Top Tier Left Wingers in Keeper Leagues for the 2009-2010 Season

With the fantasy hockey season winding down, managers in keeper leagues need to start considering players to bring over to the 2009-2010 season. This is the first segment in a multi-part series exploring keeper options for keeper leagues.

Alexander Ovechkin | Washington Capitals
It should be no surprise that Alexander Ovechkin tops this list. There is no argument that he could be the best player in the NHL, if not the world and for fantasy purposes, he’s extremely well rounded. AO is one of the best options to build a keeper team around and should be a life member for any keeper team (barring a fantasy disaster to the rest of the squad). While we stress a well-balanced fantasy team here at The Sauce, it may be worth looking into fantasy hockey tandems, especially if you’re an Ovechkin owner in shallower fantasy hockey keeper leagues. While having Semin would be nice, he’s naturally a left winger and it wouldn’t be advantageous for a fantasy team to run two left wingers from the same team. Plus, Semin is at the point where he will merit attention from keeper managers in all league sizes. The one player, however, that could be available in shallower keeper leagues because of the depth at the center position is Nicklas Backstrom. Having Backstrom and Ovechkin as a tandem could prove to be dynamite, especially in leagues that reward heavily for power play points.

Henrik Zetterberg | Detroit Red Wings
Zetterberg is having a bit of an off season by some standards, however, this shouldn’t deter keeper managers from considering him a top option at left wing. He’ll be in good company in Detroit for the next several seasons and should consistently be a 70-90 point performer. One word of caution when considering Zetterberg, however: he has shown us over the past couple of seasons that he is becoming somewhat of an injury prone player. Back problems have plagued the careers of players like Eric Daze & Steve Sullivan, and Zetterberg could fall into that category later on in his career if he not careful. While he seems to be doing fine right now, it’s certainly something to keep in mind.

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Ilya Kovalchuk | Atlanta Thrashers
Could you imagine Kovie’s output on a team with 2-3 other premier players? He has 89 points with the Thrashers this season and is one of the best options at left wing on the market. Kovalchuk has been through the rumor mill several times this season with some believing an off-season trade is imminent in order for the Thrashers to maximize their return to get the franchise back in the playoffs. Managers who own Kovalchuk in keeper leagues concerned with him staying in Atlanta should consider this: Kovalchuck is potentially a 100 point performer in a season where the Thrash were one of the worst teams in the league. Atlanta is improving as a franchise, so he could potentially get better if he stays in town. If he goes, he’s bound to produce similarly or even better in another system. It’s a win-win situation no matter how you look at it.

Dany Heatley | Ottawa Senators
Certainly a disappointing season in the eyes of Dany Heatley and the Ottawa Senators as he will record the lowest point total of his career (omitting his 2003-2004 injury season). Don’t fret, however. A promised shake-up in the nation’s capital may be just what Heaters and crew needs to get the franchise back on top. He’s a top lefty option who can land some serious PIMs in a season, so consider him as an option for leagues that reward more for physical play.

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Rick Nash | Columbus Blue Jackets
Despite being slightly injury prone, Rick Nash is one of the most dazzling players in the game today and is in a situation in Columbus that is only getting better. He’ll be in the company of some dynamite rookies and solid second years in 2009-2010 and should benefit nicely from a developing team. Again, he has shown injury issues in the past but has certainly bounced back from each instance with style. Consider him a top option at left wing with the potential to hit the 80-90 point total range in the next season or two.

Daniel Sedin | Vancouver Canucks
Daniel Sedin, known more for his goal scoring, has put in another rock season with the Canucks. He has developed into a top option for keeper managers and should be paired up with his brother in any fantasy league if at all possible. Henrik, known more for his ability to assist on his brother’s goals, would certainly provide any fantasy hockey team a 1-2 punch on the power play as the two log just about the same amount of ice time in a game and have some of the best chemistry of any two players in the NHL. Certainly a tandem worth owning.

Zach Parise | New Jersey Devils
It was only a matter of time before Zach Parise broke through to that upper-echelon of players and with New Jersey’s newfound prowess for goal scoring, it certainly is worth owning him for the long haul. He is proving to be one of the more clutch performers in the league and flew under the radar a bit heading into this season, so you’re a manager fortunate enough to have grabbed Parise at any point beyond the 4th or 5th round, consider it a steal and lock him up for next season.

Saucerpass is currently running a keeper league series uncovering different levels of players at all 5 positions. We have already looked at goaltenders and their keepability and will continue to breakdown every position until we’ve covered most options for next season.