Western Conference Player by Player
By Ray Calder HockeyObserver.com
* Note that the first number is the players career playoff point total and the number in brackets is his career playoff games played total .
Detroit :
Pavel Datsyuk 54 (82)- Should be the first guy taken in just about any playoff fantasy draft /roto auction . An elite talent and high up on the fun to watch
meter if you like that in your fantasy teams .
Henrik Zetterberg 52(62) - He goes just behind Datsyuk and if you wanna just take him over Pavel at #1 I can't argue too heavily .
Marian Hossa 61 (75) - Apparently will be healthy enough to go in game 1 Thursday . Hossa is a great early selection and is playing for his next contract this summer.
Johan Franzen 28(40) - 13 goals in 16 games in last years tournament . He'll score in close and no you won't be getting him in the middle rounds this year.
Nicklas Lidstrom 149 (214) - He has to be the top blueline selection in any postseason draft unless you're convinced that Mike Green is still going to be playing when the finals start .
Brian Rafalski 74 (124) That's 124 games of playoff experience for Rafalski . He's allowed to freewheel much more than in his Jersey days - get him if you miss out on Lidstrom .
Jiri Hudler 16 (28) - Coming off a season where he scored 23 goals on a team where he easily gets lost . A future star and a possible breakout guy in these playoffs.
Niklas Kronwall 18 (28) - Another Wings blueliner that exceeds that half a point a game career # for the playoffs . 51 points on the season and many more to come . Great in the middle rounds as he's much lesser known still than Lidstrom or Rafalski
Daniel Cleary 19 (56) - Not terribly flashy and he does disappear at times . Solid mid round guy . UPDATE Cleary left practive after taking a hard hit in a drill this morning . His status is up in the air for Thursday's game one .
Valteri Filppula 16 (40) - Exactly half a point a game this season . A later round guy who will pay dividends so long as the Wings rack up the GP totals .
Mikael Samuelsson 25 (46) - Just missed the 20 goal mark this year . Shoots the puck plenty enough to help you .
Tomas Holmstrom 74 (129) - Missed 29 games this year but is healthy for the tourney . Will crash the crease and score em ugly .
Tomas Kopecky 0 (4) - Only 6 goals in 79 games this season . A late round guy at best but watch the injuries to Draper and Cleary to see if he gets a bigger role .
Kris Draper 44 (194) - A solid two way player that probably isn't going to contribute much offense . Take him late as he's always going to see the ice because his coaches trust him . UPDATE - Draper will miss the first 2 games of the Columbus series with an undisclosed injury .
Others to consider - Brad Stuart fits this area now coming off a 15 point season (67 games) . In the last round why not .
Sleeper : This one is a reach for those in very deep leagues or if you take part in a league where you must take at least one guy from each club and you've missed all the other Wings . Jonathan Ericsson has a huge future with this team and could surprise on the blueline if they need some help when Chelios, or Stuart need a breather or if Rafalski was to get nicked up .
San Jose
Joe Thornton 48 (70) - The franchise and if you like the Sharks to get past that second round hump then you can take him as early as you like .
Patrick Marleau 59 (86) - The new coaching staff has agreed with his temperament and he's had a terrific year .
Devin Setoguchi 2 (9) - Coming off a 31 goal season he's primed for his first big playoff run . A great selection a couple of rounds after Thornton will be gone .
Joe Pavelski 10 (19) - 25 goal season and very durable . I love Pavelski and I think he's the guy I want on this team the most if I can't have Thornton .
Dan Boyle 22 (45) - Escaped Tampa Bay and put up 57 points in his first season in San Jose . Will go early and is far and away the top Sharks blueliner to get.
Milan Michalek 15 (33) - Had 23 goals this year and you can't help but wonder when he's gonna have that huge breakout . Gets lots of chances . I love him anytime after the first couple of rounds .
Ryan Clowe 15 (25) - Similar game to Pavelski's he put up 22 goals and is definitely a great target if you miss on the top couple of forward options on this team .
Christian Ehroff 15 (32) - 42 points in 77 games this year . Not flashy but productive and can definitely be picked later than just about everybody on the Sharks .
Rob Blake 67 (125) - Classy veteran had 45 points this year . I like him third on the defensive depth chart behind Boyle and Ehroff .
Jonathan Cheechoo 33 (52) - Along with the disappearance of Wade Redden's confidence, he's one of the two most maddening NHL players to me . He could absolutely blow up this offseason for you, but I do wonder where the 50 goal scorer here went and if we'll ever see him again .
Jeremy Roenick 121 (148) - Yes the man has 121 points in 148 career playoff games and that may be the thing that eventually gets him in the Hall of Fame if voters are leaning away from his enshrinement . Missed half the season with shoulder troubles - a late round gamble could pay huge dividends . If you play in a league with a taxi /drop squad I like his value even more .
Marc Edouard Vlasic 2 (24) - Steady, smart defenseman with 24 games playoff experience at this young age . I'd only take him in the very last rounds but I will tell you this :the coaching staff trusts this guy so he's going to play a lot and if the Sharks go deep he could end up with a decent number of points .
Mike Grier 25 (82) - He's a high character , energy player and he'll be asked to chip in the odd goal while playing sound two way hockey . Take him as a last rounder if he's still out there .
Others : Marcel Goc and Claude Lemieux are the only two other noteworthy players that you might consider . Give Lemieux full credit for his comeback as he's now well into his forties but I don't see them leaning on him very hard .
Sleeper : If Cheechoo gets treated like the plague grab him up . Also in a drop or taxi league, watch out for Torrey Mitchell who had a leg injury that caused him to miss the year but he could sneak in and provide an offensive boost .
Vancouver :
Daniel Sedin 18 (43) - Finished the season at a point a game exactly (same as brother Henrik) . If you like the Canucks for 2 plus rounds your shopping starts here .
Henrik Sedin 20 (43) - Point a game during the regular season , he's the better playmaker .
Ryan Kesler 0 (1) - Third on the team in goals much further down for name recognition - a great middle round pick that could surprise.
Pavol Demitra 50 (77) - Always misses time (13 games this year) but he'll produce and has more playoff experience on this team than anybody not named Sundin.
Mats Sundin 74 (83) - Jumped aboard the Canucks playing half the season and getting 28 points . Will probably be overdrafted, but he does have the most playoff experience of this group .
Alex Burrows 1 (11) - Breakout year saw 28 goals .If the Canucks go far he'll be one of the reasons .
Kevin Bieksa 0 (9) - Underrrated blueliner put up 43 points in 72 games - yes I'd take him over both Ohlund and Salo .
Alex Edler 0 (3) - Like Bieksa , you can probably get him a little later than the better known Ohlund (and maybe Salo) . Really nice season for the blueliner.
Steve Bernier 7 (22) - Played in all but one game and had 32 points - the sum of his tools has not added up to strong production ....yet .
Kyle Wellwood 0 (0) - Never played a playoff contest and I'm not touching him in any of my leagues . Responded well to being criticized early in the season by his coach and then went right back to napping when the heat died down .
Mattias Ohlund 25 (42) - Surprisingly good numbers as a playoff performer . I only take him late has 6 goals and 25 points in 82 games for this season is far below what he's capable of .
Sami Salo 13 (55) - Could surprise in these playoffs , has a big point shot and the propensity to get dinged . I'm passing and unless he's available in the last 2 rounds you probably should too .
Willie Mitchell 5 (35) - Not an offenisve contributor - I'd look elsewhere for my playoff blueliners .
Mason Raymond 0 (0) - A few bright moments in his 11 goal season . Worth a look very late if you like the Canucks to go the distance in the West .
Chicago :
Martin Havlat 34 (51) - Other than Pahlsson he has the most playoff experience of any Hawk . Led the team in scoring so he's the default # choice and if he stays healthy will give you something .
Patrick Kane 0 (0) - Like a lot of the guys on this list this will be his first playoff taste . Coming off a 70 point season he's a great target if you believe that Khabibulin can carry the kids through 2 rounds .
Jonathan Toews 0 (0) - 34 goals led the team . He's only a notch below Kane and will probably go in the same round .
Kris Versteeg 0 (0) - 22 goals as a rookie and he made a lot of noise in the Hawks resurgence . Has that "John Druce" like quality and could end up leading this team in playoff markers when all is said and done .
Brian Campbell 20 (47) - Got all his playoff experience in Buffalo , he's coming off a 52 point year that was labeled a disappointment in some corners . He'll need to be that key puck mover if the Hawks are to play deep into the tournament.
Andrew Ladd 5 (17) - 15 goals and 49 points during the season and lots of work done in close to the net . Solid later round pick .
Dave Bolland 0 (0) - Came up with 19 goals and only missed one game . Not a huge upside, but again if you like the Hawks for a couple of rounds he should come reasonable.
Duncan Keith 0 (0) - 44 points in 77 games . If he gets one round past where Campbell goes smile and write his name in on your team . Had a strong second half and should be a huge target in keeper leaguers for 09/10 .
Patrick Sharp 1 (12) - Got his playoff experience with the Flyers . A very quiet 26 goals and is said to be near full health for the playoffs .
Cam Barker 0 (0) - Another very solid offensive blueliner . 40 points in 68 games this year . I'd take him after Keith but don't wait too long . Needs to shoot more .
Dustin Byfuglien 0 (0) - Will only qualify as a forward in playoff pools . Capable goal scorer with plenty of upside .
Troy Brouwer 0 (0) - 26 points in 69 games . Only late and just if you like the Hawks into round 3-4
Brent Seabrook 0 (0) - In leagues where you have to draft a blueliner or take one guy from each team (and you don't like the Hawks chances this year) Seabrook could yield a small dividend .
Sami Pahlsson 23 (64) - Not really a fantasy pick but he has the most playoff experience on these Hawks .
Sleeper : Ladd could be that guy coming off a 15 goal regular season . I can't wait to see what Duncan Keith does in his first playoff exposure ...he's a guy I want on my team .
Calgary :
Jarome Iginla 45 (48) - Franchise talent will go early in all drafts . I'm a little scared that the Flames don't stick around long enough, but at a point a game playoff performer if you like the Flames this is the place to start .
Mike Cammalleri 0 (0) - Never been to the playoffs but 82 points in 81 games for the season just completed - he'll go right behind Iginla.
Olli Jokinen 0 (0) - This years highest profile player having never been to the postseason . I'm not optomistic about a big point total .
Daymond Langkow 34 (53) - Consistently reliable forward . Middle round guy this year after 49 point season .
Craig Conroy 29 (75) - 48 points in 82 games .
Dion Phaneuf 9 (20) - Set the bar high with 20 plus goals in 07/08 and had only 11 this past year . Big booming shot from the blueline . If you like the Flames he's a great target and he should be available in the middle rounds .
Todd Bertuzzi 23 (46) - Health has been an issue or I'd put him between Jokinen and Langkow . Could surprise if the Flames go deep into the second or third round.
Rene Bourque 0 (0) - Dinged with an ankle injury . A very productive regular season (40 points in 58 games) but you'd be taking a chance that he can give you enough while being less than 100% . Too bad he's not healthy - he has the tools for a Franzen kind of playoff run .
Curtis Glencross 0 (0) - only as a last round reach . 13 goals in 74 regular season games .
David Moss 3 (11) - Had more goals than assists and his was a quiet 20 goal season . If you like the Flames take him in the last 2 rounds .
Adrian Aucoin 14(34) - Veteran defender will be asked to make contribution from blueline on moderate scoring team.
Jordan Leopold 14 (40)- 24 points in 83 regular season games . Doesn't shoot enough to make big impact .
Dustin Boyd 0(0) - 11 goals this season has potential for more . Only as a last round sleeper type.
Sleeper : There's not really a great option here but one guy that could be a profitable reach would be Jamie Lundmark who has had some productive moments late in the season .
St. Louis :
Brad Boyes 0 (0) - Had 33 goals in the regular season . A strong first Blues choice .
David Backes 0 (0) - 31 goal scorer and another guy that has no playoff experience . Scored 4 goals in a game against Detroit at the start of the month.
David Perron 0 (0) - Soild pickup in the middle to latter rounds . His 8 points in last 10 games entering playoffs means he helped pull them into the postseason .
Keith Tkachuk 56 (85) - Nearly traded at the deadline - the team will lean on him as it's really just he and Andy Mcdonald that have the playoff experience.
Patrick Berglund 0 (0) - He will be very high on the keeper targets list at hockeyobserver . Put together some productive streaks in his rookie season . They'll need him if they're going to pull the upset .
Andy McDonald 23 (37) - When he's healthy there is a lot to like . Really productive and another guy that the team will lean heavily on .
TJ Oshie 0 (0) - See the Berglund comment . This guy will be on a bunch of my teams next season . He needs a big postseason if the Blues are to advance beyond round one.
Carlos Colaiacovo 0 (0) - A 30 point first season in St Louis . An injury concern but with most of the productive defenders hurt you have to look his way .
Alex Steen 0 (0) - Only 8 goals in 81 games . Leave him for someone else .
Jay McClemment 0 (0) - 26 points in 82 contests . Probably not a choice this postseason .
BJ Crombeen 0 (5) - Had a few productive games after joining the Blues on waivers . Only as a last resort even if you're drafting your team in St. Louis .
Sleeper : Paul Kariya did not make the trip to Vancouver for the first game . If you think the Blues can pull the upset he'd be a solid grab if he gets forgotten by your league mates .
Columbus:
Rick Nash 0 (0) - Coming off a 40 goal year he'll need to be big if the Jackets are to push the Wings .
Kristian Huselius 12 (20) - Is this where he puts it all together ? The Jackets better hope so .
Jason Williams 2 (20) - Past playoff experience with the Wings . Had a healthy year playing in 80 games . A late rounder perhaps .
RJ Umberger 16 (22) - Produce in the postseason as a member of the Flyers . He could be a big help on a team that lacks playoff mettle .
Antoine Vermette 8 (38) - Didn't produce much with the Sens in past years postseasons . Gritty but not a guy that I'd target .
Jakub Voracek 0(0) - Had 38 points in his first 80 NHL games . I have no doubt he's going to be a star . I'd draft him very late this playoff year . I love him in
leagues that insist you take one guy from each team as he can be had late and has as much upside as anybody here not named Nash .
Manny Malhotra 1 (5) - Third / fourth liner will kill penalties and maybe chip in the odd point . Fundmentally a very smart player, but low fantasy value .
Fedor Tyutin 9 (24) - The most productive Jackets blueliner . Can shoot it from the blueline and if you're stuck looking for a defender in the last 2 rounds this one could pay some dividends .
Derrick Brassard 0 (0) - I'm reluctant to put him here as the team is not going to play him at least at the playoffs outset . Played in only 31 games but put up a very promising 25 points .
Fredrik Modin 21 (47) - The man with the very quick release should be good for a few points and is a fine target in the late /last rounds if you need a guy .
Sleeper : If you really want a reach for this team defenseman Kris Russell has developing offensive skills that could get him a few points this playoff season .
Anaheim:
Ryan Getzlaf 29 (43) - Getzlaf led his team by nearly 20 points . He's an elite talent and a guy to target if you like the Ducks to win a round or two .
Corey Perry 21 (35) - Strong option as he and Getzlaf will have to carry the offense up front .
Scott Niedermayer 88 (189) - Playoff veteran put up 59 points in regular season . Strong blueline pick if you like the Ducks in an upset .
Bobby Ryan 0 (2) - If you want to grab a guy who's peaking this is your man . He's been phenomenal late in the year and would get strong rookie of the year consideration if not for the 2 goalies (Steve Mason CLM, and Pekka Rinne NSH).
Teemu Selanne 66 (92) - a 27 goal regular season despite missing 17 contests . He still has it - don't let him fall too far .
Chris Pronger 92 (134) - Stayed with the Ducks at the deadline and now they'll need him to be as productive as in past years if they're to pull the upset .
Andrew Ebbett 0 (0) - 2007 free agent signee . 32 points in 48 regular season games says he should eb at least on your "watch " list .
Ryan Whitney 8 (25) - Acquired from the Pens, he's the younger option with Niedermayer possibly retiring, and Pronger being traded this offseason . Bet on no more than half a point a contest and if he bests that smile on your good fortune .
Rob Niedermayer 36 (91) - He's a defensively responsible forward who probably shouldn't be picked except in the deepest of leagues .
Sleeper : Not really anybody here but if Ryan slides too far scoop him up as he could very easily lead this team in playoff scoring .