Sure, we’re only half way through the summer, but it’s never too early to start thinking about the upcoming fantasy hockey season, right? The NHL released its full schedule and announced the names for the four new (and realigned) divisions. I would have preferred the classic Patrick, Adams, Norris (not Chuck) and Smythe Divisions but I’ll give the modern titles time to sink in.
The players are still the same and most of the big names are still wearing the same sweaters since the last time we saw them on the ice. The biggest move this offseason was probably Cory Schneider switching coasts from Vancouver to New Jersey. No word on whether there will be an open competition for the Devils starting gig, but depth certainly won’t be an issue.
Training camps open in about five weeks but I’m going to take an early crack at my top 20 fantasy players headed into the 2013-14 season. We’ll make sure to put up another list when we get closer to fantasy draft time, but here’s my opener to start the debates.
1. Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh Penguins
2. John Tavares, C, New York Islanders
3. Evgeni Malkin, C, Pittsburgh Penguins
4. Steven Stamkos, C, Tampa Bay Lightning
5. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
6. Claude Giroux, C/RW, Philadelphia Flyers
7. Patrick Kane, RW, Chicago Blackhawks
8. P.K Subban, D, Montreal Canadiens
9. Henrik Lundqvist, G, New York Rangers
10. Martin St. Louis, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning
11. Erik Karlsson, D, Ottawa Senators
12. Alexander Ovechkin, LW, Washington Capitals
13. Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Columbus Blue Jackets
14. Eric Staal, C, Carolina Hurricanes
15. Phil Kessel, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs
16. Kris Letang, D, Pittsburgh Penguins
17. Taylor Hall, LW, Edmonton Oilers
18. Ryan Getzlaf, C, Anaheim Ducks
19. Pekka Rinne, G, Nashville Predators
20. Chris Kunitz, LW, Pittsburgh Penguins
Now I’m sure you are looking through this list wondering why I left off your favorite player. There are plenty of names that aren’t inside my top 20 that could easily be included in the next edition. Just for fun and argument, here are a few more random names that we can sort out as we get closer to the season.
In no particular order…..
Henrik Zetterberg
Jonathan Toews
Jonathan Quick
Corey Perry
Derek Stepan
Ryan Suter
Duncan Keith
Rick Nash
Marian Gaborik
Patrice Bergeron
Antti Niemi
Joe Thornton
Jordan Eberle
Henrik Sedin
Daniel Sedin
Logan Couture
Mike Green
Tuukka Rask
Cory Schneider
You get the idea. Plenty of depth for NHL fantasy hockey players, even in deeper 10 to 12 team leagues. We have a full 82-game season starting up on October 1 with new divisions and renewed rivalries. Chicago is ready to defend their title but with all the parity in the NHL right now, anything can happen. Stay tuned.