Apr 22, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; St. Louis Blues forward Ryan Reaves (75) celebrates his goal with defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (27) during the first period in game three of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Finally, the NHL is back! Training camp is done and teams are seeing what they have this year through preseason games. While the players are getting ready on the ice, fantasy hockey players are doing their research to prepare for their own season.
The NHL regular season starts October 7. With roughly a week and a half before the games start to matter, many leagues are having their drafts this weekend.
Which Blues players should you draft? How early is too early to draft them? How many should I have on my team? (NEVER have more than 3 players from any team)
Who is the best fantasy hockey option on the Blues? Click through the slideshow to find out.
Next: Paul Stastny Set For Big Year
Paul Stastny Set For Big Year
Mar 24, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; St. Louis Blues center Paul Stastny (26) takes the ice before playing the Pittsburgh Penguins at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Paul Stastny came to the Blues in the summer of 2014 after signing a four-year $28 million contract as a free agent. With four points in his first three games Stastny was off to a great start with the Blues.
Unfortunately Stastny was injured in the fourth game of the season and when he returned his level of play had dropped. If Stastny can stay healthy, he has all the skills to be the top line center for the Blues.
People are underestimating Stastny coming into this season. His pre-draft rankings for ESPN fantasy leagues have him at 126.
Stastny has been getting a lot of playing time with Vladimir Tarasenko during training camp. Putting Stastny on a line with Tarasenko has a lot of potential to help both players.
When Stastny came to St. Louis people hoped that he would be the playmaking center that propelled the Blues to the next level. In 74 games last season, Stastny had 16 goals and 30 assists.
Entering his second season in St. Louis, Stastny should be adjusted to life with a new team. More time playing with Tarasenko and more comfort with his teammates should see his number from last year go up.
This year has the potential to be a career season for Stastny.
Stastny might fall in many drafts despite his potential. There should not be a rush to draft him before the tenth round in random leagues, and before the fourth or fifth round in a league full of Blues fans.
Next: David Backes Still Has Plenty Of Fantasy Value
David Backes Still Has Plenty Of Fantasy Value
Jan 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues center David Backes (42) yells at Edmonton Oilers left wing Taylor Hall (not pictured) as linesman Andy McElman (90) hold him back during the third period at Scottrade Center. The Blues defeated the Oilers 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Captain David Backes might not be the first line center he was in the past, but he has as much fantasy value as ever.
In 80 games last season, Backes scored 26 goals and added 32 assists. His offensive production is consistently decent, but don’t expect him to have a break out 40 goal season.
While his 104 PIM is a far cry from Steve Downie’s league leading 238, Backes is the only player with more than 100 PIM and over 50 points.
ESPN has Backes at 60 in their pre-draft rankings. Regardless of who is playing in your league, Backes can help your team in a variety of ways. Draft Backes in the fourth or fifth round to reap all the benefits of his penalty minutes.
Next: Jaden Schwartz Stays Strong
Jaden Schwartz Stays Strong
Mar 17, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; St. Louis Blues left wing Jaden Schwartz (17) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. St. Louis Blues won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Jaden Schwartz has shown over the past two seasons that he is a player who is not going away.
After finishing the 2013-2014 season tied for 13th in the league with a rating of +28, his plus minus dropped last season to +13.
His plus minus was what launched him onto the fantasy radar two years ago, but he has so much more to contribute to the Blues and to fantasy lineups across the internet.
Two years ago Schwartz collected 56 points (25 G, 31 A) over 80 games. Last season Schwartz only played 75 games but set career highs with 63 points from 28 goals and 35 assists.
Schwartz’s two way play has made him a very valuable player for the Blues. He has the ability to shut down the other team on defense and be a part of the penalty kill, as well as consistently improving his offensive game.
ESPN fantasy leagues have Schwartz at 71 on their pre-draft rankings. Schwartz is only 23 and his last two seasons prove that he has all the tools to keep moving up in the NHL. Schwartz has all the makings of a player that should be drafted before the end of the fifth round.
Next: Kevin Shattenkirk Is An Elite Blueliner
Kevin Shattenkirk Is An Elite Blueliner
Dec 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (22) during the game against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center. The Avalanche won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Ok, so that may be a stretch. Alex Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester are both phenomenal at defense, but they lack the offensive upside that Shattenkirk brings to the table.
Kevin Shattenkirk is the best fantasy defenseman on the St. Louis Blues.
Much better.
Shattenkirk is a good defenseman who brings a great understanding of offense to the blue line. Last season’s 44 points (8 G, 36 A) over 56 games left Shattenkirk one point short of tying his career high from the year before.
His 45 points in 2013-2014 came in 81 games. 25 less games last season and one less point.
It was pretty clear last season that Shattenkirk was clicking with his team, as he just kept collecting the assists.
Not just any assists either. 21 of Shattenkirk’s 36 assists came on the powerplay. That was enough to tie him for tenth in the league.
One of the players tied with him is none other than Sidney Crosby. Shattenkirk had the same number of powerplay assists as Crosby, and Crosby played 21 more games.
Shattenkirk is ranked 82 in the ESPN pre-draft rankings. Maybe his placement is due to his injury last season, but Shattenkirk deserves to be much higher than 82. If you have faith that he can keep producing, Shattenkirk’s powerplay points alone are enough reason for him to be drafted as high as the third round.
Next: And The Best Blues Player For Fantasy...
Tarasenko Shows First Round Fantasy Tallent
Nov 3, 2014; New York, NY, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) scores the game winning goal past New York Rangers goalie Cam Talbot (33) during a shoot out at Madison Square Garden. The Blues defeated the Rangers 4-3 in a shoot out. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
As if there was ever any doubt. Vladimir Tarasenko is the hands down choice for the best Blues player.
Live Feed class=inline-text id=inline-text-3Rangers Report Cards: Grading the Right-Wingers /
It doesn’t matter if we are talking about on the ice or for your fantasy team, Tarasenko should always be the first choice.
In 77 games last season Tarasenko collected 73 points (37 G, 36 A). At 23 years old, it isn’t hard to imagine Tarasenko earning over a point a game for seasons to come.
ESPN has Tarasenko at 8 in their pre-draft rankings and it is hard to disagree with them. Ahead of him a some of the biggest names in hockey, but he has also passed stars like Steven Stamkos, Patrick Kane, and Evgeni Malkin.
Tarasenko is sure to dazzle again this year and should be gone in the first round in every league. If you have the chance to pick him up, don’t pass up the opportunity.
Next: Why No Goalies?
Why No Goalies?
Apr 24, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) in the game against the Minnesota Wild during the first period of game five of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Minnesota Wild defeat the St. Louis Blues 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
We have reached the end of the slideshow and undoubtedly someone is asking, “Why didn’t this guy put either of the goalies on this list?”
That is a fair question and I have an answer that I hope will suffice.
The St. Louis Blues have two very good goalies behind an equally impressive defense. If you pick up Jake Allen or Brian Elliott you will do pretty well.
But pretty well is not what anyone who plays fantasy sports is aiming for.
There are elite goalies out there that will get more games than Elliott and Allen and they should be the priority when it comes to drafting.
There is nothing wrong with drafting Allen or Elliott, but I couldn’t justify a top 5 spot in the Blues if I don’t see either of them as top 5 fantasy goalies.
What are your thoughts on the list? Anyone you would have drafted that I didn’t? Anyone on this list you wouldn’t draft? Share in the comments below.
