Time for our third edition in our six part series of positional players. Today we dive into the Left Wingers and really there are not too many surprises here…at least we hope not. This list of 25 I am sure will stir some debate and do not fret we will go over them on Sunday’s show with somewhat of a fine toothed comb. No guarantees can be made here that someone will not be ticked at our numbers. At any rate….time to list these guys.
Same thing as usual…first 5 guys get special photo treatment and everyone in the top 10 gets a little explanation and skinny. Then 11-25 get a normal quickie one liner and that is how it goes. And now our list…..
Top 25 Left Wingers (2010-11 season)
1. Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals)
Why?: He led LW’s in points the last three years. Ovechkin did slack a bit in shots on goal with 368 in 72 games which is only 5.1 shots per game. When you average 1.51 points per game….you are on another level. Combine that with the charisma that Alexander possesses and really this is the easiest no brainer position wise. Also for those who care about penalty minutes…Ovechkin was a little more feisty last year with 89 of them. Ovechkin is right around 110 points and that kind of consistency makes fantasy fans happy to take him as a first or second pick.
Skinny: Why not expect more of the same. By the way AO averaged 23:00 ATOI (Average Time On Ice) last year. The one thing I think could be different is the +/- will not be a +45. I think it will be a hair lower but that is just me. However, another 110 point season should be on the way. So somewhere between 50 and 55 goals and about 55 and 60 assists should do it.
2. Ilya Kovalchuk (????????)
Why?: He still can just do things that not many on this Earth can with a hockey stick. Yes it is a shame that we still do know if he will still be in New Jersey, but he is learning bit by bit to work with less. Put Kovalchuk with some more talented players and he likely averages over 90 points a year easy and potentially pots 50 goals.. As it is 85 points (despite a trade) is not too shabby. The 290 shots on goal and 21:28 ATOI are also nice cornerstones for fantasy leagues.
Skinny: He can get 100 points this year. Question is will he? I happen to think no only because whatever contract he signs will cause an immense amount of pressure to be thrust upon him considering the saga that has come forth. However, the Devils (IF he signs there) will be better on the man advantage this season and that should translate to near 50 goals and a little over 90 points which means maybe 15-20 PPG’s if the price is right.
3. Zach Parise (New Jersey Devils)
Why?: He came in as a Center but was moved to Left Wing. Parise was able to create his own offense in his 38 goals and yes 347 shots on net. Really he is the best player the Devils have offensively (STILL) as he not only has skill but is not afraid to outwork much bigger and stronger guys for the puck. Now some will say that his dip in production was from the Kovalchuk influence but the reality is Parise draws so few calls for whatever reason.. This year should be different with Jacques Lemaire gone.
Skinny: Simple he is too good to be held down. He was a +24 last year despite having a bit of a down second half. At 26, Parise is poised to see some of those shots go in that did not last year.. I am not saying 100 points this year but the potential is there despite the roster. Teams just have a hard time stopping him and that is why he may be a more sought after LW than even Ilya Kovalchuk. A 90-95 point season in points would be about right though I would not be surprised if he does surpass that target.
4. Mike Cammalleri (Montreal Canadiens)
Why?: The line he will be on alone merits this alone. Gionta and Gomez are perfect compliments. The playoff success he had in carrying the offense to the Conference Finals should be enough to cement this ranking. People can and will get mad here BUT Cammalleri is a top notch scorer on his own now. He does not need much help like in stops past. The season he had two years ago may be nothing compared to this year.
Skinny: I am curious to see how this all turns out. As we all know…LW has been kind of a strange position the last few years. That being said Cammalleri can top 90 points with this kind of offense. He has to for the Habs to make the playoffs or get close. An even 45-45 sounds about accurate. He will also likely pot 20-25 on the man advantage and get around or above 300 shots on goal with the increased ice time. The key is will he stay healthy?
5. Henrik Zetterberg (Detroit Red Wings)
Why?: I just think he will finally stay healthy err the surrounding talent will. That hurt badly last year as Zetterberg limped to 70 points. Also, this is likely the last year he is LW elligible as he is only listed as Center in most leagues but there are enough out there that give him the dual LW/C position so we will keep him here for now.
Skinny: Like I said these guys perform under pressure better than most and this year is no different. I am expecting a bounce back close to the 90 point mark and maybe a hair higher. A jump up from 12 PPG’s to nearly 20 is also projected for a guy that was a top 5 LW and is now entering his hockey prime. Look out NHL…Zetterberg is pretty ticked and ready for action!!! The man is 30 now…time to step up or step down. Zetterberg will step up and should see some LW time so he may become temporarily elligible again. Stay tuned.
Now 6-10 ladies and gentlemen………
6. Alexander Semin (Washington Capitals)
Why?: Playing with Ovechkin and Backstrom results in automatic production. I just think his wonky back and some injury issues may be just enough to keep him out of the Top 5 but his point per game production will be above 1 point per. The other problem is Semin was forced to Right Wing last year and may play there again. Check your league elligibility requirements but he should be listed as a LW in a few leagues. If you can keep him there, great! Left Wingers just are not as proficient of scorers as the wingers on the other side.
Skinny: That being said when Semin is in the lineup…he will be jumpin and scoring. IF he stays healthy, he goes way over 90 points but I see him missing games for a variety of reasons…mainly his back. Funny also that Semin shoots alot but only scored 8 of his 34 goals on the extra man. That has to improve if he is to make that next step. I am expecting around 85 points for Semin in about 70 games this season. Deja vu will happen again!
7. Daniel Sedin (Vancouver Canucks)
Why?: Why so low STILL? I just think for whatever reasons, Sedin cannot stay healthy at times and this year will be no different. Vancouver is not going to score 270+ goals this year either so the production hit will at least hinder this twin some. The high production in limited action last year was more Vancouver mirage than actual reality.
Skinny: Again expect more of the same old same old with Daniel. The nice thing is about 80-85 points should happen rather easily with around a 30 goal season. This won’t be the year he breaks out on the man advantage either but one of these years he is bound to. He had 9 last year…expect 11 or 12 this year on the PP for Daniel Sedin. However he will only play around 70 games sadly. At least the points per game average will be nice.
8. Patrik Elias (New Jersey Devils)
Why?: Old and crafty but Elias typically bounces back after very poor seasons. This will be a test but I think he can. Elias will have one more good year before fading and this is it. Health is always an issue as he only played 58 games last year but he did score 48 points and nearly had 60 to be honest. If he gets it in gear early, Elias will see Left Wing time as well as Center time.
Skinny: Elias gets his 30 goals this year or awfully close. He was projected around 30 last year to be honest and with the man advantage getting an upgrade, the points should get back to around a point a game as well. Elias ends up with around 80 points which is enough to get in the Top 10.
9. Dany Heatley (San Jose Sharks)
Why?: So we create a little more controvery by not having him in the Top 5. However, he only had 82 points and I really think his production is capped around that total. Sure Jumbo Joe will help some but part of me just thinks this is what Heatley has become. He is that around 40-40 guy which is great for your league but not the top line talent he once was. Maybe I will be proven wrong like I was with the Sedins last year.
Skinny: Expect the same old same old again. Heatley will tally nicely on the man advantage and be around a +10 with 80 points or so. However, I think he only plays around 75 games. BUT, he will get his 30 points on the man advantage and that should keep fantasy fans somewhat in good graces with him. Heatley may be the oldest 29 year old in the NHL and that may have some concerned in drafting him. Keep an eye out on him.
10. Ray Whitney (Phoenix Coyotes)
Why?: Why not really. Phoenix reclamates guys like this and Whitney is in a good situation. If he sets up on a line with Shane Doan and Lee Stempniak, that could be some serious potential.
Skinny: The key is health…seems like every other year he gets hurt but I think for the most part with a better team this year….he should be okay. This is one of our riskier picks but we will take it based on consistency and I expect 75-80 points from Whitney including 10 PPG’s and about 20 PPA’s….nice numbers for a guy heading toward the age of 40. Call it bounce back year before he finally goes into the tank!
Now 11-25 for the masses…..
11. Simon Gagne (PHI) — Was pretty healthy and that means
12. Thomas Vanek (BUF) — So goes Pominville….so goes Vanek.
13. David Perron (STL) — Has the potential to move up with lineup.
14. Loui Eriksson (DAL) — Last year was no fluke.
15. David Booth (FLA) — I like the potential in this kid. HEAD UP please though!
16. Ryane Clowe (SJ) — Must boost PP totals and shots on goal.
17. Ryan Smyth (LA) — It won’t be great but not bad in LA.
18. Jussi Jokinen (CAR) — Oddly enough, I like the way he plays.
19. Kristian Huselius (CBJ) — Has to help Nash with the load.
20. Alex Burrows (VAN) — Should have a nice year. Stay out of jail.
21. Chris Kunitz (PIT) — Will break 60 pts this year.
22. Andrew Brunette (MIN) — Might scored 65 points in a phone booth.
23. Scott Hartnell (PHI) — He will have a better second half.
24. Dustin Brown (LA) — Might reap some points from better PP.
25. Slava Kozlov (ATL) — Still has just enough….maybe!
And there you have it…I am sure there will be considerable debate on this once we escape the top 5….always is. Come next Wednesday we go Right WING with out top 25 there. Until then, get ready….fantasy hockey is COMING!!!!!
