With NHL training camps set to begin about four weeks from now, it’s time for fantasy hockey managers to start reengaging their brains and begin planning for their upcoming Fantasy Hockey Draft. Most drafts will take place in the latter-half of September, but it’s never too early to start looking for that gem of a late-round pick, the underrated talent who is set for a breakout season or the veteran presence who is due for a rebound year.
Today’s position: Right Wing
Right wing may be the shallowest position in fantasy hockey. There is a big disparity between your top-tier guys and the second-tier talent, which makes it essential that you walk into draft day knowing who your best bets are. If you’re looking for a good right wing, consider taking one of the players listed below.
If You Have a Top 3 Pick – Consider Dany Heatley (pictured). Twice a 50-goal scorer, Heatley has a knack for the net and will give you offense in the range of 80-90 points per season.
If You Can’t Take Heatley – Then look at Martin St. Louis – especially if you want consistency. More than 50 assists in each of his past four seasons and 25 or more goals in those seasons as well. Not to mention he has played in all 82 games every one of those four seasons, too.
The Secret Is Out On – Bobby Ryan. Being the second-overall draft selection behind Sidney Crosby isn’t bad, and neither are 35 goals last season. Bobby Ryan is on the upswing and looks to only be getting better.
Still Under the Radar Is – Nathan Horton. With 20 or more goals in each of his past five seasons, many say Horton has yet to reach his full potential as he spent most of his time with a subpar Florida Panthers organization. A move to Boston where he could end up alongside Marc Savard could really help boost his offensive production this year.
Look for a Rebound Season From – Brad Boyes. After scoring 43 goals and 33 goals in consecutive seasons, Boyes fell backward last year and notched only 14 tallies. Boyes has good hands and knows how to find the back of the net and could easily find himself back up to between 20 and 30 goals this season.
Look for a Breakout Season From – Peter Mueller. Mueller showed a lot of promise in Phoenix but seemingly failed to reach his full potential. After being traded to Colorado last season, Mueller posted 20 points in 15 games – including nine goals – and showed what he is capable of achieving.
Keep An Eye On – Joffrey Lupul. Here is a guy who consistently hovers around the 50-point marker. Lupul was off to an impressive pace last season before injuries limited him to only 23 games. If he gets off to a hot start again, snatch him up because he could put up some decent numbers in Anaheim.
Apparently you didn’t get the memo. Bobby Ryan is now a LW and my fantasy hopes are destroyed. Its tough to compete when your best RW is Steve Downie. Damn Yahoo! Oh same thing with Verstig.
I’ve seen Ryan positioned all over the ice. Left wing when he plays with Getzlaf and Perry on the top line and right wing when he plays on the second line. Now he is expected to start the season centering the second line. I’m not sure if he’ll get dual positioning in Yahoo as a center and left wing or what will happen, so keep an eye on him and where he plays.