Ken's Bleacher Report Hockey Team: A Story of Leaders and Young Guns

Taking part in the first annual Bleacher Report Fantasy hockey league was something I'd looked forward to since mention was first made of it in some of the almost daily chats I have with a couple of the top NHL writers.

To call the league a huge success, so far, is an understatement. The writers involved have impressed me immensely with the maturity of trades and the willingness to be open about improving each others' teams. I would easily have to say the closeness of the writers taking part in the league clearly shows through the constant trade contact and never-ending roster analysis between managers.

Being a first-time fantasy hockey player, I determined I would take some chances. I ended up taking a couple I had planned on—and two I am desperately hoping will pan out.

Many readers will likely lose respect for me in my first deal of the season. What's my reasoning? I would rather lose with men I believe in than win with players I can't stand.

Ken's Roster:

Centers: Andy McDonald, Mike Modano, Steven Stamkos

Left Wings: Brenden Morrow, Sean Avery, Chris Kunitz

Right Wings: Corey Perry, Jere Lehtinen, Jared Boll

Defense: Mike Green, Scott Niedermayer, Derek Morris, Shane O'Brien

Utility: Simon Gagne

Bench: Teemu Selanne, Fabian Brunnstrom, Christian Ehrhoff, Loui Eriksson

Goal: Niklas Backstrom, Manny Legace

Originally, I took Penguin sensation Sidney Crosby with the second pick overall, but only for trade bait, and immediately dealt him to Alan Bass at the end of the draft, in exchange for the ultimate captain, Brenden Morrow.

When asked about the depth of the team, head coach Brett Hull commented, "We have great talent in the crease, that’s not an issue we are worried about right now so early in the training camp season."

When asked about other moves on the horizon, GM Ken Armer commented he was currently working on two deals: one to possibly bring in defenseman Matt Niskanen and one seeing fan favorite Sean Avery leave in exchange for Patrick Marleau.

In regards to the health of utility forward, Simon Gagne, Armer commented, "In all word from the Flyers and from Simon himself, he is 100-percent healthy. Based on that alone, I'm willing to take a chance on him."

The other questionable player is Teemu Selanne, who still has yet to even decide on playing this season. "Teemu is nearly a point-a-game player. He's worth the risk and I have immense faith he will be back this year. According to news out of Anaheim, he has been skating and working out. If he was retiring, I don't see him choosing to work out—let alone even being back in the United States."

For more news on the league itself, be sure to check out Greg Caggiano's article highlighting his team and the league in general.

Comments welcome, but those regarding my lack of intelligence for keeping Crosby are useless and will fall on deaf ears.

Ken Armer is a Senior hockey Writer and a Community Leader for the NHL and Dallas Stars. You can contact him on his profile or via e-mail at [e-mail]