It's simple really.
READ DAILY
Websites, columnists, newspapers, magazines. Anything and everything you can get your fingers on.
TALK
To everyone that you can. The exchange of ideas is valuable. It's also fun.
REVIEW
Carefully pour through box scores, lists, abstract thoughts (who has won the Rookie, Scoring & MVP awards in each of the three Major Jr. leagues? - maybe this would find a sure fire NHLer?)
OPINION
Read with the understanding that there is a lot of opinion. Some correct. Some incorrect. Then follow your own beliefs.
BUILD CHARTS
A couple times a year I develop charts. This helps me assess what ranking players currently have in the overall Fantasy world. All G go on one page. D on another. LW on a third. C & of course RW go on their own pages.
WORK HARDER THAN ANYONE ELSE
Like most everything in life, those that work the hardest, get the best results. Simple goal setting. (send out a trade offer a day/week)
PLAN & STRATEGIZE
Understand your short term needs & goals. Understand your long term needs & goals. For example in cap, three years ago I wanted Duncan Keith. I got him. I traded him last year, just prior to his cap hit going through the roof. Develop team building strategies and implement them. In cap I concluded 20 points per $1M of cap space. "ABOVE THE BAR THEORY". Whether they're correct or not, at least I have a plan. Avoid middling or untradeable pieces at all costs. Dispose of depreciating assets.
NEVER THROW IN THE TOWEL
Always drive to the top, never go backwards! NEVER!
CONTROL IT, DON'T LET IT CONTROL YOU
By managing carefully, and daily, you'll soon control your destiny, rather than simply being pushed and warped by the league around you. It's in your hands.