The Western Conference semifinals are set as the Calgary Flames will meet the Anaheim Ducks for the Pacific Division championship while the Minnesota Wild will face the Chicago Blackhawks for the Central Division title. Let’s now take a look at some of the top fantasy bargains that could loom large in the second round of the playoffs.
C – Ryan Kesler – Anaheim
Kesler will likely open in the range of $7,500 to $8,000. Kesler gives the Ducks an element of grit and sandpaper that they lacked in the past two playoff seasons of failure. Kesler is off to an outstanding start to the post season with three goals and two assists in four games with a plus-two. Although he operates in the shadow of number one center and team captain Ryan Getzlaf, Kesler would be a bona fide number one center on many other teams.
RW – Marian Hossa – Chicago
Hossa should open at around $5,500. Hossa plays in the shadow of Chicago’s number one right wing Patrick Kane but can bring plenty of potential fantasy value and production in the playoffs. Hossa had five assists in the opening round win over the Nashville Predators and finished the regular season with 22 goals and 39 assists.
LW – Thomas Vanek -Minnesota
Vanek should open around $5,000. Few players bring so much unfulfilled promise as Vanek, not to mention the aggravation of fans and fantasy owners. Yet it is that potential of a hot streak that makes Vanek potentially appealing. Vanek had two assists and a minus two in the first round against the St. Louis Blues which means that he can bring plenty of potential upside for this series. Vanek finished with 21 goals and 31 assists in the regular season which adds to the perception of his potential for fantasy production.
D – Sami Vatanen – Anaheim
Vatanen should open in the area of $4,500. When the top offensive defensemen in the game are discussed you rarely here Vatanen’s name come up but it should. Vatanen is also off to a solid start in the playoffs with two goals, three assists and a plus-four. He had a solid regular season with 12 goals and 25 assists and is improving rapidly. Anaheim’s defense rarely earns much in the way of accolades but that could be changing soon with Vatanen’s emergence.
D – Denis Wideman – Calgary
Wideman should open at around $4,500. The Flames still have the reputation of being a lunch bucket type of team that works hard but lacks talent. The fact of the matter is that the Flames have plenty of young and emerging talent that is beginning to establish credibility. Wideman is more of a veteran presence at age 32 and his value cannot be underestimated. Wideman finished with 15 goals, 41 assists and a plus-six in the regular season.
Wideman has had to full more of the burden on defense since top defenseman and team captain Mark Giordano has been sidelined with a season ending injury. Wideman has four assists and a plus-two so far in the playoffs against the top opposing lines each game. Because of Calgary’s reputation as all work and no talent, their players continue to bring enhanced fantasy value. With the Flames as an underdog in their series against the Ducks they should continue to command good prices.
G – Frederik Andersen – Anaheim
Anderson should open at around $8,000. The 25-year-old Andersen is looking much more confident after gaining valuable playoff experience last year when the Ducks went down to the Los Angeles Kings. Andersen posted a .924 save percentage in the first round win over Winnipeg. The Ducks and Andersen will be quite confident after their opening round sweep of the Jets.
Sleeper – Patrick Sharp – Chicago
Sharp should open at around $6,000. Sharp is in his contract option year and would love to build up the resume for when he becomes a free agent this summer. Sharp had three goals and two assists in the first round against Nashville and finished the regular season with 16 goals and 27 assists. Sharp also gets lost in the hype over Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane but has long been one of the most valuable Blackhawks.
