A closer look at 10 underrated multi-category producers to keep on your radar for draft day

After concluding a series of top-10 lists for goalies, defensemen, right wings, left wings and centers for the 2015-16 season, there was one glaring omission. While the focus was put heavily on points-only with a small bias towards goal-scoring ability, the complex world of multi-category leagues was totally left out. The accessibility of statistics and the improvements to the user-friendliness of host sites makes it easy for everyone to take part in leagues that go beyond offensive production.

With each different setup resulting in a different value for each player, it would be impossible to cover all possibilities and come up with a universal ranking system. Thankfully, there are tools like Fantasy Hockey Geek to help generate league-specific rankings. In each setting, there will be players that are more effective than their perceived value would indicate. Sometimes these players will slip on draft day as your rivals focus on players with greater name value.

At the end of the day, production is what wins fantasy leagues. These hidden gems can play a key role in putting your team over the top. With that in mind, here are 10 underrated multi-category producers to keep on your radar on draft day as the selections progress.

Adam Larsson (D – New Jersey)

Strengths: A, Hits, Blocks, SHP, SOG

After nearly three and a half years of disappointment, Larsson had a breakout second half last year. In the 43 contests following January 1^st, Larsson tallied 20 points, 68 shots and more importantly averaged more than 23 minutes in ice time. Now that Larsson’s offensive game has caught up with his existing abilities getting hits and blocks, he become a strong contributor from the blueline and should be coveted at your draft table.

The fact that Larsson missed time to injury and healthy scratches and only had a great half-year will lower his value in the rankings of many. After all, the numbers straight-up are nothing special. Of course, there is a chance he is not ready to play 82 games at a high level. But given the incredible ice time since the new year you have to think this is a case of a former fourth-overall pick starting to show his potential. Look for at least 30 points from Larsson this year in addition to over 100 shots and his usual hit/block numbers.

Chris Kunitz (LW – Pittsburgh)

Strengths: G, PIM, Hits, PPP, SOG

Last year was very difficult for Kunitz as he fell from being one of the top multi-category wingers to a mere 40 points. Truthfully, even with such a significant drop in production he still had an excellent fantasy season. In addition to his offense he is able to get a ton of hits and shots while his PIM totals are surprisingly good given the rarity of strong PIM guys these days.

As is the case with many players past their 30^th birthday, Kunitz will be severely underrated on draft day as a lot of people will believe he is done. Meanwhile, there are reasons to believe Kunitz could even bounce back including a low shooting percentage which could see him back above the 20-goal mark in a normal shooting year. Look for Kunitz to put up at least 40 points this year with the potential for much more.

Dion Phaneuf (D – Toronto)

Strengths: A, PIM, Hits, Blocks, PPP, SOG

For all of the drama surrounding Phaneuf’s time in Toronto and the team’s lack of success, he has been a fantastic multi-category defenseman year in and year out. While mediocre point totals and his negative real-life perception will turn off some owners, his offensive production (especially on the power play) combined with a great combination of PIM, hits and blocks make him a borderline roto star. This could make him an excellent value pick on draft day if you can land him in the middle rounds. Just keep in mind that his offensive upside is very limited for the time being as the team around him is not very good. Not to mention, the Leafs traded their best offensive player (Phil Kessel) this summer which will only make it more difficult for guys like Phaneuf to get points.

Evander Kane (LW – Buffalo)

Strengths: G, PIM, Hits, SHP, SOG

In some formats, Kane’s production per game last year was in the top five of the entire league. He accomplished the feat despite a disappointing point total by his standards. This was due to being a PIM/hits beast while also shooting a lot and contributing a few shorthanded points. Kane has elite-level multi-category potential and with the offseason acquisitions in Buffalo he could be in a position to continue where he left off. The fact that his real production is much greater than his perceived value virtually guarantees he will be drafted past his value spot.

Of course, there is a lot of risk with Kane, most notably on the injury front. He has missed a lot of games over the years including 45 last year and has never played more than 74 games in a season. He will likely spend time on IR again this year but given his production when he plays he is still a must-own. Just grab a flavor of the week off the waiver wire when he goes down to fill the gap.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau (C – Ottawa)

Strengths: G, Hits, Blocks, SHP, SOG, FOW

After seeing limited time in the NHL for two years, Pageau made the jump to the Senators full-time last year. While his 10 goals and 19 points through 50 games were decent, his other categories were much more impressive. In particular, he averaged three hits, seven faceoffs and two shots per game and added a pair of shorthanded goals. Over the course of the year he saw more ice time and is now firmly entrenched as the team’s third line center. Pageau is a safe bet to be a solid depth producer in your league and the fact that he has not yet played a full year will lower his rank on many draft boards.

Justin Abdelkader (RW – Detroit)

Strengths: G, PIM, Hits, PPP, SOG

Abdelkader did an outstanding job filling in for the injured Johan Franzen as the team’s go-to net presence. He responded to the best opportunity of his career by setting personal-bests in just about every category. Most impressive was his 23 goals which more than doubled his previous high of 10. With Franzen’s status in question and his long history on the sidelines, look for Abdelkader to continue getting looks in the top-six and on the power play. His shooting percentage was a bit high so expect a bit of a setback in the goal-scoring department this year but otherwise he offers very balanced production across the board which should help your team’s depth on the wing.

Mark Borowiecki (D – Ottawa)

Strengths: +/-, PIM, Hits, Blocks

Last year Borowiecki became a full-time NHLer and became a factor in multi-category leagues overnight. It remains to be seen if he will be able to reproduce his plus-15 but his combination of PIM, hits and blocks is outstanding. Additionally, his 11 points were a nice bonus for a player of his ilk. This makes him an ideal pick-up for your final roster spot on the blueline especially if the rest of your roster is heavier on skill than grit. Just be weary of injuries as only three of the 19 games he missed were healthy scratches.

Pascal Dupuis (RW – Pittsburgh)

Strengths: G, A, +/-, Hits, Blocks, SOG

A risky addition to the list, Dupuis was an excellent multi-category player before injuries and life-threatening illness put him out of action. He has only played 55 games in two years since the end of the 2013 season and is now 35 years old so it remains to be seen how much he has left in the tank. Not to mention, deployment in the top-six is not guaranteed to happen with any consistency.

If you target Dupuis it should be in the final rounds due to the obvious concerns. If he can play a full schedule he will likely be a solid secondary offensive contributor along with strong peripheral numbers. If he goes undrafted keep him at the top of your watch list and scoop him up if he shows signs of returning to his old form.

Tomas Plekanec (C – Montreal)

Strengths: G, A, Blocks, PPP, SHP, SOG, FOW

Plekanec is easily one of the most underrated players in many multi-category formats. His offensive production has been very inconsistent over his career but his peripheral contributions are outstanding. He is always among the league leaders in faceoffs won and is a factor on both the power play and penalty kill. When he is at his best he has top-20 potential if your league plays to his strengths.

Keep in mind that this is a contract year for Plekanec so there will be extra incentive to keep his production up. With that said, the 60 points he posted last year will likely be the best you can hope for this year considering the team around him does not produce a lot of goals.

Zdeno Chara (D – Boston)

Strengths: G, PIM, Hits, Blocks, PPP, SOG

Evidently, Chara has not been the same player since the end of the lockout. After getting 52 points in 2011-12, he has earned a combined 79 points over the last three years. However, that does not mean he has become useless. His offense is very goal-heavy which is a rarity for a defenseman and he still shoots a lot while also contributing a few power play points. Also, he still brings a lot of grit to the table and provides a nice mix of PIM, hits and blocks. In all likelihood his draft-day value will plummet as a result of his age and declining play which gives you a golden opportunity to land a strong multi-category contributor in a good value spot.

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