Eastern Edge

Where a player was drafted does not guarantee NHL success. There are many, many factors that determine how well a player performs on hockey's highest stage. First round picks typically have the talent, but don't get a free pass. They still need to put in the effort and show elite hockey sense if they are to be successful at the NHL level.

Many readers like to belittle Scott Gomez for his lack of production, but more so for that grossly bloated compensation package compliments of Glen Sather.

I was going to write about how Ovechkin has fared since his suspension, but apparently I've been living in a protective plastic dome (please don't call it a bubble, it opens the door for those mean bubble boy jokes) for the last little while because apparently that topic has already been covered by Sports Illustrated and Yahoo! Sports.

Instead, I will talk about something near and dear to my heart, defensemen. There are some interesting situations playing out or about to play out in a few Eastern Conference cities.

This is the final installment of the Fantasy Indicators of Success series. This week we take a look at the all important Centre position.

Nearly identical to the Wingers, Centres require top six ice time and first unit power play minutes to separate the men from the boys. Some Centres are shoot first, ask questions later types, like Stamkos, Malkin, Jeff Carter, Eric Staal and the new Crosby. Others are the pass first types like Henrik Sedin, the old Crosby and Backstrom. Obviously the shots on goal statistic will not be all that relevant for those pivots that prefer passing to shooting.

I admit I may overvalue defensemen in my fantasy leagues. In nearly every league I've ever been in, my defence is always at or near the top. I've been called a "defence whore" for my penchant for drafting quality offensive defensemen, even if I may need other positions more.