Players on the Move (Up)

Ouellet - Michel Ouellet put up decent numbers last season with Pittsburgh, but nothing noteworthy for fantasy managers. Things will be different, however, in Tampa Bay as he will get far more ice time and more opportunity. The Lightning were looking to find a winger who could help Brad Richards put up numbers like he did in 05-06. Ouellet is a perfect fit, a winger with a nose for the net who also played juniors with Richards in Rimouski. The reunited Oceanic forwards should put up big numbers in Tampa as Richards, one of the games best passing and set-up centers, will be feeding Ouellet for goals all year long on the seconds line. Ouellet would not have even been drafted last year, but this year picking him up late in the draft could end up becoming one of your best decisions of the draft. What's to lose? If he does end up only marginally improving from last season, that will still put him over 20 goals and 30 assists, not bad for a late pick. In my league I chose Ouellet in the 12th round and could become one of the true steals of the draft. Look for him to post close to or over 30 goals and at least a decent amount of assists.

Rafalski - I know, Rafalski already has a reputation as a great defenseman who puts up solid numbers in the assist category year after year, but this season he should improve even more on those numbers in Detroit feeding star wingers Datsyuk and Zetterberg. This season he could push close to 60 assists and 75 points, excellent numbers for even a forward. In most leagues he should go around the 4th or 5th round. In my league I lucked out and picked him up in the 7th round. Not bad for a defenseman who consistently puts up more than 50 points.

Sydor - Darryl Sydor should put up close to 50 points this season, back to his old form from the late 90's. The past few years Sydor put up low numbers on a fantasy standpoint, but this year he will be feeding young superstars Crosby, Malkin, and Staal. In my league Sydor went undrafted, but for deeper leagues or for those looking for a solid defenseman you could get away with picking him up in your last round, which will likely pay out. If not, you can always drop him during the season and you didn't waste a value pick.