Top 10 Fantasy Forwards: Giroux Has Flyers' Offense on Overdrive

Each week we will look at a top ten fantasy forward list.  The list will be based on fantasy impact over the past few days and weeks.  Most elite stars are consistent scorers, but there are several players who are very streaky, so keep an eye on their stats in order to know when they are on a hot streak.

Honorable Mention—Phil Kessel (Toronto Maple Leafs)

Phil Kessel (Toronto Maple Leafs) has exploded out of the gates this season.  Kessel has recorded multiple points in six games this season and has a point in all but three games.  Kessel is the current scoring leader and is on pace for career highs in goals, assists and points.

No. 10—Dustin Penner (Los Angeles Kings)

Dustin Penner (Los Angeles Kings) has gone eight games without registering a single point and has just one point in 11 games.  Penner was brought in to produce and has yet to do so.  Penner is an inconsistent power forward, so you know this streak can’t go on forever.  When he starts to score goals expect him to score a bunch.

No. 9—Nicklas Backstrom (Washington Capitals)

Nicklas Backstrom (Washington Capitals) is showing that last year was an off year and has come out flying so far this season.  Backstrom is on a four-game point streak and has recorded two points in each of those games.  Backstrom is on pace for a career high 123 points.  NHL.com named Backstrom the Third Star of the Week.

No. 8—Tyler Seguin (Boston Bruins)

Tyler Seguin (Boston Bruins) showed the Toronto Maple Leafs and their fans exactly what they gave up to get Kessel.  Seguin recorded his first career hat trick against the Leafs in Toronto this past Saturday.  Seguin is on a three game point streak with four goals and five points and is on pace for career-high 94 points.

No.7—Adam Henrique (New Jersey Devils)

Adam Henrique (New Jersey Devils) made the most of his recent call-up.  Henrique is on a three-game point streak where he has recorded three goals and five points. Over the last two games, Henrique has recorded two points in each game.  Henrique should develop into a strong two-forward and is on pace for 52-point rookie season.

No. 6—Teemu Selanne (Anaheim Ducks)

Teemu Selanne (Anaheim Ducks) scored 80 points last season as a 40-year-old and is on pace to score 81 points this season as a 41-year-old.  Selanne continues to amaze fans (just look at his four-point performance against the Capitals).  Selanne has gone pointless in the last two games, but don’t expect that streak to last.  Selanne has 11 points in the last eight games.

No. 5—Jaromir Jagr (Philadelphia Flyers)

Jaromir Jagr (Philadelphia Flyers) is proving that not all players who come back to the NHL from Russia struggle.  Over the last 21 days, Jagr has recorded six goals and 12 points in ten games.  Over that time frame, Jagr is plus five, has scored two power play goals and one game winning goal while registering 30 shots on net.  Jagr is currently on a seven-game point streak and continues to show that he is a fantasy stud.  Jagr is on pace for 87 points season.

No. 4—Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning) has scored seven points over the last six games and is on pace for a career-high 58 goals.  Stamkos is an elite scoring machine that has 12 points in the last nine games.  Stamkos is on pace for 87 points, but count on him getting back into the 90’s.

No. 3—Joe Pavelski (San Jose Sharks)

Joe Pavelski (San Jose Sharks) is no longer the other Joe in San Jose.  Pavelski leads all Sharks in goals, points and shots.  Over the last eight games Pavelski has scored seven goals and 13 points.  Pavelski is on pace for an outstanding 61 goals and 101 points.

No. 2—Loui Eriksson (Dallas Stars)

Loui Eriksson (Dallas Stars) was named by NHL.com the Second Star of the Week after scoring two goals and six points in two games, including the overtime game-winning goal in a 7-6 game with the Colorado Avalanche.  Eriksson is on a four-game point streak and has scored 12 points over the last eight games. Eriksson is proving that he can be a star player without Brad Richards and is on pace for 94 points.

No. 1—Claude Giroux (Philadelphia Flyers)

Claude Giroux (Philadelphia Flyers) has stepped up big time with the departure of Jeff Carter and Mike Richards.  Over the last ten games, Giroux has six goals and 14 points.  Giroux is more of a playmaker than a sniper, so don’t count on him scoring 52 goals, which he is on pace for. 35-40 goals seems more realistic.  Giroux is on a five-game point streak and is on pace for a career high 110 points.

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Aaron Brouwer is the co-creator of www.fantasyhockeycoach.com.  FHC is a free fantasy hockey service that developed a ranking system combining post-lockout statistics, current factors and our own hockey knowledge.  Brouwer writes about fantasy hockey on Bleacher Report. You can contact Coach Brouwer at [e-mail].