Fantasy: 5 players to target on the Arizona Coyotes
With your fantasy draft just around the corner, theScore's Ian McLaren and Darren Kritzer take a look at 5 players you should consider drafting this season.
Top Targets
Keith Yandle
Over the last four seasons, the former fourth round pick by the Coyotes in the 2005 draft has been one of the best offensive defenseman in the game. After a breakout campaign in 2010-11, when he scored 11 goals and added 48 assists in 82 games, Yandle experienced a bit of a drop off in assists the next season, netting just 32 in 82 games, but it didn't stop fantasy owners from making him a top-10 defenseman going forward.
Yandle, who hasn't missed a regular-season game since 2008-09, is a reliable offensive force that you should consider drafting early. His 53 points one year ago ranked him 6th in the league behind the likes of Karlsson, Keith, Weber, Hedman, and Subban and his 31 power play points and 241 shots will help win you that category.
The only negative - the goal total - which has decreased every year since 2009-10.
Proceed With Caution
Mikkel Boedker
Boedker is an interesting player, and one you might have considered keeping this summer in your pool. The 34-year-old winger recorded career-highs in goals (19), assists (32), points (51), power play points (16), shots (166) one season ago, and could be in line for a 70-point season this year if he can stay healthy. Boedker recorded nine multi-point games in 2013-14, and should once again see plenty of time on the power play with newcomer Sam Gagner.
Head coach Dave Tippett was impressed with his improved play last season saying he "took real positive steps' and should see more time on the ice overall for a team that should fight until the end for a playoff position.
Mike Smith
Mike Smith owners have been waiting for the 2011-12 version to return the last few seasons to no avail. Since notching a 38-win season in 2011-12, with a 2.21 GAA and .930 save percentage, Smith dropped way off in 2012-13 with a 2.58 GAA and .910 save percentage, making owners scratch their heads on what was to come.
Last season, Smith appeared in 62 games, and went 27-21-10 with a 2.64 GAA (30th in the league) and .915 save percentage (25th in the league). The rankings tell the story with Smith - he's not a reliable fantasy goalie anymore - putting him in the neighborhood of a Jonas Hiller and Marc-Andre Fleury. He will get his starts, so he's still worth the gamble, just don't jump on him too early.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Ekman-Larsson made a name for himself in fantasy last season, as the emerging star notched a career-high 15 goals and 29 assists in 80 games. In theScore's defensman composite rankings, the 23-year-old came in as the 6th best at the position, right behind teammate Keith Yandle.
If you're trying decide to pick between the likes of Kris Letang, Victor Hedman, Mark Giordano or Ekman-Larsson, go with the Coyotes D-man, this will be his season to shine.
Take A Flier On
Shane Doan
Fantasy owners have started to shy away from the former 12-time 20 plus goal scorer, but a look at last year's numbers make you wonder if the 37-year-old forward still has plenty in the tank for another season.
Doan's points per game average of 0.68 was his best since the 2010-11 season, and he was one of only 18 players in the league to score more than 10 power play goals.
Losing Mike Ribeiro and Radim Vrabta's offense will hurt Doan a bit unless newcomer Sam Gagner and Max Domi step up their game.
If Doan is still sitting their in the middle of the draft, take a chance on him. A healthy Doan may be able to net a 50 plus point season for the 12th time in his career.