2014 Fantasy Hockey Sleeper: C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
By Adam McGill
@adammcgill83twitter.com
Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Since being drafted first overall in the 2011 NHL Draft, Edmonton Oilers C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been a popular fantasy hockey selection.
In his rookie season, he finished with 52 points in only 62 games. He finished with 18 goals and 34 assists, including 20 helpers on the power play. He was well on his way to becoming one of the top pivots in all of fantasy.
In 80 games last season, The Nuge racked up a meager 56 points (19 G/37 A). He was plagued by shoulder injury from the beginning of the season and it seemed to linger for weeks after he got back on the ice. It was all-around disappointing season.
After his lackluster season, Nugent-Hopkins has saw his fantasy value drastically fall. According to CBS Sports, Nugent-Hopkins has an Average Draft Position (A.D.P) of 112.6 and is currently the 23rd ranked center. He is similarly undervalued in ESPN formats. He is ranked as the 101st overall player and has an ADP of 131.5, which is even lower than CBS formats. He is currently be drafted as a reserve player in most formats, which is shocking considering this kid’s potential.
Despite the lingering concern about the young center, I am one person who has complete faith in this kid. He is very creative offensively and knows how to move without the puck. Even better, he is sandwiched between LW Taylor Hall and RW Jordan Eberle, two of the best young wingers in hockey. Nugent-Hopkins has everything in place to have a huge season, and as long as he stays healthy, a 70-point season is completely possible for the talented center.
If you are looking for steal in the middle of the draft this fall, don’t hesitate to scoop up Nugent-Hopkins.
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.
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