NHL Predictions 2011-12: Top 25 Fantasy Sleepers

The NHL season is just around the corner and this season promises to be a break-out season for the league.

With the NBA in threat of a lockout, there's no better time to turn to the NHL for your mid-winter sports action. This is also a chance for fantasy junkies to delve into hockey for the first time.  

With the new NHL season comes the excitement, fun and anxiety of selecting your fantasy team. This is a chance to make your mark amongst your friends or simply continue your dominance from previous years.

We all know that the Alexander Ovechkin's, Steve Stamkos' and Sedin twins of the world will put up numbers. It's the sleepers that will put you over the top though. 

As you mull over stats searching for a winner, keep these players in mind.

Here are the top 25 sleepers for the 2011-12 NHL season.

 

No. 25: RW Jaromir Jagr

That's right folks—Jaromir Jagr is back in the NHL. 

Now at 39, Jagr looks to take the Philadelphia Flyers to the promised land.

He returns stateside after a three-year break from the NHL. In his last season in the league, 2007-8 with the New York Rangers, Jagr posted 28 goals and 49 assists for 77 points.

Due to aging, don't expect Jagr to post these type of numbers, but don't forget that he's Jaromir Jagr either. Mark him down for around 50 points this season.

The five-time Art Ross Trophy(most points/season) winner would be a great snag in the later rounds. 

No. 24: RW Matt D'Agostini

In his first full season in the NHL last year, Matt D'Agostini racked up 21 goals and 25 assists for a young St. Louis Blues squad.

D'Agostini also had five game-winning goals, which is a huge bonus. He was also a career best plus-eight. 

The Blues should be improved, and D'Agostini is one reason why. 

No. 23: LW Magnus Paajarvi

Magnus Paajarvi struggled in his rookie season, but so did the Edmonton Oilers.

Paajarvi scored 15 goals and notched 19 assists in 80 games played last season.

Expect better results this year as Paajarvi, Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle look to get Edmonton back in the spotlight.

Paajarvi can be dazzling at times, expect 20-plus goals.  

No. 22: C Stephen Weiss

Stephen Weiss is coming off back-to-back 20 goal seasons. 

He's good for at least 50 points.

He's also good at winning faceoffs, which he did 689 times in 2010-11.

Overlooked stats, such as faceoffs, are what brings fantasy owners championships.  

No. 21: D Alex Goligoski

Alex Goligoski is a solid choice to man your blue line.

Goligoski netted 14 goals and added 32 assist last season. Most importantly, he was plus-20 on the ice.

His team, the Dallas Stars, may struggle so his stock will most likely drop. Pick him up if he's sitting around in the later rounds.  

No. 20: D Niklas Kronwall

A steady defenseman, Niklas Kronwall will put up some points in Detroit this season. 

He only totaled 37 points last season, but he should eclipse the 50-point mark this season. 

Look for Kronwall to emerge as the future of the Red Wings blue line this season.

No. 19: LW Clarke MacArthur

Clarke MacArthur was a pleasant surprise last season for the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

He had 62 point, including 21 goals and looks for a repeat performance this year.

The Maple Leafs should be better this year and MacArthur will be part of their winning formula. 

Keep your eye on Clarke MacArthur.

No. 18: G Corey Schneider

Okay, I know that Corey Schneider is the backup to Roberto Luongo, but he's worth mentioning. 

Schneider was a most impressive 16-4-2 last season, spelling Luongo between the pipes in Vancouver.

He was also great in the playoffs, posting a 5-0 record.

With some intense heat on Luongo in Vancouver, Schneider would be the man if Luongo slips.

Keep on lookout for the goaltender situation in Vancouver this season.

No. 17: C Antoine Vermette

Antoine Vermette is one of the NHL's best at taking faceoffs. He won 856 in 2010-11, good for third best in the league.

The Columbus Blue Jackets center also had 19 goals and 28 assists. With the addition of Jeff Carter, these numbers should go up.

Vermette is a great late-round pickup to solidify the faceoff category.

No. 16: RW Ryan Callahan

Ryan Callahan scored 23 goals and added 25 helpers last season despite playing only 60 games last season.

Five of those goals were game winners, proving he is clutch. He also recorded 224 hits, giving him added value.

With the addition of Brad Richards to the New York Rangers, this makes Callahan dangerous. 

Given he's healthy this season, Ryan Callahan is a great steal. 

No. 15: G Jaroslav Halak

Jaroslav Halak won 27 games last season for the St. Louis Blues, who finished 11th in the Western Conference.

Halak had a goals against average of 2.48 and a save percentage of .910. Both of these numbers should go up this season as the Blues look to be getting better as a whole.

Don't be afraid to pick up Halak this season, he'll produce positive results.

No. 14: D Toni Lydman

Toni Lydman only had 25 points in 2010-11 for the Anaheim Ducks, but that's now why he's valuable.

Lydman finished the year in second place in the plus/minus category at plus-32. 

He also carries value with 141 hits and 78 blocked shots.

If you're searching for a solid defenseman, Lydman is your man.

No. 13: RW Cal Clutterbuck

Cal Clutterbuck is one tough hombre in Minnesota. 

Not only did he put up 19 goals and 15 assist for the Wild last season, he led the NHL in hits with 336. 

For this stat alone, Clutterbuck is worth taking. Owners can also expect an increase in his offensive production this year with the Wild's addition of Dany Heatley. 

Clutterbuck may win owners the "hits" category all by himself this season. 

No. 12: C Tuomo Ruutu

Tuomo Ruutu is a can't miss.

The Carolina Hurricanes center notched a career-high 57 points last season. Most importantly, Ruutu tallied 309 hits—good for second best in the NHL. 

He also had seven goals and nine assists on the power-play. 

Ruutu should be available in the later rounds. Don't think twice, grab him while you can.

No. 11: D Mark Giordano

The Calgary Flames defenseman is worthy of selection.

 In 2010-11, he amassed 43 points for the Flames, including five power-play goals.

Giordano was also third in the NHL with 193 blocked shots and added 140 hits.

He'll be a staple on the blue line in Calgary this year—don't pass him up.

No. 10: LW Evander Kane

Evander Kane is only 20, but he's about to become a star for the new Winnepeg Jets.

In just 139 NHL games, Kane has 69 points. He netted 19 goals last season and that number should be close to 30 this season.

Kane will feed off the energy in Winnipeg, something  a young buck like himself loves. He won't go in the first couple of rounds, but don't wait too long because he going to be electric this year in Winnipeg. 

No. 9: C Brayden Schenn

As these fans point out, Brayden Schenn is the real deal. 

Selected fifth in the 2009 NHL draft by the Los Angeles Kings, Schenn was the cornerstone in a deal this summer that sent Mike Richards west and Schenn to Philadelphia. 

Anytime a team trades away their captain for a 20-year-old that kid must be something special. 

Expect great things from Schenn this season in Philadelphia.

No. 8: C Mike Richards

Conveniently enough, Mike Richards makes the list just ahead of Brayden Schenn.

Richards was dealt to the LA Kings after a somewhat disappointing season last year. After back-to-back 30 goal seasons the two previous years, the then-Philadelphia captain slumped a bit, totaling 23.

Richards will play with a chip on his shoulder this season and come out like a house on fire.

Expect big numbers for Richards with the Kings.

No. 7: LW Chris Kunitz

The Pittsburgh Penguins are without Sidney Crosby but that doesn't mean that they're out of contention.

Chris Kunitz will look to fill the void left by the absence of Crosby. In 66 games last season, Kunitz 23 goals and 48 points.

If he plays the entire season injury-free, expect 65-plus points for the gritty Kunitz. 

No. 6: LW Nikolai Kulemin

Nikolai Kulemin is a pure goal scorer for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

He racked up 30 goals and 27 assists in his breakout season of 2010-11. He won't slow down this year.

After a few down seasons, the Maple Leafs show promise and Kulemin is a major reason why.

Kulemin should be your "sixth man" this season.  

No. 5: LW Dany Heatley

Much like the previously mentioned Mike Richards, Dany Heatley will be playing with a chip on his shoulder this season.

Heatley was traded away from the San Jose Sharks to the Minnesota Wild this summer. The snipers goal production dipped to 26 last season. 

The Wild traded for Heatley because of his goal production and produce he will.

Look for Heatley to be rejuvenated and net 40-plus.  

No. 4: D Dan Girardi

Dan Girardi is one of the most underrated defensemen in the NHL.

Girardi had 31 points last season and finished the season at plus-seven. Most impressively, he led the league in blocked shots with 236 and totaled 195 hits.

He also have played 80-plus games four straight seasons, so you know he'll be on the ice. 

His value lies in his toughness and his offense should improve slightly with an improved New York Rangers squad.  

No. 3: LW Matt Moulson

Matt Moulsen has put together back-to-back 30-plus goal seasons for the New York Islanders.

Too bad for him, not many people have heard of him because of the team he plays for. 

Moulsen is a dynamic player who can spark fire at any moment. Many are predicting the Islanders to be really bad again, but I disagree due to the likes of Moulson, John Tavares and PA Parenteau.

Look for Moulsen to have another 30-plus goal season for the Islanders.

No. 2: C Brad Marchand

Okay, so Brad Marchand may not be a sleeper because of his playoff production last season, but he may slip into the later rounds.

As a rookie for the Boston Bruins, Marchand racked up 21 goals and 20 assists. The playoffs is where he became a up-and-coming star in the NHL. On the way to winning the Stanley Cup, Marchand tallied 11 goals and eight assists and was plus-12. Wow.

Marchand has high expectations now, but with highly touted Bruins center Tyler Seguin on many fantasy owners "must have" list, Marchand may fall right onto your roster. 

No. 1: C Logan Couture

Logan Couture was an all-out stud last season for the San Jose Sharks. 

He finished second on the team with 32 goals. This included eight game-winners, proving Couture has a flare for the dramatic and can rise to the occasion. 

On the season, he had 56 points and was a plus-18. 10 of his goals came on the power-play. He also had seven goals and seven assists in the playoffs.

With the Sharks looking to make a run at the Stanley Cup this year, Logan Couture will emerge as a star in the NHL.

It won't be long before all the hockey world knows who he is. Nab him while you can.