Centers reign supreme in fantasy rankings each season, and 2011-12 is no exception. Easily, one could expect to see five middlemen taken off the draft board in the first round of most leagues. Fortunately, if you've seen your favorite choices go, there are plenty more to choose from as the draft progresses, including some sleepers later on.
But as you're planning your fantasy team, you're likely asking yourself the big question: Will he or won't he? That question, of course, applies to Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby, who missed the second half of last season with a concussion and is not yet a guarantee to start the season. If the symptoms are gone and he's ready for the season-opener in Vancouver on Oct. 6, Sid is the top fantasy player. If not -- and he hasn't been cleared for contact yet -- No. 87 is a gamble, but one worth taking given his 66-point outing in just 41 games last season.
Crosby's status can quickly change, however. And though you might be uncertain about where to select him, you can rest assured whichever center you do take in his stead will be a fitting choice.
From Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos -- a bona fide superstar who gives Crosby, Alex Ovechkin and Daniel Sedin a run for their money in terms of the best overall fantasy player -- to Logan Couture, who emerged as one of the more dangerous players on the ice, night in night out, this year's crop of centers will help make your fantasy team a contender.
Let the games begin: Fantasy league formats and strategies
Top 175 | Top 50 Breakdown | Left Wings | Right Wings | Defensemen | Goalies
|
Rank
|
Team
|
Player |
| 1. |  |
Steven Stamkos |
| 2. |  |
Henrik Sedin |
| 3. |  |
Pavel Datsyuk |
| 4. |  |
Evgeni Malkin |
| 5. | |
Sidney Crosby |
| 6. | |
Henrik Zetterberg |
| 7. |  |
Ryan Getzlaf |
| 8. |  |
Brad Richards |
| 9. |  |
Jonathan Toews |
| 10. | |
Ryan Kesler |
| 11. |  |
Anze Kopitar |
| 12. |  |
Eric Staal |
| 13. |  |
Nicklas Backstrom |
| 14. |  |
Jeff Carter |
| 15. |  |
Claude Giroux |
| 16. |  |
David Backes |
| 17. | |
Patrick Sharp |
| 18. | |
Mike Richards |
| 19. |  |
Matt Duchene |
| 20. | |
Danny Briere |
| 21. |  |
Joe Thornton |
| 22. |  |
John Tavares |
| 23. | |
Vincent Lecavalier |
| 24. | |
Logan Couture |
| 25. |  |
Jason Spezza |
| 26. |  |
Mikko Koivu |
| 27. |  |
David Krejci |
| 28. | |
Paul Stastny |
| 29. | |
Jeff Skinner |
| 30. |  |
Mike Ribeiro |
Just Missed: Tomas Plekanec, Derek Roy, Patrice Bergeron, Travis Zajac, Tim Connolly, T.J. Oshie, Mikhail Grabovski, Stephen Weiss, Jordan Staal, Derek Stepan
Contact Matt Cubeta at [email protected]
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