NHL’s Top 10 Sleepers

By E. Spencer Kyte
Love of Sports Correspondent

Not only is it a highly underrated and forgotten movie, but Sleepers in any sport are one of my favorite things to talk about.

How could they not be?

If you’re wrong, who cares, because it’s not like you said these guys were going to win the scoring title or anything like that. No, they’re just guys who might be worth taking a late round gamble on in your fantasy leagues and hockey pools.

But if they pan out, you’re an instant genius, the king of your league or pool and the most hated man in your circle of friends, until you start spreading out your league winnings at the bar once the season’s over.

So, keep this list under lock and key and send a beer my way at the end of the year.

NHL’s Top Sleeper Stars

10. Todd Bertuzzi, Calgary

Why not start off with a bang, huh? If he’s healthy and the passion is there, Bertuzzi’s going to get every opportunity to prove he still has skills in Calgary this season.

9. Tim Connelly, Buffalo

Do ya know those guys who are really good players, but always seem to get hurt so no one ever drafts them? Connelly is their spokesperson. But you have to think that one of these years he’s going to avoid the injury bug and put his point-per-game average to use over the course of an entire season.

8. Radim Vrbata. Tampa Bay

Quietly amassed 27 goals in the Phoenix desert last year and shifts to Tampa this season where he’ll be surrounded by more proven talents and some kid named Stamkos.

7. Matt Carle, Tampa Bay

Expected to be the offensive catalyst from the blueline in San Jose, Carle was shipped to Tampa in exchange for a more proven commodity in Dan Boyle. That doesn’t mean that still won’t blossom given a fresh start and some sharp-shooting teammates in Tampa Bay.

6. Andrew Ladd, Chicago

Ladd gets to be the energy banger with good hands skating next to two of the best young talents in the game in Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. He just happened to be traded this offseason for ...

5. Tuomu Ruutu, Carolina

He expects to flourish in his new digs. Ruutu escapes the pressure and glare of Chicago eyes that were constantly waiting for him to blossom.

4. Joe Corvo, Carolina

The only offensive defenseman in Carolina, Corvo mans the point on the power play and will benefit from the acquisition of a solid puck-moving partner in Joni Pitkanen. Offensive defensemen are just as hard to come by in fantasy hockey as they are in the real deal.

3. Michael Nylander, Washington

Alexander Semin’s proven himself to be a legitimate threat alongside Alexander Ovechkin in Washington. Coach Bruce Boudreau’s a sharp enough man to know that two lines with scoring potential are better than one, so expect to see Semin on the second line. And just who will be centering that line? Bingo! Nylander missed half of last season due to injuries too, so he could slip a little more than expected.

2. Gilbert Brule, Edmonton

When you only score one goal all year, there really isn’t anywhere to go but up. While some want to label Brule a flop, the truth is he was rushed to the NHL by a talent-starved Blue Jackets team and then sent packing before his 22nd birthday. Given a fresh start with some youthful talent in Edmonton, Brule just could blossom into the player many expected him to be when he was selected sixth overall in 2005.

1. Joe Pavelski, San Jose

The Sharks have too much offensive talent for Pavelski not to improve on his 40 points from last season. He’s slated to center the second line, and new head coach Todd McLellan is a lot more offensive minded than former boss Ron Wilson.