Right wing is an interesting position. A lot of your traditional favorites at the position either retired (Jagr), had a bad year (Hossa), are now on a different team (also Hossa), had their team collapse around them (Alfredsson), are consistently injured (Gaborik) or just plain refuse to decide if they are playing (Selanne).
On top of all that goal scoring is at a premium at this position more than any other. It used to be that left wing was the tough position to fill but right wing is getting tougher and tougher every year. I would pay attention to guys who generally become dual eligible (Heatley and Demitra to name a few) as you might want to import some left wings in to fill your right wing slots.
Anyway...
Breaking the Trap Presents
Top 40 FHL Right Wings for the 2008-09 Season
1. Jarome Iginla, Cgy
Projected Stats: 49 G, 50 A, +31, 35 PP, 82 PIM, 336 SOG
In the land of the Flame, Iginla is King. He does a lot of everything that you need him to do. Draft him real high.
2. Marian Hossa, Det
Projected Stats: 41 G, 46 A, +23, 32 PP, 38 PIM, 305 SOG
Hossa did something that surprised me this off season. He made the classy move, in my opinion, and accepted less money for a shot at a championship. Make no mistake everybody that's what this game is about. Its about winning the cup and I respect anyone that will use their big free agent moment to get closer to it. Hossa is in for high 80's low 90's kinda season with solid numbers at everything but PIM. Enjoy.
3. Marian Gaborik, Minn
Projected Stats: 44 G, 35 A, +20, 30 PP, 58 PIM, 280 SOG
Ok... so who here likes limbs? You do? Ok good you want to go out on one with me? I'm predicting a second healthy season in a row for Gaborik. I would also be willing to bet that he gets traded to a contender at the deadline if Minnesota is looking like they are out of the hunt. If Gaborik stays healthy he is one of the most talented, fantasy relevant forwards in the league. IF.
4. Daniel Alfredsson, Ott
Projected Stats: 39 Ga, 40 A, +18, 28 PP, 20 PIM, 230 SOG
Alfredsson's presence on this list proves that it is possible for Marian Gaborik to have two mostly healthy season. Alfredsson used to be a lock to miss half of the year. He'd be great for the other half though. Now Alfredsson has gone from peg-legged pirate to Iron Man overnight. As I have stated in my discussions of the other members of Ottawa's top line, their recent troubles shouldn't affect any of the big three.
5. Nathan Horton, Fla
Projected Stats: 36 G, 35 A, + 15, 24 PP, 90 PIM, 235 SOG
Remember what I was saying about limbs? Yea. Its like that. Horton is not a creation of Jokinen. He's solid, he's tough and he's going to lead this team just fine. They lack offense but they've got a very solid defense and probably the best goalie in their division. He contributes across all categories, and you can probably even get him five spots below this because none of his numbers are gaudy. He's a steal.
6. Shane Doan, Pho
Projected Stats: 30 G, 43 A, +4, 32 PP, 65 PIM, 252 SOG
Much will be expected of Doan this year. He will be responsible for ushering Jokinen in and helping all of the new guys out in the desert get used the NHL. Jokinen was brought in to augment Doan's point totals not replace them. I expect Doan to keep doing what Doan does while slowing down in the PIM category a little bit.
7. Corey Perry, Ana
Projected Stats: 33 G, 35 A, +20, 25 PP, 102 PIM, 230 SOG
Starting to notice a bit of a trend here? As it relates to right wings you want the guys that do a bit of everything, because there aren't too many of them here. Perry has gotten better every year along with his linemates Getzlaf and Kunitz. I expect another step forward.
8. Martin St. Louis, TB
Projected Stats: 33 G, 50 A, -15, 30 PP, 32 PIM, 254 SOG
Tampa guys have tough stats to predict. I mean I can tell you what I THINK will happen but that doesn't mean it will. St. Louis, Lecavalier and Prospal are all over the map. St. Louis could give you 80 points or he could give you 100. I'm wagering St. Louis's totals are on the lower end, but you can't really argue with anything except that big fat minus.
9. Alexei Kovalev, Mon
Projected Stats: 30 G, 35 A, +8, 35 PP, 88 PIM, 215 SOG
OK... so I can't pretend last year didn't happen anymore, try as I might. Just remember the two years ago Kovalev had 18 goals. 18! And he was drafted LATE if at all. Just remember that.
10. Patrick Kane, Chi
Projected Stats: 26 G, 54 A, +5, 32 PP, 50 PIM, 212 SOG
Kane won the Calder Trophy last year. It was his first trophy... it won't be his last. He had 72 points last year in his rookie campaign... so an 8 point jump, what I'm predicting here, wouldn't seem out of the question.
11. Teemu Selanne, ???
Projected Stats: 36 G, 40 A, +15, 35 PP, 18 PIM, 235 SOG
The only reason he's not in the top ten is because I have a rule about limiting that to active players. If Teemu plays, and news reports indicate that he's gearing up to, he has the potential to be one of your top options at the position.
12. Justin Williams, Car
Projected Stats: 32 G, 37 A, +5, 28 PP, 76 PIM, 224 SOG
Williams, like most of the Hurricanes, was on pace to score a point a game last season before going down to injury. This will surprise some of you but Williams has quietly been very good for the last three years, scoring in the high 60's low 70's. Expect the same this year on a healthy Hurricanes team.
13. Jason Pominville, Buff
Projected Stats: 28 G, 43 A, +8, 23 PP, 20 PIM, 220 SOG
Big year for Pominville. Someone has to score on this team, and Pominville is definitely in the best position to do it on a line with Roy and Vanek.
14. Nikolai Zherdev, NYR
Projected Stats: 33 G, 35 A, +5, 30 PP, 22 PIM, 268 SOG
Zherdev is the premier scoring threat on this team. Believe that. Gomez is the playmaker but Zherdev is the most legitimate finisher the Rangers have.
15. Jonathan Cheechoo, SJ
Projected Stats: 34 G, 24 A, +15, 28 PP, 62 PIM, 240 SOG
Did you feel that? We just fell down a tier. To borrow another term more frequently associated with fantasy football if you're taking Cheechoo I think you owe it to yourself to "handcuff" him with the more talented but maybe not quite ready for prime-time Devon Setoguchi in case Cheech loses his top line time.
16. Erik Cole, Edm
Projected Stats: 30 G, 35 A, -4, 22 PP, 74 PIM, 218 SOG
Injuries should always be on your mind with Cole. He joins a very talented collection of forwards in Edmonton and should have quality linemates whomever he lands with.
17. Alex Hemsky, Edm
Projected Stats: 21 G, 50 A, -7, 30 PP, 36 PIM, 189 SOG
And here's one of those talented forwards now. If you somehow haven't gotten a guaranteed assists guy at this stage of the draft then Hemsky is a pretty good buy.
18. Brad Boyes, St. Lou.
Projected Stats: 34 G, 26 A, +2, 24 PP, 26 PIM, 211 SOG
An outrage you say? I know... I know, they guy had 43 goals last year. You know what? He had 17 the year before that. Boyes was always supposed to be good but not that good. Just like Kovalev I'm just preaching some caution. At least Kovalev had previously shown he had that kind of talent. If Boyes repeats and you drafted Alex Hemsky instead then I truly apologize... unless you needed assists because if you did Hemsky is the better option. Look I had Chechoo two years ago, I know how exciting this kind of thing is. You've already got your Boyes hat and your Boyes shirt and your Boyes Bomber jacker... but ease up on the main thruster. See if he's the real deal. Let him prove it to you.
19. Petr Sykora, Pitt
Projected Stats: 29 G, 36 A, + 2, 28 PP, 46 PIM, 204 SOG
He is the best of the "he might be playing with Crosby and Malkin" options. Sykora's point totals went up by about ten last season... if the same thing happens to Satan he'll get around 50 points this year, for perspective.
20. JP Dumont, Nash
Projected Stats: 26 G, 40 A, +4, 18 PP, 32 PIM, 170 SOG
Dumont is exceptional at nothing, but he is "pretty good" at generating points. Give him a look if you need a solid utility player at this point, just someone to generate stats.
21. Dustin Brown, LA
Projected Stats: 30 G, 27 A, -5, 25 PP, 60 PIM, 230 SOG
This is the last time you'll be able to draft Dustin Brown this late. This may not be the year but one year soon he's going to positively bust out.
22. Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Minn
Projected Stats: 18 G, 45 A, +15, 27 PP, 18 PIM, 142 SOG
Good Ol' PM B is going to have start bringing his A-game all the time if Minnesota has any hope of remaining relevant this season. Gaborik will do what Gaborik does but Bouchard, Koivu the lesser (He is just like you Saku...but with 1/8th the talent. We call him Mikko Koivu) and new acquisitions Brunette and Nolan are going to have to bring it big time.
23. Jere Lehtinen, Dal
Projected Stats: 24 G, 27 A, + 8, 26 PP, 22 PIM, 203 SOG
I told you man... right wing is thin. Jere was on his way to a career year last year at 35, but was de-railed by injury. The injury is always a very real possibility. what isn't is that Lehtinen is somehow going to suddenly score 70 points at this stage of his career. Jere has topped 50 twice and never hit 60. Temper your enthusiasm.
24. Mike Knuble, Phi
Projected Stats: 26 G, 22 A, +3, 32 PP, 70 PIM, 172 SOG
Mike does a little bit of everything. Key word being little. He'll get you PIM while getting you points. I actually like Knuble as a fantasy option and think he's traditionally underrated. You don't get two many guys working both ends of the PK (those being in the box and standing in front of the opponents net). Give him a look for your bench or forward slots.
25. Tomas Holmstrom, Det
Projected Stats: 24 G, 22 A, + 16, 24 PP, 60 PIM, 150 SOG
I'm upgrading my guidance on Holmstrom a little bit based on the a news report out of Detroit saying that he will start the year on the first line with Datsyuk and Hossa... I guess meaning he'll be playing left wing. Could be a nice sleeper pick on the guy everyone expects to be the odd man out.
26. Joffrey Lupul, Phi
Projected Stats: 30 G, 35 A, +4, 28 PP, 42 PIM, 194 SOG
Philly has a lot of second and third wingers without clear top line talent. I think that changes for Lupul this year. He had 46 points in 56 games last year. He's 24 and a 7th overall pick. Put that all together and what do you have?
27. Milan Hejduk, Col
Projected Stats: 26 G, 35A, +6, 24 PP, 42 PIM, 205 SOG
Not a lot left in the tank for the Hedge Duck I fear. He's better then last year's 50 points but is not the 70-90 point guy he was earlier in his career.
28. Brian Gionta, NJ
Projected Stats: 25 G, 35 A, +2, 24 PP, 44 PIM, 244 SOG
Two seasons ago he had 48 goals, setting a franchise record. He hasn't even come close since. I expect his numbers to improve slightly this season as a result to the personnel changes but not by a whole lot. He does take a lot of shots for whats available at this stage of the draft though.
29. Steve Bernier, Van
Projected Stats: 25 G, 28 A, +10, 26 PP, 64 PIM, 150 SOG
Bernier is kind of shrouded in mystery a bit. If he plays with the Sedin's then he's about to be the beneficiary of a breakout season. Reports out of Vancouver this week however are suggesting that Demitra (who plays both wings) may start the season on the RW with the Sedins... meaning Bernier would play with like... er Kessler and Pyatt or something, meaning he would likely have ...er less then a breakout. Keep a weather eye on him, because he's got loads of talent, but maybe don't draft him just yet.
30. Martin Havlat, Ott
Projected Stats: 21 G, 31 A, +10, 20 PP, 30 PIM, 170 SOG
I have said this exact phrase twice now. "I'll take Havlat. He can't possibly miss that many games this year... and he's so good when he's healthy." I am no way, absolutely under any circumstances doing it this year. Top end talent... in a 41 game a year league. When Havlat plays he plays at a point a game pace. If you want to draft him for your bench and use him while he's healthy go for it. If you draft him though make sure you have someone capable to replace him when he goes down.
31. Maxim Afinogenov, Buff
Projected Stats: 20 G, 29 A, -8, 18 PP, 64 PIM, 140 SOG
I got a fortune cookie the other day. It read "Face Facts... with dignity." Besides being an absolute superslam I found it to be very very wise. The Buffalo newspapers are reporting that this will be Afinogenov's last season as a Sabre... when is the last time you heard that about a semi-big name entering a contract year? Face facts, Buffalo has moved on, so should you. With dignity.
32. Martin Erat, Nash
Projected Stats: 23 G, 34 A, -1, 17 PP, 42 PIM, 160 SOG
What you see is what you get with Erat. Maybe he'll give you a few more assists and few less goals but he pretty much has a 60 point ceiling.
33. Radim Vrbata, TB
Projected Stats: 23 G, 28 A, -5, 18 PP, 18 PIM, 214 SOG
Vrbata had a career year in a contract year on a team where he was guaranteed ice time. He is second line material at best on Tampa. He'll be good, he just won't be great.
34. Daniel Cleary, Det
Projected Stats: 24 G, 24 A, +18, 14 PP, 36 PIM, 181 SOG
The real odd man out in Detroit this year. If the current plan holds he could see second line time with Franzen and Zetterberg... or that role could go to Jiri Hudler.
35. Miroslav Satan, Pitt
Projected Stats: 25 G, 27 A, +4, 22 PP, 44 PIM, 170 SOG
Satan has been cold for some time. I've been waitint for the entire post to write that sentence. Anyway... it was a rough couple of years on the island. I suppose Miroslav could come out of it, but he could also still be a twenty goal guy. He'll be ok on this squad.
36. Bill Guerin, NYI
Projected Stats: 24 G, 25 A, -8, 16 PP, 72 PIM, 224 SOG
Speaking of the Island... meet the captain. I'm shocked one of the Islanders forwards actually made the rankings (for the record Okposo is on my radar and he should be on yours too, I just wouldn't draft him). Billy is useful because he still shoots and occassionally punches people, but beyond that there's not a whole lot that he does anymore.
37. Ales Kotalik, Buff
Projected Stats: 24 G, 22 A, -5, 20 PP, 54 PIM, 210 SOG
Deep leagues only. What you see and what he can do. Surprisingly useful on the powerplay.
38. Devon Setoguchi, SJ
Projected Stats: 23 G, 22A, +5, 15 PP, 16 PIM, 213 SOG
More of a placeholder then anything. I think Setoguchi is one of the big peices of this franchises future.
39. Marek Svatos, Col
Projected Stats: 29 G, 16 A, +15, 15 PP, 43 PIM, 163 SOG
Svatos still isn't getting the ice time, nor is he really getting any chances on the powerplay. At this stage in his career its starting to look like a lack of confidence on the organization's behalf.
40a. Michael Ryder, Bos
Projected Stats: 24 G, 23 A, -3, 20 PP, 58 PIM, 160 SOG
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40b. Phil Kessel, Bos
Projected Stats: 22 G, 25 A, -5, 18 PP, 28 PIM 224 SOG
One of them is going to have a heck of a year this year, but I can't decide who. I think Kessel is already a good hockey player but will be a very good one some day. I think Ryder was in a bad situation last year and gets a new lease on life in Boston. I can't make up my mind between these two.
Other guys to watch:
Kyle Okposo, NYI: He impressed in his brief stint on the Island last year. Now he gets a full season to strut his stuff.
Jakub Voracek, Cmb: The 7th overall pick had 105 points in junior last year and is on his way to the big club.
Steve Sullivan, Nash: Sullivan has played at nearly a point a game when healthy in Nashville. The question is he healthy and if so is he that same player?
Alexander Radulov, Nash: Will he play in the NHL? Its got more twists and turns then a soap opera.
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