August is fast approaching and an active summer in the NHL has left many fantasy hockey managers wondering what’s in store for the upcoming season. You’ll find that many fantasy hockey services will start opening their games in the upcoming weeks, so it might be good to take a look at who is going to be flying under the radar on draft day.
Player: Jason Arnott
Team: New Jersey Devils
Position: Center
Impact Depth: Average Sized Leagues
Analysis: The soon to be 17-year NHL veteran has made his way back to where he undoubtedly had the most success in his professional career. Managers concerned with Arnott’s age shouldn’t be deterred from considering him as a nice 3rd option at center. For those managers who wait on centers, he should be a suitable 2nd option. Don’t expect him to drop below the 2nd line this season as he should be able to produce 50-60 points with the talent around him.
Player: Andy Greene
Team: New Jersey Devils
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Average to Moderately Deep Leagues
Analysis: With the departure of Paul Martin, the Devils are going to need Andy Greene’s services on the power play this upcoming season. He contributed 15 points with the man-advantage last season and is line to increase that effort, especially with Kovalchuck (potentially) in town. Regardless, Greene doesn’t have a big enough name just yet to be scooped up as a top pairing option for a fantasy squad. Wait until the middle rounds to take him on.
Player: Mattias Tedenby
Team: New Jersey Devils
Position: Left Wing
Impact: Deeper Formats and Keeper Leagues
Analysis: The success of Mattias Tedenby will depend heavily on what happens with the Kovalchuk fiasco. Unfortunately for Tedenby, he’s a left winger playing behind Kovalchuk, Parise and Elias. Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond will also be fighting for a winger spot as well. Regardless of the variables, even if Kovalchuk is able to stay in New Jersey until 2053, perhaps some line shuffling may be able to give Tedenby an opportunity to showcase his talent. He’s an elite prospect with the ability to put up big numbers in the right system. Flag him to start the season and monitor the minutes he’s getting if he cracks the lineup. He certainly isn’t a 4th liner, but he may get 4th line minutes until he can work his way up. Think Marty St. Louis.
Player: Eric Tangradi
Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Position: Left Wing
Impact: Deeper Formats and Keeper Leagues
Analysis: Tangradi may be the prospect I’m most looking forward to seeing this season fantasy wise. He has power forward written all over him, and while he may need to work on his defensive game, he’s got one hell of an offensive ability. Pittsburgh’s left hand side is easily their weakest, and with Kunitz’s inconsistencies on the ice, it could be a perfect opportunity for Tangradi to slide up into that 1st or 2nd line position.
Player: Paul Martin
Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Position: Defense
Impact: Average to Moderately Deep Leagues
Analysis: While he’s no Sergei Gonchar, Paul Martin will be the Pens’ go to guy on the point with the man-advantage this season. Martin should benefit from being in such an offensive minded system and will fly under the radar in most drafts because of his injury last season. He finished his 22 game regular season with 11 points, so he was producing fairly well in a Devils system not known for it’s offense. Snag him in the middle to late rounds as a 3rd option at defense and you won’t be disappointed.
Player: James van Riemsdyk
Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Position: Left Wing
Impact: Average to Moderately Deep Leagues, as well as Keeper Leagues
Analysis: The highly touted prospect had a somewhat productive rookie year in a system that was full of offensive talent. The departure of Simon Gagne, however, opens the door for James van Riemsdyk to take on a more proficient offensive role in the Flyers’ lineup this season. For all you skeptics, remember that JVR is in his sophomore year, so The Slump isn’t completely out of the question. Draft him in the middle to late rounds of your draft and make sure to monitor his ice time throughout the first couple weeks of the season. He has keeper potential as well, so those in long-term leagues take note.
Player: Nikolai Zherdev
Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Position: Right Wing
Impact: Average Sized Leagues
Analysis: Heeeeeeeee’s back. While ranks for major fantasy services aren’t out quite yet, he might be in a position where you could steal him around the 10th round. He should be good for 50-60 points this season as Philly will be coming back with the same offensive prowess as last season. Don’t make long term plans with Zherdev, but he should be a nice 2nd option at right wing this season for managers holding off on wingers in favor of other positions.
Player: Ville Leino
Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Position: Wing
Impact: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Swapping Leino and Tollefsen really didn’t make headlines among the fantasy world in February, and it looked as if Leino’s hype was fading away….until the playoffs. Leino was above the point per game mark in the post-season for the Flyers and very well could be a nice steal in one of the last rounds of a draft. It’s unclear as to how the rankings will be, but if are basing their rankings on regular season production, look for Leino at the bottom when it’s time to make the selection. Don’t make any long term plans with him just yet as we have to use this year to see if he’s the real deal.
Player: Mats Zuccarello-Aasen
Team: New York Rangers
Position: Wing
Impact: Keeper Leagues and Dynasty Leagues
Analysis: Not sure we’ll see Mats this season, but it’s worth noting that he could make a huge offensive impact with the Rangers next year. He needs to adjust himself to the North American style of play, but once he’s ready, he should be a good one. The only thing he’s got against him is his size, but do yourself a favor anyway and flag this guy.
Player: Jesse Joensuu
Team: New York Islanders
Position: Left Wing
Impact: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: We profiled Joensuu last season but he was only able to rack up 11 games with the Islanders. He should be a staple in their lineup this season and could very well become a top 6 option for New York (depending on how they structure their lines). It may be wise to flag Joensuu before the draft and left him go un-drafted just to see what kind of ice time he’s getting in the first couple weeks of the season. I can see him becoming an early season waiver wire pickup for managers trying to find good depth on their teams, but expect him to start the year on New York’s 3rd line.
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