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This segment is dedicated to the players that are not yet on many fantasy teams. If you've ever played in a deep league before, you know that finding these super sleepers before they become mainstream players can make the difference between winning and losing your league. This list includes players that were just recently called up, or AHL'ers that are on the brink of NHL playing time.
Corey Tropp - Buffalo Sabres (F)
The 22-year old out of Michigan State University was recently called up by the Sabres. Although playing minimal minutes on the fourth line with Matt Ellis & Nathan Gerbe - it isn't your typical "fourth line". Tropp put up promising numbers in his first year of pro hockey last season when he collected 40 points in 76 games for the Portland Pirates. Starting off this season as member of the Rochester Americans, getting off to a good start with 7 points in 11 games earned him a shot in the league where he's got 2 points in 5 games. Sabres top-6 seems to be set but with injuries, Tropp could get a shot down the line.
Ben Smith - Chicago Blackhawks (F)
Another 22-year old college player, this time out of Boston College, Ben Smith was recently called up to the Blackhawks in favour of the slumping Rostislav Olesz. Yup, that's right - the same Ben Smith that came out of nowhere to score 3 goals in the Chicago/Vancouver series a year ago. The Hawks forward line-up doesn't lack depth at all, so it will be interesting to see where Ben Smith fits in. He's off to a great start down in Rockford collecting 10 points in 9 games.
Joe Colborne - Toronto Maple Leafs (F)
Ever since being traded to the Leafs organization, Joe has been been scoring at over a point-per-game pace. Albeit it's been in the AHL but the signs look promising. With the Leafs performance as of late spiraling & Brian Burke not afraid to make changes, Joe Colborne and his 10 goals in 12 games has to garner some attention from Burkie. I think he's plaid his dues on the bus and will be called up at some point of the season.
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