Canucks Projections
The 2011-2012 NHL season is just around the corner as so too is your NHL Fantasy drafts.
The Vancouver Canucks finished with a Top 3 offense last season and a Top 3 defense.
This year should be no different.
Below is a breakdown of potential Canucks roster players for Vancouver and how they will do for your Fantasy squad. Enjoy and Good Luck in your Fantasy drafts!
Forwards
Daniel Sedin – 100 points appears to be a certainty for Daniel who will be at or near the top of the league in scoring again. 40 goals and 60 points seem about right.
Henrik Sedin – Ditto for Henrik who likely won’t score as much but should make up for it with assists. 25 goals and 75 assists for Henrik this season.
Alexandre Burrows – Burrows will likely skate with the Sedin twins this year which is good for his Fantasy value. 30 goals and 40 assists is what you can count on – anything else would be a disappointment.
Ryan Kesler – Kesler will miss the beginning of the season while he recovers from surgery. If he misses 10-15 games, he is still good for 30-35 goals and 40-45 assists.
Jannik Hansen– Hansen is destined to play on the third or fourth line which hurts his fantasy value. Expect 15-20 goals and 20-25 assists for Jannik this year.
Good Luck Canucks Fans & Enjoy Your "Fantasy" drafts!
Marco Sturm – Sturm could be a decent sleeper pick this season and could play on the second line for the Canucks. Expect at least 20 goals and 30 assists with serious upside for Sturm.
Mikael Samuelsson – 20 goals and 20 assists seems about right for Sameulsson.
Chris Higgins – Higgins will be down on the depth charts this season but should still see some offensive chances. 10 goals and 20 assists for Higgins.
Maxim Lapierre – Lapierre will be a checker, no doubt. His Fantasy value is limited because of it. Look for 10 goals and 20 assists this season from Max.
Manny Malhotra – We are still not sure how much Manny is going to be available this season. I expect that he will miss up to 25 games. 10 goals and 20 assists would be a successful campaign for Manny.
Mason Raymond – Raymond is another player that won’t start the season – he will likely be out until after Christmas. In 35 or so games, Raymond is good for 10 goals and 15 assists.
Defensemen
Keith Ballard – Ballard will have a bounce back campaign and score 5-7 goals while contributing 25-30 assists.
Kevin Bieksa – Bieksa could miss some time while recovering from injury. I am projecting a minor step back this season – 5-7 goals and 25 assists.
Alexander Edler – Edler will be on the #1 power play unit which significantly improves his fantasy value. Look for 15-20 goals and 30-35 assists this year.
Dan Hamhuis – Hamhuis will have a typically solid defensive year and atypical scoring season. 5-7 goals and 20-25 assists is what I project.
Sami Salo – Salo’s injury history is well documented but if healthy, he is good for 10-15 goals on the power play and 15-20 assists.
Christopher Tanev – Tanev will have every opportunity to make a name for himself this season. 7-10 goals and 20-25 assists is likely.
Goalies
Roberto Luongo – Lou is mad and will do all he can to prove his naysayer wrong. With a strong defense in front of him, Lou will go 38-16 with 7 shutouts, a .925 save percentage and a very good 2.20 goals against average.
Cory Schneider – Corey Schneider will be solid again this season – 14-5 record, 3 shutouts a .920 save percentage and a 2.25 goals against average.