Fantasy Corner: Intro + Top 30 Centers

Welcome to our August feature here at the RLD... the Fantasy Corner!! My friend Michael has put together all of these fantasy features for us, and we're unveiling the top 30 centers today.

First, there are a couple things he wants you to know:
1. Ages are as of 10/1/09
2. An (*) at the end of the 3 year average means the player was a rookie... (**) means the player has only played 2 years
3. 3 year averages are from '06-'07 until '08-'09, not necessarily the players' last 3 seasons (ex: Steve Sullivan's 3 year average will only account for 2 seasons as he didn't play in '07-'08-- will still be averaged as if he played 3 seasons).

Alright... here are your top 30 centers!!!!

1. Evgeni Malkin, PIT (Age: 23)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 82 GP, 35 G, 78 A, 113 PTS, +17, 80 PIM
3-Year Average: 79 GP, 38 G, 63 A, 101 PTS, +12, 79 PIM
Note: This year’s recipient of the Art Ross and Conn Smythe trophies racked up 113 points in the regular season. ‘Geno was remarkable for the Pens in their Cup run, tallying 36 points in 24 playoff games.

2. Sidney Crosby, PIT (Age: 22)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 77 GP, 33 G, 70 A, 103 PTS, +3, 76 PIM
3-Year Average: 70 GP, 31 G, 67 A, 98 PTS, +10, 58 PIM
Note: With Guerin and Kunitz flanking Crosby’s side for a full season (barring any injuries or trades), Crosby finally has formidable wingers on his top line. That only bodes well for this youngster’s stats.

3. Ryan Getzlaf, ANA (Age: 24)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 81 GP, 25 G, 66 A, 91 PTS, +5, 121 PIM
3-Year Average: 80 GP, 25 G, 52 A, 77 PTS, +18, 94 PIM
Note: Getzlaf recorded at least one point in 17 of 18 games from October 24th to November 30th (10 G, 20 A in that span), including a 5 assist game against Detroit on October 29th. He was a beast for the Ducks down the stretch and in the playoffs (13 GP, 18 PTS).

4. Pavel Datsyuk, DET (Age: 31)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 81 GP, 32 G, 65 A, 97 PTS, +34, 22 PIM
3-Year Average: 81 GP, 30 G, 64 A, 94 PTS, +37, 21 PIM
Note: Mr. Lady Byng himself is at the prime of his career in Mo-town. He has recorded back-to-back 97 point seasons and ranked 3rd in the NHL in plus-minus in ’08-’09.

5. Jeff Carter, PHI (Age: 24)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 82 GP, 46 G, 38 A, 84 PTS, +23, 68 PIM
3-Year Average: 75 GP, 30 G, 28 A, 58 PTS, +4, 57 PIM
Note: Carter had a major breakout year in ’08-’09, netting twine 46 times. Perhaps a 50-goal season is in his sights?

6. Joe Thornton, SJS (Age: 30)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 82 GP, 25 G, 61 A, 86 PTS, +16, 56 PIM
3-Year Average: 82 GP, 25 G, 73 A, 97 PTS, +19, 53 PIM
Note: This steady performer recorded 50+ assists for the 6th straight season and has a +89 rating in four seasons with the Sharks. However, he may be on the decline ever so slightly as his point totals have dropped in each of the past two seasons


7. Nicklas Backstrom, WSH (Age: 21)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 82 GP, 22 G, 66 A, 88 PTS, +16, 46 PIM
3-Year Average: 82 GP, 18 G, 61 A, 79 PTS, +15, 35 PIM**
Note: Expect a 30-goal season from the young Caps star as he tries to build on an impressive sophomore campaign. Backstrom was white-hot in the stretch run, recording a point in 19 of his last 22 regular season games (9 G, 24 A).

8. Marc Savard, BOS (Age: 32)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 82 GP, 25 G, 63 A, 88 PTS, +25, 70 PIM
3-Year Average: 79 GP, 21 G, 67 A, 88 PTS, +3, 77 PIM
Note: Savard has recorded at least 60 assists in each season since the lock-out. He is a streaky goal scorer, however, as he had three separate 10-game scoring droughts in ’08-‘09, including a 15 game goal-less spell from February 10th to March 12th.

9. Mike Richards, PHI (Age: 24)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 79 GP, 30 G, 50 A, 80 PTS, +22, 63 PIM
3-Year Average: 70 GP, 23 G, 40 A, 63 PTS, +8, 64 PIM
Note: Richards has averaged just over a point a game in the past two seasons. He has two goal-scoring machines in Carter and Gagne on his top line.

10. Eric Staal, CAR (Age: 24)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 82 GP, 40 G, 35 A, 75 PTS, +15, 50 PIM
3-Year Average: 82 GP, 36 G, 40 A, 76 PTS, +2, 56 PIM
Note: Staal recorded his fourth straight 70-point season and dazzled in the postseason, leading the ‘Canes to the ECF. He lacks the supporting cast on his top line to propel him into the top tier of centers, though.

11. Vincent Lecavalier, TBL (Age: 29)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 77 GP, 29 G, 38 A, 67 PTS, -9, 54 PIM
3-Year Average: 80 GP, 40 G, 49 A, 89 PTS, -8, 62 PIM
Note: Lecavalier had a down season by his standards in ’08-’09, failing to score 30 goals for the first time since ’01-’02. Look for him to rebound this year on what should be an improved Bolts team.

12. Jonathan Toews, CHI (Age: 21)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 82 GP, 34 G, 35 A, 69 PTS, +12, 51 PIM
3-Year Average: 73 GP, 29 G, 33 A, 62 PTS, +12, 48 PIM**
Note: Toews and Kane have formed quite the 1-2 punch in Chicago. The 3rd overall pick in 2006 only figures to improve on his stats from a year ago.

13. Anze Kopitar, LAK (Age: 22)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 82 GP, 27 G, 39 A, 66 PTS, -17, 32 PIM
3-Year Average: 79 GP, 26 G, 42 A, 68 PTS, -15, 26 PIM
Note: The Kings’ acquisition of Ryan Smyth should bolster Kopitar’s stats. Look for him to top 80 points for the first time in his career.

14. Henrik Sedin, VAN (Age: 29)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 82 GP, 22 G, 60 A, 82 PTS, +22, 48 PIM
3-Year Average: 82 GP, 16 G, 64 A, 80 PTS, +16, 57 PIM
Note: Henrik posted career highs in goals and points in ’08-’09 as he is entering his prime in Vancouver.

15. Jason Spezza, OTT (Age: 26)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 82 GP, 32 G, 41 A, 73 PTS, -14, 79 PIM
3-Year Average: 75 GP, 33 G, 51 A, 84 PTS, +10, 63 PIM
Note: Spezza saw a drop in production in ’08-’09. An unhappy Dany Heatley could result in more of the same for Spezza in ’09-’10.

16. Steven Stamkos, TBL (Age: 19)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 79 GP, 23 G, 23 A, 46 PTS, -13, 39 PIM
3-Year Average: 79 GP, 23 G, 23 A, 46 PTS, -13, 39 PIM*
Note: Stamkos couldn’t handle the pressure to perform as an 18-year old in the first half of his rookie year (40 GP, 14 PTS). His fantasy stock is on the rise, though, as he should build on a strong second half (39 GP, 32 PTS) and his impressive showing in the World Championships (9 GP, 11 PTS).

17. Mike Ribeiro, DAL (Age: 29)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 82 GP, 22 G, 56 A, 78 PTS, -4, 52 PIM
3-Year Average: 80 GP, 22 G, 51 A, 73 PTS, +7, 40 PIM
Note: Ribeiro recorded his 2nd straight 50-assist season in ’08-’09. He should make it three in a row in ’09-’10.

18. Travis Zajac, NJD (Age: 24)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 82 GP, 20 G, 42 A, 62 PTS, +33, 29 PIM
3-Year Average: 81 GP, 17 G, 29 A, 46 PTS, +8, 25 PIM
Note: Zajac had a breakout year in ’08-’09, setting career highs in goals, assists, and points. His +33 rating was tops on the Devils and 3rd best in the Eastern Conference.

19. Olli Jokinen, CGY (Age: 30)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 76 GP, 29 G, 28 A, 57 PTS, -12, 67 PIM
3-Year Average: 80 GP, 34 G, 39 A, 74 PTS, -3, 71 PIM
Note: Jokinen developed good chemistry with Iginla and Cammalleri after being traded to Calgary. Despite the departure of Cammalleri, Jokinen should flourish in his first full season in a Flames uniform.

20. Brad Richards, DAL (Age: 29)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 56 GP, 16 G, 32 A, 48 PTS, -4, 6 PIM
3-Year Average: 71 GP, 20 G, 40 A, 60 PTS, -17, 15 PIM
Note: Richards is as consistent as they come when healthy. It should be remarkably noted, however, that he has only has 6 PIM in 68 GP since joining the Stars.

21. David Krejci, BOS (Age: 23)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 82 GP, 22 G, 51 A, 73 PTS, +37, 26 PIM
3-Year Average: 69 GP, 14 G, 36 A, 50 PTS, +17, 23 PIM**
Note: Krejci may have overachieved in ’08-’09, which was his breakout year. You can’t ignore the fact that he led the NHL in plus-minus, though.

22. Derek Roy, BUF (Age: 26)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 82 GP, 28 G, 42 A, 70 PTS, -5, 38 PIM
3-Year Average: 78 GP, 27 G, 44 A, 71 PTS, +15, 48 PIM
Note: Roy has flown under the radar in Buffalo in his young career, but don’t overlook him in your fantasy draft. He has averaged 30 goals over the past two seasons.

23. Daniel Briere, PHI (Age: 31)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 29 GP, 11 G, 14 A, 25 PTS, -1, 26 PIM
3-Year Average: 63 GP, 25 G, 39 A, 64 PTS, -2, 61 PIM
Note: Briere was injured for most of last season but is a point-per-game guy when healthy. Expect 70-80 points from him if he plays a full season.

24. Paul Stastny, COL (Age: 23)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 45 GP, 11 G, 25 A, 36 PTS, -9, 22 PIM
3-Year Average: 64 GP, 21 G, 41 A, 62 PTS, +6, 29 PIM
Note: With the retirement of Joe Sakic, Paul Stastny now has the weight of an Avalanche on his shoulders. He should thrive in his new leadership role and become a household name as one of the game’s young stars.

25. Mikko Koivu, MIN (Age: 26)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 79 GP, 20 G, 47 A, 67 PTS, +2, 66 PIM
3-Year Average: 73 GP, 17 G, 37 A, 54 PTS, +7, 55 PIM
Note: The Wild replaced one injury-prone winger (Gaborik) with another (Havlat), on Koivu’s top line. If Havlat stays healthy Koivu could record 50 assists for the first time in his career.

26. Jason Arnott, NSH (Age: 34)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 65 GP, 33 G, 24 A, 57 PTS, +2, 49 PIM
3-Year Average: 71 GP, 29 G, 32 A, 61 PTS, +12, 50 PIM
Note: With injuries plaguing the Predators’ wingers last season, Arnott had to pick up the scoring slack. He had nine more goals than assists, an uncharacteristic margin for a top-line center. With Sullivan returning do not expect Arnott to score 30, but his helpers should increase substantially from a year ago.

27. Derick Brassard, CBJ (Age: 22)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 31 GP, 10 G, 15 A, 25 PTS, +12, 17 PIM
3-Year Average: 31 GP, 10 G, 15 A, 25 PTS, +12, 17 PIM *
Note: Brassard recorded a point in 20 of his 31 games with Columbus before a separated shoulder ended his season. He is expected to center the Jackets’ top line and will rack up points with Rick Nash flanking his side.

28. Saku Koivu, ANA (Age: 34)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 65 GP, 16 G, 34 A, 50 PTS, +4, 44 PIM
3-Year Average: 74 GP, 18 G, 42 A, 60 PTS, -7, 70 PIM
Note: The longtime captain of the Habs has found a new, warmer home out west. Look for a rejuvenated Koivu to flourish without the pressure of wearing the ‘C’ on his chest. He can just go out there and have fun alongside fellow countryman Teemu Selanne.

29. Andy McDonald, STL (Age: 32)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 46 GP, 15 G, 29 A, 44 PTS, -13, 24 PIM
3-Year Average: 70 GP, 20 G, 38 A, 58 PTS, -6, 44 PIM
Note: McDonald missed almost half of ’08-’09 but still managed to record 15 multi-point games. Expect 60-70 points from him with snipers Kariya and Boyes on his line.

30. Scott Gomez, MTL (Age: 29)
‘08-‘09 Stats: 77 GP, 16 G, 42 A, 58 PTS, -2, 60 PIM
3-Year Average: 77 GP, 15 G, 48 A, 63 PTS, +3, 46 PIM
Note: If goals were equivalent to home runs and Scott Gomez played baseball, he would be the first one accused of ‘roids from his 33 goal campaign in ’05-’06. That was the only season of his nine year career that he scored 20 goals, let alone 30. He’ll still record plenty of assists, however, playing alongside ‘Cammer’ and Gionta.