Many fantasy hockey pools place more weight on certain categories in fantasy hockey and these projections can help you dominate your pool in those specific areas.
Points
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
If he is healthy, which he is as of now, there is no better fantasy player in the game. Sid the kid is a point producing machine and there is no way he is slowing down anytime soon. He had 56 points in 36 games last season. That ridiculous points per game ratio helped
Crosby finish in the top NHL scoring leaders despite the fact he missed 12 games. If you needed another reason to draft him, just look at the offense around him in Pittsburgh. The team will once again be one of the best offensive teams in the league. Enough said.
Runner Up: Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
Last Year’s Winner: Martin St.Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning
Goals
Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
There may not be a better sniper in the league and this guy will leave all poolies drooling. His 29 goals last season were three shy of the league lead and he is only two years removed from his 60-goal season. The Bolts are on the rise and Martin St.Louis is still there to feed Stammer bombs. He is the best goal scorer in the game and you need him on your fantasy team.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHQFG0UfwXs
Runner Up: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
Last Year’s Winner: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
Assists
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
This guy again? He made Chris Kunitz a 22-goal scorer last season so there is also that. Sid is the best playmaker in the game and don’t hesitate to take him number one. There simply isn’t anybody better and you will be heavily rewarded if you have this guy on your fantasy team.
Runner Up: Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers
Last Year’s Winner: Martin St.Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning
Plus-Minus
Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
The Hawks will be one of the best teams in the league once again and Toews is one of the main pieces. His plus-28 rating last year was
very impressive and was one of the reasons he was rewarded with the Selke trophy. There is no going wrong with drafting Toews in a fantasy pool and you certainly can count on his plus-minus.
Runner-Up: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Last Year’s Winner: Pascal Dupuis, Pittsburgh Penguins
Power-Play Points
Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
The Caps had one of the best power-plays in the league last season and Ovie was the prime reason why. His 27 power-play points were tied for tops in the NHL along with teammate Mike Ribeiro. Ribeiro has departed to Phoenix but that doesn’t mean anybody will dethrone Ovie at the top. Mike Green is healthy and could have a beast season, contributing heavily on the man advantage. Nicklas Backstrom is one of the best passers in the game and the addition of Mikhail Grabovski will only bode well for the team’s power-play. Bombs away.
Runner-Up: P.K Subban, Montreal Canadiens
Last Year’s Winner: Tie: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Mike Ribeiro, Phoenix Coyotes
Power-Play Goals
Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
There is no going wrong with Ovechkin. His 16 power-play markers last season were six more than the second place finisher. Half of Ovie’s goals came with the man advantage. This guy strives when his team has the extra player and he should be near the top of your fantasy list if your league heavily relies on power-play stats.
Runner-Up: Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
Last Year’s Winner: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
Short-Handed Goals
Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche
The Avs are on the rise and Landeskog is destined for a bounce back season offensively. His three short-handed markers were good for second in the league and he surely has the speed and skill to keep delivering. The young captain plays both ends of the ice well and the coach has the confidence to use him in all special team situations. He is a gem and people may be hesitant to draft him next season but don’t be that person that passes up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4zA7DGrrNc
Runner-Up: Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks
Last Year’s Winner: Ilya Kovalchuk, KHL
Game-Winning Goals
John Tavares, New York Islanders
Tavares may have only finished ninth overall in game-winning goals last season but I feel a monster fantasy campaign coming from this kid. He comes through in clutch form and is destined to hit 90 points this season. His five game winners were a start last season but expect him to shatter those totals in this upcoming campaign.
Runner-Up: Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Last Year’s Winner: Jeff Carter,Los Angeles Kings
Time On Ice
Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators
He logged a whopping 27:09 per game last season despite only playing in 17 games. He will be counted on like never before with the 
departure of Sergei Gonchar to Dallas. Karlsson is the man in Ottawa and he is arguably the best fantasy defenseman in the game. Get him on your team and you are well on your way to the top.
Runner-Up: Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild
Last Year’s Winner: Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild
Penalty Minutes
Chris Neil, Ottawa Senators
You need a guy that racks up the minutes? Look no further than Chris Neil. His 144 penalty minutes last season were second in the NHL to Colton Orr of Toronto. Neil is a more safe option as you know he will be playing every night. Neil appeared in all 48 games for the Sens last season and has a solidified spot on the team’s roster. Don’t expect much offense though.
Runner-Up: Colton Orr, Toronto Maple Leafs
Last Year’s Winner: Colton Orr, Toronto Maple Leafs
Shots On Goal
Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
He shoots the puck and he shoots it a lot. Ovie will shoot from anywhere and alot of the time it leads to something. These are exactly
the type of players you need in fantasy hockey and Ovie’s willingness to fire on all cylinders make him an ideal fantasy player.
Runner-Up: Rick Nash, New York Rangers
Last Year’s Winner: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
Hits
Matt Martin, New York Islanders
This guy bruises bodies and other teams better watch out. He easily led the league last season with 234 hits and will be dishing them out once again this upcoming campaign. Be careful though, he provides little fantasy value besides his hits so only consider him in a very deep league where there is focus is on bodychecking.
Runner-Up: Steve Ott, Buffalo Sabres
Last Year’s Winner: Matt Martin, New York Islanders
Did I miss somebody or do you disagree with the projections above? Let me know in the comments and prove you know your fantasy hockey!
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