2014-15 Fantasy Hockey: Hidden Treasure
This article was written by Christopher Morais exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow him on Twitter @fuzzychris91.
Finding value late in drafts is key to fantasy hockey success. Leagues aren’t won on draft day but can be set back if the wrong players are taken. It’s not easy to decide between players separated by very little, and evaluating risk can be tricky in the late rounds. Let’s take a look at some of the best fantasy hockey values outside the top 100 and see which players should be targeted.
Jaromir Jagr | New Jersey Devils | Right Wing
Jagr is 42-years-old and could be the steal of the century in fantasy hockey this year. His current ADP is 145, and he is clearly undervalued in the fantasy world. He has been absolutely amazing since coming back to the NHL in 2011-2012 and has done nothing but contribute offensively in the last three years.
The following table shows Jagr’s yearly production since 2011-2012:
Year | Team | GP | Goals | Assists | Points | Plus/Minus |
2011-12 | PHI | 73 | 19 | 35 | 54 | 5 |
2012-13* | BOS/DAL | 45 | 16 | 19 | 35 | -2 |
2013-14 | NJ | 82 | 24 | 43 | 67 | 16 |
*Lock out shorten season
The Czech arguably had his best season last year since coming back to North America – Leading the Devils in games played (82), assists (43), points (67), and plus/minus (16). The right-winger will finish in the top 100 by the end of the season and is worth grabbing a round or two early.
Alexander Semin | Carolina Hurricanes | Right Wing
Semin is the definition of a boom-or-bust fantasy player. The talented right-winger’s average draft position (ADP) on Yahoo is 121 because of his lack of consistency. He averaged a point-per-game in his first season in Carolina — 44 points in 44 games. Last year was a disappointment as the Russian was limited to just 65 games with a concussion and finished the year with 42 points. Semin could easily finish inside the top 100 at the end of the year, but his work ethic may keep some managers away.
David Perron | Edmonton Oilers | Left Wing
Perron’s current ADP is 156, and he is a player many people might forget come draft time. In his first season with Edmonton, after spending six seasons with the St. Louis Blues, he was tied for the team lead in goals (28), fourth in assists (29), and third in points (57). The Quebec native can definitely improve on those numbers from last year playing with the likes of Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Taylor Hall. The 26-year-old has a chance to break the top 100 and should be a nice bench guy in deeper leagues.
Cody Hodgson | Buffalo Sabres | Center
It was a disappointing season for Hodgson who finished the year with 44 points in 72 games. The good news is that it can’t get any worse for the 24-year-old, and he should have a much more productive season this year. Hodgson is likely to start this season as a left-winger, and he already has center/right wing status in most leagues. This could give the Canadian triple position eligibility in some leagues, and he is expected to play alongside talented winger Matt Moulson. His current ADP is 171, but it’s expected he’ll crack the top 150.
P.A. Parenteau | Montreal Canadiens | Right Wing
The Montreal Canadiens are hoping a change of scenery will help Parenteau return to his 2011-12 form that saw him post 67 points in 80 games. The 31-year-old winger was traded during the offseason after tallying 33 points in 55 games and will get his shot to play on Montreal’s top line with Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais. The Gatineau native’s ADP is 182, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him creep into the top 125 by season’s end. Parenteau is someone to consider in deeper leagues, and he should provide fantasy value for owners who believe his Long Island days are not behind him.