The closet is full of fantasy talent in the wings. As you prepare for your fantasy draft, make sure you know your league system. Some leagues group wingers, others distinguish between left and right wing, and still others group the entire offense. If your league selects by position, be sure to focus on the left wing position. Apart from the elite (Ovechkin/Sedin), the left is not as talented as the right. Make sure you catch a left winger early, and if you’re lucky enough to be in the top 4 or 5, make sure you catch Ovie or Daniel there.

Here are the top 10 wingers to target in the 2011-12 fantasy hockey draft:

TIER 1

1. Alex Ovechkin (LW-WAS)
Ovechkin saw a big drop in his stats last season, but don’t let that scare you from reinstating him as this year’s top draft pick. With Crosby’s health problems and Stamkos collapsing late in the season, the #8 is the best bet to dominate fantasy hockey in 2011-12. Look for him to get back into 50 goal form.

2. Daniel Sedin (LW-VAN)
Daniel finally broke through with the best season of his career (by far) in 2010-11. He topped 100 points and 40 goals and should make a run of it again this year. With Daniel, you are guaranteed that one of the best prepared men in the game will be on the ice with him every turn. No other striker comes with that promise. That makes him a sure pick to be in the top 10 in goals and points for the foreseeable future.

3. Corey Perry (RW-ANA)
6 seasons in the NHL and his numbers have been rising steadily in each of them. He emerged late in the year to reach 50 goals and earn a Hart Trophy in the process. There is no reason to expect a big drop this year. At 26, he is in his prime, in good health and has top-tier talent around him. All signs point to another strong fantasy season.

LEVEL 2

4. Claude Giroux (RW-PHI)
Giroux reported on the breakout season that many hoped he would produce last year. It was a big reason the Flyers felt comfortable letting Carter and Richards go. He is now the go-to man on Philadelphia’s offense and can challenge the big dogs for the scoring title when all is said and done in 2012.

5. Patrick Kane (RW-CHI)
Kane took his foot off the accelerator a bit, after the Stanley Cup celebration in 2010. His numbers fell, but he stayed at one point per game and approached 30 goals. He remains an elite right winger and in his fifth season in the NHL, he has a good chance to set a new goalscoring record. He expects around 35 this time.

6. Ilya Kovalchuk (RW-New Jersey)
Kovalchuk had a season to forget last year. He posted his lowest point total in 9 years at just 60. On the plus side, he still scored 31 goals and saw close to 25 minutes per game for the Devils. They’ve hitched their wagons to his contract, so come what may, he’ll get plenty of playing time and a chance to return to superstar status. Plan a return to 40 goals and look for him to go to round 3, based on his dismal performance last year.

7. Pavel Datsyuk (LW-DET)
Datsyuk missed part of the time with a hand injury in December and a lower body injury in March. For that reason, he managed only 59 points in 56 games. Consider him a sleeper pick, since he’ll probably get back to 80 points this year. Obviously, he came back to full health in the playoffs, with 15 points in 11 games.

8. Henrik Zetterberg (LW-DET)
It’s a shame he’s so damn responsible defensively. It would be fascinating to see what kind of numbers Zetterberg could put up if he took off the leash. Even with his awareness, he still manages to score points in bunches and should do so once again this season. Count on another 80 point run for Hank.

LEVEL 3

9. Loui Eriksson (RW-DAL)
Erikson has set new highs in points in each of his five NHL seasons, though his goal total has dropped slightly in the past two years. He’s an elite scoring threat — the best the star has to offer, now that Neal and Richards are gone. How much will Richards’ departure affect Eriksson? While that is cause for some concern, consider that in the 10-game stretch without Richards last season, he still managed to score 5 goals. Expect 30-plus points from Erikson in 2011-12.

10. Bobby Ryan (LW-ANA)
31. 35. 34. Those are pretty good numbers when you look at goal totals over the past three seasons. Ryan is in a sweet spot on the left wing, playing Getzlaf and Perry when possible. As far as left wingers go, there aren’t many picks safer than Ryan for another 30-goal season.