Fantasy
Hockey Player Rankings & Projections
2007 Center Preseason Preview
Sidney Crosby
|
 |
The Art Ross, the Hart Trophy...There's
one more piece of hardware the kid has his eye on...Lord
Stanley's Cup. |
1. Sidney Crosby - Penguins - 2007 Preview:
Crosby's sophomore season was a true breakout one for the
19 year old sensation. He became the first teenage player
in North American sports to lead the league in scoring.
He's surrounded by young talent such as Evgeni Malkin, Jordan
Staal, and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Expect the Penguins
to either re-sign veterans Mark Recchi and Gary Roberts
to help the youngster or seek out another veteran to fill
that role. Also, the Penguins' GM Ray Shero has been vocal
about his intentions to find a strong defensive defensemen
to sure up Pittsburgh's blue line. It doesn't hurt Sid is
going to live with Mario Lemieux for one more season!
2006 - 07 Statistics:
Goals 36 - Assists 84 - Pts. 120
2007 - 08 Projection:
Goals 41 - Assists 91 - Pts. 133
2. Joe Thorton - Sharks - 2007 Preview:
Thorton has tallied 90+ assists in each of the last two
seasons. His game has been on a completely different level
since parting way with the Bruins. San Jose has surrounded
him with supporting talent and his assist output alone has
shown the hockey world his ability to make plays. Hockey
in the Western Conference has raised its intensity and expect
Thorton and the Sharks to be competing with Anaheim for
top dog of the west.
2006 - 07 Statistics:
Goals 22 - Assists 92 - Pts. 114
2007 - 08 Projection:
Goals 26 - Assists 89 - Pts. 115
3. Vincent LeCavalier - Lightning - 2007
Preview:
The 27 year old LeCavalier earned the Rocket Richard Trophy
this past hockey season as a result of racking up 53 goals,
more than any other player in the league. Teammate Martin
St. Louis had his first 100 point season alongside LeCavalier
grabbing 59 assists. The Lightning had a bit of hiccup season
following the cup year, but they seem to be clicking again.
St. Louis and LeCavalier should keep on piling up the points
and the Lightning will push further in the playoffs so long
as the goaltending support becomes more steady. His +/-
rating keeps him slightly above Ovechkin in the fantasy
charts.
2006 - 07 Statistics:
Goals 52 - Assists 56 - Pts. 108
2007 - 08 Projection:
Goals 47 - Assists 51 - Pts. 98
4. Evgeni Malkin - Penguins - 2007 Preview:
The guy they call "Gino " in Pittsburgh lived up
to the all the hype last season despite being in the shadow
of Crosby and not speaking English. Coach Therrien shuffled
Malkin around all year having him play wing with Crosby
and centering the second line as well. Malkin is coming
back this season armed with better English, a year's experience
in the NHL, and the same dazzling finesse he showed last
year. Just ask Marty Brodeur...Malkin has world-class talent.
2006 - 07 Statistics:
Goals 33 - Assists 52 - Pts. 85
2007 - 08 Projection:
Goals 40 - Assists 65 - Pts. 102
|
|
|
The
search has been done for
you! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5. Pavel Datsyuk - Red Wings - 2007 Preview:
Its hard to believe the Red Wings actually have some youth
on there team but they do and it starts with Datsyuk. Remember,
anyone under 35 in Detroit is considered young. Datsyuk's
playmaking ability is uncanny. He registered a plus/minus
of +36 last season to go longside his 87 points. Its time
for Zetterberg and Datsyuk to take over for the storied
franchise and expect just that for the up coming season.
2006 - 07 Statistics:
Goals 27 - Assists 60 - Pts. 87
2007 - 08 Projection:
Goals 34 - Assists 66 - Pts. 100
6. Jason Spezza - Senators - 2007 Preview:
Spezza has managed a 90 point season in 05-06 and an 87
point season in 06-07 while playing in less than 70 games
in each season.He turned 24 years old this June and should
be healthy at the beginning of the season. So long as he
stays healthy, he should post big numbers for the third
consecutive year. Ottawa's offensive has been lethal and
Spezza will continue to put up big numbers for the Sens.
2006 - 07 Statistics:
Goals 34 - Assists 53 - Pts. 87
2007 - 08 Projection:
Goals 37 - Assists 62- Pts. 99
7. Olli Jokinen - Panthers - 2007 Preview:
Olli plays for a bad Florida team and still puts up numbers
you can't ignore. If the Finnish born Jokinen was on just
about any other team, he would be a household name to even
non hockey fans. He's got consecutive 90+ point seasons
and somehow has stayed better than +14 the last two seasons.
2006 - 07 Statistics:
Goals 39 - Assists 52 - Pts. 91
2007 - 08 Projection:
Goals 44- Assists 54- Pts .98
|
