Free Agent Targets

In 2010/2011 it was Jeff Skinner. In 2011/2012 it was Adam Henrique. In 2012/2013 it was Nazem Kadri. Each year there is a young guy who flies under everyone's radar at the draft but emerges as a fantasy stud, only to be too young to qualify as a free agent under our rules. Skinner went first overall the following year, ahead of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Henrique went third in 2012, before David Perron and Alex Galchenyuk.* This year, Kadri went second, the only player selected in the top five who was not part of the 2013 NHL draft class.

This season, we are still waiting for that coveted young player to emerge. I like to think that we are becoming better scouts, that Tomas Hertl is this year's Jeff Skinner and that we (okay, Rome) got him. In fact, nine of the current top 10 rookie scorers were owned or drafted before the season began.

One early candidate for the player we all want but can't have is Reilly Smith. Acquired from the Dallas Stars as part of the trade that saw Boston give up Tyler Seguin, Smith is a a relatively unheralded third-round pick that later developed into a sniper in college. In his last two collegiate years he netted 58 goals in 77 games. College success does not always translate to NHL success (as Smith's former college teammate and 71-point scorer, Andy Miele, knows all too well), but Smith had 35 points in 45 games as a rookie for the AHL's Texas Stars, so we know that he can play the professional game. Projected as a third-liner this year, Smith has been promoted at times to the second line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. He is on pace for 54 points.

Another candidate is Eric Gelinas, a New Jersey Devils defencemen you've probably already noticed if, like everyone except Greg, you're desperately looking for help on the blueline. Although ineligible as a free agent, the second-round pick is scoring at a 45-point pace (which is almost certainly unsustainable, although it's not too far off from his AHL pace).

I have a few other candidates in mind but I'll save them for future posts.

In the meantime, here are some eligible free agents I would consider adding if I needed to patch up an injury or just shake things up (I don't, my team is awesome):

F Wayne Simmonds, PHI - The Mackhawks let this beloved keeper go after a slow start. As the Flyers have righted the ship, Simmonds' fantasy game has improved, earning 10 points in his last 14 games. He's working the top powerplay unit with Claude Giroux. I recommend adding him and rubbing it in the Mackhawks' face.

F Scottie Upshall, FLA - One of my favourite hockey-isms is when guys have nicknames as first names, like Scottie, Dougie, and Johnny. That aside aside, injury-prone Upshall has never had any fantasy Up-side-at-all, until this year. On pace to demolish his career best 32 points, Upshall presently has 17 points, all but one of which have come in the last 19 games(!). The veteran is getting it done with Huberdeau and Bjugstad on the Panthers' top line and top powerplay unit. Add him and cross your fingers that he stays hot and stays off the IR.

F Matt Stajan, CGY - This pass-first centre will not get you a lot of goals, but he is second amongst Flames' forwards in TOI per game, averaging 19.5 minutes. After missing most of October, Stajan has been scoring at a 55-point pace, although he does not play with the man advantage.

D Andy Greene, NJD - Veteran Andy Greene once put up 37 points, but that was four seasons ago. This season he's on pace for exactly 37 again. Two encouraging signs are that Greene is manning the second powerplay unit and he has found 11 of his 14 points in the last 16 games. He's putting up points despite the Devils' difficulty scoring goals (28th in NHL).

D Matt Bartkowski, BOS - The 25-year-old had seen just 20 NHL games over the past three seasons, but has dressed for 16 games this year and earned 6 assists. The main reason he warrants consideration is that the Bruins blueline has been decimated by injuries. With Adam McQuaid, Johnny Boychuk and Dougie Hamilton all out, Bartkowski simply has to get more time and will certainly feature on at least the second powerplay unit.

*Schizz was probably the only person who would have taken Henrique in the first round.