Friday, September 30, 2005
Fantasy Hockey: Risky Rookies
I posted previously about selecting rookie players in fantasy hockey, but I'd like to expand on that with a bit of a look-back analysis.
I can understand why rookies are so enticing. They are shiny and new and have that new hockey player smell. What better way to show your knowledge than to pick some unknown or little known rookie that nobody else knows much about. I know I like following prospects and want to jump on the bandwagon somewhat when the players are entering the NHL. It's much more exciting cheering for some unknown commodity than picking some boring old guy like Martin Lapointe.
While other players in your fantasy pool are going to the established retreads that never pan out (Valeri Bure, Dainius Zubrus), you could get someone from under their nose that outperforms them. If you get a rookie that is hot early in the year, you'll likely be offered a trade or two that will allow you to trade for a player that is likely to outperform your rookie over the course of a season (Think of flipping someone like Jason King once he starts cooling down)
Aye, but are the rewards worth the risks? Let's take a look at the top scoring rookies from the past 3 NHL seasons.
Only 4 players topped the 50 point plateau in the past 3 NHL seasons: Ilya Kovalchuk and Dany Heatley, who are incredibly rare and special talents, and the surprising Michael Ryder and Trent Hunter, both of whom were older rookies with some development behind them (both were 23 years of age that season).
It looks like most modern-day rookies fall between the 25-45 point range. Given that, I would expect Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby to bust the 50-point plateau. Who else? Maybe Thomas Vanek of Buffalo. Otherwise, I'd expect the 25-45 point range for most rookies and draft accordingly.
One other point I'd like to make is that many rookies will, obviously, make many defensive mistakes. Defensive mistakes can hurt your +/- and take away precious pool points. The older the rookie, the more likely their +/- won't be affected.
I'd also take a look at some of the rookie seasons of today's stars.
Markus Naslund (Age 20) 71GP 4-7-11 -3 27PIM
Todd Bertuzzi (Age 20) 76GP 18-21-39 -14 83PIM
Vincent Lecavalier (Age 18) 82GP 13-15-28 -19 23PIM
Brad Richards (Age 20) 82GP 21-41-62 -10 14PIM
Jerome Iginla (Age 19) 82GP 21-29-50 -10 29PIM
Marian Hossa (Age 19) 60GP 15-15-30 +18 37PIM
Martin Havlat (Age 20) 73 19-23-42 +8 20PIM
Other than Richards and Iginla (who slipped to 32 points the following season), none of these other star rookies broke the 50-point barrier.
With the new NHL rules, and an extra year of development for some rookies, it certainly does throw a few extra variables into the mix. Still, the new rules will affect all rookies and all players, so you'd have to figure it's best to analyse players based on past trends rather than trying to just take a shot in the dark.
I can understand why rookies are so enticing. They are shiny and new and have that new hockey player smell. What better way to show your knowledge than to pick some unknown or little known rookie that nobody else knows much about. I know I like following prospects and want to jump on the bandwagon somewhat when the players are entering the NHL. It's much more exciting cheering for some unknown commodity than picking some boring old guy like Martin Lapointe.
While other players in your fantasy pool are going to the established retreads that never pan out (Valeri Bure, Dainius Zubrus), you could get someone from under their nose that outperforms them. If you get a rookie that is hot early in the year, you'll likely be offered a trade or two that will allow you to trade for a player that is likely to outperform your rookie over the course of a season (Think of flipping someone like Jason King once he starts cooling down)
Aye, but are the rewards worth the risks? Let's take a look at the top scoring rookies from the past 3 NHL seasons.
Only 4 players topped the 50 point plateau in the past 3 NHL seasons: Ilya Kovalchuk and Dany Heatley, who are incredibly rare and special talents, and the surprising Michael Ryder and Trent Hunter, both of whom were older rookies with some development behind them (both were 23 years of age that season).
It looks like most modern-day rookies fall between the 25-45 point range. Given that, I would expect Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby to bust the 50-point plateau. Who else? Maybe Thomas Vanek of Buffalo. Otherwise, I'd expect the 25-45 point range for most rookies and draft accordingly.
One other point I'd like to make is that many rookies will, obviously, make many defensive mistakes. Defensive mistakes can hurt your +/- and take away precious pool points. The older the rookie, the more likely their +/- won't be affected.
I'd also take a look at some of the rookie seasons of today's stars.
Markus Naslund (Age 20) 71GP 4-7-11 -3 27PIM
Todd Bertuzzi (Age 20) 76GP 18-21-39 -14 83PIM
Vincent Lecavalier (Age 18) 82GP 13-15-28 -19 23PIM
Brad Richards (Age 20) 82GP 21-41-62 -10 14PIM
Jerome Iginla (Age 19) 82GP 21-29-50 -10 29PIM
Marian Hossa (Age 19) 60GP 15-15-30 +18 37PIM
Martin Havlat (Age 20) 73 19-23-42 +8 20PIM
Other than Richards and Iginla (who slipped to 32 points the following season), none of these other star rookies broke the 50-point barrier.
With the new NHL rules, and an extra year of development for some rookies, it certainly does throw a few extra variables into the mix. Still, the new rules will affect all rookies and all players, so you'd have to figure it's best to analyse players based on past trends rather than trying to just take a shot in the dark.
Comments:
<< Home
This year is perhaps different in that some rookies have been waiting two years to play in the league. This year's Calder race should be the best ever.
I doubt Vakek will break 50 points. He is a pure goal scorer and simply just doesn't rack up many assists. He has a good chance to get 20-25 goals but maybe only 40-45 points.
I think Mike Richards has a chance to break 50 points because he is one of those guys who waited an extra year despite probably being ready last year. Plus he is going to be playing on a talented team in Philadelphia.
There is an outside chance that Brandon Bochenski will break 50 as well so long as his chemistry with Spezza (which he developed in the AHL last year) continues but my gut is that eventually Ottawa will move Alfredsson or Havlat up to the top line, especially on power play opportunities.
My pick for rookie of the year is Atlanta goalie Kari Lehtonen.
I think Mike Richards has a chance to break 50 points because he is one of those guys who waited an extra year despite probably being ready last year. Plus he is going to be playing on a talented team in Philadelphia.
There is an outside chance that Brandon Bochenski will break 50 as well so long as his chemistry with Spezza (which he developed in the AHL last year) continues but my gut is that eventually Ottawa will move Alfredsson or Havlat up to the top line, especially on power play opportunities.
My pick for rookie of the year is Atlanta goalie Kari Lehtonen.
# posted by 
: 11:50 pm
: 11:50 pm
James,
I agree that this year's Calder race should be a good one. I don't expect Crosby to just run away with the damn thing.
David,
I read your post, but I keep hearing about Lehtonen's lack of conditioning and re-occuring groin problems. If those two factors keep knocking Kari down a peg, it will hurt his team and hurt his chances. It looks like Hartley isn't too pleased with Kari and Dunham might get to play more games than he was expected to.
I agree that this year's Calder race should be a good one. I don't expect Crosby to just run away with the damn thing.
David,
I read your post, but I keep hearing about Lehtonen's lack of conditioning and re-occuring groin problems. If those two factors keep knocking Kari down a peg, it will hurt his team and hurt his chances. It looks like Hartley isn't too pleased with Kari and Dunham might get to play more games than he was expected to.
Hi all-Saw Lehtonen Friday night at the Preds/Thrash game in the ATL. Kari looked fantastic. Moved like a cat and flashed the pads nicely on a couple of saves. Made a killer glove save point blank. I concur with Jes on Zubrus. Dude just doesn't bring it nightly. I dumped him from the Saberhawks to take a risk on Kobasew. Chuck led the Lock Monsters in points last AHL season. I just hope he gets some quality ice time in MTL.
# posted by : 10:27 pm
: 10:27 pm
Prucha ain't getting 50 points, bubs :) He's a waterbug, but he doesn't have the finishing skills to get 50 in his rookie season. He's a guy I'm pulling for, but don't blow your wad just yet.
Post a Comment
<< Home
