Faceoffs: A new name to know for 2009-10

Editor's note: Our Ross Devonport and Michael Hurcomb read, write and analyze everything Fantasy Hockey on a daily basis for CBSSports.com. They agree and disagree on a variety of subjects on a weekly basis and will share their opinions on Fantasy-relevant topics each week.

Which player you expected to have a difficult season exceeded your expectations?
Ross Devonport	Michael Hurcomb
After his breakout 83-point campaign last season, I thought Mike Ribeiro might come back down a earth a little in 2008-09, as he really didn't look like a point-per-game guy during his first few NHL campaigns. He started off this season a little slowly on the goal-scoring front, but he kept on assisting and the goals finally started to come once the new year came around. Now he has 74 points in 78 games, but his minus-5 rating is a little disappointing. Still, he has confirmed his position this season as a must-start Fantasy forward – something he wasn't earlier this decade.	Without a doubt it was Mark Streit. I thought the move from the Canadiens to the Islanders would be detrimental to his career since he was basically going from a team that flourished on offense, especially the power play, to a group that was going to spend the year struggling for respect. The Islanders still had a poor season, but Streit attended his first All-Star game and remained an elite Fantasy defenseman in the process. He even managed a career-high 16 goals, including 10 on the power play.

Take your pick on Draft Day 2009 -- Mike Green or Nicklas Lidstrom?
Ross Devonport	Michael Hurcomb
This one isn't even close. Green has 30 goals this season, which ranks him tied for 23rd in the league and is nine more than any other defenseman out there. Then you have to consider that Green is only 23 years old, while Lidstrom turns 39 later this month. Oh, and while Lidstrom's supporting cast is clearly pretty solid, the Wings don't have Alex Ovechkin or Alexander Semin. I see Green as a mid-second round pick next season, while Lidstrom is more of a third-rounder.	Usually in a situation like this I would take the longstanding veteran Lidstrom since he has a history of consistency. But it's hard to overlook the fact Green has turned into a scoring machine since coach Bruce Boudreau came to town in 2007-08. Boudreau's coaching style suits Green, and he allows the defenseman to shoot at will. I don't foresee Boudreau being canned anytime soon and that will continue to benefit Green. Another negative going against Lidstrom is that not only does he lose stats to Brian Rafalski, but now Niklas Kronwall has become an efficient offensive player.

In a standard format, is Martin Brodeur still the elite Fantasy goalie next season?
Ross Devonport	Michael Hurcomb
As much as I like Steve Mason and Roberto Luongo, they still have question marks surrounding them (youth, injuries) heading into the 2009-10 season, while Brodeur has rebounded superbly from a major injury and looks like his old self again. The way Scott Clemmensen played so well in Brodeur's absence earlier this season pays testament to the way Brent Sutter has really continued the fine defensive play in New Jersey that seems to have been going on there for years. Of course, Brodeur will make any defense look good.	I've tried to make the argument in my head that Brodeur's reign atop the Fantasy world is over, but I just can't. The one issue that keeps Brodeur the elite option in my mind is that after sitting out months due to fluke elbow injury, he posted a shutout in his first game back and has hardly looked rusty. Like Nicklas Lidstrom, Brodeur has an unquestioned track record. I feel Evgeni Nabokov, Miikka Kiprusoff, Roberto Luongo and Steve Mason are four goalies nipping at Brodeur's heels, but can't dethrone the NHL's winningest goalie.

Not considering the upcoming draft, which prospect yet to make his NHL debut would you want long-term?
Ross Devonport	Michael Hurcomb
I've always had respect for guys who go the college route and don't jump at the money right away, so I'll go with Colin Wilson of Boston University here. Wilson had 52 points in 41 games this season, and while he only tallied 15 goals, his 37 assists left him second in Division I behind Quinnipiac's Bryan Leitch. Wilson shined at the world juniors with six goals, and at 19 still has plenty of room to improve. You can watch him in the Frozen Four and he is also a candidate for the Hobey Baker Award, which is given to the top player in the NCAA.	Cody Hodgson, Jordan Eberle and John Carlson are three of my favorite prospects and picking between them seems unfair. But if I have to choose I'm picking Carlson. It's not a knock against Eberle or Hodgson, but just the fact dynamite offensive defensemen are hard to find. Carlson passed up the opportunity to play in college to further develop his game with the prestigious London Knights (OHL). He didn't disappointed by totaling 76 points in 59 regular season games. London has been great for his development, and if he stays with Washington, he could eventually be mentored by Mike Green.

Do you agree with Ross or Michael? Send your thoughts to DMFantasyPucks@cbs.com and we'll post the best responses. Be sure to put Attn: Fantasy Faceoff in the subject field. Include your full name, hometown and state.