The NHL season is set to start on Tuesday evening, and although I told myself I would keep my hockey posts to a minimum this semester, I could not pass up the opportunity. Last year, hockey fans around the world were punished with a second lockout in eight years. In mid-January we were given a 48 game half season. This year has a different vibe going into the season, and the players and fans alike are excited to get things going in October.
My team is the Montreal Canadiens. They have always been my team and I will always love them, despite their recent struggles. Before I was born in 1994, the Canadiens had been a powerhouse in the NHL. They have won 24 Stanley Cups (last in 1993), which is 11 more than the next best team. I sometimes think that my birth has been a curse on them. All I want to do is watch them win a cup during my lifetime, and with the season opener around the corner, I am optimistic.
Along with the team rankings and expectations comes player rankings and fantasy hockey. Fantasy hockey is interesting because there is so much fluctuation and uncertainty. The top 5 scorers can change every year and injuries are all too common. The NHL schedule is also 82 games, and therefore maintaining a fantasy team can be strenuous and time consuming. With very little time to spare in my already busy schedule, I make time for fantasy hockey. Each fan is seems to be a general manager; playing fantasy is just a means to prove how good you really are.
To conclude, I will post my top 5 fantasy picks for the upcoming year, my top 5 sleeper picks and my favorite to win the Eastern and Western conference.
My Top 2013-2014 Picks:
- Sidney Crosby (C): Although injuries have plagued him in the past and he hasn’t played a full season since 2009-2010, it’s difficult to pass up on the best player in the world. Crosby is dominant each and every night in the NHL and there is no one really close to him right now. Expect him to put up 45 goals and 75 assists this year.
- Evgeni Malkin (C): Crosby’s teammate and 2012 MVP has also battled through some injuries lately, but his stats and offensive talents are undoubtedly world-class and at times equal to Sid. On a strong Pittsburgh team, expect him to get 40 goals and at least 60 assist this season.
- Steven Stamkos (C): The best goal scorer in the past 20 years is young at 23, and has still yet to enter his prime. He has already put up two 50-goal seasons and one 60-goal campaign. I’m projecting another 60 goals from Stamkos to go along with 45 helpers.
- Alex Ovechkin (RW): The reigning league MVP has seemed to have found his form. The dynamic winger can score, hit and come up big when his team needs it. Playing in a strong Metropolitan division may hurt his offensive output, but I see him scoring 50 goals and 50 assists.
- John Tavares (C): My favorite player right now, Tavares is coming off an incredible year where he was runner-up for league MVP. Tavares does it all for his Islanders team and plays huge minutes. I project 48 goals and 45 assists from the centre man.
My Top Sleeper Picks:
- Logan Couture (LW): Couture is young and a top player on a very good Shark’s team. He often gets overlooked because of the other elite players on his team but this looks to be his year. He has gotten better every season in the NHL and expect him to explode out of the gates, especially with the Olympics coming up in Febuary. He will be looking to earn a spot on that team.
Projections: 35G 50A
- Marian Gaborik (RW). Gaborik is extremely skilled, expect him to bounce back to his old ways after being traded to Columbus, a team on the rise where he will be a leader.
Projections: 30G 38A
- Chris Neal (RW): If your league takes hits and PIMs into account this is a great pick. Neal is ranked 300th but can chip in 35 points while amassing 200+ PIMs a season.
- Slava Voynov (D): Not a big name, plays a lot of minutes for a good L.A team. Expect 40 points from the defenceman.
- Jonathan Bernier (G): After being a backup goalie his entire career, he will now be a starter after getting traded to Toronto. Toronto will put up a lot of wins this year, many of which will be on the back of Bernier.
Projections East/West
East: Pittsburgh Penguins
West: St. Louis Blues
I hope this helped anyone looking to play fantasy hockey,
– Cam