Fantasy Hockey Six-Pack

The first week of the NHL’s regular season hockey schedule is in the books and Illegal Curve is here to provide fantasy owners with six players to keep an eye on heading into Week Two of NHL action.

Writer’s Note:  Depending on what type of pool you’re in (keeper, rotisserie, weekly, fixed), you will want to make decisions based on the depth in your line-up and the scoring system used in your league.

Three Players Who Have Started Hot and Who Could Stay Hot:

F Brandon Dubinsky, New York Rangers- An Illegal Curve Favourite, Dubinsky has looked sharp playing on New York’s second line.  Dubinsky has four points in four games and gets ample power-play time.

F David Booth, Florida Panthers- With three goals in two games, Booth is tied for the Rocket Richard Trophy lead right now along with Dany Heatley and Marc Savard (I know, it’s only been a week) but seriously, the former Michigan State Spartan may score 40 goals this year.

F Andy McDonald, St.Louis Blues- McDonald fell off the radar a little bit after he was traded from Anaheim to St.Louis last season but he still possesess tremendous playmaking skills.  With four assists in two games, McDonald is on pace for 164 assists.  He probably won’t hit that projection, but McDonald may return to his familiar 75-85 point range.  Snap him up in your weekly leagues if you don’t already have him on your roster.

Three Players Who Have Struggled Early and Who May Continue To Struggle:

F Sean Avery, Dallas Stars- Zilch in two games for the Exquisite One.  Avery may simply be gripping his stick too hard or he may be trying to do too much in his new surroundings. Either way, he won’t match his point totals from last year.

D Drew Doughty, Los Angeles- 2008 2nd overall pick Drew Doughty has not looked good in his first two games, and rightly so, as he is still only 18 years old.  Doughty is learning the ropes on an up-and-coming team and won’t hit very high fantasy totals this season as a result, at least for now.

F Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay- The much-hyped 2008 1st overall pick has been held off the scoresheet in his team’s first three games and has struggled with confidence on a team that is still finding its early-season identity.  Stamkos will go through the usual growing pains and may not get comfortable until midway through the season.  Poolies should dress him accordingly.

For Illegal Curve, I’m Ezra Ginsburg.