Tommy’s Top Ten Tuesday

December 14, 2009 – Tommy Miron

I love feel good stories in sports, not just hockey. For my first instalment of Tommy’s TopTen Tuesday, I’ve decided to list the top ten players that if you drafted them in fantasy, have made you look like a hockey god among men. They players are only listed in order of current points, but keep in mind that all ten are superbly genius picks.

1. Dustin Penner (EDM, RW)

In just 32 games played Penner has 18 goals and 18 assists; significant because in 78 games last year he had 17 goals and 20 assists. For a guy that was constantly dogged for his pay cheque, he’s certainly earning his money this year, and the Oilers are winners of five straight on the road in which he’s totalled 3 goals and 3 assists.

2. Tomas Plekanec (MTL, C)

After a less than dazzling campaign, Pleksi has already amassed 34 points in his first 34 games; 28 of which were helpers. Not such a great pick if you play for goals, but this guy is putting up numbers like bingo night at the retirement home. He leads the Canadiens who signed a ton of high priced producers to do the job.

3. Wojtek Wolski (COL, LW)

Alongside the impressive start to the season for the Avs, Wolski is one of many young players (such as Paul Stastny) to provide the team with clutch goals on a regular basis. He already has 13 and 20 this year, and if he continues to play like he has, the Polish left winger can expect a lot of interest from rival GM in his contract year (2010/11)

4. Steven Stamkos (TB, C)

Although pointless in his last five, the Lighning sophomore has 17 goals and 13 helpers in 32 games this year. He’s living up to his expectations formed on draft day with a surprising increase in strength, with continually smooth hands. He leads the team in goals, and sits only second to Martin St. Louis in points (30 to St. Louis’ 33). A return to form may make the latest Lecavalier trade rumors to the Rangers and Kings a reality.

5. Rich Peverley (ATL, C)

The only player that I can actually say I picked this year in fantasy, Peverley was rewarded early in the season for his efforts with a new ctwo-year contract and a hefty raise from his miniscule six-figure contract. 30 points in 31 games makes this guy worth every cent of 2.6 million, and has complimented one of the game’s best goal scorers while adding to the success of an otherwise wheeling franchise.

6. Mike Fisher (OTT, C)

Despite only scoring 13 golas last year in Ottawa’s most pitiful season in recent memory, Fish already has 14 this year and has been Ottawa’s best all round player game in and game out amongst the likes of Kovalev, Spezza, and on most levels Alfie. His remarkable two way game has sparked “whispers” about a possible birth on Canada’s Olympic team, but someone should be screaming his name in Steve Yzerman’s ear. This guy is the real deal. And I don’t care who he’s dating, give the man some privacy.

7. James Neal (DAL, LW)

27 points in 28 games. 3 goals and 2 assists in his last five. Grab a dictionary and look up “consistency”. Second on the Stars in scoring tied with Loui Eriksson, who with Brendan Morrow make up a ménage of left wingers that any GM would be envious of. It’s also nice to see him become famous for something other than ending a player’s season….with a fight.

8. Matt Moulson (NYI, LW)

Sitting fifteenth in the league in goals, and already with 25 points, the Kings may be kicking themselves for letting this guy go. In the year of a Tavares, Moulson only trails the phenom by 2 points, both being assists. A very impressive first full season thus far for this kid. Take a good long look at him when making your next set of picks.

9. Bobby Ryan (ANA, RW)

Having a great year as was, Ryan has stepped it up in the absence of Teemu Selanne on the right side for a Ducks team that is far removed from their once unbeatable reputation. Although he was drafted second overall in 2005 many would say that he is simply livng up to expectations. But this guy is almost a lock for the American team in Feburary and could cause a lot of a headaches on an team that is already sure to be stacked with talent. Oh yeah, and he has 7 points in his last 5 games. Decent.

10. Brooks Laich (WAS, C)

Although you’d look like a homer picking any forward on the Caps, Laich is on pace to have a career season; and if you have him, you’d be quick to point out that the only Caps to have more points than him go by the names of Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom and Green. You gotta feel good for this guy, and you gotta feel envy if someone else in your pool scooped him up. A minus 3 in his last two games is about all I can hold against the guy.

As always, thanks for reading my column, and I hope I’ve made you feel a little better about your knowledge of hockey, or a little bit more eager to posting on your trash talk board tomorrow. If you haven’t already.

Keep your heads up Hockey Fans.