MLK Day - Mailbag - Answering Your Fantasy Hockey Questions

[Mischief Managed]

Going into this season, I thought Kronwall and OEL would be my best dmen (points only), so far that hasn't been the case. At midseason, how would you order these defensemen from best to worst in a keeper league? Kronwall, OEL, Doughty, Schultz, Brodie, Franson, Klingberg. I'd likely keep 3-4 of them.

[metaldude26]

Going into this season, I thought Kronwall and OEL would be my best dmen (points only), so far that hasn't been the case. At midseason, how would you order these defensemen from best to worst in a keeper league? Kronwall, OEL, Doughty, Schultz, Brodie, Franson, Klingberg. I'd likely keep 3-4 of them.

Doughty
Kronwall
OEL
Franson
Brodie
Schultz
Klingberg

[CreamTeam]

Would you drop Smith-Pelly, Laughton or Yakupov for Josh Bailey?

[metaldude26]

Would you drop Smith-Pelly, Laughton or Yakupov for Josh Bailey?

If they aren't in your top 20, which I'm assuming they aren't then yes. I'd drop Laughton first.

[sasquatch]

We all know McDavid and Eichel are almost certainly going to be elite studs. What I want to know is how would you compare the following guys to previous years drafts?

3 Crouse, Lawson LW Kingston OHL
5 Rantanen, Mikko RW TPS Turku FinE
7 Strome, Dylan C Erie OHL
8 Barzal, Mathew C Seattle WHL
9 Marner, Michell C London OHL
11 Zacha, Pavel C Sarnia OHL
(rankings from current ISS report)

where would say Sam Reinhart or Leon Draisaitl slot in there?

I've read its quite a deep draft with regards to top end talent.. would love to hear some comparisons.

[metaldude26]

We all know McDavid and Eichel are almost certainly going to be elite studs. What I want to know is how would you compare the following guys to previous years drafts?

3 Crouse, Lawson LW Kingston OHL
5 Rantanen, Mikko RW TPS Turku FinE
7 Strome, Dylan C Erie OHL
8 Barzal, Mathew C Seattle WHL
9 Marner, Michell C London OHL
11 Zacha, Pavel C Sarnia OHL
(rankings from current ISS report)

where would say Sam Reinhart or Leon Draisaitl slot in there?

I've read its quite a deep draft with regards to top end talent.. would love to hear some comparisons.

Undrafted prospects not really my forte. I'm taking either Reinhart or Draisaitl ahead of those guys though simply because they are farther along developmentally.

Liked what I saw from Crouse at WJC. Looks like maybe more of a two-way guy than outright scorer but we've seen two-way guys produce well anyhow.

Rantanen looked great at WJC. Got a real Patric Hornqvist vibe from him as a guy who will fire the ever-living crap out of the puck from anywhere and also has size to get to the net for the cheapies.

[glorybe23]

What do you prefer in Head-to-head fantasy hockey.

Points for each category won - 12-0-0 for the week gets you 24 pts.
or
Points for most categories won - 12-0-0 for the week gets you 2 pts.

curious what the pros enjoy most.

[metaldude26]

What do you prefer in Head-to-head fantasy hockey.

Points for each category won - 12-0-0 for the week gets you 24 pts.
or
Points for most categories won - 12-0-0 for the week gets you 2 pts.

curious what the pros enjoy most.

I play both but definitely favour points for each category but there are strategic advantages either way. One thing I know for sure, either way, goaltending is the great equalizer.

[john.chu323]

Would you trade away Niemi for Kopitar + Kuemper? I'd have to rely on Bob and Dubnyk the rest of the way. Not really confident there.

And should I be worried about Kessel yet?

[Enapai]

So, I am top 4 for the league in my signature. We only start 1 goalie a night, but I am at a disadvantage compared to the other top 3 because my second goalie is Ben Scrivens. I have been looking to rectify this for a while and have only found 1 GM willing to talk moving a goalie. He wants Karlsson as he is in a rebuild mode and defenseman points are weighted.

We are pretty settled that he will include Varlamov in the deal (he also has Bernier who I can hold out for). He is willing to put in Trouba (I could likely take J. Schultz instead for an upgrade elsewhere in the trade) as long as I don't hold out for MacKinnon as the forward he includes.

He proposed MacKinnon and Varlamov straight up for Karlsson, which I turned down.

I think he would go for Varlamov, Nyquist, and Trouba for Karlsson. I could try Varlamov, MacKinnon, and Schultz as an alternative.

Every time I mention moving Karlsson in the forums, I get the blanket response that I can't even consider such a thing. Currently Karlsson is outside the top 5 for defenseman league points and is nearly 80 league points off top billing (which is Shattenkirk).

Truth is some more depth would definitely help my team compete for the championship. Varlamov was the top goalie in our league last year by a wide margin (by 60 points).

I know the rule of thumb is that the team getting the best player generally wins the trade, so am I foolish to continue to entertain these talks?So here's one question you really need to ask since the reason you are exploring the deal is to compete this year. How many games would Varlamov overlap with your current start the rest of the way. He might be an upgrade on Scrivens but if you can only use him for 15 more starts this year, is it really worth it?

So here's one question you really need to ask since the reason you are exploring the deal is to compete this year. How many games would Varlamov overlap with your current start the rest of the way. He might be an upgrade on Scrivens but if you can only use him for 15 more starts this year, is it really worth it?

Very valid point. My other goalie is Schneider. I have not run the full schedule, but through January, Schneider and Varlamov only overlap once (Jan. 30th). I have to run this long term obviously, but if it seems to add a sizable boost, should I look at MacKinnon/Schultz as other pieces of Trouba and Nyquist?

[L2TG]

My goalie cats have gotten rocked over the past week. My league and team are in SIG. Should I feel confident with my goalies or make a move for one? Halak is concerning me.. I'm way ahead in wins and shutouts but my GAA and SV% are in danger. Thanks Steve!

[metaldude26]

Would you trade away Niemi for Kopitar + Kuemper? I'd have to rely on Bob and Dubnyk the rest of the way. Not really confident there.

And should I be worried about Kessel yet?

I don't think I would because you'd also end up having to drop someone to do that deal and you've got some nice skaters.

Maybe flip it around and offer dubnyk to the kuemper owner.

No worries about Kessel.

[metaldude26]

My goalie cats have gotten rocked over the past week. My league and team are in SIG. Should I feel confident with my goalies or make a move for one? Halak is concerning me.. I'm way ahead in wins and shutouts but my GAA and SV% are in danger. Thanks Steve!

Wouldn't be too worried but rinne is you rock so it's no surprise that you've slid a bit.

[CHunter]

In a keeper league ( team in sig), would you keep the following 4 or try to trade some?

Granlund
Niedereiter
Kuznetsov
Toffoli

Thanks!

[PatyOFurniture]

one year, points only, Start 1 goalie per night.
I can drop Galchenyuk for either Fisher, Maroon, Bailey, Wilson or Dubnyk
I'm losing faith in Bernier and wouldnt mind snagging duby before someone else, and then I'll have time to wait and see with bernier. Or just stick with bernier, and pick up a Forward for now.

other FA goalies - Schneider, Hutchinson, Pavelec