Colby Armstrong, RW, Penguins: His late-season surge might have caught some unsuspecting fantasy owners by surprise, and what a shocking finish it was. All Armstrong did in his 47-game stint to finish the season was lead the team in plus/minus, at plus-15, quite an endorsement of his all-around ability on a team that was outscored by its opponents by 72 goals. Plus, Armstrong was so good so quickly, he found his way onto Sidney Crosby's line, where he managed 11 goals, 25 points and a plus-17 in 23 games after the Olympic break. He'll begin this year in that same role, and on the team's underrated first power-play unit, meaning a point-per-game pace wouldn't be unheard of.
Steve Bernier, RW, Sharks: Knowing your lines is a key aspect of unearthing fantasy hockey sleepers and bargains, and there are few better line combinations in the league than the top two units on San Jose's roster. We all know about the Sharks' top unit, which features Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo, but that second line is a good one as well, with the developing Patrick Marleau and Bernier, one of the better up-and-coming power forwards in the league. Bernier's toughness and wicked shot make him a good candidate for surprising goals and penalty minutes totals, as we saw in the Sept. 27 preseason game, in which he registered a hat trick and seven penalty minutes. A 25-goal, 100-PIM season is possible, and while we're at it, let's also suggest Mark Bell, the first-line left winger, and Milan Michalek, the second-line left winger, as potential fantasy bargains.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
