Drop the Puck

2006-07 Sleeper Picks: Forwards

I thought I would try and sneak in a couple of different fantasy-based hockey articles while I am finishing up the team previews for the upcoming season. I know draft time is coming up for some of you readers and I am sure some of you are wondering when I’ll get to the good stuff, so here is some of it. If you haven’t already, try and scan through my team previews (or any NHL 2006-07 previews) if you have a chance before your draft day. I only say this because it will give you a leg up on your buddies/competition to know how teams are looking going into the 2006-07 season, and is especially beneficial when drafting your goalies.

  I always enjoy doing the sleeper picks the best, and if any of you readers are in a pool that has 8+ teams, then these sleeper picks could be of more value to you. I try to make my sleeper picks different than most writers’ though. I do not base my picks solely on statistics, but rather mainly based on players that I have watched last year. I made mental notes of players that made a good impression on me and ones that I also think have a good chance of improving on their numbers. There were tons of sleeper picks last season with the new NHL rules, this season I expect the same. If any player you saw last season impressed you and isn’t a well known player, then I would strongly consider taking a chance on grabbing him in your pool. If the sleeper pick does not pan out as you hoped then they are usually easy to replace.

Derek Roy, Buffalo Sabres – The 23-year-old had 46 points in 70 games during his sophomore year, a nice jump from the 19 points he tallied in 49 games during his rookie season. Roy showed he was good fit for the new NHL, small, fast and physical. Roy and linemate Chris Drury formed great chemistry on the second line during the playoffs, as Roy finished with 15 points in 18 playoff games along with a +7 (best among Sabre forwards). With the loss of winger J.P. Dumont, and the uncertain status of Tim Connolly, Roy should see himself getting quality ice-time on one of the top two scoring lines

Mikael Samuelsson, Detroit Red Wings – Detroit is one of the best at plucking out European gems like Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, and Niklas Lidstrom. Mikael Samuelsson may not be as talented, but down the road you may see his name added to that list. After a measly 9 points in 37 games with the Florida Panthers in the 2003-04 season, Samuelsson racked up 23 goals and 45 points with Detroit the following NHL season. Samuelsson also only played 13 minutes per game, which astonishingly was enough to show that he knew how to put the puck in the net, as well as play a sound defensive game (he was +27 by the way). The Red Wings decided to re-sign Samuelsson to a long-term deal during the offseason, which shows he must be part of their future plans. With the loss of all-star forward Brendan Shanahan during the offseason, Samuelsson finds himself with a good opportunity to gain more ice-time, as well as a chance to get a permanent spot on Detroit’s first scoring line.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Minnesota Wild – Bouchard had a great year in 2005-06 considering the fact that he played for the defensive-minded Minnesota Wild. Bouchard was a point shy of 60, and was a huge threat on the Wild’s power-play. Bouchard’s creativity with the puck gives him the potential to be a great playmaker at the NHL-level. During the offseason Minnesota brought in all-star forward Pavol Demitra, and winger Mark Parrish to improve their offensive game, and as a result Bouchard’s numbers could increase. Bouchard might have a shot at playing on  the first line involving the Marion Gaborik-Pavol Demitra combo, but it all depend son how well he adapts to playing the center position. If he does not center the 1^st line he will at least be a part of the 2^nd scoring line, one that will include either the Wild’s leading goal scorer last season, Brian Rolston, or 25-30 goal scorer Mark Parrish. Bouchard will also continue to get adequate playing time on Minnesota’s power-play unit. Expect Bouchard to rack up a lot of assists this season, as the 22-year-old enters his 4^th NHL season.

Nathan Horton, Florida Panthers – I had a hard time deciding whether this guy is really a sleeper, but since he plays on the Florida Panthers, I figured he probably is not that well known. Horton, drafted 3^rd overall in 2003, was second on the team in goals last season with 28, and scored at remarkable rate of 1 goal per every 6 shots. Horton is a great power forward in the making, and should also be one of the Panthers’ best snipers in the near future. Horton is only 21 years old, and is entering his 3^rd year in the NHL, which means he is still developing. He will probably play on a line with future hall-of-famer Joe Nieuwendyk, but I still don’t think Horton will have enough ice-time to put up 40 goals, he could put around 35 goals if he is setup enough (and trust me it is part of the Florida Panthers’ game plan). Beware though; there have been some questions about Horton’s health over the course of a full season.

Dainius Zubrus, Washington Capitals – I’m sure most people have only one player on their list from the Washington Capitals when they are selecting their team. That one player would be last year’s unbelievable rookie sensation Alexander Ovechkin. Now meet the guy who will most likely be playing alongside him, Dainius Zubrus. Zubrus and Ovechkin had some great chemistry going to end off the 2005-06 season, and I highly doubt any other centerman on Washington’s roster will take Zubrus’ job on the first line. Zubrus showed he had the ability to be an everyday impact player on the Capitals last season, as he racked up 27 points during the final 25 games of the season. Zubrus finished the season with career-highs in both goals (23) and points (57). Zubrus is a good fit to play with Ovechkin; he has good hands, and he can protect the puck with his huge frame (6-4, 226 lbs). A whole season alongside Ovechkin could mean a big year for Mr. Zubrus.

Martin Erat, Nashville Predators – Erat cracked the 20-goal plateau for the first time last season, as he managed to get a spot on the Predators’ top line, which let him play alongside all-star forward Paul Kariya. Erat finished with a solid 49 points while playing under 15 minutes a game. Erat might lose his spot on the top line to Nashville’s newest player, J.P. Dumont, but that is something that will probably be decided after pre-season. If Erat does moves down to the second line it is not the end of the world, he will still get a chance to play with an extremely talented scorer in Steve Sullivan, and should get some good ice-time on the power-play. Erat is good at buying some time with the puck and has good overall playmaking skills that would compliment any goal scorer. With increased ice-time next season, Erat could possibly rack up around 60 points.

Ruslan Fedotenko, Tampa Bay Lightning – Fedotenko continues to improve every year with the Lightning, as he scored 26 goals last season (9 goals more than he had in 2003-04). Over the years I’ve watched him I can tell you he is a clutch player with a great wrist shot, and has been one of the Lightnings’s most underrated players. This year Fedotenko will get more responsibility though, as Tampa Bay decided to trade Fredrik Modin for goaltender Marc Denis. With Modin gone, Fedotenko becomes the Lightning’s most skilled left winger, expect him to be on the first line all season alongside a great playmaker in Brad Richards, and possibly alongside the 2003-2004 NHL MVP, Martin St.Louis.

Jamie Langenbrunner, New Jersey Devils – Langenbrunner finished off the 2005-06 season strong, and then raised his game to another level in the playoffs. Langenbrunner had 13 points in 9 playoff games, as he benefited from playing alongside one of the league’s most talented forwards in Patrik Elias. Although Langenbrunner isn’t the flashiest player, he works hard to get things done on the ice and has pretty good speed. Last season he finished with 53 points and 19 goals, in 2006-07 I expect him to have his best season yet. With little movement in New Jersey during offseason, the lineup should stay somewhat the same as when it ended in 2005-06. Rumor has it that the Devils may even have to trade either Scott Gomez or the NHL’s most improved player last season, Brian Gionta, to clear up cap space (as they are currently over the limit). If either gets traded, Langenbrunner will be looked upon to provide more offense. If neither of them gets traded, Langenbrunner should still get ice-time alongside Patrik Elias.

Matt Cullen, New York Rangers – With great speed and puck-handling skills, Matt Cullen is good example of a player that could benefit in the new obstruction-free NHL. Cullen thrived last season under Carolina’s up-tempo style of play. Cullen racked up a career-high 25 goals and was one point shy of 50. Every shift Cullen brings energy on the ice, trying to do everything to create scoring chances. Cullen can also quarterback a power-play, which some people may have seen during the playoffs last season (he was tied for 3^rd on the team in scoring during the playoffs with 18 points). Cullen signed a long-term deal with the New York Rangers during the offseason and is expected to center their 2^nd line with Brendan Shanahan and Petr Prucha (30 goals as a rookie last season).

Steve Reinprecht, Phoenix Coyotes – Calgary might regret trading away this guy last season, as Reinprecht prospered in his short time with Phoenix last season. With increased ice-time under Wayne Gretzky, Reinprecht delivered on the score sheet with 23 points in 28 games as a member of the Coyotes. Reinprecht was re-signed to a 3-year deal during the offseason and he will be centering the Coyote’s first line next season. Along with good offensive talent, Reinprecht has great speed and is good defensively, so he should not be a liability in the +/- department.

Honourable Mentions for 2006-07 Sleepers: Stanislav Chistov, Jochen Hecht, Kristian Huselius, Juraj Kolnik, Derek Armstrong, Jan Bulis,

Remember these Sleepers are just for the forwards, I’ll have another one dedicated to defensemen and goaltenders next week. I will also have a separate list for sleeper picks that are entering their sophomore season in the NHL. If you have any questions, or have any other sleepers that you think I can add to my list of forwards e-mail me at goeb@rogers.com. Thanks!