You Want These Penguins on Your Fantasy Hockey Team

This is an exciting time to be a Penguins fan.  Hope for what could be, is with everyone.  Fantasy Hockey Owners everywhere are scouring the NHL Stats pages as we speak.  Some are looking at the obvious, others are creating spreadsheets to “one-up” everyone on Fantasy Draft Day.

There are so many different Fantasy Hockey Pools out there, I will not try to over dissect this.  Let’s assume you are in a 10-Team Fantasy League and a wrap-a-round style Draft (snake draft).

Here are some Penguins whom I think you should consider drafting…

Crosby #87 – F – 2021-2022 stats (17 Years)

Goals:31 -for the 10th time.

Assists:53 – for the 9th time.

Points:84 -for the 11th time. (24th overall in the NHL in Points this year)

Games Played:69 – for the 11th time.

#87 Career Stats

Goals: 517 = 500+ Career NHL Goals Scored to date.

Points: 1409 = 1400+ Career Points Scored to date.

#87 makes $8,700,000. Per Yr – Pending Free Agent: 2025-26

Fantasy Pool Notes:

Crosby still has the talent as well as the touch. He reached some lofty Career Milestones in Goals and Points last season.

Take note, #87 is excited to have his band mates, Letang and Malkin signed for the next four plus years.  A happy Sid bodes well for the Penguins and Fantasy Owners Who Pick Him.

His health is always a yellow flag as you know.  If the Rangers Trouba #8 doesn’t elbow Sid in the head, in round one of the NHL Playoffs, who knows right?

Points Fantasy Pool:

He averaged 1.2 points per game, which means he can still produce with the Top Guns of the NHL.  Probably a 2nd or 3rd Round Pick based on 84 points.

Goals Fantasy Pool:

Given the team around him, Sid looks to be a lock for another 30-goal season.  Probably a 3rd Round Pick based on his 31 Goals.

Guentzel #59 – F – 2021-2022 stats (6 Years)
Goals: 40 -for the 2nd time.

Assists: 44 – Career Best Stats this year.

Points: 84 – Career Best Stats this year. (24th overall in the NHL)

Games Played: 76 -for the 3rd time.

#59 Career Stats

Points: 341 = 300+ Career Points Scored to date.

Games Played: 375 = 300+ Games played in his Career to date.

#59 makes $6,000,000. Per Yr – Pending Free Agent: 2024-25

Fantasy Pool Notes:

Guentzel plays with Crosby on the Penguins #1 line as well as on the Penguins #1 Power Play.  Guentzel had an All-Star season last year.   We knew he had it in him all along.  We are expecting the same kind of production this season.

Points Fantasy Pool:

He averaged 1.1 points per game, which means he can produce.  Probably a 2nd or 3rd Round Pick based on 84 points.

Goals Fantasy Pool:

Two years of scoring 40 goals means he is entering sniper territory.  The Penguins will be much the same team as last year, so expect the same production from #59.  Probably a late 1st Round or 2nd Round Pick based on his 40 Goals.

Some of you are in Hockey Fantasy Pools that require a certain amount of Position Players, like Defensemen and or Goalies.  This section is for you.

Letang #58 – D – 2021-2022 stats (16 Years)
Goals: 10 – for the 8th time.

Assists: 58 – Career Best Stats this year.

Points: 68 – Career Best Stats this year.

Games Played: 78 – for the 3rd time.

Ice Time: 25.47 – 4th overall in the NHL in Mins Played / Game.

#58 Career Stats

Assists: 506 = 500+ Career Assists Scored to date.

Points 650 = 600 + Career Assists Scored to date.

Games Played: 941 = 900+ Career Games Played to date.

#58 makes $6,100,000. Per Yr – Pending Free Agent: 2027-28

Fantasy Pool Notes:

Letang may have just played the best hockey of his career.  Funny, when you have something to prove, it brings out the best in you.  With his legacy as a “Penguin for Life” cemented, his new contract and money in the bank, you can expect a slight drop off in production.

Points Fantasy Pool:

Letang scored a career best 68 points and played a ton last year. There is a lot of miles on those legs and his body has been in a lot of battles over his career.  The Penguins traded for some help on the blueline, so I expect a slight drop off, say to 50+ points.  Probably a 2nd Round Pick based on 50+ point prediction.

Jarry #35 – G – 2021-2022 stats (5 Years)
Wins: 34 – Career Best stats this year. (8th overall in the NHL)

Save %: .919 – for the 2nd time.  (5th overall in the NHL)

Goals Against Average:2.42 – Career Best stats this year. (6th overall in the NHL)

Shut Outs: 4 – Career Best stats this year. (5th overall in the NHL)

Games Played: 58 – Career Best stats this year.

#35 makes $3,500,000. Per Yr – Pending Free Agent: 2023-24

Fantasy Pool Notes:

Jarry finally showed up and played like the All-Star we thought he could be.  From Mid- November until Mid-March I argued that he might win the Vezina Trophy.  He played that well.  Of course, as we know he got injured just before playoffs and we all know what happened next.

Heads up: #35 will be an Unrestricted Free Agent in 2023-2024.  Remember what I said about, “when you have something to prove, it brings out the best in you”.  Guess who has something to prove?  To Himself, that he is an elite NHL Goalie, to the Penguins, so they can “Show him the Money”, and to the Fans, so we can celebrate another Penguins Championship.

Championship teams are built around a strong goalie and Jarry has something to prove.  I’m excited to see how it plays out.

Points Fantasy Pool:

Wins/GAA/Save%/Shut Outs:  I expect at least the same production or better from #35.  Probably a 1st Round Pick based on all stats from last year.

My View from the Cheap Seats    

Section: TV    

Row: PVR    

Seat: The Couch

Fantasy Draft Day is one of the happiest days throughout the year.  Enjoy the research. Enjoy reading up on players.  Enjoy creating your own Player Draft List, and most importantly, enjoy the process.

You never know how the draft order let alone the draft itself will play out.  You also never know how the season will play out. So, stay flexible, draft with your head as well as your heart.

I understand that uneasy feeling in the gut, immediately after the draft.  Just enjoy the process, pick some Penguins, and good luck to you.

Quote of the Day:

“Cause ya had a bad day”

Song – Bad Day – Daniel Powter/ Singer-Songwriter