspensions and a guy who drove his car onto a football field trying to run down a kid. On second thought, don't worry about it Sean, just don't do it again.

30. Zach Parise – LW – NJD
I am waiting for somebody to call me out and say I traded Iginla for Parise, but the deal included a first round pick for me as well and could have potentially landed me another star. Unfortunatley it landed me Drew Stafford. I guess my crystal ball was broken during that draft. All that being said, I think we are much closer to the reality of that being a straight up deal than one might think. Parise is a horse and at 24 is still years away from his prime.

29. Marc Andre Fleury – G – PIT
I am not a fan of Fleury, but I am a fan of the team he plays for. Whoever plays goal for the Pens is going to retain a high value, when you are the former number one pick overall it will just increase that value. Fleury struggled to meet the lofty expectations of the number one pick overall and has shown glimpses of greatness (see game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals), but evertime you think he is about to take the next step something occurs to prevent it. Fleury had a ton of momentum going into this season and an injury has allowed Sabourin to step in and quietly shine. I am still not sold on Fleury, but teams make goalies, and Fleury plays on a great one.

28. Ryan Whitney - D - PIT

See 29. Whitney looks to be the future PP QB of the Pens, that is a very good thing. 59 points as a 24 year old, another good thing, 20 pt regression at 25, not a good thing. With Gonchar out for another 3 months, Whitney has an opportunity to quell any doubts about his future fantasy impact. The second half will go along way to help in forcasting his future.

27. Eric Staal – C – CAR
What happened to that guy? Staal has all the tools to be a dominant power center but his 2 season regression and sloth like start this season have given me cause for concern. There aren’t many forwards out there with a 100 pt season on their resume, so spare me the talk of a fluke year. Maybe 2006 was an abberation and he is an 85 pt players, I am not closing that chapter on his career quite yet.

26. Pavel Datysuk – C – DET
Thirty years old, 90 point seasons yearly, yet dropping on this list? There is something unsexy (is that a word?) about a 30 year old fantasy player for some reason. It boggles the mind and here I am committing the sin that I accuse the rest of the fantasy world of. Entering his prime I want to hold true to my stance but I look over the top 25 and do not see one player who I would trade for Datysuk. At least he has his All ugly team card to get over the disappointment.

OT: The Pascal Leclaire All-Stars (ie. All ugly team) so far
Pascal Leclaire, Evgeni Malkin, Pavel Datysuk. I am always taking nominations - www.fantasysensehockey@yahoo.ca

Keeper Rankings - November

2008-11-10T18:28:00.000-08:00

Interesting start to the season. Last season's MVP is slumming it with Sean Avery, Alexander Semin all of a sudden has the confidence to call out Sid the Kid, and Ryan Getzlaf grabbed Corey Perry by the nards and dragged him to a monster month.

Crosby still remains number one, but Malkin is knocking on the door of the last two MVPs, Luongo is making his bid for number one and youngster's Patrick Kane, Shea Weber and Derrick Brassard are putting the heat on fantasy stalwart's Joe Thornton and Nik Lidstrom.

And can somebody please send out a search party for Sam Gagner?

1. Sidney Crosby - C - PIT - average start, still number one
2. Alexander Ovechkin - LW - WAS - slow start, so what
3. Evgeni Malkin - C - PIT - creeping up on number two
4. Roberto Luongo - G - VAN - UP - Three straight shutouts
5. Ilya Kovalchuk - LW - ATL - DOWN - Victim of Luongo
6. Jarome Iginla - RW - CGY- UP - Great start at a thin position
7. Dany Heatley - LW - OTT - UP - goal scoring machine up 2
8. Vincent Lecavalier - C - TB - slow start for Vinny Superstar
9. Joe Thornton - C - SJ - DOWN - The "Tin Man' is looking old
10. Dion Phaneuf - D - CGY - Nothing's changed, still a stud
11. Henrik Lundqvist - G - NYR - he is what we thought he was

12. Jason Spezza - C - OTT - soft forward doing just enough

13. Carey Price - G - MTL - only one bad start this season

14. Marian Hossa - RW - DET - UP - returning to 2006-07 form

15. Henrik Zetterberg - C - DET - steady two way self

16. Patrick Kane - RW - CHI - UP - a force at 19 years of age

17. Mike Green - D - WAS - waiting for Ovechkin to heat up?

18. Tomas Vanek - LW - BUF - UP - contract woes behind him?

19. Pavel Datsyuk - C - DET - Slow start, but still at a PPG
20. Evgeni Nabokov - G - SJ - 1o wins show he is still elite
21. Mike Richards - C - PHI - is he about to take the next step?
22. Ryan Whitney - D - PIT - Pit powerplay is waiting for him
23. Eric Staal - C - CAR - was the 100 pt season a fluke?
24. Marc Savard - C - BOS - where did the goals come from?
25. Ryan Getzlaf - C - ANA - could you be any hotter?
26. Dan Boyle - D - SJ - looks to be back to 100% health
27. Nicklas Lidstrom - D - DET - DOWN - age a factor?
28. Sergei Gonchar - D - PIT - oldie but a goodie
29. Olli Jokinen - C - PHX - nice chemistry with Shane Doan
30. MA Fleury - G - PIT - strong start, should move up soon
31. Jason Pominville - C - BUF - slow start pushes him down

32. Jonathon Toews - C - CHI - finally scored last night
33. Andrei Markov - D - MTL - what's wrong with the Habs PP?
34. Alexander Semin - LW - WAS - UP - Sid who? Great start
35. Anze Kopitar - C - LAK - efficient start to the season
36. Paul Stastny - C - COL - stressful replacing a legend
37. Steven Stamkos - C - TB - slow start doesn't hurt his potential
38. Brian Campbell - D - CHI - still among the fantasy elite
39. Marty Turco - G - DAL - DOWN - and I'm free, freeeee falllin
40. Corey Perry - R - ANA - UP - Robin to Getzlaf's Batman
41. Rick Nash - LW - CBJ - still waiting Mr. Nash
42. Zach Parise - LW - NJ - how good would he be with a center?
43. Shea Weber - G - NAS - UP - gushing like Cytheria over this kid!
44. Mikko Koivu - C - MIN - pace has slowed, but off to a great start
45. Nicklas Backstrom - C - WAS - needs to show me more
46. Daniel Briere - C - PHI - strong start even with injury
47. Tomas Kaberle - D - TOR - the silent rock on the Leafs
48. Henrik Sedin - C - VAN - leaving his brother behind
49. Derrick Brassard - C - CBJ - this kid will be in the top 30 soon
50. Kyle Turris - C - PHX - invisible for the last two weeks

dropped: Martin St. Louis, Derek Roy, Martin Brodeur, Nathan Horton, Daniel Sedin, Brent Burns, Sam Gagner

Top 50 NHL Keepers - 50-25 - Oct '08

2008-10-23T13:50:00.001-07:00

I have been playing some form of fantasy hockey since the mid 80s. Probably started around the time when I was collecting my Panini sticker books and running around with a Rick Wamsley jersey on. From playoff pools and points pools with the no Gretzky rule, to waiting for my buddy to put in a quarter so I could take a copy of the local paper on Tuesdays and fill out the weekly scores.

With the advent of the internet, hockey pools became more intense and challenging. After a couple of years doing things the old way, one of the members of the pool suggested trying out a keeper league.

I was hooked instantly. The chance to own players for their entirety of their career? Making trades with a view to three years in the future and the development of a minor league system for every team? I'm in! Through trial and error we have tried to make the league as authentic as possible without losing the element of fun. It is fairly intense and if you refuse to put in the research and time, your chances of victory are slim.

It is why most of my postings will most likely have a keeper league slant to them beginning with this post. Seeing as the majority of fantasy hockey enthusiasts prefer others to do the work for them while they take all the glory, I felt I would compile a list of the top 50 keepers in the NHL and update the list monthly.

Installment number one will have a player by player breakdown with my reasoning for the order. The ground rule being trade value. Trade value differs from player to player depending on your positioning in a pool. One may trade Steven Stamkos for Martin Brodeur if they are in first place and need a goaltender to assure a championship. If you are in last place and you had Stamkos, you would not deal him for Martin Brodeur knowing that one has 15-20 years ahead of him and the other as great as he is will be retired in 4 years.

So I am taking the approach that I am the 10th place team in a 20 team league. To far from last and first place, to abandon my Superstars in their prime.

50. Brent Burns - D - Minnesota Wild - 23

The fiftieth spot on the list was hotly contested between Jeff Carter, Zach Parise, Daniel Alfredsson, Mike Ribeiro and Alexander Semin. His position was a major consideration in placing him over the other five players as dominant defensemen are hard to come by in deep keeper leagues. His 43 pt breakthrough last season and "Best Defenseman" performance at the 2008 World Championships clinched his position in the October rankings. Burns is a terrific skater, possess a heavy shot and looks to continue his ascent to franchise defenseman.

49. Sam Gagner - C - Edmonton Oilers - 19

Gagner was the youngest player in the NHL last season and improved every night. A huge second half (close to a 70 pt pace) significantly raised his fantasy profile. One of the reasons the Oilers made a late playoff surge. A small creative player who seems to be a couple of steps ahead of the game. Gagner is wise beyond his years, when he adds some strength to help his explosiveness the sky's the limit.

48. Daniel/Henrik Sedin - LW/C - Vancouver Canucks - 28

The swedish twins are so similar I could not choose between the two so I lumped them together. In all honesty, they made the list because of their NHL commercial from a couple of years ago.

47. Tomas Kaberle - D - Toronto Maple Leafs - 30

Kaberle seems like he has been around forever but is only 30 years old. The powerplay quarterback is a lock for 50+ points and if the Leafs decide to deal him to a team with top offensive talent he could surpass his 67 pt career high. A fantastic transition player with great playmaking ability, Kaberle probably suffers from his reluctance to shoot. An elite level talent buried in a terrible organization.

46. Daniel Briere - RW - Philadelphia Flyers - 30

Although Briere looks like he is 21, Briere has entered his prime at 30. I don't think he will ever return to his lofty totals from his Sabre days, but the speedy crafty winger can return to 80+ points with the return of a concussed Simon Gagne to the fold. A disappointing debut with the Flyers in 2008 leaves Briere with something to prove and a possible ascension up these ranks.

45. Kyle Turris - C - Phoenix Coyotes - 19

A star in the making, Turris and all of his 3 games experience probably represent the frenzy that youth creates in a keeper league. Turris is an explosive forward who possesses a lethal offensive arsenal. The only reason he is on this list is because if somebody offered me Briere/Kaberle etc for Turris I would probably hold on to Turris. When I come across a player with this much Tremendous Upside Potential, I am usually apt to crash and burn with the player then be the guy who traded away a Superstar.

44. Nathan Horton - C/RW - Florida Panthers - 23

Inconsistincies plagued the bruising power forward last season. The skilled sniper with the howitzer suffered through a lean first half of the season and did not live up to the huge off season contract he signed. Tons of room to improve, but he needs to ratchet up his intensity for every game. When he does, he should reach his potential and with multi position eligibility and a lack of elite right wingers, a place in the top 25.

43. Martin Brodeur - G - New Jersey Devils - 36

It takes a player of unbelievable talent to remain on a keeper list as a 36 year old. To remain among the elite goaltenders of the league like Brodeur has for the past 15 years is a testament to his greatness. Because of this I would never underestimate another 4-5 years of this type of production. But the fact that Brodeur could pack it in at anytime after he sets the Wins record pretty much eliminates him from the top 40.

42. Rick Nash - LW - Columbus Blue Jackets - 24

After his 41 goals as a 20 year old, I have found myself wanting more from Nash and receiving less. He finally took a step forward last season when the power forward forced his way to a career high 69 points without the benefit of a legit centerman. Nash still oozes potential and if Brassard can be his Adam Oates then Nash will fly up this chart. I don't like to rank players based on potential linemates, so until he proves he is an 80+ point player he will remain on the lower half of this list.

41. Derek Roy - C - Derek Roy - 25

A monster second half by Roy (100 pt pace) moved Roy up this list. Roy seized the opportunity with the departure of Briere and Drury in 2008. Roy's playmaking ability is enhanced by his great instincts and quick hands. Roy leaves it all on the ice and buried his opportunities in close to the tune of 32 goals. I don't believe he has peaked and believe that Roy will be a catalyst in returning the Sabres to the top of the Eastern Conference.

40. Martin St. Louis - RW - Tampa Bay Lightning - 33

A personal favourite of mine as a 2004 sleeper, if not for the sieve known as Patrick Lalime he would have dragged me to a Fantasy league title. A declining game, an abysmal plus/minus and a brutal stretch run to 2008 has dropped the value of the 5 ft 7in dynamo. May have a couple of very productive seasons left in him and as a RW has increased value. But I could not see myself passing up Toews, Backstrom, Kane etc to acquire him.

39. Nicklas Backstrom - C - Washington Capitals - 21

Suffered through a slow start but exploded after the hiring of Bruce Boudreau to finish right behind Patrick Kane in the 2008 Calder race. Cerebral pivot has outstanding playmaking skills, a creative mind and elite passing skills. With Alexander the Great flanking his left side some monster season's await. I see the top 20 in his future.

38. Brian Campbell - D - Chicago Blackhawks - 29

Can Campbell follow up a career year with the expectations of a monster contract hanging over his head? A slick skating, undersized workhorse with dynamic playmaking abilities invigorated the Sharks after his late season trade. An abilility to change speeds at will he will improve the Hawks transition game and with the young Hawks talent should remain productive. Not sold on his ability to match last season's numbers.

37. Steven Stamkos - C - Tampa Bay Lightning - 18

I am pretty sure that this stock will rise and fall with every hot and cold stretch this season. A future star who could be ten to fifteen spots higher, but I am not sure I would give up the young elite centers of the game who have already established an ability to put up 80+ pts already for a kid who has yet to score an NHL point. There is no doubt the kid could be in the top 10 in the next couple of years and in keeper leagues owners tend to overrate their youth. He has all the tools (explosive shot, gifted vision, great skater and great passing ability), but as of right now, thirty seven feels right.

36. Paul Stastny - C - Colorado Avalanche - 23

Stastny avoided the sophomore jinx and posted 71 pts in only 66 games. Very industrious in finding open ice and a great finisher in close, he maximizes his skill set and exhibits a strong imagination. He has the good fortune to apprentice under future Hall of Famer Joe Sakic and when Joe hangs him up will ascend to the top line. 90+ points is definitely within his reach in 2009.

35. Anze Kopitar - C - Los Angeles Kings - 21

Huge pivot who exhibits creative playmaking skills that contemplate his silky hands and booming shot. Due to his size he can look aloof and once his skating matures, look out. At 21 he has yet to physically mature and when he does he will begin to dominate. Kopitar's 2008 season was remarkably consistent for a 20 year old, this kid's stock is on the rise.

34. Marty Turco - G - Dallas Stars - 33

Slightly under appreciated due to a less than spectacular save percentage and his place on a boring defense team. But the numbers do not lie. Since Turco took over from the Eagle he has produced 5 consecutive 30+ win seasons and a consistent goals against average in the low 2.00 range. The game changing puck handler who employs an unorthodox athletic style, finally got over the playoff hump in 2008. Although at 33, his days among the elite are numbered and he is more likely to decline then improve. A goalie's value is always tied to his team, and as Turco ages the Stars system will become more important.

33. Ryan Getzlaf - C - Anaheim Mighty Ducks - 23

Getzlaf has had an amazing ascent to the upper echelon of NHL centers. For a large man he posseses a startling athletiscism and has great value due to his ability to quarterback a powerplay. A very patient pivot whose potential may be untapped if he loses the reluctance to employ his heavy shot. He has much room for improvement, but due to his rapid rise may take another couple of season to jump to another level.

32. Andrei Markov - D - Montreal Canadiens - 30

One of the catalyst's of the vaunted Canadiens powerplay, Markov and Kovalev make the magic happen. His quickness and ability as a fluid puckmover helps set the habs in motion. He uses his instincts to jump into the rush at the opportune time creating numerous backdoor tap ins. As long as Markov is the quarterback of the Canadiens his fantasy value remains very high. I have a feeling a career season is in the offing.

31. Jonathon Toews - C - Chicago Blackhawks - 20

The third youngest captain in NHL history possesses a great hockey IQ. Great vision, puckhandling ability and supple hands (ask Jeff Frazee) combined with an intense desire to win create a future fantasy monster. His 24 goals in 64 games creates great anticipation for what Toews can accomplish in the future. I expect Toews will soar up this chart in the next couple of years.

30. Marc Andre Fleury - G - Pittsburgh Penguins - 24

A sizzling performance in game five of the Stanley Cup Finals likely increased Fleury's draft position in 2008. Fleury possesses all the elite level skills, he is an extremely quick, ultra aggressive butterfly goaltender who at times lacks mental focus. He also tends to over pursure due to his aggresiveness and drop to his knees prematurely. Fleury has the ability to be the elite goaltender in fantasy and as long as he is on the Penguins will post big numbers. But until he can prove that the improved poise that existed in the last 40 games will exist 100% of the time, he will not move up on this list.

29. Olli Jokinen - C - Phoenix Coyotes - 30

A lacklustre finish that may be explained by Jokinen's part in the Richard Zednik mishap has put a small dent in his fantasy value. An explosive offensive player who carried the Panthers offense for five years has a new home in Phoenix for the 08 season. When he exploits his size and strength his play is reminiscent of a young Mats Sundin. Unfortunately his consistency is not in the same class as the long time Maple Leaf and that keeps Ollie from reaching the upper echelon of the fantasy ranks.

28. Jason Pominville - RW - Buffalo Sabres - 26

Maintains a loftier rank then expected due to the lack of elite right wingers in the NHL today. Pominville plays a feisty, opportunistic game built around strong spacing and the ability to get rid of the puck quickly in scoring zones. With his steady growth and powerplay quarterbacking ability, he possesses the ability to move further up this list.

27. Dan Boyle - D - San Jose Sharks - 32

A freak accident destroyed Boyle's 2008 campaign. An elite powerplay quarterback and passer, Boyle will replace Campbell and maintain a strong transition game for the Sharks. His vision, and the opportunity to continue to play with elite offensive talent, should allow Boyle to return to the form that made him a fantasy force. With the Lightning behind him, it is a good bet that his plus/minus will improve. An elite level defenseman, but a notch below the remaining defensemen due to his age and injury history.

26. Mike Richards - C - Philadelphia Flyers - 23

A feisty player who at times can play on the edge, his competitive streak allows him to fit in perfectly in Philadelphia. While not extremely fast, his ability to see the game and his ability to improvise makes him a dangerous offensive weapon. He is the unquestioned leader on the Flyers and their offensive catalyst. He has just begun to scratch his potential and will continue to improve over the next couple of years.

25. Patrick Kane - RW - Chicago Blackhawks - 19

The reigning rookie of the year managed to crack the top 25 due to his position. Although Kane's ability to control and dangle with the puck allowed him to score an obscene 7 goals in 9 attempts his ranking was affected by his RW eligibility. If he was a center he would be 10 spots lower. Kane has the potential to be a 100 point player, with his explosive skating ability and the maturation of his physical game don't be surprised if it is sooner, rather than later.

Part Two: Numbers 24-1 Next week

Top 50 NHL Keepers - 24-1 - Oct '08

2008-10-23T13:48:00.000-07:00

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

Top 50 keepers - Part One