Preseason Rankings: Goaltenders

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.

The top goaltender entering the season has to be Evgeni Nabokov. He's playing for a perennial Stanley Cup contender, he's got a strong group of defensemen in front of him and he's playing in his contract year. All of these things add up to a Vezina trophy winning year for the San Jose Sharks netminder. After an injury-shortened season, Martin Brodeur's looking to prove that he's still got some great years still in him. If the Vancouver Canucks are going to get into the postseason, it'll be on the shoulders of Roberto Luongo, as usual. Tim Thomas took some big steps forward last season, so he'll be looking to follow that up with a strong season this year. After his incredible play in the playoffs last season, Marc-Andre Fleury's hoping to carry that right into this season. If he can provide some consistency between the pipes for the Pittsburgh Penguins, then a return date to the Finals isn't an unreasonable expectation.

1. Evgeni Nabokov (SJ)
2. Martin Bordeur (NJ)

3. Roberto Luongo (VAN)
4. Miikka Kiprusoff (CGY)

5. Niklas Backstrom (MIN)
6. Tim Thomas (BOS)
7. Henrik Lundqvist (NYR)
8. Marc-Andre Fleury (PIT)
9. Cristobal Huet (CHI)
10. Ryan Miller (BUF)

Fantasy Impact: While it's probably smart to have at least one proven netminder on your roster, I've always subscribed to the belief that if you actively manage your roster, you can usually find a goalie that comes out of nowhere to contribute for you. He may not be Evgeni Nabokov or Martin Brodeur, but he'll give you 20-25 wins. In fantasy baseball, the equivelant would be the closer. There are guys like Mariano Rivera and then there are guys like David Aardsma, who took over in the middle of the season and have been spectacular the rest of the way. Grab one of the top goaltenders, but then hold out for that sleeper pick-up that you'll ride straight to the playoffs.

Preseason Rankings: Centers

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.

Let's start with the captain on the ice, the center, where the names at the top of the list are all too familiar: Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby, Pavel Datsyuk, but the rest of the top 10 is much more interesting. Rising star Jeff Carter is looking to build on a breakout 46-goal season and lead the Philadelphia Flyers back to the playoffs. Joe Thornton continues to drive the San Jose Sharks offensive machine and the addition of Dany Heatley could even provide a scoring boost, if that's possible. At just 21-years-old, Jonathan Toews is already coming off of a 34-goal campaign. With another step forward, he could easily be one of the top 5 centers next season. He's got all the tools to be a great player in the NHL.

1. Evgeni Malkin (PIT)
2. Sidney Crosby (PIT)
3. Pavel Datsyuk (DET)
4. Jeff Carter (PHI)
5. Ryan Getzlaf (ANH)
6. Joe Thornton (SJ)
7. Henrik Zetterberg (DET)
8. Marc Savard (BOS)
9. Jonathan Toews (CHI)
10. Nicklas Backstrom (WAS)

Fantasy Impact: Having a strong presence at the Center position is vital to any championship fantasy hockey team, but make sure you have strategy going into the draft. If you're looking for more of a goal-scoring center, then Joe Thornton probably isn't your guy. If you want an assist machine, then you should probably avoid Henrik Zetterberg. Basically it's all about having a plan. Know what guys will be available in later rounds and don't reach for recognizable names who are past their prime.