With the fantasy hockey season winding down, managers in keeper leagues need to start considering players to bring over to the 2009-2010 season. This is the final segment in a multi-part series exploring keeper options at left wing for keeper leagues.
Todd Bertuzzi | Calgary Flames
Bertuzzi had another so-so season and appears to be on the down slope of his career. He is certainly an option for managers to consider in the draft and slot as a 2nd, possibly 3rd option at left wing, but his keeper luster is fading fast. Bertuzzi just hasn’t been the same since he left Vancouver and should be considered as a keeper in emergency situations only in deep keeper leagues.
Pavol Demitra | Vancouver Canucks
2009-2010 will be a contract year for Demitra and with several seasons left in him, he should be on top of his game for Vancouver if he wants to get paid. He had a solid first season with the Canucks and should continue to provide a veteran anchor for a relatively young, up and coming team. Managers in moderate to deep keeper leagues could certainly consider Demitra as a keeper, however, be prepared to draft a backup left winger that could be used as a keeper as a precautionary in case he doesn’t pan out next season.
Dustin Penner | Edmonton Oilers
At what point do you think Kevin Lowe will admit defeat in the controversial offer sheet signing of Dustin Penner? From what we’ve seen so far from Penner in Edmonton, he isn’t living up to being one of the highest paid players on the team and is certainly showing that his fantasy value isn’t something that can be relied upon too heavily. Penner was a bright spot for the ’06-’07 Ducks and it seems like Lowe bit hard on his “breakout” season. Since coming to Edmonton, Penner hasn’t lived up to expectations and continues to foil fantasy owners who are banking on 50+ point seasons. He maxed out at an abysmal 37 points last season and could certainly merit keeper consideration in the deepest of fantasy leagues for managers struggling with injuries. Outside those circumstances, though, wait until the draft.
David Booth | Florida Panthers
David Booth is quietly emerging into a rock solid fantasy option and for managers in keeper leagues, could very well hold value as a utility player in deep keeper leagues. Booth had 60 points this season and is heading into a contract season in 2009-2010. Big things could be in store for Booth this upcoming season, so this is not a matter of whether or not he’ll be able to perform; it’s a matter of being a smart manager and waiting until the draft to snag him unless you’re handcuffed otherwise. He very well could fly below the radar, so for managers take note. It may pay off to play it cool.
Loui Eriksson | Dallas Stars
It may be wise to treat Eriksson like you do Booth. Savvy managers know Eriksson’s potential but are aware that he could fly under the radar a bit as well, especially in the post-keeper drafting rounds. He is developing into a keeper option in the deepest of leagues, but for those of you in shallower keeper leagues, wait until the draft and land him as a bit of a sleeper then.
Erik Cole | Carolina Hurricanes
Ok. So we’ve learned that Erik Cole can only play hockey with Eric Staal in Carolina. That certainly should make things interesting with Cole being a free agent in less than 8 weeks. We know Cole’s capable of doing big things for fantasy owners and looking past the fact that he has struggled with a couple significant injuries in his career, he’s a solid option at left wing if he is re-signed in Carolina. If he ends up elsewhere, it’s ok to be skeptical of his ability to put up the numbers he should in another system. Cole is a keeper worthy left wing in moderate to deep keeper leagues at this point, but if he leaves Carolina, you may want to look elsewhere for something more surefire.
Milan Lucic | Boston Bruins
While Lucic won’t provide you with the dazzling offensive output like some fantasy options, he is certainly developing into a well-rounded fantasy option and could very well be a keeper option in deep keeper leagues that weigh in heavily on penalty minutes. Lucic is constantly being shuffled up and down the depth charts in Boston, so placing him with specific line mates is difficult. One thing is for certain though: he’s a beast in front of the net. Boston will more than likely continue to use Lucic’s monster frame to screen goaltenders in power play situations next season. If he goes un-kept in your league, consider going after him within the first couple rounds of the draft next season, especially in deep keeper leagues that utilize a rotisserie style of play.
Saucerpass is currently running a keeper league series uncovering different levels of players at all 5 positions. We have already looked at goaltenders and their keepability and will continue to breakdown every position until we’ve covered most options for next season:
Keeper Left Wingers for 2009-2010
Top Tier Left Wingers
Solid Left Wingers
Serviceable Left Wingers (Part 1)
Serviceable Left Wingers (Part 2)
Questionable Left Wingers (Part 1)
Keeper Goaltenders for 2009-2010
Top Tier Goaltenders
Solid Goaltenders
Servicable Goaltenders
Questionable Goaltenders (Part 1)
Questionable Goaltenders (Part 2)
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