Don't be the fantasy hockey manager who gets burned by these players. Their point production is on the way down.
The stats line in each entry indicates games played, goals, assists, and total points in 2007-08, with team listed in brackets.
Update, Sept. 14 - Center Robert Lang is removed from this list following his trade to Montreal. Lang's status as a first or second-line center with the Canadiens improves his chance of matching last season's 54 points.
Alexei Kovalev
Forward, Montreal Canadiens
Age: 35
Consider the numbers: 84-47-65-45-77. That's the five-year history of Kovalev's production. Clearly, his contract does not include a
consistency clause. Montreal has loads of scoring, so 60 points remains in reach.
2007-08 stats: 82-35-49-84 (Montreal)
Mark Streit
Defenseman/Forward, New York Islanders
Age: 30
Even if he stayed in Montreal, Streit would have been hard-pressed to repeat last season's career numbers. The year before he had 36 points. A move to the offensively-starved Islanders will bring him back down to earth.
2007-08 stats: 81-13-49-62 (Montreal)
Mike Ribeiro
Forward, Dallas Stars
Age: 28
Has Ribeiro found a new level he can sustain for years to come? That's hard to believe. Slot him in for a 15-point drop.
2007-08 stats: 76-27-56-83 (Dallas)
Patrick Sharp
Forward, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 26
Nobody is saying last year was a fluke. But with younger players taking on bigger roles, Sharp should settle in as a 50-point guy.
2007-08 stats: 80-36-26-62 (Chicago)
Vaclav Prospal
Forward, Tampa Bay Lightning
Age: 33
Back in Tampa, and probably back on a line with Lecavalier and St. Louis. Sounds like a can't-miss situation. But if you believe in long-term trends, the
yo-yo pattern of Prospal's career says he'll score 55 points. Maybe this is the year he breaks the up-and-down cycle. But I wouldn't take the chance.
2007-08 stats: 80-33-38-71 (Tampa Bay/Philadelphia)
Dustin Byfuglien
Forward, Chicago Blackhawks
Age: 23
Arrived out of nowhere - out of Norfolk, actually - to post very good numbers. He's been a point-producer at every level of the game, but his recent conversion from defence to forward won't come without growing pains. Expect a dip.
2007-08 stats: 67-19-17-36 (Chicago)
