This article is part of our Neutral Zone Wrap series.
If you're impatiently waiting like the rest of us, don't worry. Wednesday is opening night and everything will be just fine as long as the league doesn't hire some washed-up rock band to improperly handle the Stanley Cup.
Odds on you've drafted by now, but that doesn't mean you're done with player assessment. The early free agent/waiver wire pickups can provide a boost to your lineup and give you the satisfied feeling of beating others to the punch. (Unless you're wrong. But that never happens.)
No need to analyze the stars, as you're familiar with the returns. The key is to find those who will make a significant jump and others set to dip into obscurity or merely drop a couple notches. To speed up the learning process, we'll be combining the two groups here. Six examples from each: three forwards, two defensemen, one goalie. And to save space, the rationales will be brief yet still provide the info you require. (How do we do it? Volume.)
Prepare to be simultaneously impressed and appalled. By reading this, you may experience side effects such as dizziness, confusion, and dry ice. Use only as prescribed. If you're reading this for more than four hours,
If you're impatiently waiting like the rest of us, don't worry. Wednesday is opening night and everything will be just fine as long as the league doesn't hire some washed-up rock band to improperly handle the Stanley Cup.
Odds on you've drafted by now, but that doesn't mean you're done with player assessment. The early free agent/waiver wire pickups can provide a boost to your lineup and give you the satisfied feeling of beating others to the punch. (Unless you're wrong. But that never happens.)
No need to analyze the stars, as you're familiar with the returns. The key is to find those who will make a significant jump and others set to dip into obscurity or merely drop a couple notches. To speed up the learning process, we'll be combining the two groups here. Six examples from each: three forwards, two defensemen, one goalie. And to save space, the rationales will be brief yet still provide the info you require. (How do we do it? Volume.)
Prepare to be simultaneously impressed and appalled. By reading this, you may experience side effects such as dizziness, confusion, and dry ice. Use only as prescribed. If you're reading this for more than four hours, immediately consult your nearest fantasy physician:
(Purposely didn't repeat any selections from Andrew Fiorentino's column to project the impression of originality.)
Sleepers
Mikkel Boedker, F, Arizona
Arizona may be awful but there's enough talent up front to write about. Boedker's season (finishing with 28 points in 45 games) was unfortunately cut short but he's back and has been working on the top power play point with some dude named Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Sounds like that may be a good thing.
Roberto Luongo, G, Florida
Luongo may be 36 but he's still above average (29 wins, 2.35 GAA, .921 SV% in 2014-15) and his backup is Al Montoya. The Panthers look like an exciting bunch and they play in the Atlantic Division, arguably the worst in the league. That should translate into more victories and similar returns for Bobby Lou.
Paul Martin, D, San Jose
The Sharks clearly targeted Martin in free agency. While the 34-year old will be relegated to the second PP unit, he's already developed on and off-ice chemistry with alpha D (and Chewbacca stuntman) Brent Burns. A 30-plus point haul isn't out of the question.
Nino Niederreiter, F, Minnesota
Now in his third year in Minnesota, Niederreiter has matured to the point where he's confident in his abilities. The projections peg the Swiss winger for the third unit but he's so much better than that. Cracking 40 points shouldn't be an issue; look for something closer to 50.
Jakob Silfverberg, F, Anaheim
Ooh, aah, Silfverberg! Great skater supplemented by soft hands and a wicked shot. He'll probably never hook up with Ryan Getzlaf but a regular gig beside the other Ryan will probably net the Swede a new career-high point total (anything in the 40s would qualify as a personal record, expect high 40s/low 50s).
Nikita Zadorov, D, Colorado
The giant Russian (0.002km, 16 stone) had initially been paired with Tyson Barrie for even strength and this combo should eventually manifest itself on the man-advantage, seeing how Zadorov is - thanks to carbon dating - at least a century younger than Francois Beauchemin.
Duds
Tyler Bozak, F, Toronto
No Phil Kessel means no guaranteed points for Bozak (49 the last two). And it looks as if the Leafs' only relevant forward, James van Riemsdyk, is being centered by Nazem Kadri. At least Bozie is flanked by Joffrey Lupul. If that statement doesn't elicit excitement, then there's something wrong with you, man.
Andrew Hammond, G, Ottawa
The latest groin injury notwithstanding, the Hamburglar will be fighting Craig Anderson for top duties. Don't be fooled by the surprise stats from his hot run (20-1-2 to end the regular season). Like the food served at the establishment associated with Hammond's nickname, it's best to find greater substance elsewhere.
Mike Ribeiro, F, Nashville
No matter whom Ribeiro is playing with, he will not eclipse 60 points again this season. That's a guarantee. At least there's little worry he'll drop out of the top six, unless Cody Hodgson reverts to his junior self. Remember there are loads of great options at center - and Ribeiro isn't one of them.
Alexander Semin, F, Montreal
When things go good, Semin can be awesome. When times turn tough, he's magically AWOL. The upside for the 31-year old is 20-plus goals and roughly 45 points. Yes, that's his ceiling. And that's assuming nothing goes wrong, which would qualify as a miracle since he'll inevitably become frustrated with the Habs' continued lack of offense.
James Wisniewski, D, Carolina
The numbers (34, including 14 PPPs) reflect some degree of competency, although it's tough to ignore how Wiz sat in the press box throughout the playoffs for an Anaheim squad that sorely needed recruits in that long Chicago series. It's only a matter of time before Ryan Murphy claims the second chair behind Justin Faulk, and that time should be very soon.
Michael del Zotto, D, Philadelphia
Impressed in his comeback (32, with eight on the PP) but remains a plus-minus liability. Signed a new two-year deal so Del Zotto has less to play for, other than avoiding becoming a healthy scratch. Oh, and the Flyers boast a stable of formidable offensive blueline prospects just itching to get the call.
