| It's been a relatively slow season in terms of significant | | | | consider the Avalanche rookie. While a host of other |
| rookie impact in the fantasy hockey realm this year. | | | | rookies shot out of the gate in Denver, he started |
| The past few seasons have been extraordinary in | | | | slow, then spent a few weeks on the IR with ankle |
| terms of rookie showings. Consider: Steve Mason and | | | | problems. Since the start of December, his role in |
| Bobby Ryan in 09. Patrick Kane and Nicklas | | | | Colorado and his production have started to soar. |
| Backstrom in 08. Malkin and Stastny in 07. And, of | | | | Since the Olympic break, he's tallied 6 points in 5 |
| course, Ovechkin and Crosby in 06. All of these | | | | games. In fact, he's played at near a point a game |
| players were major players in their debut seasons. | | | | pace over the past 20 games, as he's bounced |
| While 09-10 hasn't produced a similar impact player | | | | around between the top two lines. |
| over the long haul, there have been stretches of | | | | 5. John Tavares (F - NYI) |
| greatness from rookies here and there. Often times, | | | | It's been a confusing season for the man preordained |
| the cream of the crop will rise during the last 6 weeks | | | | to win the Calder this year. He came out of the gate |
| of the season. So let's take a look at which rookies | | | | on fire, then completely disappeared for a couple of |
| figure to have the biggest fantasy impact over the | | | | months, while other Islander rookies took the stage. |
| final month of the season: | | | | Since the break, Tavares has started to show signs |
| 1. Matt Duchesne (F - COL) | | | | of life once again. He logged 20 minutes last night (the |
| Duchesne is looking more and more like a lock for the | | | | first time since December), and knocked in a goal. His |
| Calder Trophy, as he's the one player who has | | | | shot totals have picked up since the break as well, |
| performed consistently well from day one of the | | | | including a 7 shot performance against Ottawa. Most |
| season. While his numbers aren't staggering, he's | | | | fantasy owners have benched or dumped him at this |
| already eclipsed 20 goals and has a shot at 30. Since | | | | point, so you may want to roll the dice on him making |
| the break, he has 5 points in 5 games, and he's piling up | | | | a late season push. At a minimum, you can expect |
| the shots. You can count on him being a steady | | | | another 6 or 7 seven goals over the next month. |
| producer to finish out the season. | | | | 6. Tuukka Rask (G - BOS) |
| 2. Tyler Myers (D - BUF) | | | | The only thing holding Rask back from being a major |
| Myers may be the one guy in this group who has | | | | fantasy hockey goalie is the contract of Tim Thomas. |
| most exceeded expectations. Both from an all around | | | | The Bruins committed to Thomas in a big way last |
| play and from a fantasy perspective, the giant blueliner | | | | summer, despite the fact that Rask has shown he's |
| has been a pleasant surprise. He's on pace for 10 | | | | ready to take the #1 job. Over his past 10 games, he's |
| goals and 40 points this year, which is a decent | | | | recorded a 2.2 GAA and.920 save percentage. He's |
| showing for a defenseman of any age. His production | | | | currently dealing with a knee injury, but once he returns, |
| has slowed a bit recently; however, he's still logging | | | | he should be a viable #2 option in net. If you're in a |
| around 25 minutes a game. Look for him to continue | | | | keeper league, now's the time to make a deal of Rask |
| his pace of.5 pts per game. | | | | and set yourself up for years of fantasy gold. |
| 3. Jimmy Howard (G - DET) | | | | 7. Niclas Bergfors (F - ATL) |
| After years of anticipation and promise, the baton has | | | | Bergfors was a promising prospect in New Jersey. |
| officially been passed on to Howard to protect the | | | | He's now a productive player in Atlanta. Since arriving |
| Redwing net. A good percentage of NHL fans have | | | | with the Thrashers, he has tallied 8 points in 10 games, |
| never seen a Detroit team miss the playoffs, but | | | | including 6 goals. He's in a much more prominent role in |
| Howard has been one of the few bright spots on the | | | | his new environment, and he seems to be answering |
| Redwings roster. He's on pace for 30 wins, despite | | | | the call. He's still available in most leagues, so if you |
| playing on an average team, and despite starting the | | | | need the help, he could provide a late season push for |
| season as the backup to Osgood. He is facing an | | | | your fantasy roster. |
| inordinate number of shots each night, but that has only | | | | 8. Michael Del Zotto (D - NYR) |
| served to bolster his save percentage. The Wings are | | | | Much like his former Oshawa/London teammate John |
| bound to tighten things up over the final month, now | | | | Tavares (see above), Del Zotto has had an up and |
| that their roster is healthy, so don't be surprised to see | | | | down rookie campaign. He stormed out of the gate, |
| Howard put a few shutouts on the board. | | | | then disappeared from the New York City lights. He |
| 4. T.J. Galiardi (F - COL) | | | | just returned from the IR and looks like he may be |
| Check your free agent list in your league. There's a | | | | back in business. He's recording big minutes, including |
| spankin' good chance that Galiardi is still sitting there in | | | | top power play honors, and has recorded 2 points in |
| the corner, waiting for someone to ask him to dance. If | | | | his first 3 games back. |
| you're looking for a partner to fill out your offense, | | | | |