Originally Posted by Vancityguy
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Let me give some background, as the original poster here.
It's a 12-team league where about five of the GM's are very active, three or four are moderately active, and the bottom three aren't whatsoever. That's reflected in attitudes towards young prospects, particularly on the blueline.
I grabbed EJ and Hedman a couple years ago (our first year as a keeper league), drafted Subban, Carlson and Karlsson last year, and grabbed Shattenkirk and Fowler off waivers very early in the year.
Which leads to the next tough issue...and that's that it's been really tough to get any interest in a trade for one or two of these guys. The bottom teams aren't interested b/c most of those GM's view Shatts, Carlson, Fowler, etc as nothing but good prospects and have little interest in prospects unless they're forwards (ie-Benn, Eberle, Ennis are viewed as absolutely untouchable)...while the top teams aren't looking to add youngsters b/c they know they've got a chance to win for the next few years.
Plus, teams that are interested know I need to drop three of them..so they may be able to draft one of those players without having to give up a decent player.
That works for me, in that I could easily re-draft one (or even two of the guys), but I'd rather work a deal. Fortunately, we have until early September to choose keepers, so there's not a major rush to make a choice either way.
FYI - my thoughts were to keep:
1. Karlsson - best on the list
2. EJ - Think he's going to have a massive year. One bad year doesn't make him a bust...and I want to be there when he turns it around. Undoubtedly the top option in Colorado right now.
3. Subban - also set to be a bigtime producer
4a. Fowler - think he's Shattenkirk, minus three years of age. Love the chance of him seeing top PP minutes due to an oft-injured Visnovsky. Soph slump is a concern, though
4b. Carlson - because I think Washington could very well move Green. If I don't keep Carlson, he's a guy I'd look to re-draft in the early rounds. But for now, limited PP time.
My toughest choice is between Carlson and Fowler for the fourth spot.
6. Shattenkirk - I'm in the group that thinks he's the long-term second option in StLouis, behind Pietrangelo. Great young player, though
7. Hedman - no idea when he'll see PP time, which is a major concern
