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21
Sep
2009
Around the NHL with BT: Fantasy Hockey Rookies to Take Notice of This Year PDF  | Print |  E-mail
Around the NHL
Written by Bryan Thiel   
Let's face it: We've all heard of John Tavares, Victor Hedman, and Matt Duchene. Aside from being the top three picks in this past season's entry draft, they are all virtually locks to make their respective NHL clubs.

While the New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Colorado Avalanche are hoping for big things from those three, they aren't flying under the radar of any fantasy owners. In both of my leagues, Tavares is owned, while Hedman was taken in another one. Duchene is available in both still, but don't expect that to last.

Sidenote: The interesting thing about the league where both Hedman and Tavares are owned, is that it's a keepers league, and that only four rounds happened this year. These are also all (supposedly) guys who know their stuff, as they're NHL writers from other sites.

But what happens if you want to go off the board with a rookie selection, or you spaced on your sleeper and have someone you're willing to drop for him?

Personally, I'd stop reading and go and pick him up, but that's just me.

Otherwise, here are a few rookies to keep an eye on:

Cody Hodgson's name has been turning heads throughout his career with the Brampton Battalion, but now he's expected to do the same at the NHL level. The trouble is, that heading into this past weekend Hodgson had been shelved with a back injury.

In his absence, Sergei Shirokov has stepped up his play. The Russian had two goals against the Islanders and teamed with the Sedin's for a combined nine points on Friday, as Hodgson tallied two goals over the weekend—one Friday and one Saturday.

altOver in Nashville, the Predators may hve their secondary scoring solution in Colin Wilson. Both he and rookie defender Jonathon Blum shined in a two-game series against Atlanta Thrasher rookies, as Blum took seven shots during the "tournament" (and rated as a +3 in the final game), while Wilson tied for the team lead in scoring with three points. 

Wilson also had three points in his first exhibition game with the Predators, while Patric Hornqvist looks strong and confident next to the veterans on the Preds roster.

The Buffalo Sabres have a slew of young defensemen to watch, but their backup goalie situation could be an interesting one. While Patrick Lalime is a good veteran presence to have around, Jhonas Enroth is giving the vet all he can handle. Enroth stopped 23 of 25 shots in a preseason game for Buffalo earlier on, and his AHL stats last year prove that he may be ready for the show. If not, keep him on your radar as someone to monitor in the event of an injury to starter Ryan Miller or Lalime.

Staying in the Northeast, Zack Smith had an assist in Ottawa's 6-1 win over Montreal in their last preseason game, and watching him in the Toronto Maple Leafs' Rookie Tournament in Kitchener, Ontario, Smith looked mean and effective, and he should be develop into the power forward that Ottawa has needed for a while.

Of course any look at the Sens wouldn't be complete without examining Erik Karlsson. Karlsson can skate smoothly out of either end of the ice, and looks like Tomas Kaberle carrying the puck out of his own end. Once he finds his comfort level out on the NHL ice (He's also said that he hasn't played anywhere near his best game yet for the Sens), Karlsson should get long looks from fantasy owners now, looking for defensive depth.

The last rookie for today (We may very well talk about them next week as well because training camp is THAT exciting) is the the New York Rangers Artem Anisimov. While the Rangers don't have much farther to go with regards to cuts (They have 25 at camp and the limit is 23), there was next to no doubt about Anisimov making the team.

Dubbed to be the Rangers' best prospect and one of their "most talented and intelligent", Anisimov has made the preseason his personal circus. This kid is top-line material right now, and will get a lot of attention this season.


Need a topic covered? Questions, ideas, or complaints? E-mail Bryan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and he'll work it in to the rotation as each Monday we go 'Around the NHL with BT'.
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