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Complete 2013 Projections

Season:

The default order for player projections is based on ESPN.com's recommended draft rankings, which take into account projected total points as well as upside and risk.

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PROJECTED 2013 SEASON STATS
16. Patrick Kane, Chi C, RWYEARGPGA+/-PTSPIMATOISOGPPPPTS
2012 Statistics8223437664020:1225312214
2013 Projections4213244371820:0013010103
2013 Outlook: Kane, once again, has had some offseason embarrassment after a few too many beverages. It might not be a concern to fantasy owners if the 23-year-old wasn't coming off his second straight season of declining numbers. Nonetheless, Kane did take well last season to a switch to center and established a very strong rapport on a line with Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp. He might benefit from a consistent depth chart, but that is not something we can come to expect from coach Joel Quenneville. Kane will play with either Hossa, Sharp or Jonathan Toews on most nights, but it won't always be the same mix. Sixty-six points is a pretty big dip for Kane, and fantasy owners should expect to get better value as Kane bounces back. In fact, he could be a steal in drafts if he lasts past the top 50 forwards.
17. Joe Pavelski, SJ RW, CYEARGPGA+/-PTSPIMATOISOGPPPPTS
2012 Statistics82313018613120:3726918279
2013 Projections4415207351620:0014912104
2013 Outlook: In a season when Pavelski was meant to step up and take over as top "Joe" on the Sharks, his production stayed level with the previous season. A playmaker in the past, Pavelski did adjust nicely to playing on a line with assist-machine Joe Thornton by upping his goal output to a career-high 31, but with Patrick Marleau and Thornton producing only a combined 48 goals, Pavelski's assists suffered. Marleau is a candidate to bounce back, though, and Thornton still has some years as a dominant centerman left. Expecting the next level from Pavelski may be too optimistic this season, but expecting a repeat should satisfy any fantasy owner taking him on draft day.
18. Dany Heatley*, Min RWYEARGPGA+/-PTSPIMATOISOGPPPPTS
2012 Statistics8224292532820:5723819210
2013 Projections4819223412119:0015817128
2013 Outlook: What to make of Heatley and what kind of risk is he in fantasy leagues? A few key aspects need to be considered: First and foremost is his position on the depth chart. With Zach Parise coming to the Minnesota Wild, Heatley could either play opposite Parise with Mikko Koivu or be demoted to anchor the second line. Obviously, there is a big difference in what a player will produce with Parise and Koivu compared with anybody else. Secondly, Heatley had offseason knee surgery to fix a problem that has hampered him for several years. If truly it was knee issues that kept him from being a consistent 40-goal threat, then indeed there is reason to be excited about Heatley's prospects for the season. But until we see some proof that he is playing on the top line and can blame his knee for him becoming a 25-goal scorer, there is no reason to elevate him in fantasy drafts beyond a middle-round pick with upside.
19. Alexander Semin, Car LW, RWYEARGPGA+/-PTSPIMATOISOGPPPPTS
2012 Statistics7721339545616:4718311172
2013 Projections391722-1393318:0012012117
2013 Outlook: We've only seen a shadow of what Semin can do during the "dark years" with the Washington Capitals, as the team focused on defense the past two seasons. Prior to that, Semin scored better than a point per game for two seasons and showed he has one of the best -- if not the best ' wrist shot in the NHL. If anything is going to get Semin back on his game, it will be a strong offense organized by a coach like Kirk Muller and linemates the quality of Eric Staal or Jordan Staal (or maybe both). The depth chart will still need to be finalized, but we can expect to see the Carolina Hurricanes use Semin on a line with Eric Staal. The two match up quite well on paper and the pairing should bring Semin back toward the elite range of fantasy options. Beware of the chance that Semin will be the victim if the team tries to spread out offense, though. His production would still be fantasy-worthy on the second line, but perhaps not elite.
20. T.J. Oshie, StL RWYEARGPGA+/-PTSPIMATOISOGPPPPTS
2012 Statistics80193515545019:3218816198
2013 Projections48132410373419:0011513103
2013 Outlook: Oshie might have put up a new career high with 54 points, but he could do better than that. Playing with David Backes as a hard-hitting combination on the ice, Oshie finished with decent numbers in enough categories to be considered, at worst, a low-level fantasy starter this season. But if the St. Louis Blues can find another linemate for Backes and Oshie who brings up their offense on the ice, the numbers could improve from there. There are a few candidates for the job; first and foremost would be a healthy Andy McDonald. But even if McDonald is still struggling with health issues, new candidates have emerged in the form of Russian prospect Vladimir Tarasenko and collegiate newcomer Jaden Schwartz.
21. Nathan Horton, Bos RWYEARGPGA+/-PTSPIMATOISOGPPPPTS
2012 Statistics4617150325415:56908118
2013 Projections4816226385318:0012113115
2013 Outlook: Horton was showing improving chemistry with linemates David Krejci and Milan Lucic last season before a concussion cut short his campaign after 46 games. Horton is on track and ready for the 2012-13 Boston Bruins' season and will have his lineup spot reserved for him. The team surely wants to see the Horton who emerged in the 2010-11 postseason when he notched 17 points in 21 games as his line led the team to the Stanley Cup. His regular-season performance has been below that level in both seasons with the Bruins, and an improved Horton would go a long way toward helping several players take the next step in their game. Horton has the most offensive skill on his line -- he just needs to show it.
22. Jeff Carter, LA RW, CYEARGPGA+/-PTSPIMATOISOGPPPPTS
2012 Statistics552113-12341619:1118413139
2013 Projections4820150351919:0018213118
2013 Outlook: A lousy start with the Columbus Blue Jackets and multiple injuries made the start of Carter's 2011-12 season abysmal at best, but he finished the season as a star as the Los Angeles Kings won the Stanley Cup. Carter played a key role in the playoffs on a line with former teammate Mike Richards and Dustin Penner. The trio was much better once the postseason got started, and Carter posted eight goals and 13 points in 20 games. That is about the kind of production to expect during the regular season as Carter projects as a 30-goal, 60-point (over 82 games) type of player when he is on his game and on the second line. He comes with a bonus for the shots on goal category and there is a possibility he plays a key role on the Kings' power play as well. Carter probably won't challenge for the league lead in goals and a point-per-game pace again, but last season's dismal production with the Blue Jackets should be a distant memory.
23. Blake Wheeler, Wpg RWYEARGPGA+/-PTSPIMATOISOGPPPPTS
2012 Statistics8017473645519:0520815217
2013 Projections4711252363118:001131097
2013 Outlook: Wheeler showed he truly can turn his long reach and size into puck possession and distribution by knotting 47 assists and 64 points in 2011-12. He also topped 200 shots and led the team's forwards in power-play production. Wheeler went through some prolonged slumps during the season as well, so there is room for improvement if he can add some consistency to his game. Last season Wheeler had most of his success on a line with fellow big winger Andrew Ladd and centerman Bryan Little. That won't necessarily be the case this season and there is some risk that Wheeler won't play on what becomes the Winnipeg Jets' top line. Don't look for Wheeler to take a step back this season, no matter who his linemates are.
24. Jakub Voracek, Phi RWYEARGPGA+/-PTSPIMATOISOGPPPPTS
2012 Statistics78183111493216:1719011154
2013 Projections45142413383019:0012412108
2013 Outlook: Filling the shoes of Jaromir Jagr is a tall order, but Jakub Voracek is the heir apparent to the right wing spot on the Philadelphia Flyers' top line. Playing regularly with Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell, Voracek's chances at improved offense are phenomenal. While Voracek has been averaging about 50 points per season for the past three seasons, that is just a shade of what he was projected for as a prospect with a slick stick and physical edge. Perhaps being singled out as a top-line player even before the season starts will light a fire under Voracek for the coming season. Voracek bounced all over the depth chart and had different linemates all the time last season. He had nine points on the ice with Giroux and Hartnell between power-play and even-strength play -- the most he had with any two linemates. Because Voracek has never managed more than 50 points in a season, he may come undervalued for what his potential is this season.
25. Drew Stafford, Buf RWYEARGPGA+/-PTSPIMATOISOGPPPPTS
2012 Statistics8020305504617:392267170
2013 Projections4516205362618:001349108
2013 Outlook: Stafford has always displayed power-forward potential to put up 70 points in a season but has so far maxed out at around 50 points. But late last season, Stafford found a connection with diminutive forward Tyler Ennis and rookie Marcus Foligno that had all three playing as the Buffalo Sabres' top line. In the final 22 games of the season, Stafford had 22 points. In the final 14 games, when they were joined by Foligno, Stafford had 17 points. Now, imagine if Ennis had been healthy all season and the pair were able to have had a longer connection. Not that Stafford will score a point per game this season, but with Ennis and Foligno, fantasy owners can finally look for Stafford to make good on his potential.
26. Johan Franzen, Det RWYEARGPGA+/-PTSPIMATOISOGPPPPTS
2012 Statistics77292723564017:4221113221
2013 Projections4117159322518:001228104
2013 Outlook: Few players will work as hard to earn close to 30 goals in the NHL, and Franzen has paid for it over the years. Injuries haven't taken as hard a toll on Franzen's playing time in the past two seasons, but the threat always looms for such a physical player. Playing with Pavel Datsyuk on a regular basis has put Franzen on an easy path to a 30-goal pace (over an 82-game schedule) the last couple seasons, and the benefit in the plus/minus department shone through last season in particular. The line of Franzen, Datsyuk and Todd Bertuzzi could be brought back this season and have similar success to what they enjoyed last season, but there is potential for improvement as well, whether through the prospect ranks or from the free-agent signing of Mikael Samuelsson. Franzen, because of his goal scoring, will be worth an early-to-middle round selection in fantasy drafts and has potential to outperform his selection if healthy.
27. Radim Vrbata, Pho RWYEARGPGA+/-PTSPIMATOISOGPPPPTS
2012 Statistics77352724622418:3923217232
2013 Projections44141410281419:001441089
2013 Outlook: Where are thee, Ray Whitney? Vrbata had a stellar fantasy season and a career year with the Phoenix Coyotes last season, but Whitney was a huge part of it. Now that Whitney has headed to the Dallas Stars, we can't be sure of continued excellence from Vrbata. Whitney also collected a point on 37 of Vrbata's 62 points last season. Even with Shane Doan returning, there isn't much top-end talent left to work with. As it stands, Vrbata, Martin Hanzal and Doan are the top line on paper. Vrbata still has fantasy-relevant potential without Whitney but will be hard-pressed to have a repeat of last season without him.
28. Alex Burrows, Van RW, CYEARGPGA+/-PTSPIMATOISOGPPPPTS
2012 Statistics80282424529018:281987210
2013 Projections44161415305918:00105494
2013 Outlook: Burrows' penchant for 150 penalty minutes seems to have waned in recent years, but just because he doesn't stuff every single fantasy category is no reason to spurn him from your roster. Burrows is tied with linemate Henrik Sedin for the best cumulative plus/minus in the NHL spanning the past three seasons (plus-84), flirts with 30 goals on an annual basis, fires plenty of shots on goal and picks up enough power-play time to contribute. Oh, wait ' and just because he doesn't sit amongst the league leaders in PIMs anymore doesn't mean he won't get his fair share. Burrows draws his star power from skating with the Sedin twins, but the relationship is old hat for all parties and doesn't look to change anytime soon.
29. Teddy Purcell, TB RW, LWYEARGPGA+/-PTSPIMATOISOGPPPPTS
2012 Statistics8124419651616:0815219200
2013 Projections4714244381018:0011112108
2013 Outlook: Purcell had the growth in his game last season that many had been waiting for since he made his NHL debut. Last season, skating with Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis more often than not, he put it all together and came out with 24 goals and 65 points. The production was foreshadowed during the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs when Purcell scored 17 points in 18 games while helping the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Eastern Conference finals. Now, with a contract extension and a role secured on the top line, it is time for growth once again. Purcell has the skill in him for an elite fantasy campaign and the opportunity will be there this season for him to accomplish it. Look at him in drafts as a third-line fantasy forward (top-90 player) who will most likely produce like a second-line fantasy forward (top-60 player).
30. Daniel Alfredsson, Ott RWYEARGPGA+/-PTSPIMATOISOGPPPPTS
2012 Statistics75273216591818:5719114217
2013 Projections4315244391219:0010716113
2013 Outlook: Alfredsson was quite accepting of a depth-chart demotion last season to anchor a second scoring line for the Ottawa Senators and is returning for a 17th NHL season. Alfie has said that his back is feeling healthy headed into the season for the first time in a few years, and there is no doubt he still has the skills to contribute enough for fantasy leagues. His totals have dropped during the past two seasons from his typical point-per-game pace, and a bad back would help explain it. It's not clear if having a fresh back will mean Alfredsson has a desire to compete for a spot on the top line again, or if he is content to help raise the play of the second unit. If he chooses to remain on the second line, reclamation projects Kyle Turris and Guillaume Latendresse and rookies Mika Zibanejad and Jakob Silfverberg will give him plenty of weapons to help makes the Sens' secondary scoring more effective. The Sens' abbreviated training camp is definitely one to watch ahead of the coming campaign.
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