Originally Posted by
Hardyvan123
If Hodgson had been healthy.... , well the 2nd line job in 10/11 would not have been that huge of a dream IMO.
He really has the better offensive skillset and would be the guy I would keep in keeper leagues for fantasy purposes.
In the end the Canucks are going to have the best top 3 center depth in the league, after years of lagging behind in this department.
You mean he MAY eventually have the better offensive skillset. Kesler has been nearly a PPG player all season, and Hodgson has yet to play a game for the Canucks. Sure, maybe in 3 or 4 seasons, Hodgson will be the superior offensive talent, but now? Not a chance. Prospects are unproven and risky, established NHL players like Kesler are a far better bet, in both real and fantasy hockey.
Besides, I wouldn't peg Hodgson's upside at anything higher then 80-85 points. He's a top-notch prospect who brings a complete package, but his fantasy value shouldn't be overestimated.
Chances are Hodgson will earn the third-line center job this fall, and probably won't hit any more then 40 points for his rookie season, as the Canucks have no need to rely on him like most other teams do with their top rookies. In the 2011-12 season, assuming nothing changes too drastically, Hodgson will probably play the wing with Kesler on the second line. A decision about who to keep long-term would probably have to be made within the next three years, assuming Hodgson develops properly.
Salary-capped 30-team keeper pool
C: Lecavalier, O. Jokinen, Sobotka, Prust, Stone, Colborne, Skinner
LW: Ott, Kariya, Filatov, Zharkov, Tambellini, Duco
RW: Mueller, Kostitsyn, Vrbata, Neil, Zharkov, Petrov
D: Phaneuf, Karlsson, White, Del Zotto, Foster, A. Greene, Babchuk, Goncharov, Josi, MacDonald, Ness
G: Rask, Thomas, Holtby
FW Stats: P 2, +/- 2, PIM 1, PPP 1, SHP 1, GWG 2
D Stats: P 4, +/- 2, PIM 1, PPP 1, SHP 1, GWG 2
G Stats: W 10, L 0, OTL 5, SO 10, A 10, PIM 1