Fantasy Hockey Stretch Run

Now that the dust has settled from the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, how does the rest of the fantasy hockey season look?

There are some players, young and old, worth keeping an eye on for your own roster.

Young Players

D-Erik Karlsson: This Ottawa defenseman will be counted on to provide a good part of the offense from the blueline for the Senators. The way this kid has played and grown so far this season, I would say he is good for it. A lot of pressure to put on a kid, but he can handle it.

Current : 1 G / 11 A in 42 Games played

Seasons end : 3 G / 20 A (20 games left)

D-Jeff Schultz: Playing with a high octane Washington Capitals offense has inflated his plus/minus, but who cares how he got to +37? He's there. His plus/minus will continue to rise over the stretch run. He will also add some more points to make it worth picking him up.

Current : 3 G / 14 A / +37 in 55 games

Seasons end : 4 G / 18 A / +44

RW-Troy Brouwer: A guy that falls behind Toews, Kane, Versteeg etc. in Chicago, but this young checker has put up some solid numbers this year. Mid-level points, a plus player, and throw some penalty minutes on top of that and you have a solid fantasy hockey player.

Current: 18 G / 14 A / +7 / 57 PIM in 62 games

Seasons end : 23 G / 19 A / +10 / 72 PIM

C-Kyle Brodziak: Minnesota has two lines; one produces, the other tends not to. Occasionally they both produce and when they do, look out for the Minnesota Wild. Brodziak is part of those two lines and has gone through stretches of solid points, followed by a couple zeros then another stretch. He is worth the pick up just from pure potential of streaks.

Current : 7 G / 27 A in 61 games

Seasons end : 10 G / 30 A

Old Players

LW-Alexei Ponikarovsky: I wouldn't consider him old, but I don't consider him young. Now that he's with Pittsburgh he might be playing with Sidney Crosby and that will make him even more valuable. He will break his career high of 23 goals in a year. He might be available in some leagues, and if he is, jump on him.

Current : 19 G / 22 A in 61 games with Toronto

Seasons end : 28 G / 27 A (9 G / 5 A with Pittsburgh)

RW-Tomas Holmstrom: Detroit is ready for a nice stretch run and Holmstrom will as always be in the centre of it. Holmstrom is a very valuable player in Detroit's system and will continue to show it.

Current : 16 G / 11 A in 48 games

Seasons end : 21 G / 15 A

D-Brett Clark: Colorado has been a surprise this year. Clark isn't the best fantasy hockey defenseman on this team but he is a solid player. Keeping a solid +/- and PIM, along with some points he could be of some value depending on your league.

Current : 3 G / 14 A / +10 / 24PIM

Season end : 5 G / 17 A / +15 / 35PIM (see also Chris Phillips- OTT.)

There are many, many more players that could be included, but these are players that I will be looking at myself.