Sophomore Predictions – Left Wing

Tune in to this article series for fantasy predictions and analysis on the top 5 sophomores at every position. Using NHL guidelines, a sophomore is anyone who played more than 25 games last season, and who qualified to compete for the Calder trophy. The crop of players entering their second full season can be ripe with potential and often is the type of off the radar pickup that can propel your fantasy team atop the standings. Last year, second year players such as Jaden Schwartz, Brandon Saad, and Gustav Nyquist broke out, while Nail Yakupov and Calder Trophy winner Jonathan Huberdeau were victims of the sophomore slump. Who will it be this year?

Left Wing
Center
Right Wing
Defenseman
Goalies

5. Patrick Maroon, LW, Anaheim Ducks

An underrated acquisition for the Ducks back in 2011, Maroon followed up 4 excellent years of seasoning in the AHL with his first full season in the NHL. Playing primarily alongside Mathieu Perrault and Teemu Selanne, Maroon posted a respectable 29 points in 62 games. He’s shown he has the capability of complementing skilled players by using his large body and solid hands, and figures to remain a top 6 option for coach Bruce Boudreau. Following the departure of both Selanne and Perrault, Maroon figures to be a complementing forward to the fantasy goldmine of Getzlaf-Perry, or slotting in down a line with newly acquired Ryan Kesler. His 101 minutes spent in the sin bin add fantasy versatility while sporting the upside of playing for a proven Anaheim Ducks squad.

Final Thought: 76 GP, 19 G, 25 A, +14, 132 PIM

4. Boone Jenner, LW, Columbus Blue Jackets

After scoring 45 goals in 56 games in the OHL for the Oshawa Generals in 2012-2013, the Blue Jackets decided he only needed 5 games of AHL seasoning before bringing him up to the big leagues. Though last year wasn’t spectacular, Jenner showed his goalscoring capabilities by potting 16 goals in 72 games last year; a solid mark for any first year NHLer. Following the explosion of Ryan Johansen and their first playoff berth since 2008-2009, Jenner is a large part of what is a promising youth movement in Columbus. He’ll play alongside the aforementioned Johansen all year (assuming he gets his contract settled), which is without a doubt the ideal Jackets centreman to be flanking. Don’t look for a sophomore slump to be in the cards for this young goalscorer

Final Thought: 80 GP, 24 G, 22 A, +4, 60 PIM

3. Tomas Hertl, LW, San Jose Sharks

The teenage mutant ninja Hertl took the league by storm last October by following up an impressive 2 goal game against the Coyotes with a ludicrous 4 goal explosion three days later against the Rangers. He slowed down prior to requiring knee surgery in December, but had a strong showing in the playoffs before the Sharks’ dreams came crashing down against the Kings. Hertl has all the tools – speed, size, and exceptional hands – to wreak havoc on opposing defenders for years to come. Despite San Jose’s premature first round exit, they still have one of the deepest forward groups in the league and whether he’s playing with Jumbo Joe Thornton or “the other” Joe Pavelski, Hertl should be an excellent later round pick.

Final Thought: 73 GP, 28 G, 24 A, +21, 14 PIM

2. Chris Kreider, LW, New York Rangers

Kreider broke onto the scene in the 2012 playoffs by scoring 5 goals in 18 games and being the sparkplug that then-coach John Tortorella loves to feed ice time. The next year, Kreider fell out of favor with Torts and spent the majority of the year in the minors.

This past season was different. Kreider earned the trust of new coach Alain Vigneault in 2014 and, playing primarily with Derek Stepan and Rick Nash, posted 37 points in 66 games. Kreider has blazing speed and a quick release which generates plenty of rebounds and all sorts of mayhem for opposing defences. Following a solid rookie season, he was a big factor in the Rangers’ deep playoff run with 13 points in 15 games, thus slightly raising expectations for the upcoming season. Expect over 2 shots per game from Kreider along with a healthy dose of penalty minutes.

Final Thought: 76 GP, 27 G, 34 A, +15, 86 PIM

1. Ondrej Palat, LW, Tampa Bay Lightning

If two years ago you would have told me that Ondrej Palat would be the top rated sophomore left winger, I would have called you crazy. Not anymore. Palat and the young Tampa Bay Lightning not only filled the scoring void left by Stamkos’ leg injury and St. Louis’ departure, they improved drastically from it. Palat was one of many young players required to step up, and with 59 points in 81 games, the former 7th round pick did just that. Palat displayed the consistency all poolies love by finishing the season with 44 points in the last 42 games, a remarkable second half of the season for the young Czech. Expect Palat’s high hockey IQ and professionalism to produce another consistent season, complemented by a high plus/minus rating.

Final Thought: 27G, 41 A, +26, 24 PIM