TOP BUY SNIPERS

Jarmome Iginla (CGY � 4690) � If Wayne himself bothers to call him �the best player in the game�, that is good enough for this observer. If he just duplicates the 52 goals (never mind the +27) that�s good enough for me at 4690.

Todd Bertuzzi (VAN � 3960) � Linemate Markus Naslund may be the better buy, but if you could only choose statistics show Todd to be a better buy. For 3960 you get a player coming off 85 points (36 G, 49 A) in 72 games along with a +21 and 110 PIM�s. Naslund score 90 points in 81 games (40 G, 50 A), with a +22, but only had 50 PIM�s and costs 4880. Bertuzzi�s stock drops however if the �Nucks were to lose Naslund. Todd needs Mark more than Mark needs Todd.

Zigmund Palffy (LA � 3690) � Coming off an off-year scoring only 59 points in 63 games. Look more towards his 2000-01 #�s of 89 points in 73 games along with a +22 in addition to the fact that Jason Allison will be feeding him the puck. The way Palffy and Allison are capable of scoring in bunches that will be a good combo to have.

Milan Hejduk (COL � 3570) � Another player who you should look more at his 2000-01 #�s (41 goals, 79 pts, +32 in 80 games) rather than last year (44 pts, 0 in 62). You can�t ask for anyone better than Forsberg to work with.

Keith Tkachuk (STL � 4300) � A safe play, last years #�s of 38 goals, 75 pts, +21 and 117 PIM�s are a good indication of his typical contributions.

Peter Bondra (WSH � 3970) � Sometimes too streaky for my like but his ratio on Goals to Assists (421 goals to 313 assists) bodes well for this game.

Marian Hossa (OTT � 4080) � Still only 23, good for about 70-80 points a year and coming off seasons of +19 and +11.

Jeff O�Neill (CAR � 3480) � Was introduced to many casual puck fans during the Canes playoff run last year. 31 goals last year coming off 41 goals out of 67 points two years ago.

POTENTIAL BARGAINS

Ryan Smyth (EDM � 3280) � Slightly alarmed by his drop from 31 goals in 82 games to 15 in 61 contests. You may recall that Ryan rushed his return from a fractured ankle so he could play in the Olympics. Smyth had off-season surgery to get the ankle right, so he should be good to go.

Alex Tanguay (COL � 2850) � Potential to be a much better bargain than linemate Hejduk. His stats back in 2000-01 (27 goals, 77 pts, +35) were right up there with Milan.

Martin Straka (PIT � 2560) � Missed most of last season with injury, but scored 95 points the year before. Must have if completely healthy.

Dany Heatley (ATL � 1880) � The Atlanta duo of Heatley along with Ilya Kovalchuk will bear watching in upcoming seasons. Dany scored 67 points (27 goals) in his rookie campaign and is much more attractive with CDM�s devaluation of the plus/minus category � where Dany was -19 last year.

Ilya Kovalchuk (ATL � 1790) � 51 points (in 65 games) along with a -19 last year. For those four-game weeks he and Heatley should make for a good, cheap combo.

Marian Gaborik (MN � 3040) � Another potential backwater selection. Only 20 years old but netted 30 goals, 67 assists and an even zero in his rookie year with the second year Wild. Heatley and Kovalchuk may be better values but this kid could be a find as well.

PREMIUM PICKS

Jaromir Jagr (WSH � 5160) � Is cheaper than last year, 79 points in 69 games with an even zero after his years of 1.5 points a game along with +25 and +19 in the final years of his Pittsburgh career. Jury�s out on whether he can reach that level with the Caps.

Brendan Shanahan (DET � 4950) � Like Tkachuk, you know exactly what you�re going to get. Last year it was 37 goals, 75 points, a +23 and 118 PIM�s � an elite power forward.

Alexei Kovalev (PIT � 4530) � Clicked along with Mario and Martin Straka two years ago, scoring 95 points 79 games.

Markus Naslund (VAN � 4880) � Bertuzzi may be a better bargain, but Mark and Todd should make for an excellent combo for four-game weeks.

Bill Guerin (DAL � 4470) � Whether it be with Edmonton, Boston, or now Dallas, Billy is a good bet to collect 40 goals in a season � and the Stars will be playing more up-tempo this year.

PROCEED WITH CAUTION

Simon Gagne (PHI � 3860) � Now in his fourth year, has grown by leaps and bounds culminating with 33 goals, 66 pts, and a +31 last year. The Coach Hitchcock system may reduce those numbers by a little though.

Pavel Bure (NYR � 4700) � When healthy, the most prolific scorer in the league � scoring a combined 117 goals between 1999-00 and 2000-01. Unfortunately, his troublesome knee barked during the exhibition season and Bure was forced to get the knee scoped. Fortunately it was cartilage damage and not the ACL this time � so hold off for now and revisit the situation come December.

Richard Zednik (MTL � 2840) - Went nuts in the Habs playoff series v. Boston, and apparently CDM bean-counters were watching and jacked his salary accordingly. Bottom line is Zednik has only scored 44 points in each of the past two seasons.