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 first segment in a multi-part series exploring keeper options at center for keeper leagues.
Sidney Crosby | Pittsburgh Penguins
Love him or hate him, “The Kid” is undeniably a top talent in fantasy hockey. Crosby owners in keeper leagues spend the entire season smiling. Why? Because said owner can pencil in 100 points a season with ease for years to come (barring a catastrophic injury). While he may not have Ovechkin’s goal scoring prowess, he makes up for it with assists and power play points. Crosby even added a new element to his game this year by dropping the gloves a few times en route to 76 penalty minutes. Even with the constant changes to his line mates, Crosby remains extremely consistent. If you’re lucky enough to have his services, just sit back and enjoy the ride of this once in a lifetime talent.
Evgeni Malkin | Pittsburgh Penguins
The fringe hockey fan might consider Malkin a sidekick to Crosby. Upon further review, it’s clear that Malkin has Crosby level scoring ability. Malkin is the kind of player one can comfortably build a team around for years to come. He led all centers in scoring with 113 points this past season, and avoided some of the nagging injuries his peers could not. Malkin also chipped in a +17 rating and a sultry eighty penalty minutes. While he’s not usually paired with Crosby during even strength play, Evgeni sees plenty of power play time with his fellow prodigy, making this a dynamic tandem for the ages. Just because he does not carry the name brand of Crosby, do not be fooled. This Russian is a premier fantasy performer in a situation ripe for points.
Pavel Datsyuk | Detroit Red Wings
Datsyuk may not be in his early twenties like Crosby or Malkin, but that does not mean he won’t make fantasy owners look brilliant. Surrounded by uber-talents like Henrik Zetterberg and being on a perennial powerhouse like the Detroit Red Wings all contribute to the appeal to Datsyuk for fantasy owners. In fact, his 97 points this season matched his career high. Owners also looking for a boost in the +/- category can take comfort in Pavel. His whopping +34 was by far the cream of the crop for elite centers. Keep in mind Datsyuk has equaled or improved on his scoring every season. That could mean he is well on his way to his first 100 point campaign.
Joe Thornton | San Jose Sharks
One of the true signs of a great player is his ability to improve surrounding players dramatically. By that measure, Joe Thornton is a great player. He’s turned little known players like Jonathan Cheechoo, Milan Michalek, Ryane Clowe and Devin Setoguchi into names that make fantasy owners take notice. As soon as those players leave Thornton’s side, they lose some serious punch. Thornton’s precision passing and big body make him somewhat of a specimen. While he may not drop the gloves, he drops pretty passes everywhere else. He hasn’t been able to come close to his 114 point performance two seasons ago, but Thornton is still a lock for 80+ with significant power play pointing. Insert him in lineups with supreme confidence nightly.
Ryan Getzlaf | Anaheim Ducks
Ryan Getzlaf is a large, talented player who is really turning heads in southern California. Only in his mid twenties, Getzlaf burst onto the scene last season with 82 points (36 on the power play) and 94 penalty minutes. While that is clearly a stellar fantasy season, Getzlaf exceeded expectations this season when he scored 91 points with well over 100 penalty minutes. Even though Anaheim had a down year in the 2008-2009 regular season by recent standards, they acquired some young talent that will continue to develop around Getzlaf for years to come. It’s hard to believe eighteen teams passed over Getzlaf in the 2003 entry draft. If you are faced looking for a building block for your keeper team and the elites are off the board, take a chance on the rising star that is Ryan Getzlaf, especially in rotisserie leagues.
Jason Spezza | Ottawa Senators
Everyone has a bad day once in a while, right? How about a year? Ok, ok…Spezza was still able to score 73 points this past season and remained among the leaders in power play points for centers, but he still left his owners scratching their heads. How could a young player go from averaging 90 points and a +23 rating, to 73 points and a -14? It was a down year for Ottawa in general, and their lack of secondary scoring threats meant teams could load up top defenders against Ottawa’s Capital Punishment Line. As long as Spezza is still flanked by Heatley and Alfredsson next season, expect a strong bounce back. If he’s not, he may experience a slight drop off. Either way, make a shot at buying low on an impatient owner.
Vincent Lecavalier | Tampa Bay Lightning
If Jason Spezza had a disappointing season, I’m not even sure what to call what Lecavalier did in 2009. Stuck in Tampa Bay, or “Fantasy Hockey Hell”, Lecavalier was outscored by fellow Southeast center Todd White. While no one could have predicted that, fantasy owners should predict a bounce back season from Vinny in 2009-2010. Surrounded by St. Louis and the maturing Steven Stamkos, Lecavalier has some pieces in place around to help him rise above. Much like Spezza, Lecavalier is too young to already be on the decline. If you’re trying to trade for him, feel free to point out how awful Tampa Bay looks, and use that as a selling point for your offer. The odds are in favor; you’ll be the one laughing next season.
Marc Savard | Boston Bruins
If you’re a Bostonian, you pronounce it “Sahvahd.” It doesn’t really matter how you say it, as long as you own him in your fantasy league. He was the catalyst behind the top seeded Bruin team that has left its mark on the Eastern Conference layout. Savard is surrounded by young talent spread throughout all of Boston’s lines, and continues to feed them; feed off of them for a big 88 points in ‘08-‘09. Savard is a little bit longer in the tooth than some other premier centers, so don’t put him on your ten year keeper plan. However, he’ll often go overlooked for a more flash name at center, so take advantage. One more note…if you’re concerned about injuries from cheap shots, Savard has a personal bouncer named Milan Lucic flanking him, so no worries.
Saucerpass is currently running a keeper league series uncovering different levels of players at all 5 positions. We have already looked at goaltenders and left wingers, 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)
Questionable Left Wingers (Part 2)
Keeper Goaltenders for 2009-2010
Top Tier Goaltenders
Solid Goaltenders
Servicable Goaltenders
Questionable Goaltenders (Part 1)
Questionable Goaltenders (Part 2)
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