GMG's Market Buzz -
Top 10 Roto Keeper Monsters, G/SOG Edition

Roto Keeper Monsters is a new Market Buzz series that will focus on different sets of rotisserie categories. As the title states, the first edition highlights players who post up excellent numbers in both Goals and Shots on Goal.

To start, take a glance at the three Top 10 G/SOG tables below :

1) On the left you have a three season average (2007-2010)
2) In the middle you have last season's strongest combo numbers.
3) And on the right you have the on pace projections for this season.
* All the lists are non-positional influenced and the first two figures have been slightly adjusted.


Larger version here : http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...s/GSOGcopy.jpg

Interesting SOG fact:

Ovechkin is the only player to have reached 400+ SOG in the last decade and he has done it multiple times. The last player to reach those totals was Paul Kariya in the 1998-1999 season with 429. In fact, there are only two players in the history of game to have recorded 500+ SOG in a single season, Ovechkin is one of them. Can you guess the other? Answer is at the end of the article.


GMG's Top 10 RKM - G/SOG

You will quickly notice that every player listed is tagged with two sets of numbers, consistent and potential. "Consistent" numbers is what you should expect of that given player going forward year after year. While "Potential" numbers are what could be reached if everything fell into place and that respective player had the best season of their career.


1. LW - Alex Ovechkin, WSH

If your league has the SOG category, Ovechkin is the clear cut number one - no question. Since entering the league, he has finished number one in SOG every season and unless he gets injured, that trend will continue.

Ovechkin is the only player to merit an off the chart elite combo Monster status in both Goals (60+) and Shots on Goal (500+) in a given season. To be considered a Monster (Tier 4) in the PG Roto Score, a player must take at least 350+ shots. Ovechkin can and will consistently shatter those numbers.

Consistent : 50 G, 450 SOG
Potential : 70 G, 575 SOG

Check out Ovechkin's accuracy, hitting Russian dolls filled with Russian dressing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpUVJYJQ9dI


2. C - Sidney Crosby, PIT

Crosby would easily trump Ovechkin if SOG was replaced by Face Offs Won, but that isn't the case. Either way, Sid has really established himself as a goal scorer the last few seasons. He went from a consistent 35-39 goal player to 50+ goal scoring threat. It is a shame that he was injured this season as he was on pace for a massive 64 Goals.

Consistent : 50 G, 300 SOG
Potential : 65 G, 350 SOG

Another older video but some might have missed it, here is Crosby's pyramid trick:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yeqRNSXtMo


3. C - Steven Stamkos, TBL

After finishing with 46 points (23G, 23A) in his rookie year, Gary Roberts taught Stamkos the trick of the trade. Yep, after some intense training that off season, Stamkos gave Tampa what they drafted him for, a goal scoring machine!

Apparently Stamkos didn't believe in sophomore slumps as he became the third youngest player (20 years of age) to record a 50 goal season, behind only Wayne Gretzky and Jimmy Carson.

Expect Stamkos to continually push 50+ goals each season.

Consistent : 50 G, 275 SOG
Potential : 65 G, 350 SOG

Amazing Back hand goal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3L37k955VY

and arguably the 2009-10 Goal of the year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYRdk...eature=related


4. LW - Zach Parise, NJD

Barring injury, Zach Parise would have definitely made the cut for this season's list. Actually, both Parise and Crosby would have made top Five hands down.

While Parise may not get as many goals as the three players above him, he'll make up for it in SOG. Parise is one of few players that could challenge Ovechkin in the SOG category - he was only 21 shots away last season!

Consistent : 40 G, 350 SOG
Potential : 50 G, 400 SOG

Remember the Game tying 2010 Gold medal game goal?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz9tH0z7U3k


5. LW - Daniel Sedin, VAN

The goal scoring twin rounds up the top five. Currently leading the league in points, Daniel Sedin obviously knows how to find the back of the net. Kudos to those that held their ground and selected Daniel ahead of brother Henrik (2009-10 Hart Trophy winner) this season.

For this list, it's a good thing Daniel can score and score a lot, because otherwise he could easily get shuffled down a few spots. Crazy? Maybe. Although, he's never recorded more than 300 SOG in a given season - hard to believe for a player of his scoring caliber.

Consistent : 45 G, 250 SOG
Potential : 55 G, 325 SOG

Stellar blind tip, between the legs goal :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbTZdZYN8zU


6. C/RW - Jeff Carter, PHI

Jeff Carter is one of three players (along with Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby) to show up on all three lists above. Much like Parise, Jeff Carter will put up top five SOG every season. If your league counts shots on goal, Carter is a must have.

Check out the Right Wing Rant for additional information on Carter.

Consistent : 35 G, 325 SOG
Potential : 45 G, 375 SOG

Sneaky behind the net goal :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu_mX...eature=related


7. LW - Ilya Kovalchuk, NJD

While Kovy won't hit his regular goal totals this season, you simply cannot ignore the fact that he's recorded six 40+ seasons in a row, two over 50 and a seventh at 38. At the end of the day, if Ovechkin can have an off year, so can Kovalchuk.

Consistent : 40 G, 275 SOG
Potential : 55 G, 350 SOG

A little dancing and a wicked wrist shot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9pLbxviTq0


8. C - Evgeni Malkin, PIT

We have seen Malkin record back to back 100 point seasons. In 2008-09, Malkin won the Art Ross and the Conn Smythe on route to the Stanley Cup. As all poolies should know, Geno's value is at an all time low at the moment. This means desperate owners will surely get low-ball offers. Advice? Be patient.

It may be a surprise to see Malkin placed 8th on the list, but much like D. Sedin, he has yet to record 300 SOG. Fact is, Malkin's true roto value is across the board great stats and not so much individual ones. Potential is one thing, but consistency is key.

Consistent : 35 G, 275 SOG
Potential : 55 G, 325 SOG

Pretty nifty Hat Trick goal :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=592FU...eature=related


9. C/LW - Patrick Sharp, CHI

What can be said about Patrick Sharp that wasn't already in The Sharp-est Blade?

This year is no fluke, Sharp will be a consistent 35 goal scorer. Here's another player that fits in the Parise & Carter mold as Sharp's projected to finish with 43 G and 311 SOG. While the goals may be a bit on the high side, those numbers would definitely make me a happy owner.

Consistent : 35 G, 300 SOG
Potential : 45 G, 350 SOG

Clutch shorthanded game tying goal vs. Luongo :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRyO6PhOYA0


10. RW - Phil Kessel, TOR

Is it shocking to see Kessel's name in the top 10? Shouldn't be. Truth is, these two categories combined are Kessel's forte. When healthy, Phil Kessel will deliver 30 G and 350 SOG, much like his projected finish to the season.

Kessel has all the tools needed to be a top 3 SOG threat every season, and could quite possibly even top Ovechkin one of these years... ok maybe not... Just wanted to emphasize his Monster SOG status.

Consistent : 30 G, 350 SOG
Potential : 40 G, 400 SOG

Highlight Coast to Coast Goal :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-qV1...DEA05BFA896BFC


Honourable Mentions : Eric Staal, Rick Nash, Corey Perry, Ryan Kesler and others will be featured in the next G/SOG Edition, Top 11-20 Players. Stay tuned!

Answer to the question above: there are only two players in the history of game to have recorded 500+ SOG in a single season, Ovechkin is one of them. Can you guess the other?

Here are the top 7 SOG performances in league history -

550 - Phil Esposito, Bos., 1970-71
528 - Alex Ovechkin, Wsh., 2008-09
446 - Alex Ovechkin, Wsh., 2007-08
429 - Paul Kariya, Ana., 1998-99
426 - Phil Esposito, Bos., 1971-72
425 - Alex Ovechkin, Wsh., 2005-06 (rookie season)
414 - Bobby Hull, Chi., 1968-69

In order for Ovechkin to break Esposito's record he would have to fire on average, 6.7 SOG per game.

GMG signing off!

__________________
Gates Imbeau
Assistant Manager - DobberSports.com
Writer - Fantrax.com
Regular Guest - The York Report via NextSportStar.com
Email: gates@dobbersports.com
Twitter: @GM_Gates