Detroit Red Wings' Top 5 Fantasy Hockey Picks

With prospect camps already under way and the preseason about to start, it is also time to get ready for the fantasy hockey season. Fantasy hockey is a good way to stay up to date with the NHL and a great excuse to watch teams other than your personal favorite. Most of all, playing fantasy hockey will definitely make you a more knowledgeable and well-rounded hockey fan.

Today we will look at the top 5 Detroit Red Wings players you should consider picking for your fantasy hockey team.

Apr 5, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green (52) scores a goal in the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

#5 Mike Green:

Starting a 3 year contract with the Detroit Red Wings, Mike Green will look to start off on a good note with his new teammates. With 10 goals and 45 points last season Green proved he still has an offensive upside even though he played far less minutes than he is accustomed to. Look for Green to improve his numbers this season with the bigger role and extra ice time he will receive in Detroit. I also expect his +/- to improve if he has good chemistry with Danny Dekeyser. Green should come out of the gate motivated and ready to prove that he is still in the prime of his career.

#4 Henrik Zetterberg:

The main reason Henrik Zetterberg is not higher on this list has to do more with the fantasy hockey scoring system than with his age. Since goals are weighted more than assists it inevitably makes play-makers less valuable than snipers. Last season Zetterberg racked up an impressive 49 assists but only found the back of the net 17 times. Only missing 5 games last season Zetterberg seems healthier than he has been in recent memory and seems to be gaining more confidence in his back. If Zetterberg remains healthy and spends a majority of his time on the ice with Pavel Datsyuk, he should have no problems breaking the goal plateau this year.

#3 Pavel Datsyuk:

The “Magic Man” produced over a point a game last season while dealing with a persistent injury. Datsyuk could have easily topped this list but questions about his health still remain unanswered. It is almost certain that Datsyuk will miss the beginning of the season but all is not lost. After receiving off-season ankle surgery and a steady recovery Datsyuk should be ready to go as early as late October. I personally want him to feel as good as possible before he returns. If the surgery was successful, watch out for Datsyuk as soon as he returns. He might be a good pickup a month into the season when you know who is working and who is not on your fantasy team.

#2 Gustav Nyquist:

A close call for first place, Gustav Nyquist showed steady improvement last season and proved how elite of a player he can be by earning last years play of the year. Nyquist has the speed, skill, and hockey IQ to be a consistent 30 to 40 goal scorer. Notching 27 goals and 27 assists last season Nyquist also shows a knack for play-making and brings a balanced game to the ice. With more depth at center, look for Nyquist to continue improving his stats as he gets more experience under his belt.

Mar 24, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Gustav Nyquist (14) celebrates with from left wing Tomas Tatar (21) after scoring a goal in the third period against the Arizona Coyotes at Joe Louis Arena. The Coyotes won 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

#1 Tomas Tatar:

Leading the Detroit Red Wings in goals is no small feat considering their talented roster. Tomas Tatar did just that by tallying 29 goals in the 2014-2015 regular season. Matching Nyquist’s passing prowess, Tatar also ended the season with 27 assists. I give Tatar a slight edge over Nyquist not for the two extra goals last season but more for his consistent intensity on the ice. He is one of those players that is always working hard even when he is going through a drought. He gets his shots and creates chances for teammates and himself and as he matures his finishing is vastly improving.

Next: Prospect Tournament Observations After Day 2

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Detroit Red Wings’ 5 Best Players for Fantasy Hockey

By Nate Gard | Sep 13, 2015