Now to our list….oh my.
We are getting closer to our goal err the fun of the top 25’s that are a little off the beaten path. However today we are on Right Wingers today. So time to take a ride and ratchet up the cider!!!!
Submitted for your approval is the Right Wingers attacking err their Top 25…..enjoy!
Right Wingers Top 25
1. Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks) LY: 11
Why? He had 88 points despite all the “20 cent” jokes and still had a 30 goal season while helping to lead the Chicago Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup in 49 years. The key to Kane’s big jump last year was he kept that shot total up at 261 and as a bonus played a bit better defensively. That +16 was a career best. The scary thing is this. Many think he can only get better with the increased burden of scoring.
Skinny: I do not expect any RW to even sniff 100 points or likely even get 90 but I feel Kane is the one that could come closest and maybe even reach it. Kane will crack 30 goals easy and score 15 on the man advantage. The skill and young age are two things definitely in Kane’s favor and he should easily top this list. Projection should be about 35-54-89, pretty nice.
2. Martin St. Louis (
Why?:
Skinny: Just too good not to get a bunch of points on the power play and the occasional short handed goal which fantasy owners just drool over. Really I do expect an 85-90 point season out of this guy. How about 36-51-87 with a few more PPG’s and about 275 shots on goal. Really
3. Marian Gaborik (New York Rangers) LY: NR
Why?: We angered many by not having him on the list last year. Credit has to be given to Gaborik for staying healthy enough to play 76 games and tally 86 points on a team where he was clearly the focus. The 14 goals on the man advantage was also a boon for fantasy owners who literally watched Gaborik buoy the Rangers for long stretches. Supposedly the Rangers tried to help Gaborik in the offseason but honestly he is still the marked man!
Skinny: So what to do here? Does he stay healthy? With the proper protection, Gaborik should be a 40-40 man again which means he should be one of the first 2 or 3 RW’s taken. Expect about another 42-44-86 from Gaborik but maybe in less games, say 70 games or so. Gaborik may have a few more bumps, bites, and bruises but his time on the ice will make him well worth the trouble. As an oh by the way, he will break 30 points on the extra man this year. That is somewhat improved for the Rangers at least, we think.
4. Jarome Iginla (
Why?: He is not quite the same but hey Olli Jokinen is back in Calgary for what it is worth. Iginla went so cold last year at times, we thought it was -40 in his wheelhouse. The 69 points were a vast disappointment for the man who nearly led the Flames to the 2004 Stanley Cup. That seems like two lifetimes ago. The .84 points per game bothers me more than anything. That is a marked dip for a guy who is around or above 1 point per game annually and consistently.
Skinny: We were WAY OFF on Iginla’s expectations last year. There is no way that will happen again. Calgary is just not that good according to many and their production last season was way off from expected. Just warm up the retirement bus slowly as Iginla will get around 75 points but let’s face it, that is not what you want to see from this guy. So about 39-36-75 should do it! Oh by the way if the Sutters get canned, Iginla may be better off. That one may have to be explained later.
5. Corey Perry (
Why?: Yes another one….note the theme fantasy fans. Corey Perry qualifies as a Right Winger so this works well. He had 76 points last year along with 270 shots and 111 PIMS. I am intrigued more with the middle number…the 270. It is also why I think 27 goals is a number that Perry can exceed this upcoming year. That first line in
Skinny: Perry can also average right around a point a game. The only drawback may still be his high penalty minutes which keeps him just a notch under guys like Gaborik and St. Louis. And to think this guy is only 25. Projected numbers are at about 38-43-81 with a decent +/- and about 280 shots on net. To think about how young that top line is for the Ducks is very scary this year and beyond. GM’s in keeper leagues should take note and be on notice!! Perry just delivers and gets under the skin of the enemy…a great double threat amongst a thin selection of Right Wingers.
And now 6-10……..
6. Marian Hossa (Chicago Blackhawks) LY: 16)
Why?: All he did was get 51 points in 57 games last year despite the shoulder injury that kept him out for the first third of the year. Now completely healthy, Hossa should get more time with less marquis players in Chicago. The only concern was that Hossa compiled 7 points on the extra man. That had to be a bit disconcerting for fantasy owners. However, no one thinks that will happen again this season. Hossa has too much talent not to. He is a sniper and we guarantee improvements.
Skinny: So what will Hossa be able to do in a full year? Well a 75 point season should be just fine for Hossa owners. He is not expected to be the big deal in Chicago and that suits him just fine. There will be 10 goals on the extra man and a few short handed tallies as well. Hossa could see 20:00 ATOI and nearly 280 shots on net if all projects out. That is why he is #6 on our list and may fall under the radar a bit in some leagues. Keep a watch out.
7. Daniel Alfredsson (Ottawa Senators) LY: 12
Why?: He did have 71 points in only 70 games last year and I figure with the way Ottawa is assembled. The addition of Sergei Gonchar may actually help Daniel Alfredsson as another “elder voice” in the locker room cannot hurt. The offense will have to score and Alexei Kovalev is a major concern obviously. That being said, Alfredsson at least can do very well for himself this year. After that it is anyone’s guess with his age.
Skinny: I can see a 75 point season in about 75 games for Alfredsson. He is right around a point a game guy. The assits on the man advantage are big but I see him potting a few extra goals this year. There may be just one 30 goal season left in the old captain. 38 is just around the corner and this likely is the last year you see “Alfie” in the Top 10.
8. Martin Havlat (
Why?: He should have a better year since last year started out so poorly. 54 points in 73 games with a -19 was just painful to watch as he did stay relatively healthy. With Mikko Koivu at the ready and a team looking to not repeat last year’s embarassing start, Havlat should improve quite a bit.
Skinny: I do think Havlat can stay healthy….at least enough to rack up some big points and help the Minnesota Power Play as well as their faster pace expected which should generate more goals. So more ice time…more PP time and more shots should mean more points right? Well to a point. So an uptick to10 PPG’s…with 30 goals, 42 assists and about 72 points in 78 games should be just about right.
9. Ales Hemsky (
Why?: It started getting tough here but Hemsky is a pretty damn good player. 66 points in 72 games should indicate that if he gets any kind of help…Hemsky could surprise this season. Over an 82 game season…Hemsky’s projects out to around 75 points so I am told. He did have a career high 23 goals in 08-09 and will have to shoot more again this season as the first line guy is more or less the focus of the offense and opposition alike. The potential is there. Last year was lost to a shoulder injury way too soon. A more healthy Hemsky will at least lead to some goals being scored in Edmonton.
Skinny: I stand by a 72 point season at 29-43-72. I know Hemsky can pile up the assists but he will also get a few more goals on the man advantage. Hemsky is only 27 so at least the ceiling is not limited just yet. The prime is approaching and Hemsky is said to be in very good shape heading into camp next month. He could push 200 shots and near 20:00 ATOI. So expect a nice season if you can snag him a bit later in drafts.
10. Jamie Langenbrunner (NJ Devils) LY: 10
Why?: Simple…he plays with Parise. Langenbrunner had an off year especially late. The 61 points included a meltdown from Mid-March that culminated Langenbrunner being called Mr. Grumpy. He has something to prove and that is why he rounds out this Top 10 in a very thin pool.
Skinny: The 200+ shots trend will continue for Langenbrunner. Oh and the +25 is really about what he will do again this season. The Devils PP this year may actually be better with younger infusion. So Jamie really could get 9 or 10 PPG’s…and that means the following stats….30-41-71. Add in about 230 shots on net and 19:00 ATOI and you have a guy that just stays in the Top 10 by the slimmest of margins.
So now 11-25 with the brief skinny……
11. Jason Pominville (BUF) LY: 15 — He will do better and that will help Vanek.
12. Brian Gionta (MTL) LY: 12 — Expect a rebound in Les Habitants.
13. JP Dumont (NSH) LY: 13 — Can produce assists even in
14. Alexei Kovalev (OTT) LY: 5 — Truly an enigma wrapped in a….YEAH!
15. Teemu Selanne (ANA) LY: 18 — His last year has potential with Saku Koivu.
16. Devin Setoguchi (SJ) LY: 17 — A nice year for him could be a springboard…
17.
18. Kris Versteeg (TOR) LY: 20 — Kessel may actually help Versteeg.
19. Bobby Ryan (ANA) LY: 3 — Call it lower expectations that and the drama hurts.
20. David Backes (STL) LY: 20 — Nice potential and could finally tap into it.
21. Mike Knuble (WAS) LY: 21 — Dependable…its that simple.
22. Phil Kessel (TOR) LY: NR — He will play a whole year and score at least!
23. Chris Stewart (COL) LY: NR — Maybe a few too many points? Not necessarily.
24. Nik Antropov (ATL) LY: NR — Drops off a bit but qualifies more at Center.
25. Nathan Horton (BOS) LY: NR — Barely beats out Phil Kessel for this spot.
Stay tuned this weekend for the Centers….oh my. Until then, aloha!
