Faceoff Factor

Rookie Report

Adam Jennings | Fantasy Corner

Oct 22, 01:04 PM | Hype this story!

This segment will be an every-other-week look at the rookies with fantasy impact.  Keep a step in front of the competition by picking up the rookies that will help your team.

Andrew Cogliano (C, EDM: 2005 First round pick, 25th overall)
Cogliano has come out firing.  He has eight games played and six points (2G, 4A), second among rookies.  So far he’s been a guy Edmonton wants on the ice (+4) as much as possible.  He’s getting almost 15 minutes of ice a game.  Although this hot streak might not last, I would take a roster spot for him just to see how long he can keep this up. 

Sam Gagner (C, EDM: 2007 First round pick, 6th overall)
Gagner has had a decent start.  He has four assists in six games played and scored his first goal in his seventh.  However, he has only recorded 11 shots in those seven games.  Gagner's -1, isn't exactly what you want to throw into your line-up, but he still won't kill your +/- either.  If he can keep his ice time around 15 minutes, he could pan out to be a decent option.

Daniel Carcillo (LW, PHO: 2003 Third round pick, 73rd overall)
Carcillo, who played in 18 games last year, showed some promise.  He had seven points and 74 PIMs in his time last year.  This year he has continued to improve, netting two goals and two assists in seven games with the 'Yotes.  He's tacked on 24 PIMs as well.  This bodes well for a roster spot.  Although, I'm a firm believer that PIMs are a weak and unpredictable category,  Carcillo seems like a player that is guaranteed to help you win the category.  Throw in some point production and a positive +/- , and you have yourself a decent option at LW.

Jonathan Toews (C, CHI: 2006 First round pick, 3rd overall)
Toews has shown great fantasy promise through his first six games, averaging a point per game.  Maybe an even better indicator of his potential is his 1 on 3 goal against the Avalanche.  There is a 99 percent chance that wewon't get a better play, not involving Crosby or Ovechkin, all year.

Patrick Kane (RW, CHI: 2007 First round pick, 1st overall)
Kane is Calder favorite right now and a fantasy force for this season.  Kane has nine points (1G, 8A) in his first eight games.  I believe they are only going to get better.  It's only a matter of time before Kane earns the trust to be put on the PP unit.  Kane's points have all come at even strength and he has still has a 2 rating, which means this kid can play. Kane and Toews log 18+ minutes a game, which is top among rookie forwards. Even though it's likely too late to add Kane, maybe even Toews, it would be worth your while to target these two in trades.

Carey Price (G, MON: 2005 First round pick, 5th overall)
Price has shown potential in his two chances, shutting down Pittsburgh in his first start and giving up four against Ottawa.  If Price were to get hot and steal a few more starts he may have some use as a spot starter.  As of right now, he should only be owned in deeper leagues and larger size keeper leagues.

Josh Harding (G, MIN: 2002 Second round pick, 38th overall)
Harding has been outstanding in his two starts this year.  Harding has had a few cups of coffee in the NHL (10 games before this season), so it's doubtful he'll be able to help your team.  I don't picture him getting many starts while the Wild run like they are.  The fact that Backstrom continues to play like a number one fantasy goalie will limit Harding to waiver wire fodder.