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The midway point of the 2013-14 fantasy hockey season is quickly approaching. It has been a season full of injuries and breakout performances, but everyone deserves a little time off. So before we officially hit the turn, here are my picks for the midseason fantasy hockey awards.
MVP – C Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins – In just 46 games this season, Sid the Kid is leading the league with an incredible 67 points. He has scored 25 goals and added 43 helpers on the year and the superstar is running away with the fantasy MVP this season.
BUST – C Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning – When Stamkos ran into the goal post in a November 11th game and ended up breaking the shin in his right leg, it was obviously a freak injury. Stamkos had a respectable 23 points (14 G/9 A) in 17 games before the injury and was having another All-Star season. However, the center’s grueling injury has left the top drafted player in most formats on the sideline for the last couple months. Most had him penciled in for 100 points this year, but after missing half the year due to injury, Stamkos will be lucky to hit the 50-point plateau.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – C Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche – MacKinnon has quietly racked up 29 points on the year, including 15 goals and 14 helpers. The center was the first overall selection in the 2013 NHL draft and the teenager has quickly become a fantasy star. Mac is on pace to finish with over 50 points in his first year and he is easily the frontrunner for Fantasy Rookie of the Year.
BIGGEST SURPRISE – RW Kyle Okposo, New York Islanders – Not many people banked on Okposo averaging nearly a point per game this season, especially since he averaged just 0.5 point per game last year. However, his 46 points through the team’s first 48 games this season has been a pleasant surprise for fantasy owners. He is currently tied for 13th in the league in points and has easily been the biggest surprise of the 2013-14 fantasy season.
Adam McGill is the Senior Fantasy Sports Writer at Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @adammcgill83, like him on Facebook, or add him to you networks on Google here or here.
