2010-2011 Fantasy Hockey Sleepers: Pacific Division

The final installment in the 2010-2011 Sleeper series targets who’s available to steal in the Pacific Division.

Player: Logan Couture
Team: San Jose Sharks
Position: Center
Impact: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: We know the offensive potential that this guy brings, and in a market like San Jose that has finished near the top of the league in scoring for the past couple of years, one would think that Couture could prosper. He’s reserved for the deepest of fantasy leagues now as a depth center, but if an injury occurs in San Jose, he could work his way up the depth charts on any fantasy team. Take him with one of the final picks in your draft and hope that his minor league scoring ability translates well to the NHL.

Player: Jason Demers
Team: San Jose Sharks
Position: Defense
Impact: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Demers was a pleasant surprise for the Sharks, as well as fantasy owners, last season. This former 7th rounder has a rock solid offensive upside and should see time on the power play this season. He will make an excellent addition as a depth defender for any fantasy hockey team in a bigger format. Keep an eye on this guy.

Player: Thomas Greiss
Team: San Jose Sharks
Position: Goaltender
Impact: Moderately Deep to Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Unless San Jose goes out and signs Niemi here in the next couple of weeks, do yourself a favor and keep an eye on Thomas Greiss this season. His numbers weren’t off the charts last season (mainly because he was playing behind one of the best goaltenders in the league) but with Nabokov out of the picture now, he has every opportunity to earn a starting spot if Antero Niittymaki falters this season. I don’t foresee this goaltending situation being set in stone, so if you’re unsure of your goaltender core and want an insurance policy, keep Greiss in the back of your mind.

Player: Kyle Turris
Team: Phoenix Coyotes
Position: Center
Impact: Deeper Fantasy Leagues, as well as Keeper Leagues
Analysis: Could this be the season we finally get to see Kyle Turris in the bigs? Possibly. There’s a very small window of opportunity for Turris to make the squad this season and if he does find his way to the NHL, he may be a worthwhile addition to your fantasy team as a bench stash until we can see if he’s NHL material. Follow Turris’ situation closely this fall.

Player: Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Team: Phoenix Coyotes
Position: Defense
Impact: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Oliver Ekman-Larsson is one of the more highly touted defensemen coming into the league this season and while his offensive numbers in Sweden don’t jump off the page, he has enough hockey instinct to make him an interesting candidate on draft day. Leave him reserved for the absolute deepest of leagues and snag him in the final stages of your draft. If he’s as well-rounded as the scouts are saying, he should see some decent ice time this season.

Player: Scottie Upshall
Team: Phoenix Coyotes
Position: Wing
Impact: Moderately Deep to Deep Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Upshall may go overlooked this season because of the injury that ended his season 27 games out in 2009-2010. He was on pace to have his most productive NHL season; perhaps because of an increase roll in the ‘Yotes offense. Keep him in mind, especially in roto leagues as he has found his niche in Phoenix and is always a good source for penalty minutes.

Player: Justin Williams
Team: Los Angeles Kings
Position: Right Wing
Impact: Moderately Deep to Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Williams is a serious high risk, high reward player. His fall from grace over the past couple of seasons is due to the fact that he just can’t stay healthy. He has shown us that he has the potential to be a 60-70 point player when healthy, but those moments have been few and far between. Still, at an ultra-thin right wing position, he could be a respectable mid to late round add that could pay off if he stays healthy.

Player: Jonathan Bernier
Team: Los Angeles Kings
Position: Goaltender
Impact: Moderately Deep to Deeper Fantasy Leagues, as well as Keeper Leagues
Analysis: Many people are calling for the early demise of Jonathan Quick this season and are projecting big things for elite goaltending prospect Jonathan Bernier. This could very well be the opportunity that Bernier has been looking for to finally break into the league for good, so if Quick is a flash in the pan in your eyes, Consider taking on Bernier as a bench option behind two solid goaltenders.

Player: Brayden Schenn
Team: Los Angeles Kings
Position: Center
Impact: Deeper Fantasy Leagues, as well as Keeper Leagues
Analysis: If given the opportunity, Schenn could easily work his way up to being a top-6 forward by the end of the season. There is quite a bit of room for movement at the center position in Los Angeles, and with Schenn’s proven offensive ability, it leaves the door open for a great rookie campaign, as well as Calder bid. Well worth a reach, especially in keeper league drafts.

Player: Joffrey Lupul
Team: Anaheim Ducks
Position: Wing
Impact: Moderately Deep to Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: It appears that Lupul will be ready to go for the season opener after missing 52 games last season due to back surgery. He had his best offensive year with Anaheim back in 2005-2006 and was well on his way to another great season again last year before the injury. He’ll easily be forgotten in deeper leagues, so make sure to keep him in the back of your head in the middle to late rounds as he’s capable of putting up 50-60 points with the right company.

Player: Jamie Benn
Team: Dallas Stars
Position: Wing
Impact: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Benn had an extremely successful rookie campaign for Dallas and should be back in the bigs this season bolstering a wing position on the 2nd line. He’ll fall to the middle rounds in the deepest of leagues, so don’t be afraid to snag him as a 3rd/4th option at wing as he has a solid offensive upside.

Player: Philip Larsen
Team: Dallas Stars
Position: Defense
Impact: Waiver Wire Addition (Injury)
Analysis: Not sure if we’ll see Larsen to start the season, but he possesses an offensive upside that Dallas needs on the back end, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he was of top consideration if an injury occurs on the back end. Matt Niskanen hasn’t panned out quite the way the Stars’ organization had hoped, and Robidas’ performance last season may be a product of being over-used as he was far and away Dallas’ busiest defender. The Stars haven’t acquired a power play quarterback this off-season, so perhaps they use Larsen at some point this season for a 1-2 punch from the back end with the man advantage. Don’t draft him; flag him and wait until he makes his way to the NHL.