We are the fantasy hockey specialists!

Alex Tanguay – (LW/C) – Colorado

Hard to believe that a guy that had 77 points last season could make it into our Sleepers category, but when you consider Tanguay’s talents this isn’t a hard choice. Tanguay is a very smooth skater, with deceptive moves and an accurate shot. He is a natural center-man that has taken to the left side on Joe Sakic’s line quite handily. His coaches wish that he would shoot more, but Tanguay prides himself on being an unselfish player. His only knock is his lack of physical play, but poolies must remember that he is still only 21 years old. Tanguay appears to be poised to join the NHL's elite players. With the absence of Forsberg, look for Tanguay to see even more ice-time particularly on the PP. He could flirt with 35 goals and 90 points this season.

Steven Reinprecht – (C) – Colorado

Thought by many hockey pundits to be a throw-in in the Rob Blake deal, the addition of Reinprecht was yet another move by ‘Lanche GM Pierre Lacroix that reinforces our belief that he is the best GM in pro-sports. Reinprecht took to the third line center duties easily and played unbelievably well in the playoffs against Petr Sykora and Jason Arnott last year. A very smart hockey player, Reinprecht has decent wheels, size and dedication when he is on the ice. Already an excellent penalty killer, he just needs to tap into his under-rated offensive abilities. A sniper in college, Reinprecht should be the BIG benefactor of having the minutes that were slated for Peter Forsberg. When the guys in the 30-35 point range begin to go in your pool, jump on Reinprecht and enjoy a 50+ point season.

Jeff Friesen – (lw/rw/c) – Anaheim

In Jeff Friesen and Paul Kariya, the Ducks have the fastest tandem on one line in the NHL. If the Ducks defence can get either of these guys the puck in full-stride... well, we wouldn’t want to be the defenceman having to skate backwards against them! Flat out Friesen can fly – but the problem has been the lack of payoff at the finish. Now a consistent 20 some goals and 60 points is not brutal by any means, but in the past Friesen’s skills always seemed to leave his coaches wanting more. We think part of the problem was the mutual dislike that Friesen had with Sharks coach Duane Sutter, and Sutter’s defence first system. A commitment to off-season training with Paul Kariya should eliminate doubts of his fitness, so the only question remaining is whether Friesen will finally assume the mantle of super sniper that his talents warrant? We think this year he takes a big step in that direction. He will see oodles of time on both special teams. His +/- will take a bath as the Ducks young defence matures – but it won’t be for a lack of trying from Friesen. Watch for 35 goals, 75 points and a bunch of short handed tallies.

Daymond Langkow – (c ) – Phoenix

It’s been a bit of a roller coaster for young Daymond in his short hockey career. Drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightening after a monster season in his final year of junior with Kamloops, Langkow has gone from decent offensive prospect to o.k. defensive substitute. He has had a number of roles shoved upon him and all the while his confidence has been taken a beating. Last year, his first as the Flyers #2 center, Langkow regained that confidence he had in junior and produced a career year with 54 points in 71 games. The move to Phoenix basically hands him the starting center job in the desert – and Langkow will prosper. Granted he won’t be playing with the likes of Recchi, Gagne or LeClair, but Langkow will be a leader on this team and we think it will be a role he will relish. All the PP, and regular minutes he can handle will mean close to a 20 goal and 60 point performance for Langkow this year. Watch out for that +/- though. 

Brad Isbister (lw) – NY Islanders

The question we’d like answered: is Brad Isbister the next coming of Greg Adams? Blessed with good size, decent wheels and a fierce determination to get to the net, Isbister has been the victim of some bad injuries in his last two years on Long Island. Very hard to move from in front, Isbister will benefit from playing on the PP with Yashin and Czerkawski. He could flirt with 30 goals this season – that's if he stays healthy. 

Dainius Zubrus (rw) – Washington

If Zubrus returns to the form he showed as a Philadelphia Flyer (97-98), the Caps will have kicked the Habs in their trade deadline swap of Linden and Zubrus for Zednick and Bulis. Zubrus is a proto-typical power forward in the making. Big, strong, hard to knock off the puck, he had a disastrous year last year trying to fight back from a nasty concussion. Now he is healthy and happy to be in Washington. Although buried behind Jagr and Bondra on the right wing depth chart, if either of those players moves to the left side on one of the Caps top two scoring lines, Zubrus could have a big season. Pencil him in for 15 goals, 30 points as a minimum, and watch him closely in training camp. You won’t be sorry.

Jeff Halpern – (c/lw) – Washington

Ivy league guys that make it in the NHL are few and far between, but Halpern is a good example. The native of Potomac and graduate of Princeton has taken his time in getting to the NHL (he’s now 25), but he definitely has made his presence known around the league. Halpern is developing into a reliable player at both ends of the rink. At time of writing he was still not at camp – an unsigned group II free-agent. His absence will not help him, but we think he has a shot at centering the #2 line in Washington anyway. 20 goals and 50 points are the baseline of what we expect.

David Legwand - (c) – Nashville

This is the make or break year for David Legwand. Nashville’s first round pick in 1998, Legwand has yet to show the signs that he can become the bona fide #1 center that the Predators are hoping for. He has awesome offensive skills – great wheels and good vision – but so far he has lacked the consistency and the focus to make himself a great player. In the past, he has been given solid line-mates in efforts to jump start his career. This year will be no different. However, this off-season Legwand hit the gym and came to camp looking like he stepped out of “Muscle Magazine”. We think he finally starts to show his potential and could hit 25 goals and 55 points.

Cory Stillman – (c/lw) – St. Louis

Stillman must think he has won the lottery. After languishing in Calgary where he played with a plethora of different linemates, his move to St. Louis likely sees him between Pavol Demitra and Dallas Drake – not too bad. Stillman has good hands, and hard shot but the knock against him was that he wasn’t prepared to do the little things to take the next step. Hard to fathom after posting two 20 plus goal seasons on a team starved for offence. However, Calgary’s error is St. Louis’ gain. Without the pressure of having to carry the offensive load Stillman could really thrive. Look for a 30 goal and 60 point season with even more on the upside if Demitra stays healthy.

Jochen Hecht – (c/lw/rw) – Edmonton

The key piece for the Oilers in the Doug Weight deal, Hecht stands to put up some much improved numbers. The increased ice-time alone will be beneficial. Only 24, Hecht is a rare breed of speed, skill and size – and finally showed signs that he was able to tap that potential last year in the second half as he was the Blues best player down the stretch. Hecht is already an excellent defensive center, and the Oilers open style of play can only be beneficial. He’ll play plenty and see both PP and PK time. Watch for career numbers this year: 20 goals and 50 points would not be unreasonable.