What’s the key to drafting a stellar fantasy hockey team? Who should you avoid? Who should you jump on? Today is your lucky day!
We’re now less than two weeks away from the start of another NHL regular season. Fantasy owners are burning the midnight oil trying to prepare for their drafts. You can’t win a league on draft day, but you can definitely position your squad for success.
Here are some draft tips to help ensure you don’t finish in last place.
1. KNOW YOUR LEAGUE SETTINGS
Be cognizant of the league rules and scoring systems set by your commissioner. For example, if there isn’t a hits category, there’s no point in owning a player like Colorado’s Nikita Zadorov. Try aiming for categorical balance throughout your roster with players that fit certain needs.
2. SCOWER OFF-SEASON MOVEMENT
Yes: John Tavares is a Maple Leaf. And yes, Mike Hoffman was traded to San Jose one moment, then back to the Atlantic Division the next. It’s of vast importance that you know what’s happened since the Washington Capitals hoisted the Stanley Cup and the bender of a life-time for Alexander Ovechkin got underway. Pay attention to these movements and it’ll be a huge help putting together your roster.
3. DON’T OVERHYPE ROOKIES
We’ve been treated to a bevy of outstanding rookie performances over the past several years. Heck, seemingly out of nowhere last season, Mathew Barzal erupted for a 63-assist, 85-point rookie campaign with the Islanders. Now, it’s fair to believe the hype when it comes to superstars such as Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews, but it’s also important to temper expectations for most. Rasmus Dahlin has the highest pre-season rank (SN RANK: 85) among rookies.
4. ATTACK THE SOPHOMORE SLUMP
For the most part, the dreaded sophomore slump is just a myth, but don’t tell that to Penguins goalie Matt Murray. Ice time, team role and injury concerns are among the variety of factors that play into a potential second year dip. Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine would laugh at this notion.
Meantime, recent data suggests defencemen have been more prone to seeing a drop in their Year 2 numbers. Among examples of this are Zach Werenski and Brady Skjei last season and Shayne Gostisbehere the year before that. The good news is everyone seems to get their act in order just in time for the final year of their entry-level contracts. Money motivation is a beautiful thing.
Of note for this year’s fantasy draft is that the trend of second-year dips for defencemen doesn’t bode well for the likes of Mikhail Sergachev, Will Butcher or Charlie McAvoy.
5. LET THE GOALIE MARKET COME TO YOU
Never make the first move when it comes to taking a goalie. The fact there’s rarely a consensus No. 1 at the position tells you all you need to know. It’s volatile and situations can change on a whim. Be patient and monitor what’s happening. You can find value later in the draft.
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6. MONITOR STATUS
As previously noted this week, it’s integral to have a gauge on who’s playing for what. From upcoming UFAs and RFAs-to-be who are keying in on big-time contracts, to players looking for an increase in playing time. You need to be all over this.
For example, Erik Karlsson is eager to prove why he should be the league’s highest-paid defenceman. Carolina forward Sebastian Aho enters year three of his entry-level contract with a big pay-day in mind. And the cold-blooded Juuse Saros is looking to steal the crease from veteran Pekka Rinne, who is in the final year of his contract and turns 36 years old in November.
7. POUNCE ON PEDIGREE
There’s a reason Carey Price is still widely considered the best goaltender on the planet. Despite his struggles last season, the 31-year-old has done enough in his career to suggest he’ll be back and closer to form. His resume speaks for itself. A player this good doesn’t just completely lose his abilities.
You can find phenomenal draft value when it comes to bounce-back candidates. Among last year’s crowd in this regard were Anze Kopitar, Taylor Hall and Claude Giroux. They were absolute steals considering where they were taken later in drafts. Along with Price, Wayne Simmonds, Kris Letang, Duncan Keith, Jeff Skinner and Rasmus Ristolainen are some prime examples of players who could return to form that you can nab in later rounds.
8. CUT THE BIAS
If you’re a New Jersey Devils fan and you litter your roster with everyone and anyone from Taylor Hall to Stefan Noesen, you’ll have a fun time playing for consolation medals. Put your fandom aside and draft the players who’ll give you the best opportunity to compete for a league title. That also includes owning players from a division rival. We all have our favourites — you have to put that stuff aside.
