2011-12 NHL Fantasy Hockey: 6 Players You Wont Regret Drafting

If you are a hardcore NHL fanatic like me, chances are that you're already signed up for fantasy hockey. Fantasy hockey is a great opportunity to see what it is like to  be an NHL general manager and choose players to fill out your squad.

Depending on the size of your league, you will have either many quality draft picks or few and far in between. It is obvious that players like Steven Stamkos, Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby and the other elite will get scooped up very early on.

This slideshow will take a look at some players worth taking a chance on. These are some players who you probably won't find on top 10 lists, but nonetheless, they are worth drafting.

Jaromir Jagr

Predicted Round: Sixth to Eighth 

I recently drafted Jaromir Jagr in the sixth round. Jagr is a player that could fly under the radar in many drafts. 

Jagr is two years removed from the NHL and some buyers may be wary. At this point of the draft, right wings may be hard to come by.

Jagr is a player worth taking a chance on because you can bank on him scoring at least 40-50 points. A player his size will pick up power play points easily.

THN Predictions:

22 Goals

44 Assists

66 Points

Loui Eriksson

Predicted Round: Fifth to Seventh

Loui Eriksson is a player who people may stay away from in the early rounds. He is a proven performer, but many will say that was when he was paired with Brad Richards.

Eriksson is a speedy forward that has a good shot. He is a player that was drafted early on last year for participants looking to pad themselves at the left wing slot.

I was glad I chose Eriksson last year and was disappointed when he went right before I was slotted to pick in the fifth round.

THN Predictions:

24 Goals

38 Assists 

62 Points

Taylor Hall

Predicted Round: Seventh to Ninth

With my second-to-last pick in the 2010 NHL Yahoo Sports Entry Draft, The Gotham City Caped Crusaders selected Taylor Hall.

Taylor Hall was off to a great season last year until it abruptly ended after he suffered a high ankle sprain at the end of a scrap.

Hall scored 22 goals and 20 assists for 42 points. Hall is projected to have a monster sophomore season. He is a player worth drafting at the left wing position.

If he does as well as expected, it can only help you in your league. And if he doesn't pan out, you didn't really waste a pick this late in the game.

THN Predictions:

37 Goals

32 Assists

69 Points

David Backes

Projected Round: Eighth to Eleventh Round

David Backes is a great player if your league scores points for plus/minus ratings. Last year, Backes led all forwards with a rating of plus-32.

Backes is a great two-way forward that can almost always earn you points. Star players like Stamkos and Ovechkin will obviously earn you a lot of points, but they can lose you points week-to-week as they are almost always on the ice.

Backes is a guaranteed 50-to-60-point scorer and he will not disappoint you.

THN Predictions:

30 Goals

31 Assists 

61 Points

Brooks Laich

Predicted Round: Eleventh or Later

At this point of the draft, players are starting to run thin. Most top players have been selected and it is time to add some depth and bench players.

Brooks Laich is a good two-way forward who is also a points producer. Laich can play any of the forward positions. So, depending on how your league is set up, you will always have a spot for Laich.

THN Predictions:

23 Goals

30 Assists 

53 Points

Rene Bourque

Predicted Round: 12th or Later

Rene Bourque is a player who will be climbing the fantasy charts in just a few years. Bourque was a player that gave Calgary Flames fans something to cheer about.

Bourque is a small speedy forward that will see an increase in power-play time this season. Bourque is a player who would be worth drafting a little earlier depending on how the field goes.

You can definitely count on Bourque to score at least 50 points.

Comments, Questions, Concerns?

This is only the beginning of my series breaking down some fantasy hockey talk. It is a Friday night so just relax and peruse this at your leisure.

Leave your comments in the section below to get the conversation going. If you liked what you read, feel free to give it some props, a like and a +1.

Tom Urtz is an NHL Featured Columnist.

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