FANTASY PICKS PART 3 - THE SLEEPERS

Greetings once again. I must have nothing better to do than to provide y'all with the best possible advice on Fantasy Hockey picks, but I figure that the regular season is only a week away, and you all need as much help as you can get. Here are a list of the top 10 "Sleeper" picks that will have breakout seasons this year, and you may just win that prize money and embarrass your friends when April rolls around and they are apologizing for calling you an idiot for these picks. With that being said, coming in at # 10:

10. Phil Kessel - BOSTON BRUINS
At only 20 years of age, Phil Kessel is one of the most hard-working, and dynamic players of the game. After being diagnosed with testicular cancer, he still battled through and substantially helped his team out offensively. If his performance against the Montréal Canadiens in last year's playoffs are any indication of what this player can bring to the table, expect a 60-point performance this season.

9. Shawn Horcoff - EDMONTON OILERS
Horcoff, who I think should be captain of this squad, is just waiting for his breakout year, and if it wasn't for last year's season-ending injury, it would have been then, but a revamped Oiler squad of young-guns Sam Gagner, Andrew Cogliano, Robert Nilsson, newly aquired Erik Cole, and linemate Ales Hemsky will be great complements to Horcoff, who will be flirting with the 80-point plateau this season.

8. Peter Mueller - PHOENIX COYOTES
Peter Mueller is the real deal in Phoenix, and he proved that last year, tallying over 20 goals and over 50 points in his rookie season. With off-season aquisition, Olli Jokinen, I think a substantial amount of powerplay points are in order for this kid. The future of American hockey looks very bright with Mueller and Kessel leading the way.

7. Patrick Sharp - CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Some may argue that Sharp's breakout season was this past year, scoring 36 goals and 62 points, but I think the best is yet to come. Sharp is the type of player that is much better with a strong supporting cast, and with sophomore sensations Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane getting better and better, and providing Martin Havlat stays healthy, Sharp should put up 75+ points this year.

6. Mike Camalerri - CALGARY FLAMES
Sometimes a fresh start can make all the difference. Camalerri was definitely a star in Los Angeles, but he was struck with the Sundin syndrome (good player on a shitty team). Camalerri is going to be a huge asset to the Flames' offensive punch, and as a young player who as already reached the 80 point plateau in his career, Camalerri and Iginla are going to work extremely well together.

5. Paul Stastny - COLORADO AVALANCHE
After his first two stellar seasons in the NHL, you would wonder if Stastny could put up better numbers. 149 points in his first 2 seasons is pretty phenomenal, and that includes 16 games lost to injury last season. It is clear who will be carrying the offensive load for the Avalanche when good ol' Joe retires (which will be any year now), and you can expect the young-gun to put up 85 points this year.

4. Zach Parise - NEW JERSEY DEVILS
With back-to-back 30+ goal seasons, and only 24 years of age, it is about time this guy becomes a household name. After the next 2-3 seasons, when Marty Brodeur decides to hang up the skates, the name Zach Parise will be synonymous with the New Jersey franchise. Parise will put up 80 points this year. Consider him a steal if you have a chance to pick him in your draft.

3. Alexander Semin - WASHINGTON CAPITALS
As I previously mentioned, the phenom we know as Alex Ovechkin will have a difficult season this year, and will be forced out of the lineup with injury. That being predicted, cue in Alexander the 2nd, Alexander Semin. Although he missed some games last year due to injury after his incredible 73 point rookie season, the Washington squad will need to turn to Semin to step up and carry this team. With stars on the rise like SK born Brooks Laich to help out, the Capitals will be in good shape. Oh, and keep in mind they made the playoffs last year without Michael Nylander. It's Semin's year to put up big numbers.

2. Anze Kopitar - LOS ANGELES KINGS
The first Slovenian born player in NHL history, Kopitar is unebelievable. With Camalerri gone, Kopitar will have to carry the team offensively, and in a few years, not only will he be the first Slovenian in the NHL, he will be the first Slovenian captain in the NHL. With 61 points in his rookie campaign, and 77 points last year, I don't think it's a stretch at all to say that Anze Kopitar will put up at least 85-90 points this year.

AND THE NUMBER ONE "STEAL" OF A PICK IN YOUR DRAFT WILL BE:




1. Brad Boyes - ST. LOUIS BLUES
Where did this guy come from? With 43 goals last year after a dismal 19 game, 4-goal performance the year before, Brad Boyes embarrassed every Fantasy Pool player in the world last year by going virtually undetected. On a team where offense is not a forté, Brad Boyes is THE superstar on this team (with veteran Paul Kariya to lend a hand). It wouldn't be a bad idea to make Brad Boyes your 2nd overall, or even 1st overall pick in your draft.



And that's the numbers so far. Trust me when I say...Ovechkin is not the greatest pick this year. Coming up will be our top SK born players to watch, and a short, but excellent group of goalies to pick.

Stay tuned,


T-O-P