Viktor Tikhonov – McKeen's Hockey

2015-16 Yearbook: The late, late show – deeper round steals

Peter Harling — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 11:15:57 +0000

They key to a championship fantasy hockey roster is finding value in late rounds. Cherry picking super stars in the first couple of rounds is easy and requires no homework, but knowing who to pick after the mid rounds when others are frantically flipping through pick lists and magazines is when you make or break your roster.

Every year there is in influx of new fantasy relevant players, some are new to the league coming from Europe or are rookies, while some are lesser known commodities on the brink of a breakout. To help give you a competitive edge in your fantasy league here are some gems that should prove to be worthy of early round value - that will be available in those later rounds

Import players: The Russians are coming!

Artemi Panarin, Chicago Blackhawks

After impressive performances in the KHL and the World Championship, Panarin has proven he has a skill set that should easily translate into NHL success. With the departure of Brandon Saad on the first line, Panarin will be given the opportunity to slide right in on a line with Jonathan Toews or on a line with countryman Artem Anisimov and Patrick Kane. Either way it is a win-win scenario for Panarin who could be a Calder candidate.

Sergei Plotnikov, Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins offseason quest to improve their depth on the wing turned up Phil Kessel and Sergei Plotnikov. Plotnikov brings some size and grit along with a scoring touch and will be given the opportunity to play with fellow Russian Evgeni Malkin in a top six role. For leagues that track peripheral stats such as hits and PIMs Plotnikov has added value.

Alex Burmistrov, Winnipeg Jets

Burmistrov returns to the NHL after his KHL hiatus and is the likely candidate to replace Michael Frolik. The former first round pick returns to the NHL bigger and stronger and still at only 23 years old just beginning to hit his stride and enter his prime fantasy years.

Viktor Tikhonov, Chicago Blackhawks

Another player returning to the NHL from the KHL is Viktor Tikhonov. Tikhonov was a first round pick of the Coyotes and teammate of Panarin in the KHL - the duo have both signed with the Hawks. Tikhonov is projected to be the third line centre and has two-way abilities that should provide plenty of opportunity on special teams as well.

Sergey Kalinin, New Jersey Devils

Kalinin is a versatile forward who is physical, can play any forward position, and is reliable defensively. The Devils are desperate for an influx of youth up front and the 24-year old Russian will be given an opportunity to play big minutes. Kalinin is another player whose fantasy value gets a boost in multi-category scoring leagues similar to Leo Komarov.

Rookies: The kids are alright.

Max Domi, Arizona Coyotes

Everyone knows Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel will be long gone by the mid rounds of your fantasy draft but both are only 18-years old, which could allow some older, more developed players who may not have as high a ceiling as those two, to have a bigger impact immediately. Domi was disappointed to be returned for his final year in junior but looked dominant with Team Canada at the World Juniors. The only concern with Domi this season is his lack of linemates in a fantasy hockey desert.

Sam Bennett, Calgary Flames

Despite missing the entire season to injury, Bennett made his NHL debut in the final game of the season and made an impression in the playoffs scoring three goals and four assists in 11 games. It is expected that Bennett will end up as the second line centre this season behind Sean Monahan. Bennett oozes potential as he is highly skilled and also has some sandpaper in his game.

Nikolaj Ehlers, Winnipeg Jets

Ehlers still has another year of junior eligibility but it is expected he will make his NHL debut with the Jets. They are a little thin up front and have left a few roster spots open for training camp competition. Ehlers should win a top six role; otherwise he probably won’t make the team and could end up in the Swiss league. He is boom or bust as his offensive skills are off the chart.

Sam Reinhart, Buffalo Sabres

Suddenly Buffalo has depth at centre that the rest of the NHL is envious of with Jack Eichel, Ryan O’Reilly, Zemgus Girgensons and Reinhart. One of those players will be forced to the wing, but regardless of who, Reinhart will see quality minutes in his rookie season in Buffalo.

Lawson Crouse, Florida panthers

Crouse had a breakout performance in the World Juniors with Canada and proved to have NHL quality attributes such as size, defensive awareness, checking and his shot. Occasionally prospects need to play at the NHL level to take their game to the next level and Crouse could be such a player. He should be given a good look at the start of the season in Florida as he has an eight game suspension to serve out in the OHL to start the season.

Sleepers: What dreams are made of.

Marko Dano, Chicago Blackhawks

The bulk of most teams offence comes from their top six forwards. This year the Hawks have the potential to have the best offensive depth in the NHL, and any of their top nine represent valuable fantasy options. Dano was a key piece coming back in the Brandon Saad trade and he will be counted on to help replace the offence that Saad provided. Dano had a very strong finish for Columbus in their late season stretch and was a consistent point producer. Look for that trend to continue in Chicago

Ryan Spooner, Boston Bruins

Spooner had been given several opportunities in the NHL and failed to make an impression, until last season when he was recalled after a David Krejci injury. Spooner enjoyed a seven game point streak during that time and did not look out of place in the NHL. With the departure of Carl Soderberg, the third line centre job appears to be Spooners.

Jamie McGinn, Buffalo Sabres

McGinn played in only 19 games before back surgery ended his season. Now in Buffalo he has an opportunity to play with an elite centre in either Jack Eichel, Ryan O’Reilly, or Sam Reinhart. The Sabres are also thin on the wing after Evander Kane, Matt Moulson and Tyler Ennis, providing a now healthy McGinn with a top six scoring opportunity, and at 27-years old, the potential for a career year.

Chris Tierney, San Jose Sharks

The Sharks had several impressive rookies last season including Barclay Goodrow, Melker Karlsson and Chris Tierney. Tierney appears to be somewhat of a late bloomer as he had his offensive breakout in his final OHL season, and an impressive first year as a pro, splitting time between the AHL and NHL. His current rate of progression has his stock value surging, so now is the time to invest in Tierney.

Andrej Nestrasil, Carolina Hurricanes

After managing only two assists in 13 games with a limited role with the Red Wings, he was claimed on waivers by Carolina and flourished in his new role, scoring 18 points in 41 games. He represents a risk as he cooled off, going pointless in the final nine games of the season, but has offensive talent that Carolina desperately needs and could land a top six role. Another boom or bust player.

Top Ten European Players Coming to the NHL in 2015

McKeen's Hockey — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 21:09:10 +0000

Last summer I wrote a piece called the Top Ten European Players Coming to the NHL and other than ranking Jiri Sekac to low and Petri Kontiola to high it worked out pretty well. In an attempt to improve on the first installment of this annual piece and help you identify some potential sleeper fantasy hockey players to target in upcoming drafts, here is my top ten list for the 2015-2016 season

1. Artemi Panarin, LW - Chicago Blackhawks

Age 23 5’11, 170 lbs Contract:$812,500Panarin is the clear number one player on this list after having a great season in the KHL and at the World championship where he scored ten points in ten games. He is a sure-fire top six option in Chicago this upcoming season and the trade of Patrick Sharp only cements that tremendous fantasy option. Panarin is only 23 years old and has signed a two year contract with a cap hit of $812,500 according to General Fanager which makes him extremely attractive in keeper leagues with a salary cap.

Projection: 50 points

2. Steve Moses, RW - Nashville Predators

Age 25 5’9” 172 lbs Contract:$1 million

The American born Moses was undrafted into the NHL but at age 25 has plenty of international experience and finished seventh overall in KHL scoring last season while producing two points in seven games for USA at the World Championship. Moses is another small player who has great sped and is a pure sniper. Moses will have his work cut out for himself if he is to earn a top six role with the Predators over proven NHL talent such as James Neal, Craig Smith and Taylor Beck on the right wing. Moses signed a one year one million dollar contract with the Predators and will become a UFA next summer so he represents a gamble as a boom or bust player. If he fails to crack the roster you will have wasted a draft pick, a roster spot and some cap room unless you can send him to waivers. If he produces he could see a significant jump in pay as a UFA next summer.

Projection: 30 points

3. Sergei Plotnikov, LW/RW – Pittsburgh Penguins

Age 25 6’2” 205 lbs Contract: $925,000

Plotnikov plays a very physical game which should help ease his transition to North American hockey, but his skating is a concern. He is not as prolific a scorer as Panarin but should find a home on the Penguins top nine making a career in front of the net and digging pucks out of the corners. His contract is only for one year but he is a RFA after that and at 25 represents a very good fantasy option in keeper leagues. In a league that scores peripheral stats like hits and penalty minutes I would bump him up over Moses.

Projection: 30 points

Re Plotnikov from 30 Thoughts .... I like That stop/start comment is important. pic.twitter.com/gkaoKXjTZK

— Gus Katsaros (@KatsHockey) July 9, 2015

4. Alex Burmistrov, RW Winnipeg Jets

Age 23 6’1” 180 lbs Contract: $1,550,000

Burmistrov was a first round (eighth overall) selection of the team from the Atlanta era. Burmistrov is a highly talented winger, a typical Russian sniper. The knock on him is his lack of any form of a physical element and poor defensive responsibility. In terms of fantasy hockey as long as he is scoring points he has value. The question is will he earn the Coaches confidence enough to see playing time relevant enough to produce?

Projection 30 points

5. Viktor Tikhonov, C Chicago Blackhawks

Age 27 6’2” 189 lbs Contract: $1,040,000

The Grandson of Legendary Russian star of the same namesake, this will be Tikhonovs’ second attempt in the NHL. The former first round pick of the Coyotes from 2008 should fit in on the Hawks third line behind countryman Artem Anisimov. Tikhonov is a versatile forward who is responsible defensively but there is some question to how high his offensive upside is.

Projection: 25 points

6. Sergei Kalinin, C/RW New Jersey Devils

Age 24 6’2” 190 lbs Contract: $925, 000

Kalinin perhaps has less offensive upside than his Russian counterparts ahead of him on this list but the Devils are desperate for some youth up front and despite suffering a scary head injury earlier in the season the Devils signed the Russian forward. He has NHL size and is a versatile player that represents a good depth two-way option for the Devils. His fantasy upside is questionable but he is worthy of a late round gamble for sure.

Projection: 25 points

7. Joonas Kamppainen C Boston Bruins

Age 27 6’2” 209 lbs Contract: $792,500

Kemppainen is already 27 years old and as such a veteran to pro hockey and should be NHL ready to assume a role on the Bruins bottom six as a role player. He has the size and all-around game to succeed in the NHL and has some offensive upside as well as evident in his nine point performance in eight games at the World Championship for Finland. His contract is a one year deal that sees him as a UFA at terms end.

Projection: 20 points

8. Evgeni Medvedev, D Philadelphia Flyers

Age 32 6’3” 187 lbs Contract: $3,000,000

Medvedev will join a very crowded Flyers blue line that consists of six under contract NHL defenders and top prospects such as Ivan Provorov, Samuel Morin, Robert Hagg, Travis Sanheim and Shane Gostisbehere who are all going to challenge for playing time. Medvedev will have no time to adjust to the smaller ice and North American game. He is a tall but slight defender who is very experienced and smooth skating two-way defender with a nice long active stick. Could be an excellent mentor for Provorov.

9. Markus Hannikainen, LW Columbus Blue Jackets

Age 22 6’1” 189 lbs Contract: $717,500

In the short term, Hannikainen projects to play on Lake Erie in the AHL as he adjusts to the smaller ice and North American game. In the long term, he has top six potential in the NHL. At this point, he is an investment in deep keeper leagues and any NHL action he sees this season should be considered a bonus.

Projection: 5 points

10. Andreas Martinsen, C/W Colorado Avalanche

Age 25 6’3” 220 lbs Contract: $742,500

Martinsen is a big physical forward who loves to drop the gloves and crash the net, old time hockey style. He should adjust to the North American style quickly and his skating skills are not a liability as well. While his fantasy value is primarily going to come from hits and penalty minute contributions, his five points in 12 playoff games in Germany offer some hope his skill set can pass at the NHL level. Expect Martinsen to play the majority of his games with San Antonio this season and hope he can fight his way onto the Avalanche roster.

Projection: 1 point

Honorable Mention: Derek Ryan (Carolina Hurricanes) led the SHL in scoring last season with 60 points and was named the league MVP. At 28 years old his potential is limited and he is what he is, a 5’10 170 lbs winger. Vojtech Mozik (New Jersey Devils)has some time to spend in Albany before he will pass several promising young defenders on the Devils defense depth chart, but the potential is there. Eetu Laurikainen (Edmonton Oilers) played junior hockey in the WHL but went undrafted in the NHL. Given the Oilers lack of depth in goal he is worth mentioning, but is a long term project.