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Fantasy Hockey: 10 Biggest Surprises From First Half

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By @kaylademint

Fantasy Hockey: 10 Biggest Surprises From First Half

FantasySurprises
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

A successful fantasy hockey season is part knowledge, part luck. Sometimes you pick someone who's expected it to be atop the fantasy charts only to disappoint and sometimes you pick someone in the fifth round who ends up being on top. Here are the 10 biggest fantasy hockey surprises from the first half of the season.

10. Dustin Byfuglien

Dustin Byfuglien
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

10. Dustin Byfuglien

Dustin Byfuglien
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Dustin Byfuglien of the Winnipeg Jets is probably the most well rounded fantasy player you can pick up. He might not lead the league in points, penalties or hits, but he ranks among the top in all categories; plus he’s listed as a right wing or defenseman, so there’s flexibility on your roster. He’s been impressive enough to move him up to 20th overall after originally being ranked 132.

9. Filip Forsberg

Filip Forsberg
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

9. Filip Forsberg

Filip Forsberg
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Filip Forsberg has been the talk amongst rookies in the NHL this season, as the youngster has set the league on fire. Playing on a strong Nashville Predators team, Forsberg puts up solid offensive numbers, has a pretty good amount of hits for a goal scorer and is listed as a center, left wing or right wing giving you more flexibility in your roster. He’s also an impressive plus-25.

8. Frederik Andersen

Frederik Andersen
Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

8. Frederik Andersen

Frederik Andersen
Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Though Frederik Andersen has shown a lot of potential for the Anaheim Ducks, it was questionable as to whether or not that potential would evolve into full-fledged talent as a full NHL goaltender. So far, the netminder has been impressive, and it helps that he plays on one of the best teams in the NHL so you can collect a lot of wins and count on his consistency.

7. Jakub Voracek

Jakub Voracek
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

7. Jakub Voracek

Jakub Voracek
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

In an offensive pool, the Philadelphia Flyers’ Jakub Voracek is an All-Star. He’s currently leading the league in points with 57 (17 goals, 40 assists) with 21 of those points on the power play. His other numbers are decent, but he really shines in offensive categories.

6. Kevin Shattenkirk

Kevin Shattenkirk
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

6. Kevin Shattenkirk

Kevin Shattenkirk
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Shattenkirk of the St Louis Blues is an awesome pickup as an offensive defenseman. His offensive numbers are good enough to put him as second in the league in points for all defense with a solid 24 of those coming on the power play. His original rank was 101, but that took a pretty steep climb to No. 10 overall.

5. Mark Giordano

Mark Giordano
Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

5. Mark Giordano

Mark Giordano
Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Giordano has been impressive for the Calgary Flames and one of the best offensive defensemen on the season. He also blocks a lot of shots and posts good numbers on the power play, enough to move him from being originally ranked 102 to 27.

4. Pekka Rinne

Pekka Rinne
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

4. Pekka Rinne

Pekka Rinne
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

After a tough season last year dealing with an injury, Pekka Rinne and the Nashville Predators have come back in a big way. He currently has the most wins in the league amongst goalies and boasts an impressive .931 save percentage. He’s out again with an injury (reportedly for 2-4 weeks), but for the first half of the season, he’s put up impressive numbers.

3. Steve Downie

Steven Downie
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

3. Steve Downie

Steve Downie
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steve Downie of the Pittsburgh Penguins has had an impressive year so far especially when it comes to penalty minutes. His points aren’t half bad either, and he plays both left wing and right wing so there’s some flexibility with him. If you need to add a little more grit to your lineup, Downie is a good choice.

2. Tyler Johnson

Tyler Johnson
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

2. Tyler Johnson

Tyler Johnson
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Johnson was a pretty big surprise this year, as he currently leads the Tampa Bay Lightning in points. His offensive numbers are impressive, and because he was originally ranked pretty low, he probably came in a later round and is now turning out to be a steal. He’s gone from O-rank 172 up to No. 15 overall.

1. Vladimir Tarasenko

Vladimir Tarasenko
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

1. Vladimir Tarasenko

Vladimir Tarasenko
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Vladimir Tarasenko has made a name for himself this season as one of the NHL’s best and an integral part of the St Louis Blues. While good before, this season he has shined and so have his fantasy numbers. The best part is he’s not heavy on goals or assists but pretty equal in both categories, boosting both. He’s got 47 points on the season (24 goals, 23 assists) with 14 on the power play and plus rating of 23. He’s a pretty well-rounded forward.

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