BucketofPucks gives you it’s top ranked wingers to choose from and why we think so. It’s these men that will be anchoring most of your teams fantasy offense this year. Expect most of them gone by the end of the third round, if not sooner.
For those of you in deeper, more competitive leagues that designate LW and RW, rather than just the generic wing position. Should make note that elite wings are a bit LW heavy, so you may want to consider this point when
drafting.
1. Alexander Ovechkin, LW: Has there been a force nearly as dominate in the NHL the last 2 year? You might make the argument he’s one of the 3 best players in the league, but he’s hands down the best coming from the wing position. 55 goal average per year in his 4 seasons, not to mention his 105 points per year. Over 500 shot on goal last year and 5 1/2 shot per game average for his career is simply ridiculous!! Some say he doesn’t play enough of a team game, but from a fantasy perspective that actually helps. In all leagues, in all formats, in every way he simply has to be not only the first winger picked but the first players overall. PERIOD!
2. Jarome Iginla, RW: A model of consistency, Iginla has averaged 46 goals per year for the last 7 seasons. He’s also likely to produce 25-30 PP points and has averaged over 90 points the last 3 years. All this on a team where he’s usually been the only scoring threat. Although the Flames got a bit more scoring from other last year, Iginla is still far and away “the man” in Calgary. Ollie Jokinen’s arrival late last year ensure the Flames have a top center pivot to feed Iginla, with Mike Cammalleri’s departure.
3. Dany Heatley, LW: A week ago Heatley wasn’t even on an honorable mention list. But with the summer’s biggest hockey saga finally being resolved, Heatley can assume his rightful place as an elite scoring winger. He loses nothing in the quality of center that he’s working with in Thornton. Not only that but this move brings him to an even deeper talented team and that San Jose PP will be deadly with him, Thornton, Marleau, Boyle and Blake. This and a desire to reprove himself will bring him right back to the 45-50 goal, 95-100 point mark.
4. Henrik Zetterberg, LW/C: Aside from already being consider one of the best all around players in the NHL, Zetterberg’s likely dual-position status is a huge added benefit to anyone’s roster with the ability to shuffle around your lineup to squeeze in your desired best players. His point per game average the last 4 seasons doesn’t hurt either and he’s consistently provided 25-30 PP points a year. The fact that he”s usually in the top 10 for +/- is yet another reason his all around stats are in high demand, especially in leagues that have expanded statistical categories.
5. Ilya Kovalchuk, LW: A lot of fantasy owners shy away from this elite stud and all because of one common category, +/-. If you were to blot out +/- when looking at his stats, you have a player who’s numbers rival the best in the league. Kovalchuk has potted 41 or more goals the last 5 years (and 88 points per year) with a 42 goal per year average for his career. And his worst PP point year was 30 points in the same 5 year span. Like Ovechkin, he’s a shot fiend, averaging over 4 shots a game for his career.
6. Martin St Louis, RW: Things in Tampa Bay were a mess from the beginning last year and this diminutive winger still managed to put up 30 goal and 80 points. Playing shotgun to Vinny Le cavalier helps make this speedster an ultimate threat. The 2 always seem to have an unreal sense of where each other are on the ice. Leading St Louis to break the 30 goal mark 5 of the last 6 years, as well as average 80 points over the same 6 seasons.
7. Daniel Sedin, LW: Not unlike Luongo, the Sedin twins seem to be ecstatic about securing their long term future. Like Lecavalier/St Louis, Daniel and his brother Henrik have even a higher sense of each other on the ice and their very own “twin language” not doubt translates into many goals scored. Having missed only 1 game in 4 seasons, Daniel shown he’ll give a hair under a point per game and 30 PP points to pair with it.
8. Rick Nash, LW: When Nash enter the league 6 years ago, he showed all the signs of a goals scorer. He has not disappointed. Only now realizing his full potential with the help of coach Ken Hitchcock, Nash hit the 40 goal plateau for the second time last year (and certainly not the last). Hitchcock’s arrival has help Nash to broaden his game and make him a true leader of his team. Averaging 50 point his first 4 years, Nash has broken thru with 148 points the last 2 seasons. With good young emerging talent around him, Nash is no longer the only offensive option in Columbus. This along should ensure 40 goals and 80 points for years to come.
9. Corey Perry, RW: From the second half of ‘07-’08 season Perry has become one of the premier power forward in the game, much like Todd Bertuzzi was in his best years. With 61 goals and 217 PIMs the last 2 years, goalies and defensemen alike cringe at seeing him drive down the boards and to the net. Playing shogun to Ryan Getzlaf doesn’t hurt at all either. Perry has found his comfort zone and his consistent rise in shots to 4 per game, is evidence of that.
10. Alexander Semin, LW: Last year Semin showed flashed of brilliance his more famous teammate is known for. Semin’s scored 60 goals the last 2 season, while missed 40 games. Semin bloomed last year producing 79 points in just 62 games. The only thing to hold him back would appear to be his wonky back, but if he can stay healthy and play 75 games the Capitals could have 2 players pushing the 100 point barrier.
11. Patrick Marleau, LW: After a dismal ‘07-’08 season of 48 points, Marleau could be had (in last years fantasy drafts) for a song and a 12th round pick. Redeeming himself with 38 goal, 33 assist, 5 SH goal effort, last years owner were giddy with their steal of the draft. He won’t last past the 3rd round (if even) this year. With the added firepower of Heatley (who he’s sure to play with on the #1 PP unit) and 2 potential 60 point linemates in Pavelski and Clowe, Marleau will easily match last year 71 points. Don’t be surprised if he challenges his career high of 86 points in ‘05-’06.
12. Thomas Vanek, LW: If you’re looking for goals Vanek is your man. Averaging 40 goals per season the last 3 of his 4 year career (plus 25 goals as a rookie). He’s also scored 15, 19 and 20 PP goals the last 3 seasons. Before Buffalo’s free agents all fled, leaving Vanek virtually the only threat, he showed he could pass the puck too with 84 points in ‘06-’07. Buffalo has it best top two lines since Briere and Drury wore the yellow buffalo. So count on your 40 goals, but if the Sabres can stay healthy you just might get a whole lot more as well.
13. Zach Parise, LW: After his first NHL season Parise proved himself a solid #2 / #3 fantasy winger but last season he positively blew up! 45 goals, 49 assists, +30, 30 PP points, 8 game winners and 4.5 shots per game! He’ll be paired once again with Zajac and Langenbrunner, a line that clicked great together after being formed a month or so into the season. Coach Lemaire’s return to the Devils will likely bring a more defensive system but Parise showed his talent and speed will not be stopped. Just like a healthy Gaborik still produced great offensive numbers, Parise’s too good to not remain a point per game player. Expect 35-40 goals and 80-85 points.
14. Daniel Alfredsson, RW: Earlier in his career, people shied away from Alfredsson because he was considered an injury risk. Remember that? Alfredsson’s reply? At least 77 games, 6 of the last 7 years (and 70 games in the other). In those 7 season, he’s averaged 33 goals and 84 points a year. Heatley’s departure might shave a few points off the top, but Alfredsson proved himself highly produce long before Heatley arrived in Ottawa. Not to mention the trade may help be a deeper and happier team. In more competitive league with expanded categories Alfredsson is also a constant shorthanded threat
15. Patrick Kane, RW: Kane had a sophomore slump, but judging by his numbers you would hardly notice it. Kane put up 70 points (72 points his rookie season), which would be a good year for anyone not named Crosby, Ovechkin or Malkin. But Kane had a 19 game and 9 game stretch last season where he barely registered a point. No need to chalk it up to anything more than mild growing pains and Kane seem to have learned from it by years end. What does this all mean? That the worst you can expect from Kane is a only 70 points. But i think this is the year Kane joins the elite top 25 or so scorers and break thru the 80 point mark.
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