Final Keeper: Zetterberg, Palat or Schwartz

[Referee3083]

Hi everyone, I'm looking for advice on who to pick for my final keeper spot. Zetterberg carries the biggest name value, but between his age, higher likelihood of injury (compared to Palat or Schwartz) and that Datsyuk will be out for some time (easier for opponents to focus on shutting down Zetts' line with fewer stars to spread Detroit's offense around), I'm wondering if it's time for me to release Zetts for either Palat or Schwartz?

My best case scenario is that I can bundle Zetts with someone else to trade for an upgrade to one of my keepers. But assuming I can't, who's my last keeper? In case it helps, for our draft, I have the 12th and 24th overall, so there's a good chance I'm not able to re-draft the 2 guys I don't keep.

[PenguinHunter]

I like Schwartz here a lot.

Its hard to drop Zetterberg though, but injuries are creeping up on him and without Datsyuk for a couple months will hurt him for sure. Schwartz also allows you to have another Winger as a keeper rather than three C and since FOW are not stat, C should be a deeper position for you to fill.

[Pengwin7]

Palat in multi-cat.
Schwartz in straight-points.
Zetterberg if you have more than 2 GMs that are die-hard Wings fans (it happens).

[Avangard]

Palat in multi-cat.
Schwartz in straight-points.
Zetterberg if you have more than 2 GMs that are die-hard Wings fans (it happens).

This.

[Goldendelicious]

Schwartz for me. Can't go wrong with Palat though. As hard as it is to say, I walk away from Zetterberg.

[iamlilc]

Palat in multi-cat.
Schwartz in straight-points.

This for me.

[Mighty Mo]

I was in the same boat with Zetterberg each offseason. Had him for years and just couldn't let him go due his continued success. Seeing the window of opportunity closing this past season, I finally decided it was time to take advantage of one of his better portions of the season and moved him. With the deal I was able to upgrade his roster/keeper spot to Johansen.

It could be a roll of the dice, but I would hang onto Zetterberg and move him early in the season (as soon as he gets on a good point streak). Perhaps even target a keeper-worthy player that is off to a slow start. Out of the three options, I think this will get you the best result in the long run.

Next best option is going with Schwartz (IMO).

[Bass56]

I like Schwartz in your format.

Zetts is the next best thing but as you said, age is a factor.

Palat is good in a multi-cat format with Hits (he can get you about 130-150), but with only a few extra cats other than pts, I don't think he will be better than Schwartz.

[horrorfan]

Just curious, what were their fantasy points per game in your format last season? As this is a points league (not multi cat), it would probably help to see how much each category affects the total. Given it's H2H as well, then per game numbers are important to know.

[kevinsrangers]

I'd keep palat.

[Referee3083]

It sounds like it's time to cut my ties with Zetterberg.

Just curious, what were their fantasy points per game in your format last season? As this is a points league (not multi cat), it would probably help to see how much each category affects the total. Given it's H2H as well, then per game numbers are important to know.

Fantasy points per game (total points for season):

2014-15
Zetterberg - 3.7 (282)
Schwartz - 3.9 (293.8)
Palat - 3.7 (277.1)

2013-14
Zetterberg - 4.9 (220.4)
Schwartz - 3.5 (276.6)
Palat - 3.7 (298.3)

I included total points on the season to compare Palat and Schwartz (Zetterberg's #'s are lower because of time missed to injury).

In 2014-15, Schwartz did better that Palat because he had 45 more shots on goal. Although Schwartz had 12 more goals (5 more on the PP), Palat offset them by being +31 (vs. +13 for Schwartz).
In 2013-14, Palat did better than Schwartz because of blocked shots (which I think is an unpredictable stat for a forward and isn't a factor to consider here).

I normally look at trending SOG & shooting % as indicators of future success, but these guys really only have 2 full NHL seasons behind them, so that's too small a sample size. We are a multi-cat league, but the points are heavily weighted towards goals and assists, with the only other really relevant "multi cat" stat for a forward being SOG (Schwartz seems to have the edge here). Typing this out and reading through the comments, it's feeling like Schwartz is the way to go.

(Even though I said it was a small sample size) Schwartz does have a 14% shooting percentage, which is pretty high (higher than guys like Getzlaf, Perry, Ovechkin, P Kane, Seguin). Is that sustainable?

[Zorro]

Definitely Schwartz or Palat, time to cut ties with Zetterberg.. I'm leaning towards Schwartz but Palat isn't a bad option either!!

Your team is really strong.. Is Kopitar that valuable in your league?? I would look to package him up with someone and get yourself a stud!!

[Big Baby]

Owned all 3 for majority of last season. I just moved Schwartz this off season and in my opinion after watching them play very closely.

My list would be

Zetterberg
Palat
Schwartz

I know that many of you picked Schwartz but there's something about his game that worries me. Palat and Zetterberg are the same player just 10 years apart. And I think Palat has another level to hit. I also think that Zetterberg had a bad year and will bounce back nicely, especially with datsyuk out until December. Lots of PP time for Zetterberg

[Referee3083]

Is Kopitar that valuable in your league?? I would look to package him up with someone and get yourself a stud!!

He was until last year

Ideally, I was thinking of trying to package Zetterberg & Kopitar for an upgrade. Not sure if they'll be a lot of takers for 2 guys coming off a down year, but it doesn't hurt to try right? I might also try Zetterberg & either Schwartz or Palat, see which nets me the bigger return, and let that decide which of Palat / Schwartz I keep.

I know that many of you picked Schwartz but there's something about his game that worries me. Palat and Zetterberg are the same player just 10 years apart. And I think Palat has another level to hit.

I don't get to watch much of Schwartz, so it's always helpful to get thoughts from someone who sees him. My concerns with him are whether or not he's truly a goal scorer (and can maintain the pace he's trending at). I also don't know if/how the loss of Oshie (I know he's a RW) shakes up the lines in St. Louis. Playing alongside Tarasenko is a nice spot to be in, but does the top 6 go through a shake up to find the best new chemistry? Palat and the triplets seem to be a lock for playing together, and even if there's a top 6 shake up in Tampa, I can't see moving to a line with Stamkos hurting Palat's value.