Most of us are shuffling through piles of stat sheets and a magazine looking for sleeper picks trying to avoid the big name bust. We are in the heart of fantasy season and any edge we can get could make or break a season. Nobody wants to get stuck with a first round pick that implodes or falls of the map. Wait, are we talking fantasy football or fantasy hockey?
Everything in that first paragraph is true except for the timing. We are a good 45 days away from serious fantasy hockey season, but fantasy football can certainly fill the void until puck season is truly upon us.
In the hockey timeline for hardcore fans, exhibition football can sooth our aching sports palate until the annual September release of the most recent EA Sports NHL incarnation. The video game sports simulation can carry us into NHL training camps. Then, while we are finishing yet another Stanley Cup season with (insert homer team here) ______________, fantasy hockey hits its stride.
It seems so far away when you measure it in days, but the 2013-14 season will be here before you know it. Here at eDraft, the NHL never takes a break, so here are five fantasy players that you should avoid. The basis of the argument is that these are players that you absolutely, positively should NOT waste a top draft pick on.
5. The Sedins-Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks
Oh how the mighty have fallen. It’s not that I believe that the Swedish twins will fall off the map, but with new coach John Tortorella behind the bench, expect a statistically poor season from both. While it is a contract year for the dynamic duo and an opportunity to impress, their advancing age (33 in September) and style of play could clash from the defensive-minded Tortorella.
4. Mike Ribeiro, C, Phoenix Coyotes
Don’t fall in love with Ribeiro’s bounce back season in Washington. Don’t buy into the “Dave Tippett brings out the best in Ribeiro” factor. The new Phoenix centerman won’t have Alexander Ovechkin at the receiving end on the power play. With over half of his 49 points coming on the man advantage, Ribeiro will struggle in the desert.
3. Chris Kunitz, LW, Pittsburgh Penguins
I hate to be a naysayer, but I’m not a believer in Chris Kunitz until I see him produce for more than one season. The fact is Kunitz was available on the waiver wire 20 games into last season. We all were waiting for him to drop off in production and he really never did. He got a nice contract this summer, so let’s see if he’s still motivated. Don’t waste a first or second round pick here.
2. Patrick Kane, RW, Chicago Blackhawks
The last time Kane and the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup, Kane was coming off a career high in points and had a huge playoff performance. The following year Kane struggled with some nagging injuries and some bad press form his “incident” in Buffalo. The Blackhawks seemed to be on autopilot all year and were bounced in the first round of the playoffs. Now we haven’t heard of Kane engaging in any rowdy behavior, but I’ll take a pass on the winger until the third round. If history repeats itself, Kane will see a downward trend in production next season.
1. Alexander Ovechkin, LW, Washington Capitals
How can I possibly have the reigning MVP as my top player to avoid in fantasy hockey? Believe me when I say that I hope that I am wrong but I feel that last season was the exception and not the norm for the Russian winger. Ovechkin has put on too much weight and has too many miles on his skates to be an elite player any more. A ridiculous scoring binge that catapulted the Capitals in to the playoffs and Ovechkin into the scoring race was just a really, REALLY hot streak. Again, I want to be wrong here because the NHL needs big personalities to sell their product. There are just too many other options in the first two rounds, particularly at the left wing position. Sorry Ovi, I still love you and your wacky Russian sound bytes, but I can’t count on you for my fantasy hockey team anymore.