Sleepers on the Prowl in Florida this Season
Club: Florida Panthers
Fantasy Impact Rating: Lukewarm
Superstars: None
Big Producers: Nathan Horton
Mid-Level Flyers: Stephen Weiss, Jay Bouwmeester, Cory Stillman
Rookies/Prospects: Shawn Matthias, Michael Frolik, Michal Repik
Sleepers: David Booth, Rostislav Olesz, Keith Ballard, Stephen Weiss
Analysis:
Heading in to 2008-2009, the Florida Panthers appear to have the composition of a young, up and coming team that may offer a few fantasy surprises as the season progresses.
Nathan Horton has posted two straight seasons of 60+ points and there isn’t much stopping him from doing the same this season. Horton is developing into a rock solid power forward that could make a push for the 80-90 point mark in the next couple of seasons. Remember, he’s still a part of a young squad and the team has a lot of growing to do over the next several seasons, but the talent is certainly there for Horton to feed off of. Horton could slip to round 5 or 6 in a twelve manager league but picking up a player who could put up 60-70 points this season in those rounds would make any manager feel good inside.
Accompanying Horton on the top line this season is youngster Stephen Weiss at center and veteran Cory Stillman at left wing. Weiss is a bit of a sleeper coming into this season because of his new found top line role. Weiss and Horton clicked well last season and he certainly does have the potential to be a threat at center, but don’t go counting on him as your number one or two center. You should be able to nab Weiss somewhere in the middle to late rounds and with the potential to score 50-60 points, he’ll be an easy fit into any fantasy manager’s third center option. Stillman still has the potential to put up decent numbers and will often go overlooked in drafts. Keep in mind that he’s on a developing team, so the numbers may not be similar to those he put up in Carolina or Tampa Bay, but could be a nice fit on any fantasy squad as a 2nd or 3rd option at left wing. You may be able to nab Stillman in the middle rounds of a twelve manager draft.
With the departure of Olli Jokinen, Florida was able to acquire some depth at defense with one of the players coming over being Keith Ballard. Ballard may be a sleeper defender to most this upcoming season, playing in the shadows of big Jay Bouwmeester, however, don’t overlook his ability to quarterback a powerplay, and consider him a nice late round option for your 4th or 5th defender position. Jay Bouwmeester is, without a doubt, Florida’s number one defender, however, take notice that his point production has declined each season since 2005-06. Based on last years numbers, treat Bouwmeester as a solid 2nd option at defense. If you’re concerned about his offensive output, you could use the flash of his name to package him in a trade to upgrade a position.
Two sleepers that might catch the eye of managers this season are David Booth and Rostislav Olesz. Booth moved up and down the Panther depth chart last season and seemed to click with Weiss and Horton the most. If Stillman ever goes cold, Booth would be given the opportunity at first line duty, and may be worth one of your last picks in the draft. There is no harm in stashing him on your bench until we can gauge whether or not he’s going to be a factor this season. Rostislav Olesz may be a nice option in case of an injury, and probably should be avoided in all drafting situations. However, he may be another Panther to turn some heads down the road this season.
Of the three rookies and prospects listed, Shawn Matthias may have the best chance of starting the season with the Panthers. Matthias has really turned up his game with the Bellville Bulls in these past two seasons and may offer Florida a solid option at center. After Weiss, the role to play 2nd line center is up in the air, and if Matthias gets the nod to start the season in Florida, he may easily work his way up to that role. Similarly, Michael Frolik displays all the potential of being a viable option at center for Florida as well. Much like Matthias, Frolik has also turned up his game these past two seasons with Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL. In those two seasons, he had posted 55 goals and 83 assists in 97 games. He may be a season away, but certainly someone to keep on your radar for future investments. Michal Repik has been quite consistent in producing with Vancouver of the WHL, but has a few players ahead of him in the system at the right wing position. Therefore, much like Frolik, you’ll want to keep an open eye if you’re looking for value picks in the later rounds of a dynasty draft.
Goaltending:
Situation: Rock Solid
Grade: B
1. Tomas Vokoun
2. Craig Anderson
The Panthers will have Tomas Vokoun between the pipes once again to start the season. Vokoun had a so-so season last year, posting a 30-29 record with a 2.68 goals against average. Plain and simple: Vokoun is a top goalie playing on a team that’s trying to find their niche right now. Before you go slotting him in as your number one fantasy tender, keep in the back of your mind that he has had some health issues that past several seasons, and could be a liability again this season. If you’re looking for a competent 2nd goaltender to backup a Lundqvist or Nabokov, Vokoun is a great fit for you. If you do end up having Vokoun as your number one tender, it may not be a bad idea to nab Craig Anderson with your last pick. He’s a great insurance policy and should give you peace of mind in net this season.
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