Fantasy Pool Look: Top rookie scorers

Jakub Voracek made the Blue Jackets out of training camp and is expected to be in the running for the Calder Trophy. (Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

Darryl Dobbs
2008-10-11 10:00:00

It’s easy for poolies to predict that Alex Ovechkin will get 115 points, or Jarome Iginla will garner 95, or Anze Kopitar will flirt with 80…but what about those players who do not have an NHL track record?

Predicting how the freshmen will produce can sometimes be akin to throwing darts, but it’s good to get as many opinions as you can before evaluating a player’s fantasy value.

So let’s take a stab at it…

1. Steven Stamkos, TB, 69 points
Stamkos is seeing less ice time than expected so far, but that will increase as the season moves forward.

2. Jakub Voracek, CLB, 61 points
He has improved every day since he was drafted in 2007.

3. Nikita Filatov, CLB, 59 points
A bold prediction, since the team has sent him to Syracuse (AHL). But he’ll be back sooner than you think and his impact will surprise you.

4. T.J. Oshie, STL, 53 points
A great camp, plus the fact he is strong in all areas of the game will see to it he gets the ice time needed.

5. Kyle Okposo, NYI, 52 points
This modest total actually has a chance to lead the Isles in scoring this year.

6. Mikkel Boedker, PHO, 51 points
I didn’t have him pegged this high initially, but Wayne Gretzky likes him on the top line with Olli Jokinen and Peter Mueller.

7. Brett Sterling, ATL, 51 points
He led Atlanta in pre-season goals and he was a scoring dynamo under John Anderson in the American League.

8. Michael Frolik, FLA, 49 points
Coach Peter DeBoer liked him so much that he chose to send Shawn Matthias to Rochester instead of him.

9. Blake Wheeler, BOS, 49 points
Arguably the Bruins’ top forward in pre-season, he forced his way onto the team.

10. Derick Brassard, CLB, 47 points
Injuries will hold him back from clearing 60 points this season. He’s already missed time with a strained neck.

11. Nikolai Kulemin, TOR, 47 points
No matter who he plays with, this natural sniper will get 20 goals – and probably more.

12. Patrik Berglund, STL, 45 points
Like Oshie, he’s getting the ice time, with lots on the power play. His career high may top Oshie’s when it’s all said and done.

13. Patric Hornqvist, NSH, 45 points
Was among the NHL leaders in shots on goal in the pre-season. Wait until they start going in.

14. Alex Pietrangelo, STL, 43 points
Erik Johnson is out for the season and Jeff Woywitka is out until November. Boy, do the Blues need this guy.

15. Fabian Brunnstrom, DAL, 43 points
He has shown chemistry on the big line at times. He’ll get his chance at some point.

Defensemen

1. Pietrangelo, 43 points

2. Drew Doughty, LA, 41 points
It looks like the Kings will play the heck out of him.

3. Anssi Salmela, NJ, 41 points
The Devils have been looking for a quarterback since Brian Rafalski left. They may have found one.

4. Jack Hillen, NYI, 32 points
The Isles really like this former college star and he has not looked out of place.

5. Brian Lee, OTT, 31 points
He’ll see time on the second PP unit for the Sens.

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Darryl Dobbs’ Fantasy Pool Look is an in-depth presentation of player trends, injuries and much more as it pertains to rotisserie pool leagues. Get the edge in your league - check out the latest scoop every Tuesday and Saturday throughout the season. Also, get the top 300 roto-player rankings on the 1st of every month in THN’s Fantasy section.

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