Right wing is one of the deepest positions in fantasy hockey, with at least 12 top-tier players available.
The position also has many talented sophomores expected to have breakout 2014-15 seasons, a group headlined by Valeri Nichushkin of the Dallas Stars and Tyler Toffoli of the Los Angeles Kings.
Let’s look at the top right wingers you should draft, risky selections to stay away from and the best rookies to target in keeper leagues.
Be sure to check out our left wing and goaltender rankings, too.
Safest Pick: Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks
The 2011 Hart Trophy winner is a near-lock for 40-plus goals, 75-plus points and lots of penalty minutes. As one of the league’s premier power forwards, Perry fills up the stat sheet for fantasy owners on a daily basis.
He also has one of the league’s best playmakers in Ryan Getzlaf playing center on his line, which will ensure the 29-year-old veteran has plenty of scoring chances. Perry tallied 82 points (43 goals, 39 assists) in 81 games last season, the second-highest single-season scoring total of his career. He’s also among the most consistent right wingers with a 42-goal average over the last three non-lockout campaigns.
Other safe picks: Patrick Kane (Chicago), Phil Kessel (Toronto)
Riskiest Pick: Nathan Horton, Columbus Blue Jackets
Horton played in just 35 games last season because of injuries, and he has missed 83 total games over the last two non-lockout seasons. When healthy, the 29-year-old forward is capable of scoring 30-plus goals, tallying 50 to 65 points and posting a good plus/minus rating. He’s also likely to play alongside a talented young center in Ryan Johansen on Columbus’ top line.
Horton will enter the new season healthy and should receive about 20 minutes of ice time per game. His injury history is a concern for fantasy owners, but his upside is fantastic.
Other risky picks: Dany Heatley (Anaheim), Loui Eriksson (Boston)
Rookie to Watch: Anthony Mantha, Detroit Red Wings
The rookie class at right wing isn’t as deep as other positions, but any fantasy owner in a keeper or dynasty league should consider drafting Mantha.
The 2013 first-round draft pick put together back-to-back 50-goal seasons with Val d’Or Foreurs of the QMJHL and should receive plenty of opportunities to make the Red Wings’ roster in training camp. Detroit lacks scoring depth on the wings and could use the high-end offensive skill and elite speed that Mantha provides.
The Red Wings tend not to rush prospects to the NHL and instead let them develop in the AHL. Mantha could begin the season in Grand Rapids, but that wouldn’t prevent him from making a positive impact for the Red Wings later in the year.
Other rookies to watch: Jesper Fast (New York Rangers), Brett Ritchie (Dallas)
Top 15 Fantasy Right Wings
15) Jordan Eberle, Edmonton Oilers
14) Martin St. Louis, New York Rangers
13) Kyle Okposo, New York Islanders
12) Jakub Voracek, Philadelphia Flyers
11) Loui Eriksson, Boston Bruins
10) Patric Hornqvist, Pittsburgh Penguins
9) Rick Nash, New York Rangers
8) Wayne Simmonds, Philadelphia Flyers
7) Marian Hossa, Chicago Blackhawks
6) Marian Gaborik, Los Angeles Kings
5) Jarome Iginla, Colorado Avalanche
4) Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
3) Phil Kessel, Toronto Maple Leafs
2) Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
1) Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks
