The following series of posts will list the top 10 fantasy players at each skill position based on projected fantasy output for the upcoming 2009 season.
At the forward position, the talent pool is deep with guys who can put the puck in the net. At the top of the list is Alexander Ovechkin, who led the league in scoring last season with 56 goals. Enough has already been said about the Washington Capitals superstar, so let’s move on to the more intriguing players on the list. After building on two solid 30-seasons for the New Jersey Devils, Zach Parise took a big step forward last season in establishing himself as one of the top goal-scorers in the NHL with his 45 goal total. The guy with the biggest scoring upside coming into the season has to be Dany Heatley. Playing on the same line as Joe Thornton should net him at least 15 more goals over last season’s total (39), which would put him in Ovechkin’s neighborhood. At 32-years-old, it’ll be interesting to see whether Jerome Iginla plays like the guy who scored 50 goals two seasons ago or the 35-goal scorer from last season. Playing for a retooled Calgary Flames team should help take some of the pressure off of him and possibly help open up more shooting lanes him. After increasing his goal-scoring total three consecutive years (40 goals last season), Rich Nash has established himself as a star on an otherwise nameless Columbus Blue Jackets team. After a hot start for the Buffalo Sabres last season, Thomas Vanek has to prove that he belongs among the leagues elite offensive goal-scores.
1. Alexander Ovechkin (WAS)
2. Zach Parise (NJ)
3. Corey Perry (ANH)
4. Dany Heatley (SJ)
5. Jerome Iginla (CGY)
6. Rick Nash (CLS)
7. Ilya Kovalchuk (ATL)
8. Patrick Kane (CHI)
9. Thomas Vanek (BUF)
10. Mike Cammalleri (MON)
Fantasy Impact: The important thing to remember about forwards is that very few of them are good enough to do it all themselves. They really heavily on their linemates to setup a lot of their goals, which is why the top goal-scorers inevitably play for the best teams. It's very difficult to put up strong numbers on a bad team. With that in mind, a guy like Dany Heatley is bound to benefits significantly from his trade to the San Jose Sharks. On the flip side, even though I really like Rick Nash's game, the Columbus Blue Jackets still don't have the supporting talent for him to reach his potential. I wouldn't be surprised if his goal total drops this season after three straight years of going up.
At the forward position, the talent pool is deep with guys who can put the puck in the net. At the top of the list is Alexander Ovechkin, who led the league in scoring last season with 56 goals. Enough has already been said about the Washington Capitals superstar, so let’s move on to the more intriguing players on the list. After building on two solid 30-seasons for the New Jersey Devils, Zach Parise took a big step forward last season in establishing himself as one of the top goal-scorers in the NHL with his 45 goal total. The guy with the biggest scoring upside coming into the season has to be Dany Heatley. Playing on the same line as Joe Thornton should net him at least 15 more goals over last season’s total (39), which would put him in Ovechkin’s neighborhood. At 32-years-old, it’ll be interesting to see whether Jerome Iginla plays like the guy who scored 50 goals two seasons ago or the 35-goal scorer from last season. Playing for a retooled Calgary Flames team should help take some of the pressure off of him and possibly help open up more shooting lanes him. After increasing his goal-scoring total three consecutive years (40 goals last season), Rich Nash has established himself as a star on an otherwise nameless Columbus Blue Jackets team. After a hot start for the Buffalo Sabres last season, Thomas Vanek has to prove that he belongs among the leagues elite offensive goal-scores.1. Alexander Ovechkin (WAS)
2. Zach Parise (NJ)
3. Corey Perry (ANH)
4. Dany Heatley (SJ)
5. Jerome Iginla (CGY)
6. Rick Nash (CLS)
7. Ilya Kovalchuk (ATL)
8. Patrick Kane (CHI)
9. Thomas Vanek (BUF)
10. Mike Cammalleri (MON)
Fantasy Impact: The important thing to remember about forwards is that very few of them are good enough to do it all themselves. They really heavily on their linemates to setup a lot of their goals, which is why the top goal-scorers inevitably play for the best teams. It's very difficult to put up strong numbers on a bad team. With that in mind, a guy like Dany Heatley is bound to benefits significantly from his trade to the San Jose Sharks. On the flip side, even though I really like Rick Nash's game, the Columbus Blue Jackets still don't have the supporting talent for him to reach his potential. I wouldn't be surprised if his goal total drops this season after three straight years of going up.
0 comments:
Post a Comment