Fantasy Hockey: 10 Under-the-Radar Players You Need on Your Team

Besides the obvious choices, like Alex Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos, there are many players that sit on the fence for fantasy hockey general managers. 

Especially in deeper leagues, there's a plethora of players that slip to late rounds or go undrafted—who are quite viable options for succeeding.

Let's look at ten glossed-over players that should be on your fantasy team. 

Milan Michalek

Since the transition from San Jose to Ottawa, Milan Michalek has seen his production rate drop off, making him more likely to go unnoticed in fantasy drafts.

However, this season, he's off to a red-hot start alongside Jason Spezza with 13 points in 11 games. He's on pace for a much better season than his first two in Canada's capital. If he's not already gone, pick him up right now.

Marc-Andre Bergeron

Marc-Andre Bergeron is a defenseman you should keep on your radar every season. He sure isn't the most sound defender, but he will absolutely produce offensively. 

In fact, Bergeron has 12 points in 11 games thus far. He's likely available in most leagues so pick him up. 

Gabriel Landeskog

Sometimes, it can be easy to forget that some of these rookies are only 18 years old, when more and more are entering the league as physically and mentally mature as Gabriel Landeskog is.

Sure to be a great leader in this league, Landeskog is a persistent, hard-working player. With little pressure in Colorado, he will be given every chance to prove himself. So far, he's done a pretty good job, posting six points in 10 games.

On this pace, he's projected to tally 32 goals and 48 points in 82 games. That kind of production should come as some relief to Matt Duchene and Paul Stastny, who are mainly relied on for the offense.

While there's no telling what happens to that pace, Landeskog's hard work will bring him success on the ice. He would be a great addition in deeper leagues particularly.

Erik Karlsson

Tied with Marc-Andre Bergeron to lead all defensemen in points with 12, Erik Karlsson is slowly blossoming into the top-two defender the Ottawa Senators had hoped for when they drafted him 15th overall in 2008.

His second season saw him nearly double his production from the 2009-10 season. 

He may not be as available in the free agency pools, but this guy is shooting for the stars this year. Though is plus-minus will not likely be pretty, his offensive production sure will.

Kris Versteeg

This past summer saw the Florida Panthers undergo a dramatic transformation, bringing in many new faces to the organization. 

In year one under new GM Dale Tallon, Kris Versteeg might be the guy to help lead the offensive charge for the Panthers.

Through 10 games, Versteeg has notched five goals and six assists. Florida may not compete for a playoff spot this year, but somebody has to provide the offense. Versteeg is that guy. Now is the time to snag him.

Tim Connolly

Tim Connolly can be a solid No. 1 center for Toronto when he's healthy. Though he hasn't played a full season in awhile, Connolly's offensive production should flow well playing on a line with Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul.

Just two seasons ago, Connolly tallied 48 assists and 65 points in 73 games, a near point-per-game pace, and career highs in both categories. Alongside a legitimate sniper like Kessel, Connolly will likely rack up even more assists this season.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

He may have been snagged up by most savvy fantasy hockey general managers, but if he's still available, consider it an enormous steal. Otherwise, perhaps consider trading a more established NHL regular for his services if you can.  

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is in Edmonton for the long haul. And why not? He's doing well. Playing on a line with Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle, this line will be one of the most fun to watch all season long.

Through his first 10 games, Nugent-Hopkins has amassed nine points and a plus-three rating, while seeing ample time on the power play. 

Sheldon Souray

Sometimes all it takes to get your swag back is a change of scenery. 

That has seemed to do wonders for Dallas Stars' defenseman Sheldon Souray.

Since the ugly situation in Edmonton, Souray is back in the NHL now, off to a scorching-hot start in Dallas.

Through 11 games, Souray has registered three goals and five assists, along with a plus-eight rating. Especially if you're in a league that counts penalty minutes as a positive (Souray has 37), pick him up. You won't regret it.  

David Booth

As was the case with Sheldon Souray, a change in scenery did wonders for forward David Booth.

Now that Booth is in Vancouver—a city where hockey is No. 1—perhaps it will motivate him in a way he hasn't seen in Florida. Booth has yet to play in a playoff series, but that should change this year.

Through three games with the Canucks, Booth has tallied a lone assist. Pick him up now. Once he's settled in there, look for his production to rise. 

Pierre-Alexandr Parenteau

Pierre-Alexandr Parenteau put together a solid season on Long Island last year, his first full NHL season. There, he tallied career highs across the board, recording 20 goals and 33 assists for 53 points in 81 games.

Thus far, the bustling Parenteau has tallied nine points in nine games for the Isles.

Playing alongside Matt Moulson and John Tavares, look for Parenteau to put together an even better year.

As much as I don't think he should be, he's likely available in free agency pools. Pick him up while you can.