RADIO
![By DalStars9 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://cdn.rotoballer.com/2014/10/Valeri-Nichushkin-nhl-fantasy-hockey-sleepers.jpg)
Who is Valeri Nichushkin?
![By DalStars9 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](http://www.rotoballer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Valeri-Nichushkin-nhl-fantasy-hockey-sleepers-150x150.jpg)
Last year saw the emergence of quite a few great NHL rookies. Nathan MacKinnon running away with the Calder Trophy surprised virtually no one, while Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson seemingly came out of left field to capture second and third place in Rookie of the Year voting, respectively.
One of the NHL youngsters that seemed to fly a little under the radar last year who now looks to be poised for a breakout is Stars forward Valeri Nichushkin. Last season, Nichushkin finished tied for fifth in rookie +/- at +20, and tied for eighth among all rookies with 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists) in 79 games.
He sported a very respectable 53.13 Corsi percentage over the course of the season while spending time on the Stars second and third lines. Nichushkin earned a bit of time on Russia’s Olympic roster, and had already played a season in the KHL with men before playing his first NHL game. Oh, and this kid’s only 19 years old.
2014-15 Fantasy Hockey Sleeper
Even though he's currently nursing an injury, and is expected to miss at least a week of action, I like Nichushkin as a fantasy hockey sleeper for a bunch of reasons. He’s a monster at 6'4'' and 205 lbs., and he isn't afraid to throw his body around during play. He’s speedy enough to play on a line with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin, and was very quick to adjust to the North American game last season.
Though his shooting percentage only clocked in at 10.9% in 2013-14, he managed to throw 128 pucks at the net, so he’s not afraid to take the shot when it’s there. This is a player whose Corsi numbers show that he can drive possession, a skill which should only rise as he works on his defensive game in his sophomore campaign.
Depending on your league’s scoring breakdown, Nichushkin can deliver in a number of categories. He has all the makings of a scoring power forward, and I see him being able to hit the 45-point mark fairly easily if he stays on the top line and keeps seeing power play time on the second unit like he has to start the season. The upside here is that his physical play will grab you a few hits during the season, as well. As of right now, Nichushkin is only owned in 29.6% of ESPN leagues so go grab him off the waiver wire before he starts lighting the lamp.
