Fantasy Corner: Centers 31-60

31. Shawn Horcoff, EDM (Age: 31)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 80 GP, 17 G, 36 A, 53 PTS, +7, 39 PIM
3-Year Average: 71 GP, 18 G, 33 A, 51 PTS, -5, 42 PIM
Note: Horcoff is always a safe fantasy pick. He has tallied at least 50 points in each season since the lockout and has only three pointless droughts of five games or more in that span (292 GP).

32. Ryan Kesler, VAN (Age: 25)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 82 GP, 26 G, 33 A, 59 PTS, +8, 61 PIM
3-Year Average: 70 GP, 18 G, 20 A, 38 PTS, +3, 60 PIM
Note: After a good start to the year Kesler was in a nasty rut from October 28th to December 5th (19 GP, 4 PTS). He needs to show more consistency but has good upside and could be a great fantasy steal.

33. Stephen Weiss, FLA (Age: 26)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 78 GP, 14 G, 47 A, 61 PTS, +19, 22 PIM
3-Year Average: 75 GP, 16 G, 35 A, 51 PTS, +11, 30 PIM
Note: Weiss had a breakout season in ’08-’09 as he topped 50 points for the first time in his career. Look for the former top 5 pick to put up similar numbers to last year.

34. John Tavares, NYI (Age: 19)
‘08-‘09 Stats: N/A
3-Year Average: N/A
Note: Tavares is comparable to Steven Stamkos from a year ago. He may not live up to the hype at the start of the season, but he will eventually find his stride and get hot. Tavares will probably be picked way above his slot value in most drafts, so don’t expect him to be the 34th center taken.

35. T.J. Oshie, STL (Age: 22)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 57 GP, 14 G, 25 A, 39 PTS, +16, 30 PIM
3-Year Average*: 57 GP, 14 G, 25 A, 39 PTS, +16, 30 PIM
Note: Oshie took off with the Blues in the 2nd half of the season. He tallied 34 of his 39 points in the calendar year of 2009 (44 GP).

36. Joe Pavelski, SJS (Age: 25)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 80 GP, 25 G, 34 A, 59 PTS, +5, 46 PIM
3-Year Average: 69 GP, 19 G, 23 A, 42 PTS, +3, 31 PIM
Note: Pavelski had a breakout year in ’08-’09, topping 20 goals and 50 points for the first time in his young career. His numbers could plateau, though, as his ceiling isn’t much higher than 60 points.

37. Bryan Little, ATL (Age: 21)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 79 GP, 31 G, 20 A, 51 PTS, -5, 24 PIM
3-Year Average: 64 GP, 19 G, 15 A, 34 PTS, -4, 21 PIM**
Note: Although Little scored 31 goals in ’08-’09, I’m not sold that he will be a perennial 30 goal scorer. He was streaky in the 2nd half of last season with two separate 10 game scoring droughts.

38. Tim Connolly, BUF (Age: 28)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 48 GP, 18 G, 29 A, 47 PTS, +12, 22 PIM
3-Year Average: 33 GP, 9 G, 21 A, 30 PTS, +6, 11 PIM
Note: The former 5th overall pick can’t rid himself of the injury-bug. He has played in only 98 games over the past three seasons but has averaged 0.90 points per game in that span when healthy.

39. Patrik Berglund, STL (Age: 21)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 76 GP, 21 G, 26 A, 47 PTS, +19, 16 PIM
3-Year Average: 76 GP, 21 G, 26 A, 47 PTS, +19, 16 PIM*
Note: This Swedish young-gun had impressive rookie stats, but he could be in for a sophomore slump. Berglund faded somewhat towards the end of the regular season and in the playoffs.

40. Dave Bolland, CHI (Age: 23)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 81 GP, 19 G, 28 A, 47 PTS, +19, 52 PIM
3-Year Average: 81 GP, 19 G, 28 A, 47 PTS, +19, 52 PIM*
Note: Bolland has emerged as a good young player on an up-and-coming Hawks team. No matter where he plays he will be surrounded by talent. He should be a consistent producer and could eclipse the 25-goal mark.

41. Matthew Lombardi, PHX (Age: 27)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 69 GP, 14 G, 32 A, 46 PTS, +13, 44 PIM
3-Year Average: 77 GP, 16 G, 27 A, 43 PTS, +6, 53 PIM
Note: Lombardi performed well in the desert after coming over from Calgary at the trade deadline, recording 16 points in 19 games for the ‘Yotes.

42. Pierre Marc-Bouchard, MIN (Age: 25)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 71 GP, 16 G, 30 A, 46 PTS, -5, 20 PIM
3-Year Average: 78 GP, 16 G, 39 A, 55 PTS, +6, 23 PIM
Note: In addition to sharing the same name as, and looking strikingly similar to our favorite analyst (think bald), Pierre has become a consistent performer for the Wild. Expect 50-60 points out of him in ‘09-‘10

43. Chris Drury, NYR (Age: 33)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 81 GP, 22 G, 34 A, 56 PTS, -8, 32 PIM
3-Year Average: 80 GP, 28 G, 33 A, 61 PTS, -3, 36 PIM
Note: The 34 year old captain tallied 50 points for the 6th straight season in ’08-‘09. Drury’s 22 goals was his lowest total since the lockout, however.

44. Todd White, ATL (Age: 34)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 82 GP, 22 G, 51 A, 73 PTS, -9, 24 PIM
3-Year Average: 78 GP, 16 G, 35 A, 51 PTS, -4, 28 PIM
Note: I wouldn’t draft him, but if you must, don’t expect him to get 73 points. With the emergence of Bryan Little in Atlanta, White won’t benefit from the services of Ilya Kovalchuk nearly as much.

45. R.J. Umberger, CBJ (Age: 27)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 82 GP, 26 G, 20 A, 46 PTS, -10, 53 PIM
3-Year Average: 79 GP, 18 G, 23 A, 41 PTS, -14, 38 PIM
Note: Umberger had a breakout year in his first season with the Jackets, recording a career-high 26 goals. Expect him to be a 50 point producer in ’09-’10.

46. Daymond Langkow, CGY (Age: 33)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 73 GP, 21 G, 28 A, 49 PTS, +1, 20 PIM
3-Year Average: 78 GP, 28 G, 36 A, 64 PTS, +13, 28 PIM
Note: The Flames’ acquisition of Jokinen and subsequent demotion of Langkow to the 2nd line resulted in a slight decline in the 33 year old’s numbers (16 GP, 7 PTS since the trade). He can still produce though, recording his 6th straight 20 goal season in ’08-’09.

47. Sam Gagner, EDM (Age: 20)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 76 GP, 16 G, 25 A, 41 PTS, -1, 51 PIM
3-Year Average: 78 GP, 15 G, 31 A, 46 PTS, -11, 37 PIM
Note: The 6th overall pick in 2007 has been a great second half player, but has failed to put a complete season together in the NHL. In ’07-’08 Gagner recorded 28 of his 49 points in the months of February and March. Last season, 21 of his 41 points came in March and April.

48. Antoine Vermette, CBJ (Age: 27)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 79 GP, 16 G, 25 A, 41 PTS, -7, 50 PIM
3-Year Average: 79 GP, 20 G, 25 A, 45 PTS, -2, 51 PIM
Note: Vermette tallied 13 points in 17 games with the Jackets after being traded at the deadline. Keep an eye on him, as he could be a fantasy sleeper on an up-and-coming Columbus team.

49. Matt Stajan, TOR (Age: 25)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 76 GP, 15 G, 40 A, 55 PTS, -4, 54 PIM
3-Year Average: 80 GP, 14 G, 29 A, 43 PTS, -4, 48 PIM
Note: Stajan had a breakout season in ’08-’09, topping the 40 point mark for the first time in his career. He could be centering the top line but nothing is certain with the Leafs.

50. Brooks Laich, WSH (Age: 26)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 82 GP, 23 G, 30 A, 53 PTS, -1, 31 PIM
3-Year Average: 79 GP, 17 G, 19 A, 36 PTS, -2, 32 PIM
Note: Laich was a force on the Caps 2nd power play unit last season, racking up 9 goals and 15 assists on the man advantage. He will likely center a 2nd line that features lethal winger Alexander Semin.

51. Matt Duchene, COL (Age: 18)
‘08-‘09 Stats: N/A
3-Year Average: N/A
Note: The only reason Duchene is not higher is the chance that he doesn’t start the season with the big club. I could definitely see him posting better numbers than Tavares, as his spotlight won’t be nearly as bright.

52. Jarret Stoll, LAK (Age: 27)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 74 GP, 18 G, 23 A, 41 PTS, -7, 68 PIM
3-Year Average: 69 GP, 15 G, 24 A, 39 PTS, -9, 63 PIM**
Note: In his first season in Los Angeles, Stoll ranked 2nd on the Kings with 10 PPG. With a year in L.A. under his belt, he should be more comfortable on the 2nd line.

53. Brandon Dubinsky, NYR (Age: 23)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 82 GP, 13 G, 28 A, 41 PTS, -6, 112 PIM
3-Year Average: 82 GP, 14 G, 27 A, 41 PTS, +1, 96 PIM**
Note: Dubinsky could be a great late round steal. He has yet to reach his full offensive potential in his first two NHL seasons and should be good for triple digit PIM once again.

54. David Legwand, NSH (Age: 29)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 73 GP, 20 G, 22 A, 42 PTS, -3, 32 PIM
3-Year Average: 72 GP, 21 G, 29 A, 50 PTS, +5, 38 PIM
Note: Legwand’s fantasy value has been on the decline as he hasn’t had much offensive fire-power to work with in Nashville over the past few seasons. He only scored one power play goal and had a minus rating for the 2nd straight season.

55. Mike Fisher, OTT (Age: 29)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 78 GP, 13 G, 19 A, 32 PTS, +0, 66 PIM
3-Year Average: 75 GP, 19 G, 23 A, 42 PTS, +2, 63 PIM
Note: Fisher had his worst season since the lockout in ’08-’09. The Senators’ addition of Alexei Kovalev should pay dividends and enhance Fisher’s fantasy value.

56. Jason Williams, DET (Age: 29)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 80 GP, 19 G, 28 A, 47 PTS, -4, 24 PIM
3-Year Average: 67 GP, 16 G, 23 A, 39 PTS, -2, 30 PIM
Note: Williams had a great second half after being traded to Jackets (39 GP, 29 PTS). He should build on that success as he returns to the Motor City. Williams had his most productive offensive season with the Wings in ’05-’06 (80 GP, 58 PTS).

57. Jordan Staal, PIT (Age: 21)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 82 GP, 22 G, 27 A, 49 PTS, +5, 37 PIM
3-Year Average: 82 GP, 21 G, 19 A, 40 PTS, +5, 39 PIM
Note: Staal has shown flashes of brilliance but can also be a non-factor in fantasy for long stretches of time. He only had 9 multi-point games in ’08-’09 and has recorded only one 4-game point scoring streak in the last two seasons.

58. Mikhail Grabovski, TOR (Age: 25)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 78 GP, 20 G, 28 A, 48 PTS, -8, 92 PIM
3-Year Average: 78 GP, 20 G, 28 A, 48 PTS, -8, 92 PIM*
Note: If you’re drafting based on good looks, Mr. Grabovski should not be on your radar. He turned it on at the end of the season (22 GP, 20 PTS) and could battle for a spot on the top line.

59. Peter Mueller, PHX (Age: 21)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 72 GP, 13 G, 23 A, 36 PTS, -7, 24 PIM
3-Year Average: 77 GP, 18 G, 28 A, 46 PTS, -10, 28 PIM**
Note: The 8th overall pick in the 2006 draft was a bit of a disappointment in his second full NHL season. Look for him to rebound and break the 50-point mark once again.

60. Patrice Bergeron, BOS (Age: 24)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 64 GP, 8 G, 31 A, 39 PTS, +2, 16 PIM
3-Year Average: 50 GP, 11 G, 28 A, 39 PTS, -8, 15 PIM
Note: I’m feeling a rebound season from Bergeron as he was still recovering from a head injury last season. His 11 G in the past two seasons combined (74 GP), is a far cry from the 31 goal campaign he had in his second full season in Boston (’05-’06).