Fantasy Hockey Scouts

Playoff Fantasy Stars of the Week(s)

2012-05-15T05:21:46Z

Due to a slight detour to Cancun last week, I was unable to ~~operate a computer~~ submit a column, so here's the fortnight edition of your top fantasy performances from April 30 - May13.

3rd star, from the New York Rangers, numero 4, Michael Del Zotto... he actually tied for the second highest point total of any player, including forwards, with 2+4=6 in six games, including two multi-pointers against the Caps. That is some clutch business from a 21 year-old D-man in his first NHL playoffs.

2nd Star, from the Los Angeles Kings, numero 23, Dustin Brown... in a four game sweep of the Blues, Brown played like it was game seven every night. He finished the series with 3+4=7, 18 PIM, a plus-6 and two GWG. Including the regular season, Brown now has 38 points in his last 33 games. Not bad for a dude who has averaged 56 points over his last five seasons.

1st Star, from the New Jersey Devils, numero 30, Martin Brodeur... Marty and Jonathan Quick had identical 4-0 records, with almost identical peripherals (Brodeur's 1.63/.929 vs. Quick's 1.75/.930). But let's give it to Brodeur for being FORTY freaking years old. Besides, Quick gets his own award after the jump.

Dark Horse Pick: Jonathan Quick (LAK) . So where did Quick go in your pools? In the FHS Invitational pool, he lasted until 114th overall and his owner is leading by a mile. Quick has lost only once in ten playoff games, and the Kings are suddenly the unlikely Vegas favorites to win the cup.

Biggest Breakdown: I guess we have to go with Ilya Bryzgalov, who went 0-4 with a very pedestrian 3.08 GAA and .905 SV%. Blame the team too though - Bryz faced at least 30 shots in each of his four losses, and that type of defense just ain't playoff hockey.

A Saturday Daily Dosage - Smith, Kuznetsov, Cervenka...

2012-05-05T14:04:03Z

James Quick lost just three of his 21 picks after the 1st round and is out to a eight point lead on the field in our FHS Playoff Pool. He looks to be in good shape with his namesake Quick in net, along with Smith & Lundqvist. Kenny Dzwonkowski & Don Waldner are just off the pace a little

No change at the top of the leaderboard in our FHS Staff Invitational Playoff League as i12swim continues to hold a sizeable lead and the rest of us might just be battling for 2nd

Mike Smith shut out the Preds last night and while he has been very good in the playoffs (.946 sv%) he hasn't been lights-out... the key has been that he's only imploded once (four goals in G2 vs Chicago) and has kept his team in most games by allowing two goals or less in seven of ten playoff games.

We're seeing a surprising surge in the postseason from the Coyotes Mikkel Boedker as he has 3+4=7 in his last eight games after a very disappointing regular season which had me thinking he was on his way to bust-city.

Nice to see the playoff comeback from Travis Zajac as there were a lot of questions if he could find his old form after missing most of the season but he has really come on with 5+4=9 over his last nine games.

Disappointing news here as Evgeny Kuznetsov has decided to sign on for another two seasons in Russia. This hurts as I'm sure most of us were expecting to see him jump right into the Caps lineup next season... but such is life with Russian prospects these days. [more from Puck Daddy]

The World Championship kicked off on Friday, I'll try to post a list of a few players to keep an eye on in the next few days but for now check out the tournament previews over a Puck Worlds. [Contenders, Pretenders, Longshots]

Roman Cervenka is not at the WCs due to an injury but we'll be seeing a lot of him in the NHL next year as he signed a one-year deal with Calgary. He has put up some nice numbers in the KHL over the past two years leading the league in goals last year (31+30=61 in 51 games) and tops in the league in points during this year's playoffs (11+10=21 in 21 games). I think a lot of us have been keeping an eye on him over the past few year and his production in the KHL is encouraging but I'd keep your expectations reasonable as Euro-vets like this are rarely able to live up to the hype.

The awesomely named Daniel Bang has signed with Nashville out of the SEL... unfortunately, actually maybe fortunately, he is more of a big banger than a scorer.

Ottawa re-signed Peter Regin to a one-year deal, not that I was ever that high on him but his career has kinda come off the rails the past two years due to injuries. He only appeared in 10 games this season due to shoulder injuries and he'll have to fight with guys like Turris, Greening, Silfverberg & Zibanejad for ice-time next year.

Elusive Islanders prospect Kirill Petrov has reportedly signed a two-year extension to remain in the KHL... so don't expect to see him on the Island for a while, if ever. [More from Lighthouse Hockey]

After grinding it out for four years in the AHL, CBJs prospect Maksim Mayorov has signed to play for Kazan in the KHL next year... his career in North American wasn't taking off, so good move.

Some goalie movement as Ducks prospect Iiro Tarkki and Atte Engren of the Predators, who both looked promising in the AHL this year, are headed back to Europe next year. Tarkki posted a .925 sv% in 49 games with Syracuse but he's signed up for the next two years in the KHL whereas Engren was buried in a deep group of goalies in the Nashville system (.911 in 23 AHL games this year) and so he's decided to return to Finland.

Leafs 2011 1st rounder Tyler Biggs is officially too-cool-for-school as he is leaving Miami after one season and will likely suit up for the Marlies in the AHL next year. Brian Burke loves this guy cause he's tough, I don't care for him cause he's not going to produce fantasy-worthy numbers.

On the flipside, Habs prospect Danny Kristo is returning to North Dakota for another season and he may have his eyes on "Pulling a Wheeler" (or a soon-to-be "Pulling a Justin Schultz") and going UFA next summer. I think there is some nice potential here for those of you that are patient.

Marc Bergevin pulled a bit of an upset by landing the Habs GM position over lots of guys that had more experience and closer ties to the organization. How bad of an interview must Pierre McGuire be to not get this job? He is good friends with the Habs owner and Bergevin's own colleague, Scotty Bowman, recommended Pierre for the job... and he still didn't get it! If he's half as annoying in a job interview as he is on TV then I totally understand.

SB Nation on Your YouTube

2012-05-03T13:03:51Z

If you haven't seen it already, SB Nation has a channel on YouTube, which people who know tell me is the future of television. There are all kinds of shows and features that touch on topics from all across the sporting world. Here's an example of the kind of thing you can expect from the channel:

So watch, enjoy, subscribe and people in high places will look fondly on you & me.

Here is some more info, from the network:

Video has come to SB Nation. We launched SB Nation's official Youtube channel on March 1st with some pretty large ambitions: let's try something new. Across the entire network, we approach the world of sports from a different angle. The passion, expertise, and first-rate analysis and discussion that takes place every day on our sites is something to be proud of and we didn't want to ruin that with a bunch of talking heads in suits and ties with no game-footage rights.

We've got humor, expert analysis, weirdness, video gifs, and incredible storytelling all in one place and we're really proud of what this thing has become. Right now, we're producing over 30 new original videos every single week. Be sure to subscribe to not miss anything. Here's a rundown of the offerings:

Shutdown Fullback (College Football meets Tim & Eric -- New episodes every Friday): If you've ever wondered what it would look like to see a video version of threads on EDSBS.com, well there you have it. Simultaneously a college football talk show and unintentional postmodern art project, I personally guarantee Spencer Hall and Jason Kirk will make you laugh (or else they've duff'd it). Essential Viewing: Bobby Petrino Fired episode with hot blonde assistant

Bomani & Jones (All sports; opinion and commentary -- New episodes Monday and Thursday): Around the Horn contributor and known Twitter user Bomani Jones is Bomani & Jones: sketches and commentary with no excuses. Think Chapelle's Show for the internet and the sports world. Essential Viewing: Oklahoma Thunder are the Rolling Stones

Full Nelson (All sports; Outside the Lines with a sense of humor -- New episodes every Wednesday): Athletes, Access, and Culture. Full Nelson takes an inside look at the most interesting stories from the world of sports in a beautiful, different, and always interesting package. Host Amy K. Nelson joined SB Nation after years of reporting for ESPN and regularly appearances on OTL and First Take andFull Nelson offers something new every week. Bonus points to Full Nelson for having the most-viewed video of our whole channel with Amy's perilous tour of a Duke bar during the Duke/UNC matchup. Check it out here.

The Sporting Gentlemen (All sports, comedy; sketches, tours, behind-the-scenes, interviews -- new episodes daily): The all-encompassing daily video series The Sporting Gentlemen, featuring Dan Rubenstein and Matt Ufford, features unique (read: weird and occasionally threatening) reactions to the day's biggest stories, plus remote, generally participatory segments out in the field defined primarily by a general lack of athleticism, coordination, and respect.

An example of an ongoing segment that has taken the world by storm is "Bro vs Douchebag," which promises to be the authority on determining how athletes should be filed and categorized as humans. Heavy stuff. Essential viewing: Bro vs Douchebag... Welcome to New York, Tim Tebow... RGIII Pre-Draft Interview

Rob's Mailbag (Baseball -- New episodes on Wednesday): Get smarter about baseball with Baseball Nation's Rob Neyer. In Rob's Mailbag, Rob takes questions from viewers every week and breaks them down in absurd (and extremely entertaining) detail. Essential viewing: Here

The Core of Sports (All sports, epic -- new episodes monthly): The Core of Sports is our answer to Sports Science, taking you inside the mind of elite athletes in the most cinematic way possible. Essential viewing: UFC Fighter Brian Stann's Epic Training

The Petey and Lomo Show (Baseball; comedy): It's our first reality show and we followed Miami Marlins players Bryan Petersen and Logan Morrison (Petey and LoMo, to the initiated) as they tried to find ways to fill the boredom that is Spring Training in South Florida. Essential viewing: Marlins Off The Hook (i.e. Master-baiters)

News from the Studio (All sports; analysis, breakdowns, experts -- new videos every day): We're not just doing sketches... we're all over breaking news, using experts from around SB Nation to weigh in on the latest news from their respective homes, workplaces, and law offices. Some of our biggest communities are represented here regularly... what about yours? Essential viewing: Ben Golliver breaks down Lamar Odom's departure

Playoff Fantasy Stars of the Week

2012-04-30T15:22:47Z

Each Monday during the playoffs we'll take a look at the top fantasy performances of the previous seven days.

Three Stars of the Week

3rd Star, from the New York Rangers, numero 21, Derek Stepan... points are what we like, and Stepan had more than any other player this week with 1+4=5 in three games. After nothing in the first five games of the playoffs, he had a hand in all three Rangers goals in game six against the Senators, followed by an assist in each of his next two games. In accepting this award, Stepan would like to thank Claude Giroux and the Flyers for playing only one game this week.

2nd Star, from the New York Rangers, numero 30, Henrik Lundqvist... a week ago, the Rangers were down a game and facing elimination in game six against the Senators. Lundqvist clutched up to win games six and seven and followed that by beating the Capitals to start the second round. He had a 1.33 GAA and .944 SV% on the week.

1st Star, from the Phoenix Coyotes, numero 41, Mike Smith... this was a really close battle with Lundqvist for 1st Star, as both goalies went 3-0 and had excellent peripherals (Smith with a 1.86 GAA and .947 SV%). But let's give 1st Star to Smith for A) facing 42(!) more shots than Lundqvist and B) scoring the extra shutout points in blanking Chicago 4-0 in game seven of that series.

Dark Horse Pick of the Week: Antoine Vermette (PHO). This is a borderline pick as I would imagine pretty much no one has Vermette rostered. but hey, I guess that's the nature of a good dark horse pick. Vermette had his worst regular season since 05-06, with a measly 11+26=37 in 82 games. He's now tied for fourth overall in playoff goals (5) and points (8), with 2+2=4, plus-3 and two PIM in three games this week.

Breakdown of the Week: Pekka Rinne (NAS). After allowing only nine goals on 151 shots to dispatch the Red Wings in five games, Rinne blew a tire against the Coyotes, allowing four goals in game one and another five in game two for a horrific combined 4.10 GAA and .847 SV%. Rinne's teammate Alexander Radulov wasn't too far behind here as he's been floating like Filatov the last couple of games.

A Thursday Daily Dosage - Holtby, Hodgson, Luongo...

2012-04-26T15:10:13Z

This is getting epic as Kyle Rammler continues to lead our FHS Playoff Pool... is it possible for someone to go wire-to-wire in a pool like this? Mr.Rammler lost a bunch of Penguins and a few other guys but so did everyone else so he's sitting in pretty good shape. The menacing duo of Don Waldner & Kurtis Kindrakewich sit just a point back.

Loyal reader i12swim continues to lead our FHS Staff Invitational Playoff League and he's going to be tough to catch as 10 of his 12 players are still alive... well done on calling the PHI & LA upsets.

It's curtains for the Bruins as they fell in OT to the Caps in game #7, anyone else think that the Caps series winner was a little suspect with Mike Knuble basically snow-plowing Tim Thomas into his own net? But hey, I suppose anything goes in G7 OT. The downfall for the Bruins was that their top forwards (other than Seguin) didn't really show up as Milan Lucic, David Krejci, Patrice Bergeron & Brad Marchand only combined for two goals.

Unreal performance from Braden Holtby as he stole the show from the defending champs by holding them to just a single goal in four of the seven games and finishing the series with a .940 sv%. His AHL numbers this year (.906 sv% in 40 games) were a step back and concerned me a little but the theory now is that he was bored in the AHL and needed a new challenge. Sounds like a plan. It's funny how things happen but it seems to me like the Caps have found themselves a goalie for now and the future.

Jose Theodore (LBI) skated yesterday and is a game-time decision for tonight's game #7. Scott Clemmensen is ready to go if called upon but he has taken losses in the last two games so the Panthers are probably hoping that Jose can go... and not blow it in the first 10 minutes.

Didn't get a chance to see much of the action from the U-18s (have it on tape and will catch up later) but some of the notable performances were turned in by Canadian dman Matt Dumba who led the tournament in scoring with 5+7=12 (& 20 PIMs) in seven games. He'll likely slip in the draft due to his size but I think this kid is a gamer. Hunter Shinkaruk, Seth Jones & Kerby Rychel were among the 2013 draft eligibles that had impressive showings. One thing that confused me (maybe someone who watched can fill me in) is that Filip Forsberg of Sweden was named the tourney's Best Forward by the Directorate despite finishing 16th in tournament scoring (5+2=7 in six games), 4th on his own team, he was a minus-1 and his team didn't win the gold??? Who's on the Directorate?... his agent?

Some spicy comments from Canucks GM Mike Gillisregarding how he spent so much of his time dealing with Cody Hodgson's issues over the past few seasons. That may be true but the part about how they created this myth of Cody Hodgsonby putting him in so many offensive situations seems like a truth-stretch. Hodgson's most frequent linemates in Vancouver this season were Malhotra & Hansen and he regularly saw around 10-12 minutes a night, so the kid had a legitimate beef that he wasn't being used properly. I think Buffalo got a good one here and he's going to have some serious motivation heading into next season.

The Senators have allowed both Mark Stone & Jakob Silfverberg to make their NHL debuts in the past two pressure-packed playoff games. Neither played much (around nine minutes each) but they saw some time on the top lines and held their own. Always good to get a look at how the kids perform in key games.

Nicklas Lidstrom has given himself a July 1st deadline to inform the Wings if he'll be coming back for another season. He'll be 42 in a few days and is coming off, arguably, the poorest statistical season of his career, so he has a lot to think about. My gut feel is he probably comes back for one last kick at the can but I won't be holding out hope that he can rebound.

Roberto Luongo opened up the door for a trade out of Vancouver as he says he is willing to waive his NTCif asked by Vancouver. I still think this guy is an elite goalie but that contract with 10 years remaining is a bear so he could be tricky to move. You can't like this move for his fantasy value as the teams that are looking for a goalie are some of the league's weak sisters like Columbus, Toronto & Tampa.

FHS Awards Show - Biggest Breakout

2012-04-25T01:28:42Z

Welcome to the third annual FHS Awards Show where we deliver the hardware to those deserving players who helped you to fantasy glory. We polled the FHS writers to get a consensus opinion but we've also included a poll to give you a chance to tell us we're idiots.

Yesterday we gave out the award for the the biggest superstar breakout.

Today we'll hand out our final and most important award. It's the award for the breakout of the year. These are the guys who win fantasy pools as they would have been pretty much available for free in a lot of leagues to begin the season ended it in your starting lineup.

And the nominees are....

David Desharnais C Canadiens
Projected: 76 gms with 13+22=35 with 20 pims & 89 shots.
Actual: 81 gms with 16+44=60 with 24 pims & 98 shots.
Are you of the thinking that David Desharnais had such an enormous breakout season because he's just a great playmaker or because Max Pacioretty and Erik Cole are great goal scorers? Well, the 98 shots in 81 games suggest that he was looking to pass anytime he touched the puck, so as long as he's got those guys on his wings, we like his chances to have continued success.

Pascal Dupuis LW Penguins
Projected: 81 gms with 17+18=35 with 38 pims & 165 shots.
Actual: 82 gms with 25+34=59 with 34 pims & 214 shots.
You know all about it. Dupuis finished the regular season on an other-worldly 17 game point scoring streak. Prior to the streak, he had 37 points in 65 games which was still above his normal pace. Of his 22 points during the streak, NONE were on the powerplay. As a matter of fact, he only had one PPP all season, and it was an assist in the first game of the year. It will be interesting to see what he could do over a full season with a in his prime Crosby, because it's obvious that the two have some chemistry.

Valtteri Filppula C Red Wings
Projected: 75 gms with 16+28=44 with 33 pims & 131 shots.
Actual: 81 gms with 23+43=66 with 14 pims & 144 shots.
This breakout was a long time coming for the now 28-year-old Filppula. The promise was always there but he just never delivered. He battled through injuries the last few years, but still only topped a 50 point pace once in his career (2009-10 when he had 35 points in 55 games). The 66 points he picked up his year were a 27 point increase on last season's totals and gave Filppula his first season on the right side of 50 points.

Jason Garrison D Panthers
Projected: 73 gms with 6+11=17 with 33 pims & 91 shots.
Actual: 77 gms with 16+17=33 with 32 pims & 168 shots.
No one could have seen this coming from the G-52 Bomber. He had scored 22 goals in the BCHL eight years ago, but since then, he'd never even cracked double digits. But he found a home on the Panthers blue line, banging home 16 goals (good for third amongst defencemen) with 9 coming on the PP (good for second among defencemen). His168 shots were even 19th among defencemen. Needless to say, you got a lot of value out of a guy you undoubtedly grabbed off the wire.

Joffrey Lupul RW Maple Leafs
Projected: 73 gms with 24+21=45 with 52 pims & 183 shots.
Actual: 66 gms with 25+42=67 with 48 pims & 191 shots.
The only complaint you can find for Lupul was that he couldn't stay healthy for the entire season. He very well could have found himself in the top 5 in scoring if he did. Even missing 16 games, he still hit career highs in assists and points. He was absolutely lethal when paired with Phil Kessel, no matter who was centering them. You might be able to get him at a discount next season if you've bought in.

Matt Moulson LW Islanders
Projected: 82 gms with 30+20=50 with 21 pims & 217 shots.
Actual: 82 gms with 36+33=69 with 6 pims & 219 shots.
Us fantasy owners can forgive the fact that the dude is up for the Lady Byng after giving us a measly 6 PIM in 82 games when he's scoring 36 goals and falling one point shy of 70. This was the second straight year that we expected a regression from Moulson Ice, yet it's the third straight year that he's improved all while taking around the same amount of shots. Give the credit to John Tavares if you will, but next season HAS to be the first time we show this guy some respect.

Ryan O`Reilly C Avalanche
Projected: 75 gms with 11+14=25 with 17 pims & 124 shots.
Actual: 81 gms with 18+37=55 with 12 pims & 189 shots.
Since he was 20 years old at the beginning of the season it's easy to forget that O`Reilly has three NHL seasons under his belt already. His first two years were forgettable 26 pointers but put a Landeskog on his wing and things get all breakouty in here. We would be even happier if he had a few more PIM's (he had just 12) but that's just getting a bit greedy.

P.A. Parenteau RW Islanders
Projected: 81 gms with 17+27=44 with 40 pims & 157 shots.
Actual: 80 gms with 18+49=67 with 89 pims & 167 shots.
In his first full season Parenteau picked up a respectable (and Tavares influenced) 53 points and 46 PIM's so technically (by our measures) this past year wasn't a breakout. Still we'll give PAP a nod because he took his game to a whole new level and how many 9th round picks breakout as a 29-year-old? Pierre-Alexandre rattled off 14 point and 23 PIM increases and chucked in 19 PPP to boot. That's good enough to be starting in most leagues.

Wayne Simmonds RW Flyers
Projected: 82 gms with 15+18=33 with 91 pims & 128 shots.
Actual: 82 gms with 28+21=49 with 114 pims & 197 shots.
Which of Simmonds' stats impressed you the most? The career high 28 goals? The career high 49 points? The career high 197 shots? The career high 11 PPG? Throw in 114 PIM and you had to be pleased with the returns that this guy gave you. At only 23 years old, the future appears to be bright for the power forward.

And the winner is....

1st - Joffrey Lupul (12 points)
T2nd - David Desharnais & Pascal Dupuis (4 points)
T3rd - Valtteri Filppula & Matt Moulson (3 points)
T4th - Jason Garrison & Ryan O`Reilly & P.A. Parenteau & Wayne Simmonds (1 point)

(3 points for a 1st place vote, 2 for 2nd, 1 for 3rd)

Agree? Disagree? Have your say in the poll or comments.

That's the end of the awards show. Thanks for your votes and comments. You don't have to go home but you can't stay here.

Poll

Who is your pick for the breakout of the year?

David Desharnais

7 votes

Pascal Dupuis

3 votes

Valtteri Filppula

5 votes

Jason Garrison

1 votes

Joffrey Lupul

25 votes

Matt Moulson

2 votes

Ryan O`Reilly

5 votes

P.A. Parenteau

2 votes

Wayne Simmonds

3 votes

Other (leave in comments)

1 votes

54 votes | Poll has closed

Playoff Fantasy Stars of the Week

2012-04-23T15:07:21Z

Each Monday during the playoffs we'll take a look at the top fantasy performances of the previous seven days.

Three Stars of the Week

3rd Star, from the Philadelphia Flyers, numero 28, Claude Giroux... the guy is just unstoppable, and so much fun to watch. In three games to close out the Flyers/Penguins series, Giroux had 3+3=6, four PPP and 12 SOG. Look for a 100+ point season next year, and there's nothing bold about that prediction.

2nd Star, from the St. Louis Blues, numero 10, Andy McDonald... in three games, McDonald went 3+3=6 with four PIM, 12 shots and four PPP. Not bad for a guy who missed more than half the season with a bad head. With eight points, McDonald sits fourth overall in playoff scoring and he should get a bunch more for you in round two.

1st Star, from the St. Louis Blues, numero 1, Brian Elliott...with Jaroslav Halak announced as the Blues' starter before the playoffs, I am guessing Elliott lasted until the late rounds of most playoff pools, if he was picked at all. After stopping all 17 shots in relief of an injured Halak in game two, Elliott spent the last seven days rattling off three straight wins with a 1.67 GAA and .938 SV% to take the Blues to round two for the first time in ten years.

Dark Horse Pick of the Week: Craig Anderson - he would have made the three stars if not for being such an ideal dark horse pick. Anderson went 2-1 and allowed just one goal in his only loss, with .99 GAA and .969 peripherals on the week. He was picked 87th overall in the FHS Invitational draft pool. Lundqvist? Number four...but it ain't over yet.

Breakdown of the Week: Dan Hamhuis - not for his overall play, which has been exceptional, but for deciding he was Paul Coffey and rushing the puck up the middle...in overtime, in an ELIMINATION game. Of course the Canucks should never have been in this position in the first place, but Hamhuis basically went way out of position and fell over, clearing the way for Jarret Stoll's series winner.

FHS Awards Show - Biggest Superstar Breakout

2012-04-22T23:29:28Z

Yesterday we gave out the award for the biggest surprise five tool player.

Today we'll hand out one of our most respected awards. These nominees are players who have had a breakout season already but still managed to take a big jump forward in their production. It's the award for the Biggest Breakout from a Superstar Player.

And the nominees are....

Patrik Elias C Devils
Projected: 77 gms with 23+38=61 with 32 pims & 213 shots.
Actual: 81 gms with 26+52=78 with 16 pims & 164 shots.
At 35 years old and two seasons of declining results it wasn't looking good that Elias could get back to his point-a-game ways. However, that's exactly what happened. After only 62 points last season he picked up a surprising 78.

Claude Giroux RW Flyers
Projected: 80 gms with 28+53=81 with 53 pims & 180 shots.
Actual: 77 gms with 28+65=93 with 29 pims & 242 shots.
Pretty much everybody saw this breakout coming but Giroux still deserves mention for following through on his great promise. He jumped up 17 points in five less games.

Scott Hartnell LW Flyers
Projected: 82 gms with 24+27=51 with 148 pims & 188 shots.
Actual: 82 gms with 37+30=67 with 136 pims & 232 shots.
Harntell was moved to the third line very early in the season and had only two points in his first seven games. A performance that unfortunately got him dropped in a few leagues. Eventually he was moved alongside Jagr and Giroux and 65 points later he gets the nod for this award.

Erik Karlsson D Senators
Projected: 75 gms with 15+34=49 with 42 pims & 191 shots.
Actual: 81 gms with 19+59=78 with 42 pims & 261 shots.
Like Giroux, we knew a breakout was coming but Karlsson still exceeded everybody's expectations... by a lot. Karlsson went from being one of the better fantasy d-men in the league to one of the most valuable fantasy players.

Kris Letang D Penguins
Projected: 82 gms with 10+38=48 with 89 pims & 223 shots.
Actual: 51 gms with 10+32=42 with 34 pims & 142 shots.
Letang would have been 2nd in the league in d-man scoring if he was healthy all season. Add in his PIM's and shots and you've got a true stud. Considering he was 'just' a 50 point guy last year he took some big strides forward. Hopefully he can just stay healthy next year.

James Neal LW Penguins
Projected: 79 gms with 27+27=54 with 62 pims & 219 shots.
Actual: 80 gms with 40+41=81 with 87 pims & 329 shots.
He had only 45 points last year and just six in 20 games with the Penguins. Thanks to Evgeni Malkin and friends Neal busted out in a big way as he nearly doubled his his goal and point totals.

And the winner is....

1st - Erik Karlsson (14 points)
2nd - James Neal (7 points)
3rd - Scott Hartnell (5 points)
4th - Claude Giroux (3 points)
5th - Patrik Elias (1 point)
6th - Kris Letang (0 points)

(3 points for a 1st place vote, 2 for 2nd, 1 for 3rd)

Agree? Disagree? Have your say in the poll or comments.

Poll

Who do you think is the biggest breakout superstar player

Patrik Elias

0 votes

Claude Giroux

22 votes

Scott Hartnell

2 votes

Erik Karlsson

28 votes

Kris Letang

0 votes

James Neal

11 votes

Other (leave in comments)

1 votes

64 votes | Poll has closed