Fantasy hockey preview: Left Wing
With a month to go until they drop the puck on the 2010-11 National Hockey League season, fantasy leagues all over North America and the world are beginning to start up. Whether you are playing a rotisserie, head-to-head or a points league it is important to get the best value with your picks.
The left wing position can provide any general manager with a quality point producing forward as well a reliable defensive and penalty minute producing winger. The gap between a highly ranked left winger and one projected to go into the lower rounds can be great, however that does not mean you will not be able to find a gem in the eighth or ninth rounds. Below is a breakdown for drafting left wingers for the upcoming season.
Upper Echelon
These are the players that are expected to go in the first or second round, so if you are willing to choose a left winger early these will be your guys.
Alex Ovechkin – Washington Capitals
Likely to be the first pick in almost every draft, there is a reason why Ovechkin has been ranked number one by nearly every fantasy hockey website again this year. Finishing last season with 50 goals and 109 points as well as going a plus-45 with 89 penalty minutes (PIMS) and 13 power play points (PP) Ovechkin is your best bet for 2010-11.
Daniel Sedin – Vancouver Canucks
Although he did not accumulate as many points as his brother Henrik last season he still managed an astonishing 85 points in just 63 games. This type of production deservedly earns him a first round selection. Nevertheless, you will want to counter Sedin with a player who is going to generate more penalty minutes, as he only had 28 last season.
Middle of the road
If you are not looking to splurge on a left winger but are willing to use your third or fourth round selection you will be looking at these players.
Wojtek Wolski – Phoenix Coyotes
Wolski collected 65 points split between the Colorado Avalanche and Phoenix last year and may be due for an increase next season. Capable of scoring 30 goals and 70 points, Wolski is a solid pick in the middle of the pack. Nevertheless, he does drop because of his lack of PIMs and PP, although Wolski is unique because he can be assigned to both centre and the wing.
James Neal – Dallas Stars
Anyone who chose James Neal late last season made off with a steal. The youngster recorded 27 goals and 55 points. However, this season no one will be getting that lucky. Neal is a bona-fide NHLer and will be on everyone’s radar come the fourth and fifth rounds. If you are in a keeper league and he is somehow still available, lock him up.
Hidden gems
These are the players that you will be able to get late in the draft but will still be productive and could even provide the majority of your scoring punch if they have a breakout season.
Jussi Jokinen – Carolina Hurricanes
Last season in Carolina, Jokinen had a career year, registering 30 goals and 65 points, while going a plus-three and notching 10 PP on a below average squad. The biggest question facing Jokinen is whether or not he is able to repeat his impressive season. However, if you are in the late stages of the draft and still find yourself without a left winger, Jokinen could be a major steal.
Mason Raymond – Vancouver Canucks
Unless you are in an all-Vancouver draft it is likely that Raymond will not be on your radar. The 24-year-old had a breakout year in 2009-10 tallying 25 goals and 53 points, while scratching together eight PP. In 2010-11 the Canucks expect Raymond to make the next step and he will be starting the season on the second line.
If chosen early, your left wingers can be the best players on your fantasy roster, however if you are not willing to part with early picks the positions still offers a great deal of depth.
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