Chronicling the ‘Kovalchuk Saga’

It has taken 62 days (and counting) for the summer’s biggest prize to find its destination. And while for three-fourths of that time we've had a good idea who would be the winner of the Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes (New Jersey... heck, he was even introduced as a Devil in mid-July), there have been many twists and turns in the process. Let’s take a look back at the whole ordeal up to this point (beginning on Canada Day) shall we?

July 1: Most of the big names are signed right away as Kovalchuk disappoints fans for not finding a new team during the frenzy. It was only a matter of time before he was going to be an L.A. King. Who knew back then we’d have to wait this long?

July 2: TSN’s Darren Dreger puts out the following tweet:

Would Kovalchuk consider the Islanders? Why not? Rumblings the Isles may make a mega millions, mega year pitch. They need the contract.

Yes, the same Darren Dreger that is nearly 100% correct on his news- and deal-breaking. So, as everyone was bored on a holiday weekend, writers and bloggers took this rumor and ran with it (including yours truly). All of a sudden, the New York Islanders were the hot destination to land Kovalchuk.

July 5: Mark Everson of the New York Post puts out a story that a deal with the Devils is likely to get done for seven years, $60 million. The Post then backed off its statement, saying the Devils were favorites but nothing was imminent. Who really trusts the Post, anyway?

On the same day, Kovalchuk’s agent Jay Grossman tweeted that ‘Kovalchuk was looking to make a decision today’, which had people assuming a deal was forthcoming.

July 15: The KingsCast crew is stunned that their team hasn’t signed the coveted Russian yet…



July 19: The New Jersey Devils announce ‘HE’S BACK’ on Twitter, giving hockey fans around the world relief that the 'Kovalchuk Saga' has ended!

It was revealed soon-after by Yahoo!’s Dmitry Chesnokov that it is a 17-year, $102 million mega-deal. Then the contract details were leaked, and that it was a heavily front-loaded… causing another firestorm throughout the blogosphere. How did the Devils get away with this contract? Why is the NHL allowing this when it’s clearly circumventing the cap?

July 20: Kovalchuk and the Devils hold a press conference in Newark, officially announcing the deal.


Later that night, the NHL rejected the Kovalchuk deal, as it deemed as cap circumvention and a 'retirement contract'. Much speculation believed Lamoriello’s press conference comments affected the league’s decision to put the hammer down.

July 26: The NHLPA officially files a grievance on behalf of Kovalchuk.

July 30: Arbitrator Richard Bloch has been selected for the grievance hearing, which is set to begin on August 4.

August 9: Bloch let his decision be known that he has ruled in favor of the NHL, ultimately nixing the Kovalchuk contract with New Jersey.

August 23: Reports surface that the Devils and NHL meet. It wasn’t exactly a contract that was submitted, but more of the framework of the deal.

August 25: More reports come out the NHL had rejected a second proposal presented by the Devils. Again, it wasn’t a contract… just a proposed structure.

August 26: A day later, Chesnokov reports that the KHL could now be a serious option for Kovalchuk if a deal with New Jersey can’t get done. A lot of this talk was sparked by Kovalchuk being in Russia at the time.

August 27: The Devils officially submit a second contract to the NHL for approval. It was initially thought that a decision would be made quickly… then ESPN’s E.J. Hradek reminds us that the league has five days to review the contract.

Dreger later tweets that it’s reportedly a 15-year, $100 million deal.

August 31: Dreger reports that an NHL GM does not believe this contract will be accepted, either.

Think about it... it will be September before we find out where Kovalchuk will be playing this season (unless, obviously, something changes tonight)! The league has up until 5 PM ET tomorrow evening to decide whether to accept the new contract proposal from Lamoriello and company or not. If they opt to block it again, it's anyone's guess what will happen next.

Photo credit: Getty Images

30 Teams in 30 Days Schedule

Tomorrow we will begin our ‘30 teams in 30 days’ segment, previewing each team as the 2010/11 season gets closer. We will not go in alphabetical order like most sites do; instead in order by division. Our writers Anthony and Patrick will help out as the month would be a grind just for one person! Here is our schedule for the month of September…

Atlantic Division
September 1: New York Islanders
September 2: New York Rangers
September 3: New Jersey Devils
September 4: Philadelphia Flyers
September 5: Pittsburgh Penguins
Central Division
September 6: Chicago Blackhawks
September 7: Columbus Blue Jackets
September 8: Detroit Red Wings
September 9: Nashville Predators
September 10: St. Louis Blues
Northeast Division
September 11: Boston Bruins
September 12: Buffalo Sabres
September 13: Montreal Canadiens
September 14: Ottawa Senators
September 15: Toronto Maple Leafs
Northwest Division
September 16: Calgary Flames
September 17: Colorado Avalanche
September 18: Edmonton Oilers
September 19: Minnesota Wild
September 20: Vancouver Canucks
Southeast Division
September 21: Atlanta Thrashers
September 22: Carolina Hurricanes
September 23: Florida Panthers
September 24: Tampa Bay Lightning
September 25: Washington Capitals
Pacific Division
September 26: Anaheim Ducks
September 27: Dallas Stars
September 28: Los Angeles Kings
September 29: Phoenix Coyotes
September 30: San Jose Sharks

Top 5 Improved Teams This Summer

1. Tampa Bay Lightning
It’s safe to say Steve Yzerman and owner Jeff Vinik came to Tampa with high expectations this summer. Under the tutelage of Red Wings GM Ken Holland, Yzerman was more than ready to step in as the Lightning GM… and we saw that first-hand this summer.

Yzerman re-tooled the back end with the signings of Pavel Kubina, Brett Clark, and goaltender Dan Ellis. In the process, the new Bolts GM got rid of Andrej Meszaros’ contract ($4.0M). Later on in July, the Lightning were able to acquire Simon Gagne via trade; he will be a solid addition, making their top-six one of the most lethal in the NHL. And don’t forget the sneaky signing of Dominic Moore, who should slide in as the team’s third-line pivot.

The on-ice product will be a lot more fun to watch than it has been the last few years, thanks to the quick mastery from Yzerman and Vinik. Look for Tampa Bay to make a big splash this upcoming season.

2. Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta also underwent change at the top, as Don Waddell was removed as GM (though still in the organization) being replaced by Rick Dudley. The front office had a lot of work to do, but have filled necessary needs nicely.

Dudley’s first order of business was the blockbuster deal he made with the Blackhawks. He acquired Dustin Byfuglien, Brent Sopel, and Ben Eager from Chicago in exchange for picks and prospects. If Byfuglien becomes the consistent power forward we saw in the playoffs for an 82-game stretch, Atlanta struck gold. His versatility could come into play, too, as some time on defense is possible. In a separate deal, Dudley managed to take RFA Andrew Ladd off of ‘Hawks GM Stan Bowman’s hands. They found a steal on July 1 by signing steady netminder Chris Mason to a $3.7 million deal over two seasons.

The Thrashers – who finished 10th in the east despite the subtraction of Ilya Kovalchuk – underwent a makeover that has more people thinking playoffs instead of lottery.

3. New Jersey Devils
Going into July 1, it was obviously unclear of whether Ilya Kovalchuk would remain a Devil. Heck, it’s late August and we still haven’t come to a resolution. But now that it appears the NHL will approve of the latest contract and New Jersey will ultimately hang on to its marquee rental, you can make an argument this Devils club is better than it was when they were eliminated prematurely by Philly. And that’s not just because of Kovalchuk.

GM Lou Lamoriello inked defensemen Anton Volchenkov and Henrik Tallinder as free agency opened, replacing the departed Paul Martin. Volchenkov’s presence in front of Martin Brodeur is just scary to think about. Backing up Brodeur will be Johan Hedberg, who should give the multi-record-keeper more rest. A couple weeks prior, Lamoriello reached into his old bag of tricks by bringing back Jason Arnott in a trade with Nashville.

4. Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks’ biggest bugaboo late in the 2009/10 season and into the playoffs was defense. Their offense was just fine, beating to the tune of 272 goals – second-most in the NHL. However, GM Mike Gillis realized that the blueline needed a bit of a makeover to finally get over the hump in the ‘second season’.

British Columbia native Dan Hamhuis was considered one of the top defensemen in free agency this summer, and the Canucks locked him up with a five-year contract. Joining him as a new face on the back end is Keith Ballard, coming over from Florida. Willie Mitchell is gone, and Sami Salo is likely out until January… but Vancouver’s defensive unit is (much) better than it was when we last saw them, getting scored on repeatedly by Chicago in May.

Gillis also signed Manny Malhotra and Raffi Torres to re-do the team’s third line. These crafty changes are a big reason why many people think this is their year to get their first Stanley Cup.

5. Pittsburgh Penguins
When Sergei Gonchar’s contract talks went sour before July 1 came around, many worried that Pittsburgh’s blueline would take a major hit. It did… for about two hours.

GM Ray Shero made some noise very early in the frenzy by bringing in a pair of skilled defensemen: Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek. Martin makes the move from New Jersey to Pittsburgh, and will be a key two-way cog on the Pens’ back end. Michalek is more of a stay-at-home defenseman, something they were lacking in this past postseason (Brooks Orpik couldn’t do it all).

Other than the defense receiving a considerable boost, Shero recently inked semi-skilled sandpaper winger Arron Asham for a bargain ($700,000). Pittsburgh seems to be going the ‘winger-by-committee’ method once again, but it’s worked before. I like what the Pens have done this summer, and they some room to bring in a goal-scorer in March if needed.

Honorable Mention:
Bruins, Red Wings, Predators, Maple Leafs

Photo credit: Getty Images

Point/Counterpoint: Should the NHL keep the shootout?

One of the hottest topics over the last week or two has been the status of shootouts in the NHL. Should they stay or should they go? We debate it with a point/counterpoint…

Time to eliminate the shootout
By Patrick Hoffman

When the NHL came back from its lockout in the 2005/06 season, the league did many things to help generate more interest for the sport.

One of the additions was the shootout. Fans were sick and tired of seeing games end in a tie and were looking for something to fix that problem. For the league, the shootout was the best solution.

I'll admit that at first, I loved it. In fact, I was at the longest shootout in NHL history back in November of 2005 when New York Rangers defenseman Marek Malik ended it with a nifty between-the-legs shot past Washington Capitals netminder Olaf Kolzig.

However, while I still find it to be exciting after five seasons, I think it's time for the shootout to go. Maybe I'm being selfish because one of the reasons why I want it to go is because of how the Rangers ended their season and playoff hopes this past year: with a shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, who as we all know, advanced to the Stanley Cup Final.

Hockey is a team game, not an individual sport. Sure, each player has their own skill set but in the end, they mesh them with their teammates to help determine the outcome of a game. In the shootout, it's up to one person to score or make the save.

Secondly, in a case such as the Rangers back in April, it is no way to decide a make-or-break kind of hockey game. Yes, it's exciting but I'm sure teams would rather have the fate in all of their hands rather than just one individual. If you're the Rangers, did you really want Olli Jokinen deciding the fate of your season? Yeah, that's what I thought.

Having a game decided in overtime whether it's 4-on-4, 3-on-3 or 2-on-2 is the way to go. This gives the teams a chance to decide the game for themselves and work together towards a common goal: winning the hockey game.

Obviously, the 4-on-4 method doesn't always lead to an outcome but imagine if the league put it to 3-on-3? That's a lot of open ice and a lot of scoring opportunities for the taking. More importantly, for the fans, it'd be really exciting.

Again folks, I'm not saying that the shootout isn't exciting because believe me, it is. However, since hockey is a team sport, I'd rather see a game decided with more players on the ice rather than just one player and a goaltender.

Keep the ‘skills competition’, but tweak it
By Ryan Porth

Why did the NHL install the shootout? To do away with the ties, which grew more and more unpleasant with the fans before the lockout. So after the work stoppage, the league decided to bring in the shootout to add excitement at the end of a tied game.

In the five years since, the shootout – or what some people refer to as a ‘skills competition’ – has had its up and downs. For the most part, I believe the fans have liked the shootout.

It doesn’t take too much longer after the preceding 65 minutes to complete the shootout; all it takes is a quick scraping of the ice by the zambonis and they are ready to go. The fans all rise to their feet in anticipation, cheer for a save, roar for a goal, and it can be heart-pulsing for some. It’s fun.

Where else do you see the spin-o-rama to fake out the goaltender? Where else do you see a defensive defenseman go between-the-legs for a winner? Where else do you see a one-on-one battle with the game on the line? Any moment in the shootout has the potential to make a fan’s jaw drop. Shootouts do not lack suspense, that’s for sure.

The biggest reason why I like the shootout is because ties are no longer involved. I hated them! However, changes need to be made to make it better.

First of all, I don’t like how there are only three shooters to start… that numbers needs to increase to five. Like Patrick said above, it’s a team game. Adding two more rounds would make teams have to use more shooters to get the win.

Also, they need to adapt a point system that makes overtime/shootouts wins less valuable than regulation victories. Shootouts are nice and all, but this is when the ‘skills competition’ argument comes in. Teams are rewarded equally with a shootout or regulation win, when it shouldn’t be that way.

And, as Patrick said, when it’s a situation where a playoff spot is on the line (i.e. Rangers/Flyers, Game 82), the game shouldn’t be decided by a shootout; instead, a continuous overtime period should commence.

Shootouts aren’t perfect and act as a way to decide a game virtually by default. But I can live with it because it breaks ties, brings suspense, shows off player’s skills, and the fans seem to love it. A few tweaks here and there and it will be a better product for the league.

What do you think the NHL should do about the shootout?? Keep it... tweak it... get rid of it?

Photo credit: Getty Images

A look at remaining RFA’s

We are under three weeks until training camps open around the NHL, and there are still some unsigned restricted free agents out there. Will any of them receive offer sheets this late in the off-season? Unlikely. Will any of them get dealt before October rolls around? Doubtful. But it’s still surprising that some of these players are unsigned…

Anaheim: Bobby Ryan
Atlanta: Niclas Bergfors
Colorado: Chris Stewart, Peter Mueller
Dallas: James Neal, Matt Niskanen
Edmonton: Sam Gagner, Andrew Cogliano
Montreal: Carey Price
Nashville: Cody Franson
NY Rangers: Marc Staal
Phoenix: Martin Hanzal
St. Louis: Matt D’Agostini
Tampa Bay: Paul Ranger, Martins Karsums
Toronto: Christian Hanson

*If the player is highlighted, click for the latest info!

RLD Preview Info

Every summer I put together a magazine look-a-like preview for the upcoming NHL season… and this year is no different. It’s usually an 80-90 page PDF file with a boat-load of previews and predictions. What I’ve done in recent years is send a copy via email to people who are interested in reading it.

If you are interested in receiving my PDF preview of the 2010/11 season, please email me at rldhockey@gmail.com. It will be ready to send off in late September.

And you know what the best part is? It’s 100% free! This takes all summer to put together and there’s way too much stuff to include everything on the blog… so I promise you will not be disappointed. Here is a miniscule sneak peak of what it will look like:

Top 25 Overall Fantasy Ranking

As we conclude ‘Fantasy Week’ here at RLD, we take a gander at the Top 25 overall players for fantasy going into the season. We thank Chris Wassel for contributing his positional rankings all week long! If you missed any of it, check out the ‘Fantasy Week’ section on the right side of this page (or hit the Fantasy tab).

1. Alex Ovechkin, LW
10/11 Projection: 78 GP, 58 G, 56 A, 114 Pts
2. Sidney Crosby, C
10/11 Projection: 80 GP, 46 G, 64 A, 110 Pts
3. Nicklas Backstrom, C
10/11 Projection: 82 GP, 30 G, 74 A, 104 Pts
4. Steven Stamkos, C
10/11 Projection: 82 GP, 53 G, 48 A, 101 Pts
5. Henrik Sedin, C
10/11 Projection: 82 GP, 26 G, 70 A, 96 Pts
6. Evgeni Malkin, C
10/11 Projection: 78 GP, 42 G, 61 A, 103 Pts
7. Ryan Miller, G
10/11 Projection: 68 GS, 39 Wins, 2.32 GAA, 7 SO
8. Daniel Sedin, LW
10/11 Projection: 82 GP, 30 G, 64 A, 94 Pts
9. Mike Green, D
10/11 Projection: 80 GP, 24 G, 53 A, 77 Pts
10. Martin Brodeur, G
10/11 Projection: 66 GS, 44 Wins, 2.25 GAA, 8 SO
11. Roberto Luongo, G
10/11 Projection: 71 GS, 44 Wins, 2.39 GAA, 5 SO
12. Ilya Kovalchuk, LW
10/11 Projection: 77 GP, 45 G, 41 A, 86 Pts
13. Zach Parise, LW
10/11 Projection: 82 GP, 42 G, 46 A, 88 Pts
14. Patrick Kane, RW
10/11 Projection: 81 GP, 34 G, 52 A, 86 Pts
15. Drew Doughty, D
10/11 Projection: 82 GP, 26 G, 41 A, 67 Pts
16. Joe Thornton, C
10/11 Projection: 82 GP, 22 G, 68 A, 90 Pts
17. Pavel Datsyuk, C
10/11 Projection: 80 GP, 30 G, 57 A, 87 Pts
18. Martin St. Louis, RW
10/11 Projection: 82 GP, 26 G, 60 A, 86 Pts
19. Alexander Semin, LW
10/11 Projection: 72 GP, 36 G, 45 A, 81 Pts
20. Henrik Lundqvist, G
10/11 Projection: 70 GS, 33 Wins, 2.35 GAA, 5 SO
21. Marian Gaborik, RW
10/11 Projection: 74 GP, 43 G, 39 A, 82 Pts
22. Jonathan Toews, C
10/11 Projection: 78 GP, 32 G, 45 A, 77 Pts
23. Eric Staal, C
10/11 Projection: 79 GP, 40 G, 40 A, 80 Pts
24. Duncan Keith, D
10/11 Projection: 81 GP, 13 G, 51 A, 64 Pts
25. Dany Heatley, LW
10/11 Projection: 82 GP, 43 G, 40 A, 83 Pts

Photo credit: Getty Images

Kariya to sit out 2010/11

You can put an end to all of the rumors of Kariya reuniting with Teemu Selanne and Anaheim this year.

Last night it was revealed by his agent Don Baizley that Paul Kariya will not play in the NHL this 2010/11 season. He is suffering from post-concussion syndrome. Here is the official statement from Baizley:

"Paul Kariya will not play hockey during the 2010/11 season. After being
examined by concussion specialist Dr. Mark Lovell, Paul is not able to play
hockey due to post-concussion syndrome."

Kariya, 35, nor Baizley ever mentioned retirement during this setback. But you have got to wonder if he’ll be able to come back from this, especially considering he's arguably coming off his worst season in the NHL.

I definitely hope that he’ll be able to return in 2011/12, but that’s a long time from now. Kariya’s always been one of my favorite players to watch, and this play below is one of my favorite hockey moments of all-time…


When he scored on Brodeur just minutes after getting knocked out by Scott Stevens, it was one of those out-of-your-seat moments.

In three seasons with the Blues, he tallied 123 points in 168 games. His best seasons were behind him after the lockout, but he still produced in his two-year stay in Nashville.

But Kariya will always be remembered for his days with the Mighty Ducks. In a five-year span from 95/96 through 99/00, Kariya had 425 points in 329 games as he was one of the best in the NHL in that time frame.

If this is the end for ‘PK’, is he a Hall of Famer?

Photo credit: Getty Images

Fantasy Hockey Draft Tips

Alright folks – it’s that time of year where you strap on your NHL GM hats and draft your team in the fantasy hockey league that you are participating in.

Before delving into numerous amounts of rounds building your team, remember to consider reviewing the following steps before putting your hockey team together:

- Know your league settings: Remember to look at how many players you are drafting per position; what stats are being counted and what roster updates you are allowed to utilize. Every fantasy league is different and can impact certain player's values, so make sure to follow the league’s guidelines.

- Look at the player's history: Before selecting a player, do your homework and look him up. What has his point production been like? Is he a consistent point producer? How can he help you if you draft him? How can he hurt you if you draft him? What is his injury history like? Do your homework!

- It’s a number’s game: Just because he is your favorite player, doesn’t mean he is going to produce for your fantasy hockey team. Look at all the numbers: Games Played, Goals, Assists, Points, Power Play Goals, Plus/Minus, Penalty Minutes, Shots, etc.

- Don’t draft too many from the same team: Spread your picks out when it comes to NHL teams. Sure, the Washington Capitals have a lot of point producers but that doesn’t mean that you need them all on your team. Spread the wealth.

- Spread the wealth: Draft position players evenly. Try and make sure you get a quality player early at each position if you can.

- Start from the net out: Not everyone uses this strategy but drafting from the net out is usually a good way to go. Goaltenders can accumulate a large number of points for you depending on what league you are in, and there aren't many reliable number one studs anymore (Miller, Brodeur, etc).

- Don’t worry about pre-draft rankings: Prior to each draft, most of you fantasy puckheads probably pre-rank your players, which is great. However, do not be surprised if you deviate from them once the draft begins. Do not be afraid to be unpredictable!

- Find the sleepers: Every year on Yahoo!, it seems you can find steals and sleepers later on in drafts. The rankings usually favor the previous year's rankings/points... so an injured player from the year before (i.e. Marc Savard) could be ranked (much) lower than his actual value. However, Yahoo! seemed to do their homework this year, and those are harder to come by. Still, check other sites' rankings to make sure you're not forgetting someone buried in the rankings!

Luckily for you fantasy hockey GM's, your livelihood does not depend on this. Remember to draft smart, play to learn, and potentially win... and more importantly, have fun!

(Ed. note: Yahoo! Fantasy Hockey has started up once again. If you're interested in joining one of our leagues, shoot me an email at rldhockey@gmail.com!)

Ryan Porth contributed to this piece
Photo credit: Yahoo! Fantasy Sports

Top 25 Fantasy Defensemen

(Ed. note: We thank Chris from The Program for posting his fantasy rankings all week long! If you missed any of his 'controversial' rankings, just click on the Fantasy Rankings tab.)

There is not much respect for our #1 guy, I understand. However, he does put up points like no one's business and for a defenseman, that means a lot. Now to get to our list. We take just the top 25 so as to add controversy.

Your Fantasy Hockey Top 25 Defensemen

1. Mike Green, WSH (Age: 24)
’09-‘10 Stats: 75 GP, 19 G, 57 A, 76 PTS, +39, 54 PIM
Note: Green's goals did drop off BUT he did have 57 assists and 10 PPG's which is something important to keep an eye on. Yes his play in his own zone is questionable, but with that Washington offense he should be the first defenseman taken off any board.

2. Nicklas Lidstrom, DET (Age: 40)
’09-‘10 Stats: 78 GP, 9 G, 40 A, 49 PTS, +22, 24 PIM
Note: You know what you’re getting with Mr. Lidstrom. Even in an off-year, he had 49 points last year. Expect 50 or more this year and another potential Norris nod. If this is his last year, he will go out in a blaze of glory especially with an improved team on the man advantage.

3. Duncan Keith, CHI (Age: 27)
’09-‘10 Stats: 82 GP, 14 G, 55 A, 69 PTS, +21, 51 PIM
Note: Keith exceeded all expectations in 09-10, potentially bombing out with 69 points. There are concerns that the 3 PPG's can be cause for alarm but Keith produces assists and a nice plus/minus. That is attractive to fantasy owners. This list like I said will generate controversy as to where we have some ranked.

4. Andrei Markov, MTL (Age: 31)
’09-‘10 Stats: 45 GP, 6 G, 28 A, 34 PTS, +11, 32 PIM
Note: Markov's shot clearly got better until a late season knee injury. The Habs will be better off this year with a healthy Markov from the beginning (if he's ready by then). If he stays healthy, he could top 60 points and rack up some nice numbers on the man advantage. That is a place fantasy owners always like to go looking for bonus ways to take advantage of the competition.

5. Drew Doughty (Age: 20)
’09-‘10 Stats: 82 GP, 16 G, 43 A, 59 PTS, +20, 54 PIM
Note: I have to be honest and expect Doughty to stay about the same production wise this season. That will disappoint some owners who see him going NUTSO again. I do not but at the same time, his production should make fans content. 35-40 points on the man advantage should do the trick.

6. Dan Boyle, SJS (Age: 33)
’09-‘10 Stats: 76 GP, 15 G, 43 A, 58 PTS, +6, 70 PIM
Note: Boyle is very consistent on a game-to-game basis. 57 points two years ago and 58 last year. That should give you a pretty good idea of what he will do this year. That type of consistency is rare in fantasy leagues for defensemen, especially keepers.

7. Zdeno Chara, BOS (Age: 33)
’09-‘10 Stats: 80 GP, 7 G, 37 A, 44 PTS, +19, 87 PIM
Note: It is understood that he had a down year but his plus/minus and PIMS are usually very easy to take on most fantasy teams. If you count hits as well in your leagues and blocked shots, that is an added bonus. Expect a bit of an uptick this season...maybe even a career high in points.

8. Chris Pronger, PHI (Age: 35)
’09-‘10 Stats: 82 GP, 10 G, 45 A, 55 PTS, +22, 79 PIM
Note: Pronger is in a nice setup. He can rack up assists and good PIM totals in Philly which makes him a great investment for fantasy owners over at least the next two or three seasons. He may go earlier in drafts just on name recognition alone. Definitely a solid return on investment.

9. Tobias Enstrom, ATL (Age: 25)
’09-‘10 Stats: 82 GP, 6 G, 44 A, 50 PTS, -5, 30 PIM
Note: One of our first real "reach" in a sense here. Enstrom is on a better team that he was last season, honestly. I do like the way Enstrom plays even if his two-way game is not all the way there yet. The Thrashers coaching staff has improved and I feel his 50 point season is not a fluke. It may even improve slightly which may mean a few more PPG's. Those are always nice.

10. Tomas Kaberle, TOR (Age: 32)
’09-‘10 Stats: 82 GP, 7 G, 42 A, 49 PTS, -16, 24 PIM
Note: Kaberle seemed almost unhappy last year for the first time in Toronto. It may not have been said publicly, but it was there. I just seem to think he gets traded and cranks out a 55 point season somewhere else or gets traded at the deadline and gets hot. Either way, Kaberle will do better this year than last and really he should be on your fantasy radar.

Now for the skinny of 11-25....short, sweet, and to the point!
11. Mark Streit (NYI) -- On a team where scoring is a premium, he may come close to leading the Isles again.
12. Sergei Gonchar (OTT) -- Maybe a bit old but will still produce some points.
13. Lubomir Visnovsky (ANA) -- Someone in Duck-land has to get points from the blueline... right??
14. Tyler Myers (BUF) -- Last year was no fluke... expect about the same fantasy fans.
15. Shea Weber (NSH) -- I like Weber as a player, expect solid contributions from him this year.
16. Erik Johnson (STL) -- I see a nice spike in production this year for the talented d-man.
17. Andy Greene (NJ) -- Do not sleep on Greene; if he gets the minutes, he will get the points.
18. Christian Ehrhoff (VAN) -- Canucks' power play quarterback should produce once again.
19. Dion Phaneuf (TOR) -- He cannot be any worse than last year....Really!
20. Filip Kuba (OTT) -- Healthy...he is a much better player. Expect 40 points, 30 on the PP.
21. Pavel Kubina (TBL) -- Could really benefit from playing in Tampa again.
22. John-Michael Liles (COL) -- I still think he eventually gets traded to a better place where he can produce.
23. Paul Martin (PIT) -- Not a big impact but big enough to make the Top 25.
24. Zach Bogosian (ATL) -- He is going to really surprise this year... may even break out!!!!
25. Ian White (CGY) -- He's not the Phaneuf of old, but still a fantasy producer for the Flames.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Fantasy Top 5: Impact Rookies

As we continue ‘Fantasy Week’ here at RLD, we take a look at five rookies that should make an impact in fantasy leagues this season.

1. Tyler Ennis
09/10 Stats: 10 GP, 3 G, 6 A, 9 Pts, -1
Buffalo’s first-round pick from 2008 had an impressive cup of coffee late in the year, tallying 9 points in 10 games, along with a decent postseason debut. Ennis has a bright future in this league, and will get an opportunity to play in the Sabres’ top-six in 2010/11 (probably at wing). Given Tim Connolly’s inability to stay healthy on a year-to-year basis, though, Ennis could see some time as the team’s number two pivot at some point. He’ll eventually be an 80-point producer, but 60 could be his max this year. But what more would you want from a rookie?

2. Jordan Eberle
09/10 Stats: 57 GP, 50 G, 56 A, 106 Pts, +8 (WHL)
Taylor Hall shouldn’t be the first Oilers rookie you draft… it’s this guy. Eberle’s ceiling is huge, and he has produced at every level before the NHL (including 14 points in 11 AHL games). Eberle and Hall – who are expected to be linemates in 10/11 – could be that next great young combo that we’ve seen elsewhere around the league recently (Crosby/Malkin, Toews/Kane, etc). Eberle’s goal-scoring touch could net him 25-30 goals, but I think he will struggle in other areas. 2011/12 will be his big coming-out party. I’d even take him over Ennis in a keeper league.

3. P.K. Subban
09/10 Stats: 2 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 Pts, +1
Similarly to Ennis, ‘Little Bird’s brief debut in the playoffs (and just prior) raised a lot of eyebrows. Subban’s maturity on the blueline at his age (21) was astounding, especially under the playoff microscope in Montreal. Everyone you talk to loves this kid, and his potential is through the roof. Subban's fantasy value this season will probably depend on the amount of power play time he sees… notably with the first unit. 40-45 points is a fair expectation, and that number could grow if Andrei Markov doesn’t recover from injury by the start of the year.

4. Jonathan Bernier
09/10 Stats: 3 GP, 3-0-0, 1.30 GAA, .957 SV%
Give him until the New Year; no, check that… give Bernier two months before he begins getting starts on a regular basis in Los Angeles. Jonathan Quick won’t lose the job; Bernier will steal it. I saw him shutout a hot Nashville team in late March, and was amazed how good this kid was. With the Kings, Bernier will undoubtedly rack up the wins – just how many is the question. Don’t forget to give Bernier a look… I’d take him over the likes of Kari Lehtonen, Steve Mason, and maybe even Carey Price. It’s only a matter of time before Bernier becomes a star between the pipes.

5. Taylor Hall
09/10 Stats: 57 GP, 40 G, 66 A, 106 Pts, +46 (OHL)
Every number one pick has their growing pains in their rookie season. Just look at Steven Stamkos, who only tallied 46 points after being the centerpiece of an abundance of hype. Look at what he has become! Taylor Hall can relate to those lofty expectations, and is being counted on to bring the Oilers franchise back to contending status. That won’t be this year, and Hall will go through peaks and valleys. I’d anticipate a 50-point campaign from the rookie sensation, but nothing more.

Honorable Mention:
John Carlson
Nikita Filatov
Nazem Kadri
Alex Pietrangelo
Tyler Seguin

Top 25 Fantasy Right Wingers

(Ed. note: We thank Chris from The Program for posting his fantasy rankings this week... today are the right wingers, with the defensemen rounding out the week tomorrow!)

Now to our list....oh my.

We are getting closer to our goal err the fun of the top 25's that are a little off the beaten path. However today we are on Right Wingers today. So time to take a ride and ratchet up the cider!!

Submitted for your approval is the Top 25 Right Wingers... enjoy!

1.

Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks) LY: 11
Why? He had 88 points despite all the "20 cent" jokes and had a 30 goal season while helping to lead the Chicago Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup in 49 years. The key to Kane's big jump last year was he kept that shot total up at 261 and, as a bonus, played a bit better defensively; that +16 was a career best. The scary thing is this: many think he can only get better with the increased burden of scoring.

Skinny: I do not expect any RW to even sniff 100 points or likely even get 90... but I feel Kane is the one that could come the closest and maybe even reach it. Kane will crack 30 goals easy and score 15 on the man advantage. The skill and young age are two things definitely in Kane's favor and he should easily top this list. Projection should be about 35-54-89.... pretty nice.

2. Martin St. Louis (Tampa Bay Lightning) LY: 2
Why?: Well St. Louis exceeded expectations with a 94 point season. After years of 102 and 83 points respectively, I think St. Louis has another really good year left in the tank. His 21:00+ ATOI also helps. He is fast, can create his own shot, and the 14 PIMS means he stays on the ice. With a guy like Stamkos on his side, it won't be bad at all in Tampa Bay.
Skinny: Just too good not to get a bunch of points on the power play and the occasional short handed goal which fantasy owners just drool over. Really I do expect an 85-90 point season out of this guy. How about 36-51-87 with a few more PPG's and about 275 shots on goal. Really St. Louis has too much talent to not succeed this season.

3. Marian Gaborik (New York Rangers) LY: NR
Why?: We angered many by not having him on the list last year. Credit has to be given to Gaborik for staying healthy enough to play 76 games and tally 86 points on a team where he was clearly the focus. The 14 goals on the man advantage was also a boon for fantasy owners who literally watched Gaborik buoy the Rangers for long stretches. Supposedly the Rangers tried to help Gaborik in the offseason but honestly he is still the marked man!
Skinny: So what to do here? Does he stay healthy? With the proper protection, Gaborik should be a 40-40 man again which means he should be one of the first two or three RW's taken. Expect about another 42-44-86 from Gaborik, but maybe in less games... say 70 or so. Gaborik may have a few more bumps, bites, and bruises but his time on the ice will make him well worth the trouble. As an oh by the way, he will break 30 points on the extra man this year. That is somewhat improved for the Rangers at least, we think.

4. Jarome Iginla (Calgary Flames) LY: 1
Why?: He is not quite the same but hey Olli Jokinen is back in Calgary for what it is worth. Iginla went so cold last year at times, we thought it was -40 in his wheelhouse. The 69 points were a vast disappointment for the man who nearly led the Flames to the 2004 Stanley Cup. That seems like two lifetimes ago. The .84 points per game bothers me more than anything. That is a marked dip for a guy who is around or above 1 point per game annually.
Skinny: We were WAY OFF on Iginla's expectations last year. There is no way that will happen again. Calgary is just not that good according to many and their production last season was way off from expected. Just warm up the retirement bus slowly as Iginla will get around 75 points; but let's face it, that is not what you want to see from this guy. So about 39-36-75 should do it! Oh by the way if the Sutters get canned, Iginla may be better off. That one may have to be explained later.

5. Corey Perry (Anaheim Ducks) LY: 4
Why?: Yes another one....note the theme fantasy fans. Corey Perry qualifies as a Right Winger so this works well. He had 76 points last year along with 270 shots and 111 PIMS. I am intrigued more with the middle number...the 270. It is also why I think 27 goals is a number that Perry can exceed this upcoming year. That first line in Anaheim is pure gold. Anyone that tells you any different might as well being an ostrich with its head in the sand. God help them!
Skinny: Perry can also average right around a point a game. And to think this guy is only 25. Projected numbers are at about 38-43-81 with a decent plus/minus and about 280 shots on net. To think about how young that top line is for the Ducks is very scary this year and beyond. GM's in keeper leagues should take note and be on notice!! Perry just delivers and gets under the skin of the enemy...a great double threat amongst a thin selection of Right Wingers.

And now 6-10........

6. Marian Hossa (Chicago Blackhawks) LY: 16
Why?: All he did was get 51 points in 57 games last year despite the shoulder injury that kept him out for the first chunk of the year. Now healthy, Hossa should get more time with less marquee players in Chicago. The only concern was that Hossa compiled 7 points on the extra man. That had to be a bit disconcerting for fantasy owners. However, no one thinks that will happen again this season. Hossa has too much talent not to. He is a sniper and we guarantee improvements.
Skinny: So what will Hossa be able to do in a full year? Well a 75 point season should be just fine for Hossa owners. He is not expected to be the main man in Chicago and that suits him just fine. There will be 10 goals on the extra man and a few short handed tallies as well. Hossa could see 20:00 ATOI and nearly 280 shots on net if all projects out. That is why he is #6 on our list and may fall under the radar a bit in some leagues. Keep a watch out.

7. Daniel Alfredsson (Ottawa Senators) LY: 12
Why?: He did have 71 points in only 70 games last year. The addition of Sergei Gonchar may actually help Daniel Alfredsson; another "elder voice" in the locker room cannot hurt. The offense will have to score and Alexei Kovalev is a major concern obviously. That being said, Alfredsson at least can do very well for himself this year. After that it is anyone's guess with his age.
Skinny: I can see a 75 point season in about 75 games for Alfredsson. He is right around a point a game guy. The assists on the man advantage are big but I see him potting a few extra goals this year. There may be just one 30 goal season left in the old captain. 38 is just around the corner and this likely is the last year you see "Alfie" in the top ten.

8. Martin Havlat (Minnesota Wild) LY: 6
Why?: He should have a better year since last year started out so poorly. 54 points in 73 games with a -19 was just painful to watch as he did stay relatively healthy. With Mikko Koivu at the ready and a team looking to not repeat last year's embarassing start, Havlat should improve quite a bit.
Skinny: I do think Havlat can stay healthy....at least enough to rack up some big points and help the Minnesota power play as well as their faster pace expected which should generate more goals. So more ice time, more man advantage time, and more shots should mean more points... right? Well to a point. So an uptick to 10 PPG's...with 30 goals, 42 assists and about 72 points in 78 games should be just about right.

9. Ales Hemsky (Edmonton Oilers) LY: 7
Why?: It started getting tough here but Hemsky is a pretty damn good player. 66 points in 72 games (in 08-09) should indicate that if he gets any kind of help, Hemsky could surprise this season. He did have a career high 23 goals in 08-09 and will have to shoot more again this season as the first line guy is more or less the focus of the offense and opposition alike. The potential is there. Last year was lost to a shoulder injury way too soon. A healthier Hemsky will at least lead to some goals being scored in Edmonton.
Skinny: I stand by a 72 point season at 29-43-72. I know Hemsky can pile up the assists but he will also get a few more goals on the man advantage. Hemsky is only 27 so at least the ceiling is not limited just yet. The prime is approaching and Hemsky is said to be in very good shape heading into camp next month. He could push 200 shots and near 20:00 ATOI. So expect a nice season if you can snag him a bit later in drafts.

10. Jamie Langenbrunner (NJ Devils) LY: 10
Why?: Simple...he plays with Parise. Langenbrunner had an off year especially late. The 61 points included a meltdown from Mid-March that culminated Langenbrunner being called Mr. Grumpy. He has something to prove and that is why he rounds out this top ten in a thin pool.
Skinny: The 200-plus shots trend will continue for Langenbrunner. Oh and the +25 is really about what he will do again this season. The Devils PP this year may actually be better with younger infusion. So Langenbrunner really could get 9 or 10 PPG's...and that means the following stats....30-41-71. Add in about 230 shots on net and 19:00 ATOI and you have a guy that just stays in the top ten by the slimmest of margins.

So now 11-25 with the brief skinny......

11. Jason Pominville (BUF) LY: 15 -- He will do better and that will help Vanek.
12. Brian Gionta (MTL) LY: 12 -- Expect a rebound season with the Habs!
13. Patric Hornqvist (NSH) LY: NR -- Can score goals even in Nashville.
14. Bobby Ryan (ANA) LY: 3 -- Call it lower expectations; that, and the drama hurts.

15. Teemu Selanne (ANA) LY: 18 -- His last year has potential with Saku Koivu.
16. Devin Setoguchi (SJ) LY: 17 -- A nice year for him could be a springboard...
17. Chris Stewart (COL) LY: NR -- Maybe a few too many points? Not necessarily.
18. Phil Kessel (TOR) LY: NR -- He will play a whole year and score at least!
19. Alexei Kovalev (OTT) LY: 5 -- Truly an enigma.
20. David Backes (STL) LY: 20 -- Nice potential and could finally tap into it.
21. Mike Knuble (WAS) LY: 21 -- Dependable...its that simple.
22. Kris Versteeg (TOR) LY: NR -- Kessel may actually help Versteeg.
23. Milan Hejduk (COL) LY: 18 -- This is likely it for Hejduk.
24. Nathan Horton (BOS) LY: NR -- Could light the lamp a lot more next to Savard.
25. Shane Doan (PHX) LY: NR -- One of the more consistent forwards.

Please also note that Rick Nash is listed as a RW in enough leagues to qualify, we had him ranked 10th amongst Right Wingers this year. See our LW's for point totals. Thanks and let the debating begin.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Fantasy Top 5: Bang For Your Buck

As we continue ‘Fantasy Week’ here at RLD, we take a look at five players (specifically forwards) who get the most out of their value, and can contribute in many different categories.

1. Corey Perry
09/10 Stats: 82 GP, 27 G, 49 A, 76 Pts, +0, 111 PIM
Anaheim’s young duo of Perry and Getzlaf is one of the best combos in the Western Conference – if not, the NHL. Perry’s presence in the offensive zone is especially valuable in fantasy. He scores goals, contributes heavily on the power play, and racks up penalty minutes. Perry, 25, has yet to become a point-per-game forward… but that day is coming. The Ducks’ do-it-all winger is a great pick for fantasy owners, and could push 90 points this year if he and Getzlaf get off to a fast start.

2. Alex Burrows*
09/10 Stats: 82 GP, 35 G, 32 A, 67 Pts, +34, 121 PIM
There’s really only been one winger to consistently have chemistry on Vancouver’s top line alongside the Sedin twins: Alex Burrows. He has surprisingly developed into a solid goal-scorer and valuable commodity in fantasy leagues. Burrows scored a whopping 35 goals last year; only four came on the power play, but five were shorthanded. Dating back to the second half of 08/09, he has scored 53 goals in the last 116 games, along with a +57 rating. Even though he doesn’t get many power play points, Burrows does enough otherwise to garner heavy fantasy consideration. As long as he’s with the Sedins, Burrows will continue to produce.

3. David Backes
09/10 Stats: 79 GP, 17 G, 31 A, 48 Pts, -4, 106 PIM
Like the rest of the Blues, Backes had a hard time repeating his 08/09 breakout campaign. In that season, he deposited 31 pucks in the back of the net, and helped the Blues make it to the playoffs. While he was a decent fill-in guy for fantasy teams a year ago, I like Backes’ chances to bounce back in a big way. St. Louis will be one of the more improved teams this season, and Backes may get a lot of time on the top line. 30 goals and 55-60 points is not out of reach, and well over 100 PIM should be expected.

4. Ryan Kesler
09/10 Stats: 82 GP, 25 G, 50 A, 75 Pts, +1, 104 PIM
Kesler is a tier below Perry in fantasy. He puts up similar numbers to his Team Canada counterpart all across the board in 2009/10, but a repeat season from Kesler is unlikely. He is a great player in real life; however, in fantasy, a drop-off from 75 points this year will slightly diminish his value. I think he’d be great as your second or third center, but don’t rely on Kesler to be your guy unless it’s a league with many teams. With all of this being said, Kesler will still be on my radar because of his versatility. Look for a 60-65 point season, along with solid power play and penalty minute numbers.

5. Steve Downie
09/10 Stats: 79 GP, 22 G, 24 A, 46 Pts, +14, 208 PIM
The 23-year-old Downie shook off some of his ‘bad boy’ reputation by rounding into a well-balanced player. He still agitated with the best of them, but he also made solid contributions offensively. Downie was a pleasant surprise in fantasy, and I was sure happy to pick him up at the mid-season point. After the New Year, Downie racked up 30 of his 46 points in the remaining 41 games, thanks to being slotted next to Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis up front. Since he had such great chemistry with those two, I would expect that line to remain intact at least to start the year. If Downie can get 50 points and 200 PIM, fantasy owners will be excited! Don't reach for him, though, as an in-season demotion to the second or third line is certainly possible.

Honorable Mention:
Dustin Byfuglien
Ryane Clowe
Scott Hartnell
Milan Lucic
Steve Ott

Defensemen to watch:
Zdeno Chara
Christian Ehrhoff
Erik Johnson
Dion Phaneuf
Shea Weber

* Expected to begin the season on IR

Mitchell Fills A Void In L.A.

The Los Angeles Kings announced today that they signed defenseman Willie Mitchell to a two-year, $7 million contract. Mitchell, 33, missed 34 games last season (not including the playoffs) due to a concussion, but has since been cleared for action.

If the Kings can get Mitchell to play at least 70 games, I think they will have made a great signing here. $3.5 million is not a bargain by any means, and adding a second year to the deal is a bit risky. However, there weren’t many quality blueliners on the market other than Mitchell, and he’s a great second-pairing option on this team.

GM Dean Lombardi didn’t need to go out and grab an offensive-minded guy like Sergei Gonchar or Tomas Kaberle this summer – Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson have that area covered. But Lombardi did have to bring in more stability to a blueline that is fairly young, while Matt Greene will likely miss the first half of the season with shoulder surgery.

The former Canuck is a perfect complement for Johnson, who is ten years younger and still learning. With the veteran, stay-at-home defenseman Mitchell by his side, Johnson can open up his game a bit and show his talents a bit more. Mitchell can also teach Johnson a thing or two in the defensive zone.

Mitchell has had a plus rating in all but one of his ten seasons in the NHL, including a gaudy plus-42 in the last two years combined. His absence was felt in Vancouver when he went down with the concussion in mid-January. Roberto Luongo’s GAA got worse as the year went on thereafter, and the team missed his presence in the postseason.

$3.5 million was probably $750,000 more than I would have spent on Mitchell. Despite that, though, the Kings have found themselves a solid veteran defenseman that will help right away. I like this signing by Lombardi.

Los Angeles is a team that is on the cusp of greatness. They needed someone like Mitchell (on and off the ice) to help them take that next step.

Mitchell had this to say to Vancouver-24 Hours:

"Nothing easy about making that decision, that's for sure," said Mitchell. "I
felt like they're really interested in what I can bring to their team and
they're really excited about having me down there. I felt it's just the right
situation for me."

Photo credit: Getty Images

Top 25 Fantasy Centers

(Ed. note: We thank Chris from The Program for posting his fantasy rankings this week... today are the centers, with the right wingers and defensemen coming up to finish out the week.)

Our top 25 lists as always are based on usual three year projections but also based on how the player is progressing career wise, and who is playing with him on his line or pairing (chemistry). Again much thanks goes out to guys like Ryan Porth, Ian Gooding, Darryl Houston Smith, and so many others for their help this summer. Now the list.

Top 25 Centers

1. Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) LY: 2
Why?: He is 'Sid The Kid'....and finds ways to get points...that simple. A nice season totaling 109 points (51 G, 58 A) but there are no more buts left. Yes, he has great hands....no one can question that but it is more than just how straight his hockey stick is folks. The improvement of 13 PPG's was very pleasant. The balance of adding that shot threat is big. It gave him more room to work down low. However, how he was contained by Hal Gill in the playoffs last year is a small concern.
Skinny: Barring injury...Crosby will finish 2nd in points amongst centers. His 21:51 ATOI is also excellent. He is flanked by excellent guys on the wings (Bill Guerin and Chris Kunitz). A full season will also help sort out any chemistry issues if they are remaining. Malkin and Crosby are in their early 20's and just finding their games still. I can see Crosby at about 35 goals, 72 assists and 107 points this year. Hey maybe he cracks 10 goals on the man advantage and figures out to shoot more from distance to keep goalies honest.

2. Nicklas Backstrom (Washington Capitals) LY: 5
Why?: He can pass like so few can. 68 assists to go along with 33 goals belies the fact that this guy is a potential sniper breakout awaiting to happen. Out of his 33 goals, 11 were on the man advantage last year. What I like is he did not have a sophomore slump; he busted right through that. 100 points seems to be on the norm for Backstrom. As a matter of fact, he could potentially lead the league in scoring this year if things fall right.
Skinny: Backstrom shot more to the tune of 222 shots last year and has the shot to push it up to near 250 this year. He should top the 30-goal mark but could come close to 80 assists if Washington continues to score the way it has. Unlike Vancouver, Washington has the guns to keep pushing it. What to expect? Potentially a 34-74-108 type of year from Backstrom and a tidy 15 tallies on the man advantage with a +40. Those are some eye popping numbers.

3. Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning) LY: NR
Why?: Stamkos netted 51 goals last year in his sophomore campaign, and was an absolute machine on the power play with 24 goals and 41 points. Next to Martin St. Louis and Steve Downie, Stamkos thrived on the top line.
Skinny: Stamkos' 95-point performance in 2009/10 can certainly be repeated... in fact, it should be expected. Tampa Bay's power play (ranked 8th last year) should only get better with the addition of Simon Gagne and possible re-emergence of Vinny Lecavalier. This year I think you'll see a 50-45 type campaign from Stamkos, and will once again be one of the top fantasy players in the league.

4. Henrik Sedin (Vancouver Canucks) LY: 11
Why?: Because all Henrik did was lead the league in scoring with 112 points. 29 goals and 83 assists on a team that scored a Western Conference-leading 272 goals last year is pretty impressive. It is obvious that his numbers are very good. The only question is can he keep it up? That answer is yes, despite the absences of his twin brother, Daniel. The other concern may be the lack of goals on the extra man with four but most are willing to look past that with the 23 power play assists.
Skinny: What I like about Henrik the most is the simple fact that he just does what he does. There is nothing overtly fancy about him but he finds ways to score and Vancouver still will have a potent offense. I just think the depth guys will contribute a bit less. An awful lot of guys had breakout years all at once in Vancouver. Expect a season right near 100 points with 34 goals for Henrik.

5. Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins) LY: 1
Why?: He led the league in points two years ago. DUH! You know how they say the world is your oyster...well with Mr. Malkin it really is. He won the Stanley Cup, but that was two years ago. Last year was different and an exercise in frustration. Injuries and lack of power play production drove Malkin nuts as he only played in 67 games while totaling 77 points. That is a nice average for most but not for Malkin, who clearly was miffed at the tail end of last year.
Skinny: Malkin will be back amongst the top point scorers this year. He may even come to close to 40 goals and easily top 50 assists. So for those scoring at home, Malkin should have a 39-58-97 type of season which is not totally Malkin-like but much better than last year. I like the fact that he could top over 20 PPG's; keep that in mind for leagues that love power play points. Pittsburgh will bounce back on the man advantage and Malkin will be one of the chief beneficiaries.

And now 6-10........

6. Ryan Getzlaf (Anaheim Ducks)
Why?: Getzlaf struggled to stay in the lineup consistently, and failed to take next step like most people expected. He tallied 69 points in 66 games. He had a 15-point drop off in power play points from the 08/09 season while missing 16 games due to injury.
Skinny: Getzlaf has 100 point potential written all over him if he can be just a little more disciplined as far as the penalties he takes. Everyone knows it and he can shoot the puck more as well. He only had 221 shots last year which is low for a guy of his caliber. He even has the TV commercial thing down (Home Depot) and his balding spot will not stop him. Expect a season of 30-71 and 101 points along with 80-90 PIMS and 12 PPG's. Getzlaf will be a force and cause huge difficulty for defenses and coaches this season.

7. Joe Thornton (San Jose Sharks) LY: 7
Why?: He had that predicted slight uptick with 89 points in 79 games last year. So 7 seems the perfect slot for a guy that is destined to be right around 90 points and little more. The problem is he still cannot score on the man advantage like he used to. Jumbo Joe had 4 goals on the man advantage and his 25 assists there were a bit lower than usual. The 141 SOG really hurts badly and if that does not improve, Thornton will fall further down next year.
Skinny: So we can see Jumbo Joe will do about the same this year. Right around a 30-60-90 season should do it. That shot total will have to go up to around 170 to keep him fantasy relevant in that category. The question becomes will some of the San Jose players around Thornton step up? That could be a key in slotting Thornton's production. Stay tuned but he will always go higher than he should in drafts from here on out.

8. Eric Staal (Carolina Hurricanes) LY: 8
Why?: He cracked a bit last year but still averaged a point a game on an injury-riddled shell of a team that just did not perform as expected. The offense will be pretty good this year, but his defense can be below average at times. That puts even more onus on Eric Staal to do the deed. If he stays healthy, there is no reason to believe he won't get at least 85 points. Can he get 90?
Skinny: Yes he can. I really do think Eric Staal has a 90 point season in him just barely. He can put the pucks in the net and I think more will go in this year. Staal did have some very bad luck at times in the 08-09 campaign. Still he can pass the puck especially on the man advantage. So something along the lines of 44-46-90 with 14 PPG's and 8 GWG's are actually reasonable this season for a center who should make the All-Star team. The numbers go down a bit with injury which could happen again with Staal. Keep an eye out.

9. Pavel Datsyuk (Detroit Red Wings) LY: 4
Why?: I think he is due for a better season by default. Here is a guy normally near 90 points who had an off year last season. 70 points in 80 games was a bit of a shock to a lot of people but when you add in all the injuries to the Wings' roster, it was no surprise at all.
Skinny: He is going to be much improved with healthy players such as Johan Franzen, Henrik Zetterberg, and... you get the idea. Expect a nice bounce back type year with Datsyuk and a rejuvenated man advantage unit. Datsyuk could get close to 90 points but I am willing to go with 33-55-88 for starters. Look out, Datsyuk may surprise. Sounds crazy, I know.

10. Paul Stastny (Colorado Avalanche) LY: 23
Why?: I like the way he started to play late last year for Colorado like it was his team, offensively, finally. That is what Stastny needed to figure out to take that next step, and the Avs will benefit from that. 79 points could be a mere precursor to what he does this season. The key will be the health of guys like Chris Stewart, Peter Mueller, and David Jones. I think they hold some of the key to Stastny's point scoring future.
Skinny: Some think other players are more deserving in this slot but Stastny's time is now. I can see him easily topping 30 goals and coming near 60 assists. The major numbers should all come up some, even plus/minus. Expect a nice 34-59-93 season out of the talented center and an improved face-off percentage as well. The time is now and you can get this guy much lower on the draft board than you would think.

Now of course 11-25.......skinny style.

T-11. Jason Spezza (OTT) -- Spezza still has enough talent around him.
11. Vincent Lecavalier (TB) -- Will have a strong second half fueling '10-'11.
12. Anze Kopitar (LA) -- Will benefit if Smyth stays healthy.
13. Jonathan Toews (CHI) -- Kane situation may motivate him early.
14. Patrick Marleau (SJ) -- Multi positional for now at least....
15. Brad Richards (DAL) -- Still can score but will Loui help again?
16. Johan Franzen (DET) -- Spotlight is on now....no turning back.
17. Travis Zajac (NJ) -- Steady progress and high plus/minus again.
18. Mikko Koivu (MIN) -- Last year was not a fluke at all.
19. Nik Antropov (ATL) -- A surprise maybe but Kovalchuk helps!!
20. Scott Gomez (MTL) -- Started to play better in the second half....
21. Saku Koivu (ANA) -- Playing with Selanne will help!
22. Ryan Kesler (VAN) -- A step back for the center this year.
23. Mike Richards (PHI) -- Maybe this is where Richards belongs.
24. Jeff Carter (PHI) -- Could get traded and be better off.
25. Olli Jokinen (CGY) -- No joke could actually be productive in Calgary.

We expect lots of debate and controversy as always. The goal is to not only imform but to get opinions from everywhere.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Fantasy Top 5: Breakout Players

As we continue ‘Fantasy Week’ here at RLD, we take a look at five players who should take the next step in the fantasy world, along with some deep sleepers for you fantasy gurus!

1. John Tavares
09/10 Stats: 82 GP, 24 G, 30 A, 54 Pts, -15
A lot of people are comparing Tavares as the 'next Stamkos'; put me on that bandwagon. Tampa Bay’s Stamkos went on a scoring binge in 2009/10 after a rough rookie year, tying Sidney Crosby for the Rocket Richard Trophy with 51 goals. Tavares was streaky in his rookie year, but is set to improve in his sophomore season. I don’t think he’ll record 98 points like Stamkos did, but 70-80 would be a safe bet. If ‘JT’ improves like we think he will, also watch out for more goals from wing-mate Kyle Okposo.

2. Michael Frolik
09/10 Stats: 82 GP, 21 G, 22 A, 43 Pts, -4
Is this finally the season Frolik bursts onto the scene for Florida? The 10th overall selection from 2006 is entering his third season in the league, and has shown a lot of promise but not enough results. Frolik has a great opportunity to score in bunches next to Stephen Weiss with Nathan Horton no longer in Sunrise. I’m feeling at least a 25-goal, 60-point season from the Czech native… and that goal total will grow if David Booth can’t rebound from the concussions. And remember Frolik is just 22, so he’d be a smart pickup in keeper leagues.

3. Semyon Varlamov
09/10 Stats: 26 GP, 15-4-6, 2.55 GAA, .909 SV%
Jose Theodore’s departure means there is a new starting goalie in Washington… say hello to Varlamov! In two seasons as a backup to Theodore, Varlamov has a 19-4-7 record and 2.52 GAA. The Russian will likely start the year splitting time with fellow youngster Michal Neuvirth; but at some point I expect Varlamov to take the bull by the horns in net. He’ll be a better fantasy goalie than people think, as he’ll rack up the wins with the high-powered Capitals. If he takes over the number one role by midseason, I can see ‘Varly’ winning 40 games with a handful of shutouts.

4. Colin Wilson
09/10 Stats: 35 GP, 8 G, 7 A, 15 Pts, -2
Wilson’s rookie campaign was a tale of two stints. In October, the Boston U. product tallied two points in ten games. After returning from Milwaukee fully healthy, Wilson recorded 13 points in 25 games. Wilson had part-time duty on the top line, and was still getting acclimated to the NHL. With Jason Arnott out the door, Wilson could eventually take over as the number one pivot for Nashville, where he’d be dishing the puck to a 30-goal scorer in Patric Hornqvist, and receiving passes from playmaker Steve Sullivan. I like Wilson’s chances of getting 60-plus points with some decent power play numbers.

5. Troy Brouwer
09/10 Stats: 78 GP, 22 G, 18 A, 40 Pts, +9
Brouwer could be a sleeping giant in fantasy this season. Last year could have been viewed as his ‘breakout season’, but he’s going to have more of an opportunity to contribute even more in 2010/11. Dustin Byfuglien’s absence means Brouwer likely gets a top-six role with the Blackhawks, where he’d be alongside Jonathan Toews/Patrick Kane or Marian Hossa/Patrick Sharp. The 25-year-old Brouwer can take over the role of power forward on the power play, and is surrounded by talent in Chicago. Is 30 goals out of the question for him this year? No.

Honorable Mention:
Claude Giroux
Jonas Gustavsson
Peter Mueller
T.J. Oshie
Brandon Sutter

Deep Sleepers:
Derick Brassard
Sam Gagner
Evander Kane
Erik Karlsson
Kyle Turris

Canucks Find a Bargain in Torres

Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis has gone bargain shopping this week. It was reported late last night by various Sportsnet insiders that the team has signed winger Raffi Torres to a one-year, $1 million deal, but the deal won’t officially be announced until Gillis returns to Vancouver. Torres split the 2009/10 campaign between Columbus and Buffalo, where he racked up 36 points in 74 games.

The Canucks needed a bottom-six forward to round everything out up front. For $1 million, Torres can certainly be a bargain. Even though he wasn’t the best fit with the Sabres, Torres scored 19 goals in 60 games with the Blue Jackets before getting dealt.

A potential third line featuring Manny Malhotra, Jannik Hansen, and Torres could really be effective for Vancouver. Vancouver’s forward unit looks to be in good shape… take a look:

D. Sedin / H. Sedin / Burrows
Raymond / Kesler / Samuelsson
Torres / Malhotra / Hansen
Glass / Rypien / Hordichuk
Spares: Hodgson, Tambellini, Bolduc

Between the tough task of containing the Sedins and the others who can get under your skin (almost everyone else), I don’t think many teams will enjoy facing this team in 2010/11.

With that being said, uncertainty still remains on the Canucks’ back end. The top four is set: Dan Hamhuis, Christian Ehrhoff, Alex Edler, and Keith Ballard. However, Kevin Bieksa is still in play and could be traded before the season begins to clear some cap space. With the Torres signing, the Canucks will be $3.65 million over the cap according to CapGeek; Bieksa has a $3.75M cap hit.

They have also reportedly been interested in re-signing defenseman Willie Mitchell, which would throw an extra kink into things for Gillis. Any other move like that would likely mean Sami Salo (Achilles injury) would begin the year on LTIR.

Gillis isn’t quite done yet this summer, but his roster is taking shape – and it’s a damn good one. The Hockey News picked them to win the Cup this season, and many other pundits anticipate them to come close to living up to those expectations.

Torres doesn’t put Vancouver over the top or individually make the difference in them winning it all; but it’s the type of signing that can glue everything together. They didn’t have many quality bottom-six forwards (at least none of Torres’ caliber), but have four formidable lines. And Gillis has signed him at a damn good price in this current salary cap world.

Photo credit: Getty Images

'RLD Hockey Talk' - Episode 27 Outline

You can listen to tonight's show right HERE at 8 PM ET / 7 PM CT!

7:00 CT
- Show Introduction
- Welcome in co-hosts Anthony Curatolo & Buddy Oakes
- Update on various news

7:05 CT (roughly)
- Welcome in guest John Buccigross, ESPN
- How broadcasting career started
- How interest in hockey started
- Hockey at ESPN
- Would it work again?
- Back-story on book about Keith Jones
- Best Barry Melrose story?

7:25/30 CT (roughly)
- Welcome in guest Matt Reitz, View From My Seats
- Everything going on at VFMS
- Thoughts on Kings off-season

- Roundtable Discussion
- Where will Willie Mitchell sign?
- Winners and losers of the summer
- Kovalchuk deal near completion?
- RDO Camp thoughts
- Other various topics

Top 25 Fantasy Left Wingers

(Ed. note: We thank Chris from The Program for posting his fantasy rankings this week... today came the left wingers, with the centers and right wingers to follow tomorrow and Thursday, respectively.)

Oh dear god, here we go again. More controversy coming as we list our left wingers. For folks screaming, we have Rick Nash (a special insertion has been made for Nash as a LW and RW on our lists so please adjust accordingly). There were lots of tough choices and do note last year's pre-season rankings in parenthesis. That is a big word I know.

This year's list may be more cruel than last year's edition. Names have not been changed to protect the innocent. Please also note that several players are multi-position eligible unlike years past, it seems. There are some pretty strange picks in here so it is time to just get right on down to this and then we can let the debating begin. While we wonder if the young and improving Islanders are ready to take a run at a playoff spot, let's examine the top left wingers in the game.

1. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals (1):
Ovechkin has led all left wingers in points in each of the last three years. He did slack a bit in shots on goal with 368 in 72 games, an average of 5.1 per game. But when you average 1.51 points per game, you are on another level. Combine that with the charisma that Ovie possesses and, really, this is the easiest top pick, position wise. Also, for those that care about penalty minutes, Ovechkin was a little more feisty last year with 89. Ovechkin has come in right around 110 points for three straight years, and that kind of consistency makes fantasy owners happy to take him as a first or second pick. Why not expect more of the same? By the way, AO averaged 23:00 ATOI (Average Time On Ice) last year. The one thing I think could be different is his plus/minus -- it will not be a +45; I think it will be a hair lower, but that is just me. However, another 110-point season should be on the way. So I'm expecting Ovechkin to put up somewhere between 50 and 55 goals and about 55 to 60 assists.
2. Ilya Kovalchuk, UFA (will be in NJ) (2):
Kovalchuk can still do things with a hockey stick that not many on this Earth can. The 290 shots on goal and 21:28 ATOI he put up last season are also nice cornerstones for fantasy owners. Kovalchuk can get 100 points this season. The question is will he? I happen to think he won't only because whatever contract he signs will come with an immense amount of pressure considering the saga that has come forth. However, the Devils (when he signs there) will be better on the man advantage this season and that should translate to nearly 50 goals and a little over 90 points which means maybe 15 to 20 PPGs from Kovalchuk if the price is right in Jersey.
3. Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils (3):
Parise broke in as a center, but was moved to left wing. He was able to create his own offense, racking up 38 goals and, yes, 347 shots on net. Really, Parise is still the best player the Devils have offensively as he not only has skill, but is not afraid to outwork much bigger and stronger guys for the puck. Simply put, he is too good to be held down. Parise was a +24 last year despite having a bit of a down second half. At the age of 26, he is poised to see some of those shots go in that did not last year. I am not saying he'll get 100 points this year, but the potential is there despite the roster. Teams just have a hard time stopping Parise and that is why he may be a more sought after LW than even Kovalchuk. A 90-to-95 point season for Parise would be about right, though I would not be surprised if he does exceed that.
4. Mike Cammalleri, Montreal Canadiens (16):
The line Cammalleri will be on alone merits your attention, as Brian Gionta and Scott Gomez are perfect compliments. The playoff success Cammalleri had in carrying the team's offense to the conference finals should be enough to cement this ranking. People can and will get mad here, but Cammalleri is a top notch scorer on his own now. The season he had two years ago (with Calgary) may be nothing compared to this year. As we all know, LW has been kind of a strange position the last few years. That being said, Cammalleri can top 90 points with this kind of offense. He has to for the Habs to make the playoffs. An even 45-45 sounds about accurate and Cammalleri will also likely pot 20-25 goals on the man advantage and get around or above 300 shots on goal with the increased ice time. The key for him is health -- can he avoid the injury bug?
5. Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings (NR):
I just think Zetterberg will finally stay healthy...err...the surrounding talent will. That hurt badly last season, as Zetterberg limped to 70 points. Also, this is likely the last year he is LW elligible as he is only listed as center in most leagues, but there are enough out there that give him the dual LW/C position. I am expecting Zetterberg to bounce back close to the 90-point mark and maybe a hair higher. A jump up from 12 PPGs to nearly 20 is also projected for a guy that is a top five LW and is now entering his hockey prime. The man is 30 now -- time to step up or step down. Zetterberg will step up and should see some LW time so he may become temporarily eligible again. Stay tuned.
6. Alexander Semin, Washington Capitals (4 at RW):
Playing with Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom results in automatic production. I just think Semin's wonky back and some injury issues may be just enough to keep him out of the top five; but he should average better than a point per game. The other problem is that Semin was forced to RW last year and may play there again. Check your league eligibility requirements, but he should be listed as a LW in most leagues. If you can keep him there, great! Left wingers just are not as proficient scorers as the wingers on the other side. If Semin stays healthy, he'll go way over 90 points, but I see him missing games for a variety of reasons...mainly his back. It's funny also that Semin shoots a lot, but only scored eight of his 34 goals on power play. That has to improve if he is to take that next step. I am expecting around 85 points in about 70 games for Semin this season.
7. Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks (9):
Why is Sedin still listed so low? Vancouver is not going to score 270+ goals this year, so the production hit will at least hinder this twin some. Daniel's high production in limited action last year was more Vancouver mirage than actual reality. Again expect more of the same old, same old from Sedin. The nice thing is about 80-to-85 points should be achieved rather easily with around 30 goals. Sedin had nine PPG last year, so expect 11 or 12 this year. At least the points per game average will be nice.
*8. Dany Heatley, San Jose Sharks (N/A):
San Jose's big acquisition from last off-season started off with a bang, scoring 18 goals in his first 28 games in teal. Heatley's production tailed off a bit as the season went on as he finished with 39 goals. Now that he is acclimated with Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau for a full season, you could see his production rise in 2010-11. Look for Heatley to score at least 40 for the first time since 2007-08, and it wouldn't surprise me to see him approach 50. He'll also put up nice power play and plus/minus numbers.

9. Patrik Elias, New Jersey Devils (14):
Elias is old and crafty and he typically bounces back after very poor seasons. This season will be a test, but I think he can rebound. Elias has one more good season before fading and this is it. Health is always an issue as he only played 58 games last season, but he did score 48 points and could have had 60 to be honest. If he gets it in gear early, Elias will see left wing time as well as action at center. Elias will get come awfully close to scoring 30 goals this season. He was projected around 30 last season and with the man advantage getting an upgrade, the points should get back to around one per game as well. Elias will end up with around 80 points, which is enough to earn a top-ten ranking.
10. Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks (8):
So we create a little more controversy by not having Marleau in the top five. However, he only had 83 points and I really think his production is capped around that total. Sure, Joe Thornton will help some, but part of me just thinks this is what Marleau now is -- around a 40-40 guy, which is great for your league, but not a top-line talent for fantasy. Maybe I will be proven wrong like I was with the Sedins last year. Still, I'm expect the same old, same old again from Marleau -- around 80-to-85 points. I think he's a player that will be drafted too early in fantasy leagues this season.
11. Ray Whitney, Phoenix Coyotes (15):
Why not, really? Phoenix is very good at reclamation projects with players like this and Whitney is in a good situation. If he sets up on a line with Shane Doan and Wojtek Wolski, that could be some serious potential. The key for Whitney is health. This is one of our riskier picks, but we will take it based on consistency and I expect 75-to-80 points from him, including ten PPGs and about 20 PPAs, nice numbers from a guy heading toward the age of 40. Call it a bounce back year before he finally goes into the tank!
12. Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets (NR):
We did not have him listed as a LW last year but we slot him just outside the top ten as an A choice to Ray Whitney. He had only 67 points last season and some will say Columbus still has the same problems as last year but you figure he has to bounce back at least a bit into the mid 70's for points. He is worth having in leagues for his versatility. Check your league to see how he is listed...its about 50-50.
13. Simon Gagne, Tampa Bay Lightning (12):
Gagne was pretty healthy last year, and that means a very good season. The injury issues are a major concern for fantasy owners; but when he is in, your team is good to go. It will be interesting to see how he gels on the Tampa Bay power play. That should tell the tale as far as his production goes, and ultimately his fantasy relevance.
14. Thomas Vanek, Buffalo Sabres (5):
As Jason Pominville goes, so goes Vanek. Vanek is likely stuck in one of those situations where the team dynamic just dictates balanced scoring and instead of rising above the fray, he floats into the status quo. Maybe he finds a way to get his scoring up to around 75 points or so, but that would almost seem to be a miracle this year. His 53-point output last season really angered some fantasy owners, so Vanek will have to step up.
15. David Perron, St. Louis Blues (NR):
Ladies and gentlemen, I like Perron's potential and you should too. The Blues are young and exciting and they are also bound to erase the power play nightmares from last season as the old guard is definitely finished. Here comes a season that will make the Blues shine a bit more.
16. Loui Eriksson, Dallas Stars (18):
The last two years were no fluke. Eriksson is on his way with guys like Brenden Morrow and James Neal (if he ever signs). You can do worse than Eriksson and he likely gets around 65 points or so, maybe a hair more if Dallas figures out the right way down the ice.
17. David Booth, Florida Panthers (17):
When Booth's head is up, he is good to go. Florida will need scoring and Booth can provide it. Again, the only concern is can he take the physical pounding? For Booth to be relevant in fantasy leagues, he will have to play at least 75 games. I think he does just that.
18. Ryane Clowe, San Jose Sharks (NR):
For Clowe to take the next step, the man advantage goals have to come way up. Two will not cut it. If he gets around eight to ten power play tallies, a 60-to-65 point season is likely, and that keeps fantasy owners happy!
19. Ryan Smyth, Los Angeles Kings (NR):
Smyth will still have a nice season, but another year older means maybe he's a step slower. The Kings will be more balanced from top to bottom as well. Expect a decent year from the aging warrior.
20. Jussi Jokinen, Carolina Hurricanes (NR):
Simply put, Jokinen plays a good two-way style and has found his niche in Carolina. He scores and he dishes just enough to be a viable fantasy player. A fantasy owner can steal him very late and be glad they did.
21. Kristian Huselius, Columbus Blue Jackets (NR):
Huselius has to play better than last season; I think he will respond at least somewhat. The question becomes, does anyone care? I do not have an answer to that, but watch out for Huselius, especially early.
22. Alex Burrows, Vancouver Canucks (NR):
Expect a slight drop from Burrows. Canuck fans were spoiled last year as it seemed everyone had a breakout season, or at least it felt that way. Do not expect 35 goals from Burrows, but something close to 30-30 will be a possibility as teams clamp down a bit on Vancouver. He can still be valuable because of his PIM's.
23. Andrew Brunette, Minnesota Wild (NR):
Brunette could probably score in a phone booth. Watch the crud Minnesota throws out there and then watch him still score.
24. Scott Hartnell, Philadelphia Flyers (11):
Hartnell will have a better second half, but expect a big drop in the first half. Sounds crazy? No, this is just Hartnell in a nutshell. Sorry to disappoint everyone.
25. Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings (NR):
The NortonSports client will do some nice things this year and improve on his power play totals. That should keep Brown fantasy relevant.

Coming up tomorrow, we head into the centers with guaranteed higher debates and angrier ones. Have at it ladies and gentlemen!

*Editors Note: Heatley was an initial omission, but has since been added. Sorry for the confusion.

Photo credit: Getty Images