Serviceable Center Options for Keeper Leagues in the 2009-2010 Fantasy Hockey Season
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 third segment in a multi-part series exploring keeper options at center for keeper leagues.
Olli Jokinen | Calgary Flames
Jokinen was traded from a rebuilding team in Phoenix to a playoff contender in Calgary this past season. Olli ripped off 91 points just two seasons ago, so owners should keep his potential in mind. He is on the wrong side of thirty for a keeper league, but Calgary may very well be his fountain of youth. In a small sample size, Olli was close to averaging a point a game in the great Northwestern portion of Canada. If you’re planning on being a part of your keeper league for a long time, you can safely assume Olli has peaked. If you only plan on staying in for a couple, you can safely assume at least a few more big seasons for this Finnish center. Move him up a few spots in your rankings if he receives consistent playing time with Iginla or Cammalleri.
Derek Roy | Buffalo Sabres
Amid all of the roster shuffling in Buffalo the past few seasons, Derek Roy has managed to average 76 points the last two seasons. As other stars departed Buffalo, it paved the way for Roy to spend time on the top lines with the likes of Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville. Buffalo disappointed as a team in 2008-2009, failing to make the playoffs, and Roy’s +/- took a hit. Roy won’t return high levels of penalty minutes, but he makes up for it with a solid source of power play points. If you’re an owner looking for a consistent center on a team with a tendency to churn out stars, give Roy a shot. If Buffalo improves next season, do not be surprised if Roy is one of the catalysts.
Brad Richards | Dallas Stars
Try not to forget about Brad Richards. While the glory days in Tampa are over, Richards and his somewhat new teammates in Dallas have some ability worth mentioning. Before he broke a bone in his hand, he was clicking in Dallas, scoring almost every night. Brad Richards has the potential to be a very dependable number two center is most fantasy leagues as long as he comes back healthy from his season ending injury.
Eric Staal | Carolina Hurricanes
Eric Staal found a special place in most of our hearts and fantasy psyches in recent memory. That’s typical when a player as young as Staal compiles a 100 point season and a Stanley Cup. He tallied 75 points this past season and had a few magic games when reunited with old running buddy Erik Cole. Speaking of old friends, the inconsistent Staal reminds me of that one friend we have all had. One minute you’re having the time of your life wondering why you don’t call this guy more often, and the next you’re trying to find the best way to ditch him. Don’t build your keeper team around Staal, but keep him close. If he’s your second option, you’ll be more than happy with his performance.
Anze Kopitar | Los Angeles Kings
Anze is not going to win any beauty pageants, but luckily, good looks do not mean a thing in fantasy hockey. For three years now, we have all been waiting for Anze to break out in a big way. The third time (season) was not the charm, but maybe the fourth will be. Kopitar is not surrounded by all-world talent in Los Angeles which might be affecting his numbers. In fact, the only stat he improved in from last season is shots on goal. Take a chance on Kopitar with caution as the verdict is out on whether this Yugoslavian is merely being held in fantasy hockey purgatory in LA, or if Anze and all the other “King’s Men” are ready to take the next step. Pencil in no less than 65 points, but no more than 80.
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 Centers for 2009-2010
Top Tier Centers
Solid Centers
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)
Subscribe to our RSS feed!
Quick question, what is the criteria for putting players in the different tiers that you have setup. You might have it laid out somewhere but I didn’t see it.
Some of these guys are really hard to know which tier to put them in. A guy like Staal is inconsistent but that 100 point season might have me wanting to slot him higher on my draft list then Henrik Sedin who is always going to get you 80 points or so. Jokinen is a super intriguing pick because with a new coach coming into town and what I can only imagine will be a better year from a few players, he could really do well. He’s also only 30, so still a few very good years potentially left in him.
It seems like you might be rating consistency as a prime motivator for bumping guys up/down a tier.
Not criticizing at all, just as an fyi, but just trying to get a feel for where you guys are coming from for interest sake.
Thanks again for the question Jstainer.
When I was trying to rank centers I tried to keep everything from surrounding players to potential in mind. However, one of the best indicators for predicting future performance is past performance, so that was also considered and held either strongly, or against, certain players.