Keep F. Forsberg or D. Hamilton?

[pier_hockey]

We keep 5 players each year and right now I have 6 keepers to choose from: Crosby, Benn, Simmonds and Buff are locks (unless convinced otherwise), leaving me with D. Hamilton and F. Forsberg to fill the final spot. Who would you keep? I don't think packaging them in a 2 for 1 deal is feasible. I know I could get an asset in exchange for Forsberg: either a draft pick upgrade or a rookie (we keep 5 rookie players as well)...the rookie would be in the B. Point or Tkachuk type player category who would be an upgrade on some of my other rookie keepers. As a final note, I also have Klingberg, but I rank him lower than Hamilton and Forsberg. Thanks! Will rep.

[RizzeeDizzee]

First off, you are right to value Hamilton more than Klingberg in your league (if you need affirmation, check out my recent cage match pitting them against each other). I think Hamilton gets the nod, mostly because his SOG and PIM are quite good and he scored like a monster after the first quarter of 2016-17. Plus, it sounds like you can get a small asset for Forsberg, but not for Hamilton, so that further tilts the scales. I'm just a bit surprised someone won't overpay you for Klingberg, since in most leagues people are still tantalized by him.

[lucafen4]

If you could get Tkachuk for F.F. when keeping Hamilton, I'd be all over it. A pretty solid return on a player with limited value due to drop potential.

[MZac]

If you could get Tkachuk for F.F. when keeping Hamilton, I'd be all over it. A pretty solid return on a player with limited value due to drop potential.

I second this. Get tkatchuk in your setup and keep Hamilton.

If you cant get tkatchuk or a similar caliber rookie player in return I like Forsberg over Hamilton straight up. The weighting on goals at 4 points (and pp points) puts me over the edge here. Forsberg is a lock for 30 and I think pushes for 40 the next few years. It's hard to find 30 goal scorers so I keep him if I can't get the return I'm looking for.

[MZac]

I came back and revisited... I like Forsberg alot here. The weighting on points (specifically goals) is much more favourable than the peripherals. After some thought I think I try first to keep Forsberg and move Hamilton + a rookie for a better rookie or a draft pick.

[pier_hockey]

I came back and revisited... I like Forsberg alot here. The weighting on points (specifically goals) is much more favourable than the peripherals. After some thought I think I try first to keep Forsberg and move Hamilton + a rookie for a better rookie or a draft pick.

Yeah, the goal heavy scoring system in our league is also why I'm a bit hesitant to move on from Forsberg. But my thought process is this: not to underestimate 30 goal scorers, but their were 26 of them this year including the likes of Skinnner, Lee, Oshie, Rakell, Carter, Kadri, Eaves and Marchessault. I feel like I have a better (or at least equal) chance at redrafting a few of these type forwards who will be 30 goal scorers then I do at redrafting a defensemen like Hamilton who was 9th in points among Dmen and had the 3rd highest SOG total. DH was also underutilized on the top PP and was held back by his low ice time, which should change next year. Plus, I could potentially get a solid rookie in return for F.F. But on the same hand, I tend to want the best player available regardless, which could be Forsberg, especially if he threatens for 40 goals. But in terms of asset management it might be best to sell FF and hold onto DH.

[Moses]

General rule of thunb (I think): Keep a 4th forward over a 2nd D in a keep 5 league.

[hockeyrobot]

General rule of thunb (I think): Keep a 4th forward over a 2nd D in a keep 5 league.

I agree here. Forsberg is the way to go.

[Vancityguy]

This comes down to the return I could get for either player as I value them pretty equally (I tend to lean towards Hamilton as I'm a bit of a fanboy of him on my teams). If you can get Tkachuk for Forsberg and not for Hamilton then I go that route. As mentioned you cannot go wrong keeping a 30g forward but I would favor getting the best possible asset in a trade for one of the two.