The power play is a market that every fantasy owner needs to consider. Check the line combinations and you’ll see that even some of the league’s best producers find themselves relegated to the 2nd power play unit or worse, none at all (hello Bobby Ryan). Put a guy on the power play and you’re giving him an opportunity to contribute in a (obvious) high percentage scoring situation. Taking this into account, who are the top guys available who are also putting up huge power play minutes, but just not translating it to the points column, yet?
Ray Whitney – LW
I don’t know about you, but I try to keep the older guys off of my rosters. However, I may need to make an exception for Whitney who has an ownership percentage 7 points lower than his age, 39. Whitney has already amassed 2 G and 2 A on the power play of his 12 points on the season and should be good to pot a few more if he sticks on the top unit.
Dmitry Kulikov – D
Already doubling his PP TOI/G from last season with 4:23, Kulikov, 21, is finally starting to show the offensive playmaking ability that he showed in the Q. Kulikov has already contributed 3 power play helpers out of his 7 assists and will certainly continue to feed off of a better supporting cast around him – 8 of power play linemate Brian Campbell’s 11 assists have come on the power play.
Tomas Fleischmann – LW
Speaking of Panthers’ supporting cast, Fleischmann has shown he’s over his 2010-11 injury plagued season to put up 4:14 PP TOI/G and contribute 2 PPG and 1 PPA out of his 5 G and 5 A so far. With Florida putting together a top-5 power play this season, grab as many of these guys as you can.
Fedor Tyutin – D
Aside from being commonly used in fantasy hockey team names, Tyutin is also a staple on on the Jackets’ power play across from James Wisniewski. He’s averaging 4:39 PP TOI / G and has already converted 2 of his 3 assists on the power play. Columbus’ power play only converts at a dismal 10.2% but Tyutin will continue to get his chances.
Steve Sullivan – LW
It’ll happen – Sullivan hasn’t hit the end of the line just yet. Dan Bylsma clearly still believes the 37 year-old has it in him, despite only 3 points (3 assists) on the season. Sullivan is pulling in 4:14 PP TOI / G, 4th on the talented Pens, and is sharing the point with Kris Letang. With a power play line as talented as the Pens can put out, Sullivan seems like a good candidate to have some bounces start to go his way. One worry, however, is that if he doesn’t start to pick it up, Crosby could push him to the 2nd PP unit.
