Faceoff Factor

Part 3: Living In A Fantasy World

FF Staff | Fantasy Corner

Sep 12, 09:51 AM | Hype this story!

The following was put together as a collective effort between Faceoff Factor’s fantasy hockey beat writers Adam Jennings and Kevin Dunn.

The Pittsburgh Penguins enter the season as the second most valuable team when it comes to fantasy worth. The Penguins offer fantasy owners many of the leagueʼs top players, and trail only the Detroit Red Wings.

One shouldnʼt expect many surprises when it comes to the Pens and fantasy hockey. Both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are proven top-tier players and worthy of being drafted in the top three. New arrivals Ruslan Fedotenko and Miroslav Satan should have similar seasons to Petr Sykoraʼs last campaign (28G, 35A). The loss of defenseman Ryan Whitney would affect many other players, but the Pens have depth, so, donʼt expect a significant drop off from the 247 goals (7th in NHL) they scored last year.

Solid Selections

Forwards

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin- Thereʼs nothing that you shouldn’t already know. These two are the cream of the crop when it comes to filling the score sheet. Expect Malkin to push a little harder and breech the 50 goal mark. Crosby has proven over his first three years that no matter his linemates, he will put up numbers. If Crosby finds some stability with his wingers (_Satan_, Fedotenko, Talbot, etc) he will set career highs in all numbers. Donʼt worry about last seasonʼs ankle injury. If you manage a top three pick, grab either of these two and know that your team will be in prime position. Donʼt be afraid to grab Malkin over Crosby, itʼs not necessary insane as some would think.

Petr Sykora, Ruslan Fedotenko, Miroslav Satan- As mentioned earlier, expect all three to be in the neighborhood of 70 points. Sykora has great chemistry with Malkin and should have no trouble repeating last yearʼs solid season. Out of all three, Satan has the most upside. No one knows how Satan will react now that heʼs out of the offensive cemetery known as the Islanders, but if he manages to click with Crosby, 40 goals isn’t out of the question. Don’t underestimate that all three of these are UFAs at the end of the season and will likely be looking for one more big contract.

Defensemen

Sergei Gonchar- With Whitney out at least three months, Gonchar stands out as the Pens most reliable defender. Expect “Sarge” to be in the top five in defensive scoring. Be aware, an injury to Gonchar will kill the Penguins power play and lower many other Penguinsʼ values.

Goaltender

Marc-Andre Fleury- Ever since Fleury strapped on the white pads, he has become the goalie the Pens imagined they had when they drafted him number one overall. Fleury is only 23 and if he continues his Stanley Cup playoff effort he is a top five netminder this year. Still, be safe and consider him a top 12 goalie. Fleury should be considered a weaker number one goalie and a strong number two.

Busts

Forwards

Jordan Staal- Last year, Staal found out how fickle NHL goal scoring is, seeing his total drop from 29 to 12. Unless Staal is moved to Crosby or Malkinʼs wing, donʼt expect him to regain his rookie scoring touch.

Janne Pesonen- Itʼs tough to gauge how Pesonen will adapt to the NHL, but previous results say it wonʼt be well. Still, heʼll likely get a tryout for a spot on Crosbyʼs line and, if he has a smooth transition, will be a solid pick.

Defensemen

Brooks Orpik- Some might think Orpik has the most to benefit from Whitney being injured, but this logic is wrong. Orpik wonʼt take Whitneyʼs place on the top power play unit and doesnʼt stand to see an offensive surge. In deeper leagues, Orpik still has value in that he gets PIMs.

Sleepers

Forwards

Maxime Talbot- Another player who has the potential to be awarded a spot on the top two lines, Talbot plays a brand of hockey which could lead to an offensive outpouring this year.

Defencemen

Kris Letang- The man who will take Whitneyʼs power play time, Letang has the raw skills to become an offensive force from the blueline. Whether itʼs too early in his career to see such a jump is the question. Still, expect to see solid progression from last years 6G, 11A.

Hal Gill- Ignoring Gonchar, Gill led the Penguins in even strength scoring from the blueline. Gill has a powerful shot, will get more ice-time and will be rack up penalty minutes.

Rookies

Forwards

Luca Caputi- With Ryan Malone gone, the Pens are in need of a power forward. Enter Caputi. Caputi could easily become a better version of Malone down the line, but just as easily, he could be kept with the Baby Pens to adapt to the professional game.

Defencemen

Alex Goligoski- Coach Michael Therrien will have little patience with Goligoski if he struggles in his own zone. But, if he has a strong preseason he could end up with the big team. “Gogo” has great offensive ability and the Pens might not be able to ignore it.