10 people to draft if you have a top 10 pick

By (Contributor) on August 19, 2009

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CHICAGO - MAY 11:  Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks reacts after he was named the #1 star of the game after their 7-5 win against the Vancouver Canucks during Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinal Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on

Here are my top 10 fantasy NHL players. I have looked at magazine predictions and I have made my own adjustments, and I have won my pool of 15 people twice in the last three years. This season it is important to stay young and fast. Ignore the older players off the bat, including Vinny Lecavalier. Guys like Kane and Toews will have better seasons then your typical Lecavaliers and St Louis`s. Here we go!

1. Evgeni Malkin

LAS VEGAS - JUNE 18:  Alexander Ovechkin (L) of the Washington Capitals holds the Maurice Richard Trophy as Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins accepts the Art Ross Trophy during the 2009 NHL Awards at The Pearl concert theater at the Palms Casino Re

Arguably the most talented player in the league, Evgeni Malkin led the NHL in points, goals and assists last season as well he led his team to the Stanley Cup. I give him the edge over Ovechkin because he has more players to play with at his level. Take him as soon as you can. I think he will easily reach 105 pts this year.

2. Alexander Ovechkin

WASHINGTON - MAY 13:  Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals is surrounded by Pittsburgh Penguins during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center May 13, 2009 in Washington, DC. The Pengu

Hands down the most exciting player in the league, Ovechkin has it all. He can hit, he can rush, he can shoot, he can pass and most importantly he can put it in the back of the net at will. He is definitely second on my list mostly because he lacks the depth on his team Malkin has which means he has less talent to pass too, but look for him to get well over 100 points as well.

3. Sidney Crosby

DETROIT - JUNE 12: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with the Stanley Cup following the Penguins victory over the Detroit Red Wings in Game Seven of the 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Joe Louis Arena on June 12, 2009 in Detroit, Mich

Crosby is arguably the most rounded player in the game. If your pool has plus/minus you might want to pick him higher. But in a point’s pool look for Crosby to feed off Malkin and also create his own chances. Crosby is one of the hardest working players in the league and if he stays healthy should end up around the 100 pt mark.

4. Pavel Datsyuk

DETROIT - MAY 14:  Mikael Samuelsson #37 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates his second period goal with Pavel Datsyuk #13, Valtteri Filppula #51 and Jonathan Ericsson #52 while playing the Anaheim Ducks in Game Seven of the Western Conference Semifinals

You might be surprised at this one. But I believe Datsyuk will finish in the high 90’s in points this year. Although he had a bad playoff, he was injured with an injury that should not affect this season. Datsyuk has some of the best offensive moves in the game, and he has the supporting cast to help feed him the puck, and knock in his passes. Look for him to have a very strong season.

5. Henrik Zetterberg

DETROIT - JUNE 12:  Henrik Zetterberg #40 of the Detroit Red Wings warms up before playing against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Seven of the 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Joe Louis Arena on June 12, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan.  (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Ge

Along with Datsyuk, Zetteberg is among the league’s elite when it comes to offence. He is a 5 tool player who can shoot, skate, stick handle, pass and be in the right spot at the right time. He is not afraid of the corners and he has the supporting cast to help him achieve high points. Look for him to be in the low to mid 90’s for points this season.

6. Patrick Kane

VANCOUVER, CANADA - MAY 2: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks takes a shot on Roberto Luongo #1 of the Vancouver Canucks during Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 02, 2009 at General Motors Place

We all saw how well he played against the Canucks and Loungo in the playoffs. And remember my motto; young, fast and supporting cast. He is one of the quickest players in the league, and look for him in an Olympic year to break through as one of the league’s elite players. He has the ability to put up anywhere from 90-105 points this year.

7. Ilya Kovalchuk

ATLANTA - FEBRUARY 06: Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the Atlanta Thrashers skates against the New Jersey Devils on February 6, 2009 at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

I would have picked him higher, as he has as much talent as most of the players I listed above. He is just lacking the supporting cast to really shine with him and allow him to get into the high 90’s. He has so much offensive upside and can skate with the best of them, look for Kovelchuck to be around 90 points.

8. Ryan Getzlaf

UNIONDALE, NY - JANUARY 21:  Ryan Getzlaf #15 of the Anaheim Ducks looks on against the New York Islanders on January 21, 2009 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Ducks 2-1.  (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

One of the most under rated players in the N, and most likely a dark horse for this season, look for the speedy talented and Duck to reach 90 points this year. He is a strong player with a nose for the net; he can play with most players as has a decent supporting cast. You might even be able to get him in a 10-15 spot, so if you have an early second rounder you might want to let him slide, not everyone sees him as an elite player yet.

9. Jerome Iginla

ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 11: Jarome Iginla #12 of the Calgary Flames shoots the puck past Jean-Sebastian Giguere of the Anaheim Ducks during the game on February 11, 2009 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.  (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

Hard work and clutch personified. Iginla is very under rated for his offensive abilities. His shots down the wing are the best in the league. And in front of the net he is hard to beat. Look for Iginla to reach 90 pts this year.

10. Dany Heatley

MONTREAL - JANUARY 24:  Eastern Conference All-Star Dany Heatley of the Ottawa Senators competes in the 'McDonald�s Accuracy Shooting' during the Honda NHL Superskills competition as part of the 2009 NHL All-Star weekend on January 24, 2009 at the Bell Ce

No matter where he plays this year, he will put the puck in the net. The former 50 goal scorer is in the prime of his career and playing in an Olympic year. Look for Heatley to be a huge dark horse as he has the potential to reach 95 points. Because I don’t know where he is going to play,so he is last on my list. But if he stays in Ottawa back off of him, most likely he will be a Shark, and if he is then don’t pass him up. If he stays in Ottawa grab him late first round or whenever you see him in the second.

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