Next Year`s Fantasy Surprise Sophomores | FIOMattyH's Blog

Down the stretch, teams around the league will be giving their rookies a chance to shine. Some will do so because the team is out of the playoff picture, while others will be hoping that the youthful enthusiasm can energize the team and carry them to the finish line of an 82-game season. Either way, it gives us a chance to have a peak at what these fresh faces might become. Remember these five players for the later rounds in your fantasy drafts next year, or mark them down as keepers in your deep keeper leagues.

Sam Gagner, C, EDM - It is not like Gagner has been flying under the radar, but I do not think that there are many leagues in which he has found his way onto someone's fantasy roster. Lately, he has been heating up and has posted 14 Points over the last month. Gagner definitely has contributed to the fact that the injury-plagued Oilers are still winning some hockey games. With the sale of the team to Daryl Katz, look for the Oilers to try and spend some money this summer and bring in some big-name talent. This can only benefit Gagner's fantasy value for next season and could push him into the 70+ Points category.

Steve Downie, RW, PHI - I like hardnosed hockey, but I think Downie pushes a little past what is acceptable. Regardless, he is a talented player in all facets of the game and could become an invaluable asset in terms of fantasy. During the 2006-07 season in the OHL, Downie racked up 35 Goals, 57 Assists, and 124 PIMs in a measly 45 games. I will admit that the OHL is "junior" hockey and this is the NHL, but those numbers are pretty appealing. Looking to next year, you have a rapidly aging RW Mike Knuble, who may hang up the blades before we know it, and you have LW Simon Gagne, who seems to get a concussion every season and in my opinion has one more big hit left in him before his career is over. The Flyers could be looking for someone to fill the holes left by those two players and Downie would certainly fit right in.

Jiri Tlusty, LW, TOR - Hopefully, Tlusty is done taking naked pictures of himself and will instead concentrate on hockey. With the Leafs looking to a "youth movement" for next season, keep an eye on Tlusty to get a lot of chances at left wing. He has had some time with C Mats Sundin this season... (Read the full article here: Next Year`s Fantasy Surprise Sophomores)

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