NHL Fantasy Hockey: Why Henrik Zetterberg is a stud, Alex Semin a dud

Dobber launched his fantasy hockey website DobberHockey back in 2005 and has been Puck Daddy's resident fantasy hockey 'expert' since 2009.

At this point, 40 players are on pace for 80 points. Let's assume that it's not 1984 and this won't happen. In some cases, this won't even be close. Here are some current point-per-game players as October comes to an end, who will be lucky to get 55 points this campaign:

Nick Foligno, Columbus Blue Jackets - Foligno's upside is very similar to his dad's. And although Mike had an 80-point season, that happened in the 80s - an era in which 70-point players were considered fourth-line checkers. Adjust for the era and Nick is probably going to be a 55-point player. When he returns from his "stinger," his numbers will start to slow when Boone Jenner and the rest of the walking wounded get back.

Tanner Pearson, Los Angeles Kings - Nobody's doubting that Pearson is going to have an amazing year. Just not 80-point amazing. Without the chemistry with Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli, he was probably destined for 40 points. With those guys, Pearson should clear 50 and possibly 55. 

Tyler Bozak, Toronto Maple Leafs - A favorite whipping boy for Toronto fans, Bozak has long been labeled the misfit of the top line. Meanwhile, he has 69 points in his last 82 games and boasts a 54.8% win percentage at the dot. So I'm a Bozak backer. But that doesn't mean I think he'll get 80 points, or even 70.

Kevin Shattenkirk, St. Louis Blues - I say that Shattenkirk will be lucky to reach 55 because he does this every year. He's one of the top scoring defensemen in the league at the 15 or 20 game mark and then  ends up with around 45. 

Studs...

These fellas are wielding a hot stick. Take that into consideration when you go after them in trade talks...

Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings (6-3-8-11, plus-6, 4 PIM, 20 SOG) - After missing Ken Holland's logic in signing Dan Cleary a big chunk of last season, Zetterberg has come back with a vengeance. At 34, bad back and all, Big Z still has plenty of gas in the tank.

Ryan Johansen, Columbus Blue Jackets (9-5-7-12, minus-1, 4 PIM, 20 SOG, 5 PPPts) - Johansen and Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin are the only two players who have points in every NHL game so far. That theory where missing camp causes either slow starts or injuries, well it's been debunked. We'll leave out the part about my being the one to float that theory…

Jason Spezza, Dallas Stars (6-2-7-9, even, 2 PIM, 12 SOG, 5 PPPts) - So which does Spezza enjoy more - no longer being with the Senators, or playing on a line with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin? As fantasy owners, we don't really care. As long as he's no longer stuck with Ales Hemsky. 

Duds...

Somebody wake these guys up – their fantasy owners are counting on them...

Alexander Semin, Carolina Hurricanes (6-0-0-0, minus-5, 2 PIM, 6 SOG, 0 PPPts) - We can ride another Semin slump, as long he keeps shooting the p-. Oh.

P.A. Parenteau, Montreal Canadiens (5-0-0-0, minus-3, 11 SOG, 2 PIM, 0 PPPts) - After five points in five games to start the campaign, Parenteau has hit a wall. In his last game (against Calgary), he saw a season high 19:46 of ice time and failed to record a shot.  Given his linemates, be it on the first or second line, he should (theoretically) turn things back around. But this whole "not playing with John Tavares or Matt Duchene" thing worries me.

Jaroslav Halak, New York Islanders (0-2-0, 5.45, 0.830) - This opens the door for Chad Johnson (waiver wire alert!), as Johnson is still undefeated (3-0-0). Halak is paid big bucks to be the starter though, so he'll keep getting thrown out there every two or three games until he strings together some wins. When that happens, you won't see much of Johnson until the next Halak slump. 

The Wire...

Mostly short-term grabs here, but as always some potential steals... 

Seth Griffith, Boston Bruins (4-3-2-5, plus-2, 4 PIM, 10 SOG, 1 PPPts) - Despite the cool hockey handle, Griffith was passed over in the 2011 draft, plus over four rounds of the 2012 draft before the Bruins snapped him up. And now he's already passed Ryan Spooner and Matt Fraser on the depth chart and has fit in nicely on the first line.

Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning (3-4-3-7, plus-3, 0 PIM, 11 SOG, 1 PPPts) - The youngster tallied 63 points in 33 Quebec League games in 2012-13. Then he dominates the AHL with 17 points in 24 games last year before getting called up to Tampa for good. Now he's on a dynamic second line with Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat, who were last year's super rookies.

Blake Comeau, Pittsburgh Penguins (4-1-4-5, plus-3, 2 PIM, 7 SOG, 1 PPPts) - With Beau Bennett possibly back as early as next week, this may be a really short pickup. But for now, Comeau is playing with Malkin and that should be the only incentive you need.

Jori Lehtera, St. Louis Blues (4-2-4-6, plus-2, 2 PIM, 7 SOG) - Not only is Lehtera lining up with his former KHL linemate Vladimir Tarasenko, but he's doing it at a time when Tarasenko is primed for a breakout. In terms of pure upside, Tarasenko is the best forward on St. Louis. So if the stars are aligned here, Lehtera could be in for a monster debut this year. What I also like about this guy is the fact that Ken Hitchcock has been giving him close to 19 minutes of ice time the last couple of games. 

Chris Higgins, Vancouver Canucks (4-1-4-5, plus-5, 2 PIM, 10 SOG) - With Nick Bonino totally justifying the Ryan Kesler trade early on, Higgins is picking up the cheap assists as his linemate. Higgins is a steady 40-point player over the long haul, but for now hop on the bandwagon and enjoy the ride.

Michael Del Zotto, Philadelphia Flyers (7-0-5-5, plus-2, 2 PIM, 6 SOG) - Del Zotto is in a great situation right now, as the team has no choice but to give him 20 minutes of ice time. Kimmo Timonen, Andrew MacDonald and Braydon Coburn are each on the shelf right now. The Flyers have to either give MDZ a ton of ice time, or ask the 50-50 draw guy to strap on some skates. 

Ben Scrivens, Edmonton Oilers (4-1-0, 2.20 GAA, 0.928 SV%) - After three very rocky games early on - for both Scrivens and the Oilers, both have settled down. Scrivens is still just 45% owned (but rising quickly), but he makes an excellent No.3 goalie in most fantasy formats and he could surprise this year become one of your top two.

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