Ranking 2013-14 Fantasy Hockey Sophomores
Ranking fantasy hockey rookies can be challenging because you never really know what to expect in their first pro season, but their sophomore year can be just as hard to predict. Fantasy owners know what these kids are capable of as they head into their second season in the show, but which players will take their game to the next level and which players take two strides backwards? There is usually one that stands out from the rest and sometimes in a way that us critics like to call… ‘the sophomore jinx’
It’s important to study training camps and exhibition games for new faces, rookies, and sophomores as their production has a lot to do with a their linemates. Who is playing with who? Will this guy be featured in a top-six role, or does he belong on the third line? Most of the skaters below have new teammates surrounding them this season, and chemistry within a line earlier goes along way in determining their fantasy value come draft time.
1. Nail Yakupov, RW, Edmonton Oilers
Nail Yakupov finished his rookie season on an absolute tear scoring six goals over his last three games, including a hat trick in his 48th game of the season. Last year’s number one overall pick had 15 points in his last 14 games to close out the season putting him into a tie with rookie of the year Jonathan Huberdeau. 10 of Yakupov’s 31 points came on the power play last season and the addition of David Perron from the St. Louis Blues should only increase that production.
I think Perron will be able to play a more free wheel-in kind of hockey in Oil Country as opposed to the defensive styled he played in St. Louis. Yes, his defensive game is strong and Edmonton is really lacking in that department, but Craig MacTavish didn’t bring Perron in to play third line minutes. Playing him on the third line with Ales Hemsky but that would be a waste.
Nail Yakupov led all rookies with 17 goals in a shortened season and it’s not a stretch to think he’ll hit 30 this year. (Sean Fitz-Gerald)
So far new head coach Dallas Eakins has had Perron playing alongside Boyd Gordon and Yakupov paired with Linus Omark. Sam Gagner is coming off a strong year where he showed great chemistry with Yakupov and they’ll be paired up again this season. The way I look at it, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (when he comes back from injury) will center Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle leaving a filthy Yakupov-Perron connection.
2. Alex Galchenyuk, C,LW, Montreal Canadiens
Last year’s third overall pick took some time to get used to the NHL and the spotlight in Montreal. At age 18 it took Alex Galchenyuk only two games to score his first goal, but he only found the back of the net two more times over his next 34 games. He finished strong with six goals and 12 points in his last 13 games while putting up three points in five playoff games against a stingy Ottawa Senators team.
Lars Eller and Galchenyuk found instant chemistry together towards the end of the season with Eller notching 13 points over his final 13 games with Gally as his winger. Both players shared the puck beautifully and were responsible in their own end as Galchenyuk finished with a plus 14 rating which ranked second among rookie forwards and first overall on the Canadiens. Both forwards will be paired up again to start the season as the Habs third line alongside fellow sophomore Brendan Gallagher. All three are extremely skilled with a terrific work ethic.
3. Jonathan Huberdeau, C,LW, Florida Panthers
Our consensuses fantasy hockey rankings completed inside the locker room has Jonathan Huberdeau ranked ahead of Alex Galchenyuk both at the Left Wing and Center position. Huberdeau led all rookie forwards with an average ice time of 16:55 per game. He should lead all sophomore forwards in ice time yet again because of the lack of competition in Sunrise. According to Nick Costsonika the 20-year-old has fully recovered from offseason hip surgery and has put on 10 pounds of muscle.
Florida selected Aleksander Barkov second overall in this year’s draft and the 18-year-old seems like he is ready to play in the NHL right away and if so he’ll play on a line with Huberdeau. Both players have a ton of talent and should have no problem putting up points this season in Florida. Huberdeau is destined to finished near (if not at the top) in points among sophomores, but like Yakupov he won’t do much for your plus/minus.
4. Brandon Saad, LW, Chicago Blackhawks
The third Calder Trophy finalist is coming off a fine rookie season where he finished fifth amongst his peers with 27 points, but he won hockey’s best trophy… the Stanley Cup. Saad was a rookie best plus 17 and a lot of that had to do with how well the Blackhawks played last season. He spent a lot of time playing with top forwards in Chicago and that shouldn’t change this season. In fact, the Hawks are experimenting and trying Saad at the center position making his fantasy value increase.
Joel Quenneville tends to switch his lines up a lot, but Saad should see a lot of Patrick Kane or Patrick Sharp along with Marian Hossa which makes him a great fantasy pick. Quenneville is a big believer in Saad and feels he can be a huge contributor as their second line center even though he hasn’t played the position before.
5. Brendan Gallagher, RW, Montreal Canadiens
Brendan Gallagher and last year’s roommate Alex Galchenyuk enjoyed a fantastic rookie season together and they were a big reason why the Canadiens were able to jump from last in the Eastern Conference to second in just one season. Most of Gallagher’s success came from playing on the top line with Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais. It wasn’t until the latter part of the season where the Habs tried both Gallagher and Galchenyuk together. With free agent signing of Danny Briere slated to skate on the first unit, Montreal will have the youngsters together again. Of course his production will come down a bit because of this.
Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher were one and four on the Canadiens in plus/minus combining for a plus 24 rating in their rookie season. (Agence QMI)
The 2010 fifth round pick is only 5-9 and a 178 pounds, but Gallagher plays much bigger than that. The Edmonton Native has a ton of heart and is willing to go to the hard areas and pay the price for success. The Calder Trophy finalist finished second among rookies in goals with 15 and fourth in points with 28 while finishing with an impressive plus 10 rating.
His feistiness can sometimes get him in trouble as it led to 33 penalty minutes which was the most of any rookie who finished inside the top 11 in scoring last year. Gallagher can fill up a stat sheet in many ways making him one the best all around fantasy sophomore this season.
6. Justin Schultz, D, Edmonton Oilers
Justin Schultz lived up to most of the hype in his much anticipated rookie season finishing as the highest scoring defensemen with eight goals and 27 points playing all 48 games with the Oilers. He did however finish worst among first years with a – 17 rating. If you don’t mind the odd minus three nights here and there than Schultz is your guy. He’ll quarterback a talented power play again this year and his defensive game should improve. Our fantasy hockey experts complied defense rankings and the consensus was 14 on Schultz.
The West Kelowna native was a 2nd round pick in 2008 by the Anaheim Ducks, but neither side could ever come to an agreement and the Oilers signed him last offseason to a two year deal. Schultz finished tied for 12th in points amongst defensemen and was tied for seventh in goals. He should finish inside the top ten in both categories season.
7. Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, St. Louis Blues
Aside from being up against the salary cap, the Blues traded David Perron to the Oilers to create room for Tarasenko so he should have a much bigger role this season. He will still likely end up on the third line with Jaden Schwartz, but Tarasenko’s ceiling is extremely high. The Russian took the league by storm last year putting up 10 points in his first eight games, but he slowed down as the season went on and he missed 10 games with a concussion.
The 21-year-old was drafted 16th overall by the Blues in 2010 and was a Calder Trophy favorite heading into last season. He was named rookie of the month for January when he led all rooks’ with nine points. Tarasenko has excellent skill with a fantastic release, don’t let this guy go undrafted.
8. Beau Bennett, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins
Beau Bennett is surrounded by talent which makes him a great fantasy play. (Charles LeClaire – USA TODAY Sports)
Beau Bennett could be the fantasy hockey sleeper pick of the year as he is slated to skate on a line with Evgeni Malkin and James Neal. Bennett is a must watch during the preseason to see if he can develop any chemistry with those two (we already know how well Malkin and Neal play together). With Jarome Iginla out of town the right side of the Pens second line is up for grabs and with only 26 games played last year Bennett impressed with 14 points and didn’t look out of place with all the skill in Pittsburgh. If he plays out the preseason with Malkin and Neal then bump Bennett up inside the top five among sophomore players this season. Get this guy on your fantasy team.
9. Jakob Silfverberg, LW,RW, Anaheim Ducks
Nobody is expecting 22-year-old Silfverberg to come in and immediately replace four-time 30-goal scorer Bobby Ryan, but his fantasy value took a turn for the better when he was traded to the Ducks over the summer. The Swedish winger finished with 10 goals and 19 points last season with the Senators and if he plays alongside Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf the possibility of 20-25 goals is by no means out of the question, but for now the Ducks are going back to 2007 with Dustin Penner back in town. The 39th pick in 2009 opened up the preseason playing with veteran forward Teemu Selanne and Nick Bonino.
10. Cory Conacher, C, Ottawa Senators
Conacher finished third in rookie scoring with 29 points in 47 games, but 24 of his points came in Tampa Bay where he played with Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. His production went down when he was traded to the Senators notching only eight points in 20 games (including playoffs) – which isn’t bad, it’s just not at the pace he was on with the Lightning. Conacher has already shown preseason chemistry with newcomer Clarke MacArthur. Kyle Turris will round out that second line in Ottawa.
Honorable Mentions.
Defensmen Jake Muzzin of the Los Angeles Kings and center Mika Zibanejad of the Ottawa Senators.
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