Compared to previous years, I believe Yahoo has done a much better job this season with its rankings. I can remember entering some drafts with a list of players that I felt were severely undervalued, as injuries and unusually poor seasons had pushed players down too far. Even last year, I targeted Pavel Datsyuk and Marian Gaborik because I felt that the Yahoo rankers had not done them justice as proven NHL scorers. We can probably credit Yahoo's new association with Rotoworld in not just hockey, but also football, in its improvement in tracking the true values of players at each position. Do you agree or disagree? Let me know in the comments below.
That being said, there are a few players a little too low in Yahoo's rankings which could be players to target in the later rounds of your draft. After all, remember that it's not the early-round picks that win or lose fantasy seasons. (Hey! Look at me! I'm a genius! I knew to select Sidney Crosby first overall!) In one of my earlier blog entries, I mentioned Jarome Iginla (123) and Vincent Lecavalier (124) as players who had probably never experienced rankings this low and could probably be nudged a little higher. So I plan to start at 150 and work my way down. Remember, the further down the rankings the player, the greater the hidden gem that could benefit your team.
Cody Hodgson, C/RW, BUF (171): It pains me to say this as a Canucks fan, but Cody could be in line for a breakout season if the Sabres don't go into fire sale mode. Hodgson will probably center the Sabres' top line alongside sniper Thomas Vanek; that is, if the Sabres don't trade Vanek.
Jaromir Jagr, RW, NJ (193): I might be reaching with the over-40 future Hall of Famers (see Selanne below), but Jagr scored a very respectable 35 points in 45 games last season. He's sure to receive top-6 minutes in scoring-starved New Jersey this season.
Teemu Selanne, RW, ANA (204): If fantasy hockey rankings were equivalent to a player's popularity, Selanne's ranking would be off the charts. As it stands, Selanne has scored at least 25 goals in each of his last four full seasons (not counting last season). There's probably something left, considering where you'll get him.
Alex Burrows, LW/RW, VAN (242): Burrows was on and off the Sedin line last season, and he may start the season on Ryan Kesler's wing and not with the Sedins. Like Selanne, however, he had scored at least 25 goals in each of his last four full seasons (not counting last season). If new coach John Tortorella moves Burr back to the top line, his value will be much higher than it is now.
Shane Doan, LW/RW (244) and Radim Vrbata, RW, PHX (247): Are the Coyotes that hard up for scoring that their two top scorers from last season are ranked this low? Bringing in a playmaker like Mike Ribeiro could especially help a sniper like Vrbata, who recorded 28 points in an injury-shortened 34 games last season and scored 35 goals the year before.
Ray Emery, G, PHI (252): Somebody has to be the starter in the goalie graveyard that is Philly. A 1.94 GAA and .922 SV% in backup duty for the Blackhawks last season is difficult to overlook. Do you really have faith in Steve Mason?
Nathan McKinnon, C, COL (253): Don't expect him to light the world on fire this season. But if you're a keeper leaguer, now you know where to find him.
Ray Whitney, LW, DAL (271): Another member of the Father Time club, Whitney was practically a point-per-game scorer last season with 29 points in 32 games. The funny thing is that he continues to produce in spite of being written off year after year after year.
Filip Forsberg, C/RW, NSH (276): The Predators might have performed highway robbery in acquiring Forsberg from the Capitals at the deadline last season. You just might do the same if you make him one of your last few picks this season.
David Clarkson, RW, TOR (291): Leaf fans must be infuriated that their free agent frenzy prize is ranked this low. Even those without the Leaf-colored glasses should notice this too. In case you don't have a Leafs fan within your circle to remind you, Clarkson is a fantasy hockey power forward - a great source of goals and penalty minutes.
Bryan Bickell, LW, CHI (331): If this playoff hero is good enough to receive a four-year extension from the Stanley Cup champions, he should be good enough for a spot in mid-sized to deeper leagues. Remember that he scored nine goals and 17 points in 23 playoff games during the playoffs. The 6'4", 233 lb. Bickell has the tools to be a solid power forward in fantasy hockey.
Vinny Prospal, LW, CBJ (332): I have to laugh because one of my friends mentioned him in conversation awhile ago as a player who has been around nearly forever and has played for just about every team. What you also have is a consistent scorer who led the Blue Jackets in scoring this season (30 points in 48 games). If he's not drafted in your league, I'd be willing to bet that someone will add him off the waiver wire at some point.
Zack Kassian, RW, VAN (336): Guess what? Kassian is starting training camp on the Sedin line. Don't forget that Torts loves young players almost as much as he hates Twitter, so Kassassin could be there for awhile. Kassian had some success on that line last season before Alain Vigneault, who at times seemed like the Dusty Baker of the NHL for his aversion for playing youngsters (note what happened to the above-mentioned Hodgson), split them up for whatever reason.
Danny Briere, C/RW, PHI (337): Remember when Briere could score? It actually wasn't that long ago. He's totally hidden in this spot, considering he is back in his home province and not dealing with the pressures of trying to live up to a large contract.
Valeri Nishushkin, RW, DAL (342): As mentioned before, if this first-rounder makes the club, he could see some time on the Stars' top line alongside Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. Keep an eye on the training camp reports.
Tim Thomas, G, ??? (349): Don't laugh. It was two short years ago that he led the Bruins to the Stanley Cup in one of the best seasons that a goalie has had in recent memory. Thomas appears ready to emerge from his apocalypse bunker and play somewhere this season, perhaps Florida (where at least you won't have to worry about him embarrassing his team and not showing up at the White House for a Stanley Cup visit). Until then, he's a decent stash and save.
I'll end it at 400, although I'll probably do some more looking later. But if you can find any other interesting names, be sure to let me know.
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