FHL: Recap

Updated: April 18, 2006, 4:21 PM ET
By Tristan H. Cockcroft | ESPN Fantasy Games
Another fantasy hockey season is just about in the books, and the NHL playoffs kick off later this week. And what a year it was. After a season off due to the lockout, the NHL returned in full force, with a faster style, higher scoring and less clutching and grabbing. In short, it was a more exciting game, and one that drew the fans back quicker than expected.

Just look at those scoring totals: NHL teams have averaged 3.02 goals per game in 2005-06, a vast improvement over the 2.57 rate in 2003-04, the year before the lockout. Once the season ends tonight, six players -- and possibly nine -- will have cracked the 100-point plateau, after no one topped 94 points in 2003-04; and four players -- possibly five -- will have cracked the 50-goal plateau, after no one scored more than 41 times in 2003-04. Offense was certainly on the rise, and we can only hope it's a trend here to stay. It sure makes for a more interesting NHL, and fantasy, game.

Speaking of fantasy, now that the regular season, and with it our season, is coming to a close, let's take a look back at this year's most notable standouts:


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Tristan H. Cockcroft | email

Fantasy
  • Staff writer for ESPN.com
  • Two-time LABR, 2012 Tout Wars Champion
  • Member of FSWA Hall of Fame

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