10 Least Likely Stars

Identifying the least likely stars is a difficult task, as what one manager sees as a surprise can be entirely expected by another manager. This blog identifies players I have seen as the biggest positive surprises to this point of the pool. Some of these players will become new stars in the NHL while others will disappear back into obscurity. Here they are.

10. Chris Osgood Det (Ken) 15 GP, 11W, 1SO, 2.2 PPts/GP
This was a strong selection by Ken. Knowing that Hasek is up in age, Ken saw the opportunity to select a stong back-up in Osgood. Osgood was acquired as a free agent signing September 13th. Expect Ken to offer Osgood in a trade to Victor for 2-1sts and a 2nd every 3rd day for the remainder of this year.

9. Paul Ranger TB (Ryan) 22 GP, 16PTS, 20 PIM 1.1 PPts/GP
Ryan has done well with Ranger taking over as a top dman with the injuries to Boyle. Ranger was acquired as a free agent signing September 17th. Expect Ryan to move Ranger to his keeper list this year.

8. Cory Stillman Car (Mike) 21 GP, 29PTS, 6 PIM 1.6 PPts/GP
While Stillman has been a solid NHLer for years, he has never had the type of offensive numbers he has achieved this year. Carolina has been a very hot team with 4 forwards getting consideration for this top 10 list. Stillman was acquired in the 8th round of this year's draft. Expect Mike to trade Stillman packaged with two players he was planning to drop for two keepers and 3 draft picks near the trade deadline.

7. Mike Richards Phi (Trevor) 23 GP, 28PTS, 26 PIM 1.6 PPts/GP
This year has been the coming out party for Richards and good on Trevor for seeing this talent for the Flyers. Richards was acquired as a free agent on Sept. 18th. Expect Trevor to add Richards to his protected list at the end of this season.

6. Martin Gerber Ott (Adam) 17 GP, 13W, 1SO, 2.4 PPts/GP
Many picked Gerber to fade away as another marginal goaltender who played on good teams. Few picked him to be the starting goaltender for one of the best teams in hockey. Injuries have allowed Gerber this opportunity and credit GM Adam for seeing this first. Gerber was acquired as a free agent signing September 24th. Expect Gerbers numbers to reduce as Emery get more comfortable after his injury.

5. Pascal Leclaire Cbs (Kevin) 18 GP, 10W, 6SO, 2.8 PPts/GP
Many had written Leclaire off as Norrena's backup. Leclaires numbers have been outstanding with 6 of his 10 wins coming by way of the shut-out! Good job by Kevin for picking this gem as a free agent on September 10th. Expect Leclaire to be retained until the end of the year as Kevin pushes for top spot in the pool. On his very deep team, don't expect Leclaire to be a keeper.

4. Nik Antropov Tor (Ken) 25 GP, 21PTS, 34 PIM 1.2 PPts/GP
Nik Antorpov has been one of the big surprises of this year's draft. Often the object of Maple Leaf fan's fairy tale trade jokes (e.g. Antropov for Frolov), Antropov has achieved much of the long awaited potential he was said to have. Ken paid a high price in acquiring Antropov in a trade for star rookie Toews, but has done well with the points Antropov has produced. Antropov was acquired by Trevor as a free agent signing on September 17th. Expect Ken to trade Antropov for a low round draft pick near the trade deadline.

3. Mark Streit Mon (Paul) 24 GP, 13PTS, 10 PIM 0.9 PPts/GP
Mark Streit has filled in nicely the void left by the free agent loss of Sheldon Souray for the Montreal Canadiens. His powerplay time has made him a top end d-man. With Paul selecting all the Candiens available, he was destined to find one surprising player. Streit was acquired as a free agent signing on September 15th. Expect Paul to consider Streit as a keeper for this year's protected list.

2. Tobias Enstrom Atl (Adam) 23 GP, 13PTS, 10 PIM 0.9 PPts/GP
Tobias Enstrom; who is he? Where did this guy come from? Now he is playing the point on the powerplay and getting 30 minutes of icetime in Atlanta. Enstrom was acquired as a free agent signing on October 22nd. Expect Adam to drop Enstrom at the end of the year as he is unable to trade Enstom elsewhere because of lack of name recognition.

1. Dan Carcillo Pho (JW) 21 GP, 11PTS, 105 PIM 1.6 PPts/GP
Dan Carcillo is becoming the premier superpest in the NHL. This rookie combines adequate scoring ability with sandpaper in Sean Avery style that has kept him on the roster in Phoenix. Carcillo was acquired as a free agent signing on October 15th. Expect JW to protect Carcillo if he keeps his current PIM pace.

Well done GM's in plucking these diamonds in the rough off of the free agent wire.