Dear RotoRob,

I am looking for info for my upcoming hockey draft. What I am looking for is projected line combos and projected power play first and second units.

Thanks

Mike

Hi Mike,

We have a few options for you. Depth charts are a strange beast this time of year with some teams nearing the completion of their preseasons while teams like the Islanders still have a majority of their preseason to go. The first thing to start with is our 2010-11 RotoRob NHL Draft Kit. Yes, we have some surprises, but anyone can put up a list. It takes a true measure of an expert to put his neck out there with some risks.

What I did this year, Mike, was talk to some of the best and brightest in the Fantasy hockey industry. Some of the names you may not know, but the goal was to collaborate with the best to help out the many beleaguered Fantasy hockey owners out there. Let’s take a few examples out there as far as depth charts go.

Expect Paul Martin to get a lion’s share of the No. 1 D-man PP time in Pittsburgh, but do not be surprised if Zbynek Michalek winds up stealing the show at some point. Michalek has more offensive upside than most think and will be turned loose with the Pens. Obviously, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will have better seasons on the man advantage, as last season no team was worse after the second period on the Power Play than the Penguins. That should change now.

Look at the New Jersey Devils with their line of Travis Zajac–Zach Parise–Ilya Kovalchuk. The longer they stay together, the more rewards you can reap from a guy like Zajac, who will be drafted lower than his two superstar linemates. These are more obvious choices, but do not sleep on a guy like Andy Greene who could reap the rewards of being on a first power play unit with the likes of these talents.

Then there is the curious case of Jason Spezza in Ottawa who still gets first PP unit ice time and first line time, but is being highly undervalued this season in Fantasy leagues. He is a guy that is high on depth charts and can be had for a lower price. Going down the line, teams like the Flyers and Canadiens will still be dangerous on the Power Play because of how their schemes are set up.

If you have any other questions at all, Mike, just ask. Depth charts are always fun to go into so if you have a specific team question, I can usually get back to you pretty fast. Good luck in all of your Fantasy hockey leagues.

Also, for all you gamers, don’t forget to enter our contest — you could win one of two free copies of Hydrophobia.

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