 | | New Jersey forward Scott Gomez won last year's Calder Trophy, given to the NHL's top rookie. | |
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Unlike the NFL and NBA, rookies rarely make a huge splash when they enter
the NHL. It simply takes more time for young hockey players to grow into the
pro game. However, last season featured some exciting rookies on top teams,
giving fantasy players plenty of young options this season. Fantasy players
looking to add a young spark to their team should focus their attention on
these promising second- and third-year players.
Last year's top rookie, New Jersey's Scott Gomez, will continue to improve
for the Stanley Cup champs. He should rack up at least 20 goals and 70
points in his second year. Expect his penalty minute total to drop as he
becomes more disciplined and learns to let others fight his battles.
New Jersey's main rivals feature a trio of second-year players ready to step
up. Flyers' goalie Brian Boucher earned the starting job this season by
leading the NHL in goals-against-average as a rookie (1.91) and leading
Philadelphia to the Eastern Conference Finals. Philly plays solid defense,
so his numbers should be decent once again. However, no town puts more
pressure on its stars than Philadelphia, so it will be interesting to see
how Boucher handles the job now that he is the man.
Boucher should receive some offensive help from center Simon Gagne and
defenseman Andy Delmore. Gagne scored 48 points, including eight power play
goals, as a rookie. With Eric Lindros out of the picture, Gagne should once
again receive time on the power play unit with Mark Recchi and John LeClair.
Gagne is a threat to score 60 points with 10 power play goals.
Delmore did next to nothing last regular season, but he earned his roster
spot with an outstanding effort in the playoffs. He amassed five goals and
seven points during the Flyers' run deep into the playoffs. Delmore appears
to have the ability to become the puck-rushing defenseman Philly has wanted
for years, but his stardom is less certain than that of Boucher and Gagne.
Other young players to keep an eye on are Colorado's Alex Tanguay, San
Jose's Brad Stuart and the Rangers' Mike York. Tanguay made the most of his
ice time with Joe Sakic last season, putting up 51 points in 76 contests.
With all the firepower in Colorado, Tanguay could chase Gomez for most
points by an NHL sophomore.
York led all rookies in goals with 26 last season, but playing for the
Rangers was murder on his plus/minus (-17). With Mark Messier and Petr
Nedved ahead of him on the center depth chart, York will likely lead the
third line. That spot won't be conducive to an improvement in his numbers.
However, York is too good for the Rangers to let him rot, so look for some
quality power play time with the other big guns.
After being tutored by Gary Suter last season, Stuart is set to be the
leader on San Jose's blue line this year. Stuart led all rookie defensemen
with 36 points and he should surpass the 40-point mark this year. Expect
plenty of points on the power play, with Owen Nolan and Vincent Damphousse
creating the offense.
A few other names to keep an eye on are St. Louis' Jochen Hecht, Marty
Reasoner and Michal Handzus, Buffalo's Maxim Afinogenov and the Islanders'
Tim Connolly and Mark Parrish. All of these young players have great
potential and are worth a slot on your roster.
From a fantasy standpoint, look at it this way: Why spend your last few
roster spots on a perpetual 50-point scorer like German Titov or Curtis
Brown when you could take a chance on a possible 60-70-point performer?
Plus, young players have better "buzz" than no-name veterans, making it
easier to trade them for good value.
Finally, if the young guy just is not working out, you can always cut him
after a few weeks and pick up a guy like Titov. My advice is to take the
chance on one of these future stars before resigning yourself to a roster
full average players.
(Andy Heimerman is the hockey writer for Fantasy Sports Magazine. Look for
hockey cheat sheets at www.fantasysportsmag.com).
