The third installment in the 2010-2011 Sleeper series targets who’s available to steal in the Southeast Division.
Player: Eric Fehr
Team: Washington Capitals
Position: Right Wing
Impact: Moderately Deep to Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Fehr emerged as a surprise option for fantasy managers in 2009-2010. Despite the team being overloaded on the first two lines, Washington’s offensive ability could allow him to hit 45-50 points this season. He’s a real nice depth option to acquire in the later rounds of your draft.
Player: Mathieu Perreault
Team: Washington Capitals
Position: Center
Impact: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Boy, the offensive fire power just keeps coming in Washington, doesn’t it? Despite Perreault’s size, he has the ability to make a splash in Washington this season. He has certainly shown his ability to rack up the points for Acadie-Bathurst and Hershey, so we’ll have to see if that translates to the NHL this season. Take a chance on him with one of your last picks in the draft and sit on him until he starts contributing. It’s always worthwhile owning players on good teams.
Player: Niclas Bergfors
Team: Atlanta Thrashers
Position: Right Wing
Impact: Moderately Deep to Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Bergfors had 17 points in 27 games after joining the Thrashers last season. The top line right wing spot could be up for grabs between him and Byfuglien, maybe even Bryan Little too, so take note in your drafts as this position in fantasy hockey can become extremely thin in the middle rounds of a draft. He’ll get power play time for sure this season, so a savvy manager in a standard capacity league should consider making a play starting in the 15th round or so. Big potential here.
Player: Evander Kane
Team: Atlanta Thrashers
Position: Left Wing
Impact: Moderately Deep to Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Kane didn’t have statistics that jump off the page at you in his first NHL season, but that may not be a terrible thing for the upcoming fantasy season. While Kane has the name we recall from the Entry Draft a few years ago, he’ll likely go overlooked (depending on his rank) in the middle rounds this upcoming year. Be the savvy manager who adds him towards the end of your draft; you’ll be glad you did. Also, don’t forget that he’ll be a sophomore slump slump candidate this season too. I wouldn’t usually stress it, but I’ve been burned by Chris Coghlan, Dexter Fowler AND Pablo Sandoval this season in the same fantasy baseball league. Don’t tell me it’s not real.
Player: Zach Boychuk
Team: Carolina Hurricanes
Position: Depends on Service
Impact: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: This versatile forward will certainly fly under the radar in a lot of drafts this year as he only had 9 points in 31 games with the ‘Canes last season. Carolina’s lineup this season, however, is wide open. The only sure thing is that Eric Staal will be centering that top line. Boychuk has a real opportunity to sneak up to the first line, and with his ability to play center and wing, he has just as good a shot as anyone else on the ice. He’s got a nice scoring touch, so be aware of his position before you draft this season.
Player: Jamie McBain
Team: Carolina Hurricanes
Position: Defense
Impact: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: McBain may have only played 14 games with Carolina last season, but he amassed 10 points in his big league effort and stands to get power play time this season, even with Corvo back in town. Managers in deeper fantasy leagues who wait to fill out their defensive core may want to keep McBain in mind in the latter stages of the draft.
Player: Teddy Purcell
Team: Tampa Bay Lightning
Position: Wing
Impact: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Purcell has a real opportunity to live up to potential this season in Tampa Bay. Being able to play either wing should give him a chance to start the season on the 2nd line, and in good company. He’s usually listed as a right winger, which could offer some relief to fantasy managers at a seriously thin position.
Player: Steve Reinprecht
Team: Florida Panthers
Position: Center
Impact: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Honestly, how can you not like this guy? A journeyman who is good for 35-45 points in a season. Classy player who is a prefect addition to a fantasy team in deeper leagues that is looking for reliable scoring depth.
Player: Michael Grabner
Team: Florida Panthers
Position: Wing
Impact: Deeper Fantasy Leagues and Keeper Leagues
Analysis: Grabner gave us a small snippet of what to expect from him offensively last season in Vancouver. Now he has moved on to warmer pastures and could really provide the Panthers with some much needed offense in the next couple of years. I’m not sure there is a spot on the roster for him to start the season, however, if he does make it, he should be able to work his way up to the 2nd line if he produces at last year’s clip. If anything, he might be a worthwhile grab for managers in keeper leagues.
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