We'll start with the goalies. I'll let Almington take over and explain further:
Because goalie performance is directly tied to a teams record you can't rank a goalie only based off his own ability. As such the best picks are the fundamentally sound goalies on the best teams because they should put up the most solid numbers, as they should be able to steal a game when the team isn't playing well and the team can compensate when the goalie isn't playing well. Elliott (141 fantasy points) and Schneider (118 fp) are the top 2 returning players from last year are great examples elite goalies on top-level teams. As such they should be among the first players selected in the draft. As we move down the list the goalies from teams that are more defensively orientated are ranked higher then the goalies from teams who play more offensive styles as shutouts play such an important role in goalie points. In compiling this list, a combination of goalie stats (GAA and save %) along with previous year(s) fantasy point production along with general team expectations for this upcoming season were used. This list is far from inclusive and it's quite possible that an unknown goalie will out-perform many on this list. Additional biases are included for goalies who I have observed in person, mostly WCHA and CCHA goalies.
1.Corey Schneider –BC
2.Brian Elliot –UW
3.Bryan Lerg –MSU
4.Mark Dekanich –Colgate
5.Bobby Goepfert –SCSU
6.Joe Fallon –Vermont
7.John Curry –BU
8.Kellen Briggs –UMN
9.Ben Bishop –Maine
10.David Leggo –Clarkson
11.Bill Zanaboni –NMU
12.Philppe Lamoureux –UND
13.Mike Devine –Dartmouth
14.Jason Smith –Sacred Heart
15.Jeff Zatkoff –Miami
16.Charlie Effinger –Miami
17.Peter Mannino –DU
18.Glenn Fisher –DU
19.Tyler Sims –PC
20.Matt Zaba –CC
Billy Sauer –UMI
WCH's Thoughts:
Goalies are the college hockey equivalent to running backs in fantasy football. It's probably the most important position. I really like the way this list looks. One thing to keep in mind is how much playing time a goalie will be getting. For example, off this list, Glenn Fisher could be relegated to a back-up role, rather than starting every other game, as was mentioned here last week. Kellen Briggs could lose starting time to Jeff Frazee. Matt Zaba could even get challenged for playing time by Drew O'Connell or Chris Kawano.
As far as a couple potential sleepers, I really like the inclusion of Billy Sauer at the bottom of the list. He's a year older, and has a great defense playing in front of him. He could be a real steal. Another goalie that I'll probably have pretty high on my list is Jeff Jakaitis of Lake Superior. As you'll see later this, I'm pretty high on Lake Superior despite a very young defense. Alaska-Fairbanks has two great goalies in Wylie Rogers and Chad Johnson as well.
4 comments:
You are sadly mistaken to keep Joe Palmer off this list, especially when you do list Billy Sauer. Joe Palmer is twice the talent that Sauer is and Palmer will play behind a solid defensive team.
Joe Palmer was next on my list. I have no doubts about Palmer's ability after watching him with the U-18 team last year. What I question is if OSU as a TEAM can get it togeather this season. The issue is that when selecting goalies, how the team plays in front of that goalie is equaly important to how the goalie plays, you can't seperate the two and you can't select a goalie just off ability. It's very similar to how good the offensive line is impacts how a running back and quarterback perform.
To almington: OSU's problems last season had nothing to do with its defensive play, everything centered around their inability to score goals, especially on the PP. That should have no bearing on how Palmer plays this season. He will pick up right where Caruso left off and should be on your list.
I'm not saying that Palmer won't play well, but that isn't the only factor in picking a goalie. A goalie's point production in FCH is inherently tied to a teams record. For that reason alone, goalies who are on teams that are supposed to win are better picks then goalies who are better players but play on a team who wins less. If OSU manages to rebound to about a .600 win% then Palmer will be a solid pick (provided that he can handle the workload) otherwise he'll be an average pick. OSU a .600 team this year? Not many people are willing to go out on a limb like that this off-season
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