Every year everybody and their grandma releases their sleeper list, which is, in my opinion, the biggest waste of a read pretty much anywhere. There is usually one of two main problems with these lists:
1.) They list players that aren't really sleepers. Everybody already knows who Steve Stamkos and Kyle Turris are and are well aware of their potential. They're high ceiling youngsters that are going to be overdrafted by some zealous idiot that just finished reading the crappy sleeper list and wants to make sure he gets Stamkos' 50-60 point season before anybody else does, passing on Daymond Langkow's 60-70 point season. Another example was Tim Lincecum last year in baseball pools. People had him as a sleeper, whereas anybody that really followed what was going on would know that Lincecum wasn't a sleeper....he was already a legitimate front line fantasy starter due to his high strike out totals and great rate stats.
2.) They list players that are too deep for your league. This causes some idiot to draft Sami Lepisto ahead of Roman Hamrlik because they read somewhere that Lepisto is a sleeper, when the list really meant that Lepisto has a shot of making the Capitals this year and could, if things break right, make the 2nd line power play unit and receive a marginal amount of power play time with guys like Brook Laich and maybe get 25 points. Of course people get intrigued by the unknown (Lepisto? Nobody's even HEARD of that guy....maybe he's some up and coming phenom. Man will I look brilliant taking him in the 18th round if he is the next big thing!)
No....I hate sleeper lists. Sleeper lists never have the intended effect of what they're supposed to do. Instead of making you aware of guys that you should keep your eye on or might have a higher ceiling than you think, all they really do is cause fantasy nation to end up overdrafting players several rounds too early. Especially when a particular player ends up on EVERYBODY's sleeper list (I'm looking at you Vincent Jackson of the San Diego Chargers). This player can no longer be considered a sleeper and will, in fact, be drafted FAR too early in your draft. Yes...constant appearances on sleeper lists will actually make that player OVERrated.
As a rule, the players on this list shouldn't be drafted in your standard 10 team league with average size rosters, unless you're taking a late round flier on one. There is just not enough value in these guys to draft right now. However, they are the players you should have on your watch list early in the season. If they are producing or getting the ice time, then you can seriously consider picking them up as the last player on your bench or as an injury replacement. But please...don't draft them and then complain when they get sent down to the AHL for more seasoning because I already freaking warned you.
1.) R.J. Umberger (C, Columbus Blue Jackets) - There is a spot open up the middle in Columbus that is betweeen two pretty good offensive players in Kristian Huselius and Rick Nash. The battle will come down to two players: Derrick Brassard and R.J. Umberger. The loser will center a line of Fred Modin and Jakub Voracek. Umberger would seem to make more sense on the second line, splitting up rookies Brassard and Voracek (and especially if Filatov makes this team, as he would probably command 2nd line time, as well.) However, if Umberger does get on the first line, he could be in line for a useful season. He was modestly productive last year playing on a deep Philly team and he should only see his ice time increase this year. Being at a fairly deep position (centre), Umberger isn't that draftworthy yet, but is someone to keep an eye once the injury bug begins to strike.
2.) Alex Goligoski (D, Pittsburgh Penguins) - Ryan Whitney is on the shelf for a few months. And Sergei Gonchar is injured and may miss a month or two. That means someone has to step up and QB the very potent Pittsburgh power play with Malkin and Crosby. The two candidates are likely Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski. While Letang has the inside track, Goligoski shouldn't be counted out, especially if Gonchar's injury is more serious than expected. He's a good player to stash away in deep keeper leagues. (Update: Gonchar elected to undergo surgery, which makes Goligoski a must own in medium to deep leagues if you have the roster space.)
3.) Sean Bergenheim (LW, New York Islanders) - I've always been a big Bergenheim fan since his appearance in the World Juniors several years back. He seemed to be one of the best players on the ice and I'm surprised he hasn't done much in the NHL, given his skill level. He had a solid end to the season last year and could be ready to turn the corner and become a productive second line forward. In New York, he may get a crack at the top line but will lack solid teammates. Still, a 50 point season isn't out of the question.
4.) Matt Niskanen (D, Dallas Stars) - Niskanen is borderline draftable in most one year pools (but should be owned in keeper pools). He seems to be a forgotten man this year, even though Sergei Zubov is banged up and Philippe Boucher is coming back from injury. Neither are sure bets to get healthy and remain that way, which means a spot will likely be available on the Dallas power play. Niskanen impressed last year while filling in there on occasion and could be a 35-40 point d-man with enough PP time.
5.) Pascal Dupuis (LW, Pittsburgh Penguins) - Dupuis' career high is 48 points, which happened in the pre-lockout years when scoring was down considerably. He's not going to bust out and get 70 points or anything, as he only had 15 points in 62 games last year with Atlanta. But 12 in 16 games with Pittsburgh. The difference? Sidney Crosby. Dupuis is slated to skate with Crosby again this year and could get you around 45-50 points quite easily.
6.) Fredrik Modin (LW, Columbus Blue Jackets) - Modin was, at one time, a fairly productive forward. He's struggled through injuries and poor linemates while in Columbus, but this year the reports are that he's as healthy as he's been in years and he will likely be skating with some of the most talented players in years. If 50 point wingers gotten on the cheap are of any interest to you, consider Modin.
7.) Jeff Finger (D, Toronto Maple Leafs) - While the rest of the hockey world still asks "WTF!?!?!!?" to the Finger signing, you should pay attention to what kind of ice time he gets. He will likely kill your +/- if your league counts that, but he's also getting paid the kind of money that might land him on the power play. And yeah...its the Toronto power play, but that could still mean 35 points or so.
8.) Martin Hanzal (C, Phoenix Coyotes) - The Coyotes are a vastly improved team and Hanzal had a pretty strong rookie year last year. Sure, he's probably behind Jokinen, Mueller and Turris on the depth chart at centre, but there is a good chance Mueller gets moved to a wing with Jokinen and Doan, and Hanzal is a talented scorer that could force his way onto a wing on the second line. If so, he could be worth a look....if not.....that's why you don't draft people on this list (unless you're in a keeper league!)
9.) Chuck Kobasew (RW, Boston Bruins) - As a warning, I've been a huge Kobasew fan since his days in junior. I've always assumed he would be a very productive player at the NHL level. Well....I'm still waiting. If he stays healthy, he should see more time this year on one of the top two lines with either Savard or a hopefully healthy Bergeron. Expect a boost in production from the 39 points he scored last year.
10.) Erik Ersberg (G, Los Angeles Kings) - In most leagues, every starting goalie and every important back-up will likely be owned. It usually leaves the waiver wire bare of good goaltending options. Ersberg has a fairly decent shot (40-50%) of being number 1a in LA. Yeah...its LA, but he probably is on your wire and he's probably going to play more than 20-30 games. If you're desperate, he might be worth a gamble. Especially considering LA has some great young players and could be a vastly improved team by as early as this season.
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