Faceoff Factor

Fantasy Report: Rest of the Atlantic Division

Kevin Dunn | Fantasy Corner

Sep 25, 08:19 AM | Hype this story!

Philadelphia Flyers

Overall
The Flyers have a lot of scoring depth across the front line and two top
tier defensemen. Last year; they completely turned around their fortunes and
look to carry momentum into this season. The Flyers are a great team to fill out your
roster with, as they even out scored their division rival the Pittsburgh
Penguins.

Solid Selections
Forwards
_Mike Richards-_The newly named team captain had his best year as pro (28G,
47A, +14) and should see plenty of PP time so look for an improvement over
those numbers

Daniel Briere- A year after the big contract and few ups and downs (31G,
41A -22) he will continue to put up points, but take a look at the plus
minus one more time.

Defensemen
_ Kimmo Timonen -_ Tomonen will be the top blueliner for the Flyers again
this season after coming over from Nashville. He continues to make the
score sheet. Timonen should fill your number two defensemen spot.

_ Braydon Coburn -_ The 23-year old is proving to be a break out player for
the Flyers after a strong season (9G, 27A, +17) last year. A future number
one defenseman should be high on your draft board. .

Goaltenders
_ Martin Biron-_ Biron is a middle of the pact goaltender at best even
after a strong playoff performance last spring. He may get more time with
back-up Antero Niittymaki out early in the season.

Bust
_ Steve Downie-_ Downie fits the Philly mentally that’s for sure. But a
glut of top end forwards and a habit of taking bad penalties will prevent
him from getting enough chances to produce.

Breakout
Jeff Carter- Carter has a new contract in hand and should be ready to
back up last goal scoring numbers (29G, 24 A, +6) and if he improved on his
playmaking he could be 70 point scorer this season.

Rookies
_ Claude Giroux -_Giroux seems ready. He has the speed and had over 100
points in QMJHL last year. The Flyers don’t need to rush him, but expect
him to have significant time and impact this year.

Big fantasy question
What do you do with Simon Gagene?
Gagne has been a consistent scorer and seems ready to return, but something
always makes you nervous about head injuries in Philly. Also, who will he
play with and how much time will he get on a crowded Philly PP. Gagne will
be worth the risk but don’t make the move to early in your draft.

New York Rangers

Overall
The Rangers have come to rely on good team defense and solid goaltending to
make their way to the top of the Eastern Conference, great for making the
playoffs and possibly going deep into the spring time, but not great for
fantasy hockey. Expect similar results this year, as the Rangers play win
a lot of low scoring games.

Solid Selections
Forwards
Scott Gomez – He’s coming off another fine season as a play making center
(15G, 54A, +3) and remains a healthy every night player. The Rangers are
not a high flying team and lost some offense over the offseason, so don’t
expect his numbers to climb much from last year.

Chris Durry- Just another good Durry year last year ( 25G, 33A -3) so
expect the same again this year. In fact he may be counted on for more
production, so look for same numbers or slightly better, maybe exceeding 60
points this year.

Markus Naslund- This is not the 48 goal scoring Markus Nasland, but
another 25 goal campaign is not unheard of at this point in his career. A
playmaker like Gomez can maybe get him back to 30 goals and 50+ points.

Defensemen
Michal Rozsival- Rozsival should be the PP QB and get a lot of minutes
every night. He has had two strong seasons in a row on Broadway (13G, 25A
Even) and with his new contract should do the same. The only caveat is that
some of his Czech teammates have left the squad.

Wade Redden- Redden numbers have dipped over the past few seasons in
Ottawa but a new home in New York may help push him back over 40 points. He
recorded 38 points last year in Ottawa while playing in 80 games.

Goaltenders
_ Henrik Lundqvist -_ Lundqvist is an elite goaltender who only figures to
post the same kind of numbers this year as last (37 Wins and 2.22 GAA). He
greatly benefits from the Rangers overly defensive strategy and so should
you. Lundqvist doesn’t have a veteran back-up so he should get the bulk of
the starts.

Bust
Marc Staal- Avoid the temptation to go all in on the young defensemen.. A
solid rookie year doesn’t translate to significantly better number this
year. Steer clear of the Staal family sophomore slump.

Breakout
Brandon Dubinsky- Dubinsky had a nice 40 point rookie year and despite
the loss of big time limemate Jaromir Jagr he should build on those
numbers. At just 22, he has a lot of good years ahead of him.

Rookies
Bobby Sanguinetti- Sanguinetti finished off a strong year in OHL with a
brief AHL stint. The young defense produced big numbers in the OHL (29G,
41A, +10) and he may be just one injury away from the big club this year.
_
Big fantasy question
What do you do with Nikolai Zherdev?
The Rangers were willing to gamble on the big enigma, are you? Zherdev is
coming off of his best season (26G, 35A -9) but there is a reason why
Columbus gave up on him. Do you treat him like the 60 point player from last
year or the 32 point player from a season before? Spilt the difference and
hope for 20 goals and 40 points.

New Jersey Devils

Overall
The Devils are not quite the neutral zone trap anymore, as Coach
Brent Sutter continues to install a more aggressive forecheck, but this
team’s still lives on defense. The were 27th in goals scored last year;
however the increased depth at forward may lead to a bit more production in
coming season.

Solid Selections
Forwards
Zach Parise- He’s coming off a good season (32G, 33A, +13) and at 24 is
ready to enter the prime of his career. Playing in New Jersey may limit
his upside, but a young 30 goal guy is always a solid play.

Patrik Elias- Despite his age and slow start under new coach Brent Sutter
last year, he will continue to produce this year. Expect Elias to exceed 50
points again this year.

Defensemen
Paul Martin- Martin will likely lead New Jersey’s defense in scoring. He
had a nice year last year (5G, 27A +20), but be careful he is very low
penalty minute guy and sometimes that can hurt you in fantasy.

Goaltenders
Martin Brodeur- The best ever shows no signs of aging after last year’s 47
Wins and 2.17 GAA.

Bust
Dainius Zubrus- Zubrus never has lived up to what he could have been and
always looks a bit out place in New Jersey. No reason to find a place for
him on your fantasy roster.

Breakout
Travis Zajac- Zajac had 14 goals last year and should be ready to take
the next step as a second line center. He should have a few veteran wingers
that can score. He is going to have increased offensive responsibility, so
look for over 20 goals and close over 50 points.

Rookies
_Nicklas Bergfors-_The former number one pick has struggled to play a full
season in the AHL and it looks like make or break time for him in North
America. He is only 21, so the time is now. He should get a long look in
camp.

Big fantasy question
What do you do with Brian Gionta?
Is this the 48 goal Brian Gionta or another 20 goal scorer on the defensive
responsible Devils. The Devils are deep team that no one wants to see in the
spring. Gionta and others know that, so look for him and others to support
the youngsters and focus on the little things that win games. Don’t count
on big numbers from the little guy!

New York Islanders

Overall
The Islanders are a fantasy nightmare. They were last in the league in
scoring and show little signs of improving. With the organization built
around goalie Rick DiPetro it is unlikely to change anytime soon.

Solid Selections
Forwards
Mike Comrie- He’s seems like he has been in the league forever, but is
only 26 and has two 30 goal seasons. Last year he put up the best numbers on
the team (21 G, 28A -21) If you need to fill out a third line, he is a good
choice.

Defensemen
Mark Streit – Streit was a very successful PP specialist in Montreal and
cashed in to come to Long Island. It’s hard to imagine him matching last
year’s numbers (13G, 49A -6) going from the second highest scoring team to
the last.

Goaltenders
Rick DiPetro- DiPetro is the centerpiece of the franchise so he should
get plenty of starts. The GAA will be low, but look for similar numbers to
last year (26 wins and 2.82 GAA).

Bust
Doug Weight- Weight comes to New York at the end of very good career. An
old playmaker without any proven snipers is never a good sign.

Breakout
Chris Campoli- Campoli has been bothered by injuries the last two
seasons, but good health could help return the young defensemen (he is only
24) to form. He had a strong year effort three years ago and may be
valuable in deeper leagues.

Rookies
Kyke Okposo- The 19 year old rookie should get plenty of chances. After a
good year at the University of Minnesota and brief stint in the AHL he
seems ready to go. The Islanders may have to play him on top line with Mike
Comrie.

Big fantasy question
Are any Islanders worth the risk?
There will still be a lot low scoring games on the Island and players there
have to think defense first. Comrie is likely going to produce and keep
your eye on Okposo, but a mix of old guys, unproven young guys and few
grinders is not a place to be looking for fantasy starters.