I hate the term sleepers, but until I can coin a new one I’m king of screwed. I guess what I don’t like is the fact that outlets post their “sleepers” and they wind up being picked in the 5th round… kind of defeats the purpose. So I’m digging deep in my soul to put together a list of guys who you make good endgame picks… and most could be grabbed off waivers after many a drafts.

T.J. Hensick (COL - C - not in Y! system yet)
T.J. is still trying to make the roster, but I think his 3 goals and 4 assists in the preseason thus far should help his case. [FYI - the past few years I’ve made a habit of looking at preseason stats to find keepers and it helped me find guys like Deon Phaneuf and others well before my leaguemates had heard of him. I’d make it a habit.] Because Hensick isn’t on the Y! system yet, he is a guy who might be able to be picked up to add depth, fill the spot of an injured player, or maybe just make you feel more comfortable trading your 3rd or 4th center because you might know something your leagumate does not.

Peter Mueller (PHO - C - Y! rank 201)
Right now, it looks to me like the other two rookie centerman (Nicklas Backstrom and Jonathan Toews) are going early and consistently. Much later in the draft you might be able to grab Mueller who, unlike Backstrom and Toews, will be front and center on the Coyote’s top line and probably see a great deal of time on the PP as well. I think Mueller has much better stats at the end of the year, and so far in the preseason he is

Gilbert Brule (CLB - C - Y! rank 901)
Last year Gilbert was the talk of the town. After a disappointing debut and injuries made him an non-factor, he isn’t even a blip on the radar. Right now he is having a great preseason and should also eventually become wing eligible. Right now, he trails only Nash in the preseason in terms of shots on the Blue Jackets and eventually some more of those pucks on net will turn into points.

Devin Setoguchi (W - SJ - not in Y! system)
Just like Hensick, it would be good to watch for this guy to get added and he will make the big club at some point this year. The Sharks went through wingers like crack last year, sending them up, sending them down, altering lines, and everything in between. That, and I think we can count on a Roenick injury, or two, or three… Well, Setoguchi is leading the team in goals in the preseason, leading the ENTIRE NHL in shots in the preseason. If the Sharks get frustrated - or smart - think about how valuable a guy who takes a lot of shots would be on a line with either Marleau or Thornton who opt for the pass. It’s a fantasy dream in the making, so make sure you keep an eye out for Devin.

Christoph Schubert (OTT - D - Y! rank 325)
It seems like every year a different Ottawa D-man steps up to be the stud. This year I think it could be Schubert who is throwing a lot of pucks on net… and what do you know…the defenders with the most points tend to be the ones with the most shots. Funny.

That’s all I’ve got for now… maybe some updates later and I’m considering an weekly waiver wire feature, so check back in.