With the start of the NHL season just days away, fans and players alike are gearing up for a new season of hockey. While the 30 NHL general managers have their rosters all filled out, millions of fantasy managers are sitting at their own computers studying for their drafts.
As you prepare for any fantasy draft, it is important to know your competitors and the league you are playing in. Make sure you are familiar with the point structure and roster positions. For example, my league is composed of 14 teams and counts nine statistical categories, four of which are filled out by goalies, with each team forced to start two netminders. This places a high premium on goaltenders on draft day.
My strategy is to fill both goalie spots within the first three or four rounds of the draft. There are not twenty-eight goalies worth starting in fantasy hockey, so having premium players at the position is a huge advantage.
Another reason I am in favour of drafting goalies early is the availability of high-upside skaters later in the draft. Unlike goalies, where late round options like Craig Anderson offer little fantasy value, there is an abundance of skaters capable of outperforming their draft positions. Besides, you don’t win or lose your league in the first round of the draft. Sleepers and breakout stars win fantasy leagues; you just have to figure out who they are. After my goalies are taken care of, here’s a list of players I think will offer great value this year:
Dany Heatley, LW, MIN
Heatley had a career low in goals last year. Expect him to get back to the 35-40 goal range.
Martin Brodeur, G, NJ
I believe Brodeur’s struggles were the result of the Devils being terrible, and not the other way around. Even if I do have two goalies by this stage, Brodeur is very intriguing as a sixth-round pick.
Joe Pavelski, C/RW, SJ
With Heatley gone, Pavelski spent training camp on a line with Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. If he can play with them for a full season, 30 goals and 70 points is a conservative estimate.
Jaromir Jagr, LW, PHI
He may not be the player he once was, but he had five points through two exhibition games and if I can still get him in the 10th round or later, I’m laughing.
Alex Edler, D, VAN
With the departure of Christian Erhoff, Edler looks to quarterback a Canuck powerplay that led the league in effectiveness last season.
Mikko Koivu, C, MIN
I’ve already tabbed Heatley for 40 goals and Koivu’s other winger should be Devin Setoguchi. Expect to see Koivu’s best Joe Thornton impression this season, only he’s four years younger and can skate.
Brian Campbell, D, FLA
Campbell may have been a bust for the Blackhawks, but he was playing behind Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. He’ll be better in Florida, and it would hard to call him a bust if he’s taken after the 16th round of your draft.
