It’s a long time before we start the intense scouting that goes into fantasy hockey for the upcoming season. With free agency and certain player movement due to take place as we approach the entry draft and the July 1st free agent period, a new team can alter a player’s fantasy value.
There has been a new coach named in Washington as Barry Trotz will be charged with getting the Capitals back to the playoffs and Alexander Ovechkin to back check. The Stanley Cup Final is right around the corner with both New York and Los Angeles holding decisive 3-1 series leads.
There is plenty of hockey to pay attention to now, but let’s look ahead to the top left wings for the upcoming fantasy season.
Honorable Mention: Evander Kane, Winnipeg Jets, Thomas Vanek, Pending Free Agent, Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes, Alexander Steen, St. Louis Blues, Ondrej Palat, Tampa Bay Lightning
10. Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks
Marleau continues to produce at an elite level though he is rather one dimensional as a scorer. If he stays on a good team the +/- won’t hurt you and he’s always a monster for power play points.
9. Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens
Pacioretty is another offense first lefty that gets a ton of shots and finished as the high-goal scorer among left wings with 39 and game winners with 11.
8. James Van Riemsdyk, Toronto Maple Leafs
A strong start outweighs a weak finish that went along with the annual spring collapse in Toronto. JVR is entering his prime and is a bit of a wild card. He is big and strong and has great wheels. He established career highs across the board last year and will continue to get better.
7. Chris Kunitz, Pittsburgh Penguins
While Kunitz’ production is obviously linked to Sidney Crosby, his numbers don’t lie. As one of the most productive offensive LW over the past three years, it really doesn’t matter how he gets there. Whether he is paired with Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, pencil Kunitz in for 30 goals and 70 points.
6. Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche are breathing a huge sigh of relief that their young captain bounced back after concussions derailed his 2013 season. At the ripe age of 22. Landeskog’s star will continue to rise. Has the skill set to grow into a top five player in the NHL.
5. Zach Parise, Minnesota Wild
Injuries hurt Parise’s stats in 2013-14, but he still nearly hit the 30-goal number (29 in 67 games). On an offensively limited team like the Wild, Parise is a production machine. With the Wild expected to be buyers again in free agency, look for some serious numbers next season.
4. Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings
Detroit’s captain labored with back issues all season, but was tearing it up offensively before surgery. With a summer to rest the ailing back and a year of experience for some exciting young teammates, Zetterberg will be back with a vengeance in 2014-15.
3. Patrick Sharp, Chicago Blackhawks
No left wing took more shots than Chicago’s Sharp, who has been a statistical monster in the shadow of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. He posted his third 30-goal season in four years and shows no signs of slowing down.
2. Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars
The captain of the Dallas Stars is finally getting the recognition that he deserves. A complete player with a nasty edge, Benn gelled well with Tyler Seguin setting career highs with 34 goals and 45 points. At only 25 years-old, look for Benn’s production to get even better with a young Dallas club.
1. Taylor Hall, Edmonton Oilers
It boggles the mind how good Hall could be on a good team. On the struggling Oilers, Hall led all left wings with 27 goals and 80 points. Hall is only 22-years old playing for the worst team in the NHL. His production will be sky high for years to come.