Fantasy sports have exploded in popularity in recent years, especially as real-time internet technology has improved. For some, it's a game of high-stakes with big money and, for others, it's a passion. Diehard poolies spent significant time researching and preparing for their respective drafts, often pre-ranking players and even participating in mock drafts. As is the case in pro sports, every year there are players who play their way onto the radar by storming out of the gate. When scouring the waiver wire for these hidden gems, there is always an element of unpredictability. Fantasy owners must, therefore, must delve into the realm of talent evaluation to determine whether these players are worth picking up and, more importantly, worth hanging on to.
Here are four breakout players poised for great seasons.
Steven Stamkos - Tampa Bay Lightning (C)
After a slow start to his rookie campaign, Stamkos emerged as one of Tampa's best forwards in the second half of last season. The 2008 first overall has torn up the league thus far, potting 11 goals in his first 12 games and is tied for 7th in league scoring. Stamkos has found immediate chemistry playing centre with Martin St. Louis and the upstart Ryan Malone. Malone in particular has reaped the benefits, ranking second on the team with 8 goals and third with 11 points. Lightning bench boss Rick Tocchet has done much line shuffling in an attempt to get Vincent Lecavalier, the league's highest paid player at a cool $10 million, going. With Lecavalier sitting on just 2 goals, there have been rumblings that St. Louis might be taken off Stamkos' line to play with Lecavalier. Fantasy owners needn't fret. Stamkos has all-world skill and now has the confidence to go with it. Look for him to finish in the 75-85 point range. Besides, Stamkos will continue to log first unit duties on one of the most talented powerplays in the league. Already the league leader with 5 powerplay goals, his numbers will only increase once Vin the Great gets rolling.
Advice: Play him with confidence. This guy will prove to be one of the more prolific pickups in keeper leagues.
Vaclav Prospal - New York Rangers (LW)
Nobody is better and riding other players' coat tails like Prospal. Usually good for one good season every 3, Prospal's play has proven to be vitally intertwined with whatever impact player he does (or doesn't) play with. Prospal's first 20-goal season was in 1999-2000, when he was skating alongside Daniel Alfredsson and Marian Hossa in Ottawa. He tallied 79 points or more twice in Tampa , his two most prolific seasons as a pro. It's not surprising, then, that his linemates during those campaigns were Brad Richards and Lecavalier (2002-2003) and then Lecavalier and St. Louis (2005-2006). Now, Prospal's tearing it up on Broadway with another supersniper: Marian Gaborik. As Gaborik's dish master, Prospal has 14 assists and 18 points through New York's first 16 games.As long as Gaborik stays healthy, he'll continue to bulge the twine. And Prospal will continue to rack up the points.
The fact that he's playing for a contract won't hurt either.
Advice: Prospal probably couldn't cross the street by himself, he's so dependent on others. But it is what it is. A complimentary player has a place on any successful team, so roll him confidently. Be sure to consistently monitor Gaborik's health, though.
James Neal - Dallas Stars (LW)
If you had never heard of James Neal prior to this season, you probably aren't alone. A second-rounder in 2005, his highest point total since Junior 'A' hockey was a 65 point campaign with the OHL's Plymouth Whalers - he was 18. Neal's first foray into the NHL was productive: In 77 games with the Stars last season he potted 24 goals. This year, there has been no indication of a sophomore slump as Neal is tied for 4th in the NHL with 9 goals and is second in Stars' scoring 17 points in 15 games. While it's unlikely Neal will maintain his torrid pace, Neal should continue to produce at a decent clip as long as Brad Richards is his center. Richards, fully recovered from hand injuries that limited him to 56 games last year, looks poised for a renaissance season.
Advice: Neal is a big body who can shoot out the lights from close range and with Richards putting the puck on his stick, should be a cornerstone of the Stars' offense for years to come. Continue to start him and, if you're in a keeper league, hold onto this gem.
Rich Peverley - Atlanta Thrashers (C)
Much like Neal, Peverley has only recently entered the NHL consciousness. Unlike Neal, however, all 30 NHL teams passed on him in his draft year and he was not signed until the age of 24, in 2007. Nevertheless, the Guelph, Ontario native might just be hockey's most unheralded point-per-game players. Since being acquired from Nasvhille halfway through last season, Peverley has done nothing but produce. In 50 games, he has 51 points. This season he has roared out of the gate, putting up 16 points in 11 games on a team that is paper-thin up front. If you are part of the minority who happen to own Peverley in your league, don't fret: the 4-6 weeks without injured star Ilya Kovalchuk isn't looking as bleak as you might think. In three games without the Russian sniper, Peverley has six points.
Advice: Continue to play him until he gives you a reason to do otherwise.
Stay tuned for the next installment, which will cover Fantasy Hockey Pretenders.
