Originally Posted by
horrorfan
Cannibal Staalocaust
It was an interesting draft, with quite a few adjustments to the strategy going in. I had a plan in place, but I knew with these guys that could totally change at a moment's notice. Here's my draft summary:
1.6. Erik Karlsson: I had a plan going in with a few options. I knew Ovechkin, Crosby and Benn would be the top 3 or at least gone by the time I chose sixth. There was Karlsson and Burns, and Holtby and Price if I wanted to go backend first. Finally, I had decided that with the limited number of wingers with positional eligibility, Pavelski would've been a perfect pick here given his all around contributions. Unfortunately, he was taken fifth so had to change my initial strategy and go with my top D in Karlsson. Sure, Burns had a monster year last season, but I didn't want to assume that his sudden SOG and offensive increase was a guarantee this year. Karlsson feels like a safer offensive bet, and that was my priority, since I wasn't getting a forward.
2.19. Ben Bishop: I figured there would be plenty of goalie options , and I was going to take the top one remaining. I figured Quick or Bishop, so happy to get one of them.
3.30. Devan Dubnyk: When planning my strategy, I went back and forth deciding whether to take my second goalie right away or wait a bit later. There were forward options given I didn't have one yet, and since I had a D I wasn't going to grab a second this early. So, figured get that second reliable starter to solidify my starters. Dubynk was on my list and thankfully he was still there.
4.43. Filip Forsberg: I needed a forward, and ideally an all-round contributor in several categories. Forsberg was one of the few targeted remaining, so happy to have him anchor my LW.
5.54. Sean Monahan: Even though centres are plentiful, ones that are on the rise with good SOG and high FOW are not as abundant. Monahan's a guy who I hope will take that next step this season to be one of the more productive centres in the league.
6.67. Nikita Kucherov: He kept falling and falling due to his contract status. I just couldn't pass on him any longer, and hopefully he'll sign soon and fulfill his potential of being an elite winger in this league. Not huge peripherals but with points as a category I couldn't pass on someone like him with his upside.
7.78. Patrik Hornqvist: Decided to continue on the wingers and wanted to start looking at hits a bit more after my last couple picks. I could've gone with Toffoli here, and perhaps that may turn out to be a better choice, but with Hornqvist's high SOG and Hit totals, I was happy to get him before he got snapped up.
8.91. Ryan Kesler: Although tempted to go for a more offensive #2 centre, I wanted to boost the hits and help out PIM a bit more. Furthermore, as my plan was having centres with strong FOW totals, Kesler seemed ideal.
9.102. Boone Jenner: Seems to be a bit of theme around this part of the draft - back to higher shooters with some grit. Not sure if he'll get some centre time this year, thus boosting his FOW totals. That would be a bonus, but not a focus.
10.115. Jordan Staal: I've been thinking when should I get my #2 defensemen. Looking at what was available I figured I could wait another round. Originally, I thought about picking Staal a bit later but given the vultures in this league and his value in this format, strong FOW from the wing and decent offensive opportunities, I had to get him now.
11.126. Ryan McDonagh: Ok, needed a defenseman. McDonagh is expected to be the top D on the Rangers so hopefully he can get back to 40+ with decent peripherals, most importantly blocked shots, a priority when getting defensemen in this format.
12.139. Derick Brassard: Time for my #3 centre with good offensive opportunities on Ottawa, good amount of grit, and solid FOW. Good value IMO at this point.
13.150. Seth Jones: Leading the Blue Jackets D this season I have high hopes of a strong season. Not a big hitter but at least should be decent in blocks.
14.163. Justin Abdelkader: Back to the multiple category contributors, and it's been a few rounds since getting a RW so it was worth picking him up here, with his LW eligibility, modest offensive numbers, strong hits and PIM totals. Excellent value here, and hopefully he'll improve his +/- this season.
15.174. Johnny Boychuk: Not sure if he'll get much PP time this season but if given the opportunity then it will be a huge boost to his solid peripheral contributions. For a #4 D, that works for me.
16.187. Michal Neuvirth: With Greiss going a bit earlier I knew I needed my first backup goalie with potential to become the starter. I knew I wanted one more, and Chad Johnson is on my radar. Need to decide when to grab him...
17.198. Tomas Plekanec: Not yet, and although there were still a few decent depth centres on the board, perhaps Plekanec has enough left in the tank to put together a solid season, with good SOG and usually high FOW totals. Solid for my #4.
18.211. Chad Johnson: Ok, can't wait any longer for Johnson. In my pre-draft strategy I had figured around pick 200 so I'm happy to get him here. Will see how Elliott's health is this season but at worst hoping for decent spot starts.
19.222. Tomas Tatar: Have to admit I was surprised that Tatar fell this far. Sure, he wasn't great last season but he's only one season away from 29 goals, 56 points, 90 hits, 19 PPP and 211 SOG. If he can get close to that this season he'll be a steal at pick 222.
20.235. Shane Doan: Part of me was thinking should I grab more players with upside but even at this late stage of his career, Doan has been very solid on a per game basis. I'm not expecting last year's goal totals, but you can generally rely on him to hit a few categories on a regular basis.
21.246. Connor Murphy: I realised that I still only had 4 D so it was worth grabbing someone that will fill the hits and blocks, but might have a bit of offensive potential. With Stone still recovering (even though he's close), perhaps this will give Murphy a shot at some good minutes. I admit I didn't know anything about him recently but read that he had played on the top line with OEL late last season, and he did get some PP time as well. Of course, Stone's health will likely decide his value but figured it was a low risk option at this stage.
22.259. PA Parenteau: Potentially playing with Tavares and available at pick 259? Yes please. With my last two RW being more grit options, he might fill the offensive gap when needed.
23.270. Artem Anisimov: Another depth option with potential playing time with a star. If he centres Kane, then he'll have decent value as a depth centre.
24.283. Oscar Klefbom: It pains me as a Flames fan to pick an Oiler, but as I needed one more D I figured why not grab the guy who showed decent potential last season, may get some decent PP time, and on a per game basis, was strong in blocks.
25.294. Micheal Ferland: I could've gone with a more offensive player, a young guy with potential, but decided on the guy who provides a ton of hits and maybe, just maybe gets time on the top line with Monahan. Worth a shot this late.
Team summary:
C: Monahan, Kesler, Brassard, Plekanec, Anisimov
L: Forsberg, Jenner (C), J. Staal (C), Tatar, Ferland
R: Kucherov, Hornqvist, Abdelkader (L), Doan, Parenteau
D: Karlsson, McDonagh, Jones, Boychuk, Murphy, Klefbom
G: Bishop, Dubnyk, Neuvirth, Johnson