Following up on the recent list of top 10 rookies to look for. I thought I’d name 10 players to watch for going into this fantasy season. I see a big jump in production from these young stars this year as they progress.
10) Kris Russell, D, Columbus Blue Jackets – Last Season 73 GP, 5g 18a 23 pts.
Breakout Prediction: 9g 33a 41 pts
Offensive Defencemen take time to develop, but at 24 years old, I think that this is Russel’s year. He’ll be aided by Columbus’ improved offence up front with additions in Jeff Carter and Vaclav Prospal. The addition of fellow offensive D, James Wisniewski will beef up the Columbus PP, and it will be Russell who will see a big jump in his own production as a result.
9) Bobby Butler, RW, Ottawa Senators- Last season 36 GP 10g 11a 21 pts.
Breakout Prediction: 24g 27a 51pts
Butler proved last season that he deserves a spot in the NHL. The Senators really lack depth up front and they need to find some players to take an offensive role. Butler will be given every opportunity to take a top 6 role, and I think he’ll be able to thrive there. A late round sleeper in deeper pools.
8) Max Pacioretty, LW, Montreal Canadiens – Last season 37gp 14g 10a 24pts
Breakout Prediction – 27g 23a 50 pts
By now we’ve all seen the brutal hit that ended Pacioretty’s season last year. What was forgotten in all of that was the great season he was putting together before that point. With 17 goals in 27 AHL games, he forced his way into the Habs roster. He scored a further 14 goals in 37 games after arriving in Montreal. He seemed to have finally figured out how to use his size and strength to be a physical presence in front of the net. This was especially true on the Powerplay. Expected to start the season on the Habs second line, Pacioretty will get plenty of opportunity to prove that he’s back from his injury. He was also on pace for over 90 PIMs (assuming a full 82 games) last year for those in pools that track such stats.
7) T.J. Oshie, RW, St. Louis Blues – Last Season 49 GP 12G 22A 32 pts
Breakout Prediction: 25g 35a 60pts
I’m predicting a huge season from Oshie here. Here is a kid with a ton of talent, and who only knows one way to play the game, full out, all the time. A relentless forechecker and cycler, this is the year Oshie translates that hard work into production on the ice. There were some questions about him in the locker room last year, but I doubt those resurface. A definite rising star.
6) James Van Riemsdyk, LW, Philadelphia Flyers – Last Season 75gp 21g 19a 40pts
Breakout Prediction: 30g 26a 56pts
Van Riemsdyk really came on strong in last year’s playoffs and was one of the best Flyers on the ice throughout their 11 playoff games. With the departures of Richards and Carter, I see the former 2nd overall pick getting a bigger role this season in Philly. More PP time will translate into a 30 goal year for JVR.
5) James Neal, LW/RW, Pittsburgh Penguins – Last season 22g 23a 45pts
Breakout Prediction 32g 33a 65pts
Neal is a natural LW, however reports out of camp suggest he is being converted to RW so he can play with Chris Kunitz and one of Malkin/Crosby on the Penguins top line. This 23 year old budding power forward just started to put it together last year, now with a role on the Penguins top line, and playing with that quality of centre, i see nothing but big things in his future. The fact he adds a decent amount of PIMs is a boost to fantasy leagues that track this stat as well.
4) Jamie McBain, D, Carolina Hurricanes – Last Season 7g 23a 30pts
Breakout Prediction: 10g 35a 45pts
I generally consider the 40 point mark to be a good place to value offensive defencemen in fantasy formats. Well McBain wasnt far off that in his first full year in the NHL. A slick skater, with good passing skills, and a rocket for a slapshot, McBain will continue his progression and is a damn good sleeper pick for your pool.
3) Brandon Dubinsky, LW, New York Rangers – Last season 24g 30a 54 pts
Breakout Prediction: 32g 38a 70pts
Dubinsky appears to be first in line to take the LW role with Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik. If he nails down the role, he’ll really take off. Dubinsky’s power game, and strong forecheck should complement the two Rangers stars perfectly and this will lead to a big increase in production. I really think you should grab him if you can, especially in leagues that reward penalty minutes as Dubinsky chipped in 100 PIMS last year.
2) Jamie Benn LW/C, Dallas Stars – Last season 22g 34a 56 pts
Breakout Prediction: 32g 40a 72pts
After James Neal was traded and Brad Richards was injured, Benn really took his game up a notch last year. This 22 year old has had his career path follow a meteoric rise ever since being drafted in the 5th round of the 2007 draft. He was an absolute steal for the Stars in that draft, and he can be a steal in your fantasy draft too. Benn will greatly benefit from his increased role and responsibility for a full season in Dallas this year.
1) John Tavares, C, New York Islanders – Last season 29g 38a 67 pts
Breakout Prediction: 39g 51a 90pts
Tough to call a guy who flirted with 30 goals and 70 pts last year a breakout superstar, but I feel that this is the year that Tavares turns into the player everyone expected when he was drafted. The elite #1 center that every team needs. Tavares really turned it on in the 2nd half last year and I expect that to continue into the new season. Tavares will finally make Garth Snow look like a genius as his new long term contract will turn into a steal for the Islanders. Now if the Islanders could just get some talent to surround him with.
And thats the last word on your breakout fantasy superstars.
