Defense is the Name of the Game in Anaheim Once Again

Club: Anaheim Ducks
Fantasy Impact Grade: Lukewarm

Superstars: Chris Pronger
Big Producers: Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Scott Niedermayer
Mid Level Flyers: Chris Kunitz,
Rookies/ Prospects: Bobby Ryan
Sleepers: Brendan Morrison
Avoid the Hype: Mathieu Schneider

Analysis:
The Anaheim Ducks head into the 2008-2009 regular season offering an abundance of fantasy options for managers looking to solidify all aspects of their fantasy team. Once again, the Ducks are offering up some of the best defensive options in the league, and a first line that may be among the best in the NHL.

Chris Pronger may be the most valuable defenseman any manager can add to their team. Pronger brings to the table the ability to score, run the power play and accumulate penalty minutes, thus making him a fantasy stud. Some managers hold off on drafting d-men until they have built up a solid forward and goaltending core, however, if you’re in the position to nab Pronger with a 4th or 5th round pick, you may want to pull the trigger. Scott Niedermayer will be joining the Ducks for yet another season on the pond and should be considered a number one defender for any fantasy team as well. Despite all the rumors swirling around Niedermayer retiring, many people forget that he’s only 35 and is still capable of putting up 55 to 70 points this upcoming season. The only situation you may want to avoid him in is a keeper situation. He seems like he’s on a year-to-year basis as of right now as to whether or not he’ll continue playing hockey, so to make sure you don’t get caught between a rock in a hard place in your defender situation, you may want to look for Niedermayer as a 2nd option on your defense if you’re in keeper format. Another thought would be to use him as trade bait if you have a manager who catches the injury bug at some point in the season.

Offensively, the Ducks provide fantasy managers with a solid core of rising stars to round out their top line. Ryan Getzlaf has been a force for the past two seasons and there is no indication of him slowing down whatsoever. He’s a great first option at center that should be considered starting in the 3rd round of a 12 manager draft. Corey Perry has increased his production in each of the past two seasons and much like Getzy, there isn’t much slowing him down in the forthcoming season as well. Look for Perry to go starting somewhere in the 4th round. Chris Kunitz will anchor the left side on this top line and managers concerned about his point total drop off from 2006-2007 to 2007-2008 should rest easy. This line has had a season under their belt of getting familiar with one another, and Kunitz, who only notched 50 points last season, should easily surpass that mark this year, and hit between 65 and 70 points. The nice thing about Kunitz is that he’ll slip through to the 5th or 6th round in a 12 manager draft, so if your league is based on specific forward positions, it might be advantageous to draft a premier left winger and land Kunitz in that 5th or 6th round to ensure that you’ll have some serious depth at a position that may be least abundant in terms of fantasy caliber players.

Brendan Morrison joins the Ducks in 2008-2009 and looks to offer some secondary scoring power along with with top prospect Bobby Ryan to his right. Morrison has proven himself at just about every level but caught a bit of bad luck last season with a long term injury. The good news for fantasy managers is that his injury should allow him to fall in the player rankings, especially in a position as deep as center. You may be able to draft Morrison in the middle rounds, making him a serious sleeper in this year’s draft. If he remains healthy, consider him good for 50-60 points this season. Bobby Ryan, who was taken right behind Crosby in the 2005 Entry Draft, may turn a few heads this upcoming season as well. Ryan started showing his potential in last year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs and is hoping to carry over his successes in the OHL to the professional level. He is one of the best rookies out there in this year’s draft and he’ll be playing a fairly prominent role in Anaheim’s offense so if you are interested in adding him as a right winger, consider him your 3rd or 4th option. That way, if he falters, you can hang on to him without compromising the rest of your team’s production.

Goaltending:
Situation: Solid
Grade: B+
1. Jean-Sebastien Giguere
2. Jonas Hiller

J.S. Giguere will once again be the starting goaltender in Anaheim to begin the 2008-2009 campaign. Giggy has played well over his career, but is starting to feel the effects of his age. Giguere is a lower end number one goalie for fantasy teams because of his age and susceptibility to injuries in recent years. He is in one of the most competitive divisions in hockey so he’ll be tested often this season. If you’re able to land a more solid option in net, then Giguere would make a great number two option. If you have to rely on him as your number one, it may not be a terrible idea to consider Jonas Hiller with your last pick of the draft, just to provide a little insurance for your goaltending situation.

Fantasy Hockey Team Breakdowns List