With the summer wrapping up and pre-season right around the corner, major fantasy hockey services will be opening their games in August to managers chomping at the bit to draft, trade and make fun of each other for seasons past.
This article looks at sleepers over a variety of different league depths to help managers get one step ahead of the competition in their drafts this upcoming fall.
Fifth up, the Northwest Division…
Player: Mikael Backlund
Team: Calgary Flames
Position: Center
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues/Keeper Leagues
Analysis: While it’s sometimes difficult to gauge where Backlund will wind up in the line-up night in and night out, he may be a worthwhile add to managers in keeper leagues as he could see top line duty within a year. The funny thing about Calgary’s center situation this year is that next season, all centers (except Matt Stajan) will be due for contracts. So that means Backlund, Morrison, Jokinen and Langkow will could be spending their last year with the Flames. This is good news for Backlund as the Flames will likely retain him and try and get him top line minutes. As for this year, he may find himself in a 3rd line role with Langkow healthy, but could have some power play privileges. For year-to-year managers, he’s best suited for the deepest of fantasy leagues.
Player: David Moss
Team: Calgary Flames
Position: Right Wing
Impact Depth: Deep Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: With Calgary’s right side relatively thin when it comes to scoring talent, David Moss could benefit on the team’s 2nd line. He’s a streaky player, so you’ll have to put up with his inconsistencies a bit. However, as a 3rd or 4th wing option in deeper fantasy leagues, he could very well rack up 50 points this season. Certainly a worthwhile add in the latter stages of a draft.
Player: Mark Giordano/Chris Butler
Team: Calgary Flames
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Moderately Deep Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: It’s time to come to terms with the fact that Jay Bouwmeester my not be the offensive juggernaut that those in Calgary would have hoped he could have been. The Flames will be looking for other defenders to step up and chip in points from the blue line, and that’s where Mark Giordano and Chris Butler could become valuable commodities in the latter stages of moderately deep fantasy drafts. Both have decent offensive mindsets, but rankings will probably have Giordano a little higher in the rankings. Still, they will be down there far enough to merit a sleeper tag and wouldn’t be bad options as 4th or 5th defensive options.
Player: Peter Mueller/Chuck Kobasew
Team: Colorado Avalanche
Position: Right Wing
Impact Depth: Dependent Upon Injury Status
Analysis: There is little doubt in Peter Mueller’s offensive ability as he can easily maintain a top-6 role in Colorado when healthy. That healthy clause is the kicker, though. Mueller suffered a severe concussion 2 seasons ago and his status for the upcoming season is still up in the air. He is currently skating, but may not be ready for the start of the season. If he is unable to go, Chuck Kobasew could find himself on the 2nd line as a right winger. If given top-6 minutes, Kobasew could have a good start to the season and is valuable to managers who are rewarded for goal scoring as he has a knack for finding the back of the net.
Player: Gabriel Landeskog
Team: Colorado Avalanche
Position: Wing
Impact Depth: Deeper Fantasy Leagues/Keeper Leagues
Analysis: Certainly a Calder Candidate for the season, Landeskog may jump right in to help out Colorado’s offense this season. He may have to jump to the left side as it is relatively thin, but expect decent power play time and top-6 minutes.
Player: Teemu Hartikainen
Team: Edmonton Oilers
Position: Wing
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Adding to the youth movement in Edmonton, Hartikainen could provide some nice offensive depth for the Oilers this season. While he’s no guarantee to make the roster, he could very provide some nice scoring depth for Edmonton if he is fortunate to find a spot on the roster. Furthermore, he would be an excellent substitute for an injured winger, and when Ales Hemsky is in your line-up, there’s a good chance you see an increased role at some point in the season. Keep an eye on him to see what his role is if he makes the team.
Player: Tom Gilbert
Team: Edmonton Oilers
Position: Defense
Impact Depth: Deeper Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Gilbert should offer fantasy managers a nice 3rd or 4th option at defense in the upcoming season. There is a lack of offensive prowess on the Oiler blue line, and with Gilbert flashing some offensive ability over the past couple of seasons, he could be called upon to take on a bigger offensive role, especially on the power play.
Player: Pierre-Marc Bouchard
Team: Minnesota Wild
Position: Wing/Center
Impact Depth: Moderately Deep Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: While oft-injured winger Pierre-Marc Bouchard can be a fantasy liability, he’ll provide managers patient enough to stick him out rock solid under-the-radar scoring. Bouchard is a lock for power play time in the upcoming season and should get a nice offensive boost from Dany Heatley on his opposite side. Bouchard could be a great steal in the latter rounds of a moderately deep fantasy leagues.
Player: Marek Zidlicky
Team: Minnesota Wild
Position: Defender
Impact Depth: Standard Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: An injury plagued season may have Marek Zidlicky ranked a little lower than some anticipate this upcoming season. If he’s buried a bit, he could be a great steal in the middle to late rounds of a standard draft as he’ll be Minnesota’s power play quarterback once again this season. Could be a top option for managers whose strategy is to wait on defenders, or a solid number 2 or 3 for savvy managers playing their cards right.
Player: Cody Hodgson
Team: Vancouver Canucks
Position: Center
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues/Keeper Leagues
Analysis: This should be the year that Hodgson gets an entire season at the NHL level under his belt. He could very well center the 2nd line while Kesler recovers from hip surgery, but will be relegated to 3rd line duty once Ryan is healthy enough to return. He’s a helluva prospect, but given depth, Vancouver may maximize his potential value and fill holes elsewhere by trading him. Watch how they use him to start the season.
Player: Marco Sturm
Team: Vancouver Canucks
Position: Left Wing
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Sturm is a pain in the neck when it comes to reliability as he has some injury issues, but if he can remain healthy, he could work his way into a top-6 role throughout the season. He’s been a goal scorer in the past and could benefit from being in an offensive minded market. As a 3rd or 4th option at left wing, Sturm could be valuable to managers in the deepest of fantasy leagues given he pulls down decent ice time throughout the year.
Player: Owen Nolan
Team: Vancouver Canucks
Position: Right Wing
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Nolan has been offered the opportunity to tryout with the Cancuks and if he is able to crack the line-up, he’ll probably be relegated to 3rd line duties. Still, he’s still got some game left in the tank and could provide decent scoring depth for an injury riddled fantasy team. Again, his value is obviously dependent upon him making the team, so best leave him on the waiver wire until services are needed.
Player: Mark Mancari
Team: Vancouver Canucks
Position: Right Wing
Impact Depth: Deepest of Fantasy Leagues
Analysis: Depending on how the Canucks use Mancari, he could be a super sleeper this upcoming season. Buffalo opted not to retain the former AHL stud, and Mancari is looking to show he is capable of putting up solid numbers at the NHL level. If Mancari could work his way into a consistent top-6 role this season, he has the skill to finish the year with 50-60 points. He will be buried in the ranks for sure, so managers could find a real gem with their last pick this season if Mancari is given big minutes. Draft him but don’t be afraid to cut ties with him if he’s stuck on the 4th line.
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