Fantasy Hockey

Roos investigates players who will disappoint ... or improve in the East next season Welcome to Part 2 of my series about non-playoff teams, focusing on two players from each team – one who I think is a good bet to improve next season, and another who I feel will disappoint. In last week’s column I tackled the Eastern Conference, so this week it’s time for the West. For my “Final Verdict”, I’ll again go over some keys to identifying guys like these, plus talk about how this really all boils down to value versus expectations.

My thoughts on Game Three and a few questions for you to ponder.

What we said about Nicklas Backstrom back in 2008. The 2013 Fantasy Prospects Report will be the seventh annual production from DobberHockey. And what better way to celebrate than to take a trip down memory lane at past prospects and profiles? For the next few weeks, we will unveil a different biography each day. Enjoy!

Connor Hurley checks in as the first high schooler on our list, while prospects big (6`5" Frederik Gauthier) and small (5`9" Nicolas Petan) fill out some early second round talent.

Let’s focus on the positives.

A play that will live in infamy

Players projecting toward the bottom of the first round range from skaters with high upsides like Kelowna defenseman Madison Bowey to more sure things like Edmonton center Curtis Lazar.

Between Doughty, Muzzin and Voynov; the Kings' young defenders hold promise for the organization, and for fantasy owners.   Coming off a year when you win a Stanley Cup, there can tend to be somewhat of a letdown from a team. The challenge of re-signing many key contributors and having the same ambition you had a year prior, are not easy things to accomplish. The Los Angeles Kings, however, have avoided falling into that trap. They finished in fifth spot this year in the Western Conference, as opposed to eighth spot in 2011-12, and survived a gruelling opening round series with the St. Louis Blues.

What we said about James Reimer back in 2007...   The 2013 Fantasy Prospects Report will be the seventh annual production from DobberHockey. And what better way to celebrate than to take a trip down memory lane at past prospects and profiles?

Ottawa finds another diamond in the rough prospect.   The success of the Ottawa Senators this season has been nothing short of surprising. Injuries to Erik Karlsson, Jason Spezza and Craig Anderson, among others, had many pegging the Sens as a sinking ship, likely to miss the playoffs for the third time in five years. Injuries forced the Senators to dip into their prospect pool in the truncated season, which as it turns out, is quite deep. Surprises in the form of prospects helped to carry the Senators to regular season and playoff success, upsetting the number two seed Montreal Canadians 4-1 in the opening round.  The contributions of Swedish prospects Mika Zibanejad and Jakob Silfverberg helped carry the offensive load in the regular season, scoring a combined 39 points in 90 games. Come playoff time, yet another prospect has emerged in the form of 20-year-old center and Gatineau, Quebec native Jean-Gabriel Pageau.