Is it October yet? Wow, it’s actually still July. The doldrums of summer are upon us when free agency cools off and the only current NHL pictures you see are from golf courses or tropical getaways.

There are random updates over the next month and a half before players report to training camp. Fascinating blurbs about where the Stanley Cup travelled today with the token Los Angeles Kings’ employee and yawn….

Well it’s never too early to start looking ahead to fantasy hockey and which players are set to amaze and disappoint. We reflect on their performance from the year before and value whether or not they are on the upside or downside of their career arc relative to the most recent performance.

It isn’t quite August yet, but here are your super early fantasy hockey power rankings. This is our top ten.

10. Alex Ovechkin, LW, Washington Capitals

2013-14 Stats: 51 goals 28 assists 79 points

With a new coach in Washington, the transition for Ovechkin will be something to behold. Will he get back on defense? How he adjusts could make the reigning Richard Trophy winner a risky move for a top ten pick.

9. Phil Kessel, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs

2013-14 Stats: 37 goals 43 assists 80 points

While the rest of the team was collapsing around him, Kessel remained a reliable fantasy option until the end of the season. He’ll put up more of the same numbers this season, and could see a statistical improvement if the rest of his teammates pick up their slack.

8. Anze Kopitar, C, Los Angeles Kings

2013-14 Stats: 29 goals 41 assists 70 points

It’s safe to say that Kopitar is the most complete player on the Los Angeles championship roster. He is reaching his prime and could step up statistically to match the superior effort he put forth in the postseason. The Kings had a dreadful start after their 2012 title and Kopitar will do his part to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself in that regard.

7. Taylor Hall, LW, Edmonton Oilers

2013-14 Stats: 27 goals 53 assists 80 points

It was a breakout year for Hall despite the Oiler’s woes in Edmonton. He’s emerged as the leader on this young team and if he could get any help from the rest of the club, the Oilers could make some noise. Hall has shown to be less of a sniper in recent years and his vision, wheels and hands make him one of the best assist men in the NHL.

6. Evgeni Malkin, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

2013-14 Stats: 23 goals 49 assists 72 assists

The big Russian freight train struggled with injury last season but should bounce back with a big statistical year. Malkin and Crosby have never been able to really peak at the same time so it will be interesting to see how they coexist under a new coaching regime.

5. Claude Giroux, C/RW, Philadelphia Flyers

2013-14 Stats: 28 goals 58 assists 86 points

After a horrid start Giroux finished the season with a bang garnering a Hart Trophy nomination. Assuming the Flyers start off the season better than last year, which would be next to impossible, the Flyer’s captain will have another huge statistical season.

4. Ryan Getzlaf, C, Anaheim Ducks

2013-14 Stats: 31 goals 56 assists 87 points

It’s hard to imagine Getzlaf having an even stronger season, but adding Ryan Kesler to the mix in Anaheim can only mean good things for the Duck’s top center. His chemistry with Corey Perry is the stuff that goaltending nightmares are made of.

3. John Tavares, C, New York Islanders

2013-14 Stats: 24 goals 42 assists 66 points (59 games)

Assuming Tavares comes back from the injury that ended his season during the Sochi Olympics, we can pencil in the New York captain for another big season. I wouldn’t expect him to be chasing down Crosby and Stamkos for the scoring title just yet, but with the moves that the Isles made to give that offense some depth, he’ll be in the discussion.

2. Steven Stamkos, C, Tampa Bay Lightning

2013-14 Stats: 25 goals 15 assists 40 points (37 games)

A broken leg derailed a fantastic start to Stamkos’ 2013-14 season. However, it seemed to inspire the rest of the team from offense to goaltending. Rookies Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat sparked the offense and certainly will welcome a full season with the NHL’s best sniper.

1. Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

2013-14 Stats: 36 goals 68 assists 104 points

What else can be said here? Crosby is a wire-to-wire point-producing machine that never takes a night off. While the specter of injury can’t be overlooked, Crosby is your top pick every draft every time.