Does Shawn Horcoff Have Fantasy Value?

I ask this not because I think the new Oilers captain has the natural skill of most of the guys you will find on your fantasy lineup.  In fact, he is simply a grinder who has worked hard to get to the point that he is at in his career.  I ask because the two wingers flanking him do have the skill to be elite fantasy options.  I was a little shocked when I heard the news, but it is true, Horcoff is anchoring the second line between the Oilers top two prospects – Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle.  He is also getting some powerplay time, notching a PPG last night.

I do not expect him to return to the form he displayed in 2007-08 when he scored 50 points in 53 games and made his only All-Star appearance (yes I drafted him the next year expecting big things; it was the last time I ever drafted an Oiler).  However, he shouldn’t take quite the beating he did last year when he was routinely matched up against the oppositions top line, leading to a -29 rating.

If he sticks on the second line with the two young guns, 50 point’s isn’t out of the question.  That isn’t anything special, and he probably isn’t a great option in your standard ten team league.  However, if you are in a 12 or 14 team league, or use extremely deep rosters, he should be at the top of your list of guys to keep an eye on.  Anybody who plays on a line with a guy with this much talent is bound to rack up a few points.