2015 NHL Draft Q & A Thread

[Dean Youngblood]

Fire away any questions you've got regarding the upcoming 2015 NHL Draft class!

I will do my best to answer as best I can.

[Axeman33]

Awesome, thanks Rossy.

Here's a lob ball for ya because I know this question is going to get asked a ton in the forums leading up to the draft.

Points only, who do you prefer at #3? Marner or Strome.

Standard Multi-cat, who do you prefer at #3? Marner or Strome

[newfcollins]

Who's the best first round prospect no one is talking about? I hear all the hype about the top 5-8 guys, but who is someone that might be taken later in the first round that isn't getting enough hype?

[JagrBomb]

thanks for this thread, was hoping you would make one after dobber failed to help me out haha. here was my post in his mailbag, with a few corrections as i've gained some picks since then:


in the UHL league i currently have picks: 5th overall, 11th overall, and 17th overall.

i've retooled this year to help me compete in the near future, so immediate production isn't that necessary.

skater cats are: G, A, PPP, SHP, GWG, PIM, +/, SOG, Hits, Blks, FOW

Centers are valued a bit higher since they produce in FOW. D are generally the least valuable, in most cases if they make more than 2-3M they aren't worth their contract. C > W> D, but upside is what i am most interested in.

Who would you target with my picks?

i've already decided who i will take but would look a second opinion. my competitors will read this but obviously the real nhl draft will affect who i draft so not really too concerned.

[Big Ev]

Do you think Konecny is a future Curtis Lazar with more skill like I do?

[als_revenge]

Yeah, will he be a future star like Lazar, or a bust like Ryan Strome?

[pahlsson26]

Given that McDavid, Eichel, Strome and Marner are top 4 from the fantasy standpoint, who do you see as #5? Is it Hanifin or some forward? I'm talking dynasty league which includes blocks and hits.

[Bomm Bastic]

Any glaring concerns with regard to Hanifin's game? I always hear about the hype, but never the deficits.

[Sherpa]

Thanks for doing this Rossy! These are immensely appreciated by all!

I understand this coming entry draft is loaded with talent but not a peep has been uttered on the goalies of this draft.

Are there any goalies worth paying attention to?

If so, in what rounds do you envision them getting drafted?

Thanks again!

[The Good Sir]

Yeah, will he be a future star like Lazar, or a bust like Ryan Strome?

Don't poke the bear

[Feadur]

in a points-only, keep 11, salary-capped league, who are your top SEVEN 2015 draftees?

for reference, in this league, a 35-point defenceman is worth a 59-point forward (so a 40-pt D is worth a 64-pt F and so on)

I have them at

1. McDavid
2. Eichel
3. Strome
4. Marner
5. Hanifin
6. Raantanen
7. Crouse/Werenski

thoughts?

[Rodgort]

Can you draft my prospects for me in each keeper pool?

Ha, ok actual question with late picks in this draft (25-30 range) who could be second round drafted gems to get that maybe people will not grab with first round picks still available? Bracco and Senyshyn? Any others?

[The Good Sir]

Thanks for doing this Rossy. I have 5 picks in the first round for the league in my sig. The order of those picks are not decided yet as we have not had our Draft Lottery. I do have 2 picks in the lottery and have a 48% chance overall of landing McDavid. My question to you isn't so much who I should target with the first 2 picks (which could be anywhere from 1st to 3rd overall) as that's rather obvious, but rather who could potentially be a steal to stash on my minors later in the first (I have the 7th,9th,and 11th overall).

[franklin]

Points only league:

1-Who's the best option at D? Hanifin, Provorov or Werenski?

2-Pick one on this list: Barzal, Zacha, Crouse, Rantanen...or Fabbri

Thanks Rossy!

[Oakville Squires]

Thanks for doing this Rossy.

Right now I rank the top 12 prospects from this years draft, from a fantasy perspective in a G, A, P, +/-, PIMS, SOG, STP league, as:

1) McDavid
2) Eichel
3) Marner
4) Strome
5) Hanifan
6) Barzal
7) Rantanen
8) Zacha
9) Provorov
10) Crouse
11) Konecny
12) Meier

> What would your top 12 be and what would be the tiers (i.e. Tier 1 McDavid; Tier 2 Eichel; Tier 3 Marner, Strome, Hanifan; etc.)

> How would Fiala, Bjorkstrand and Larkin fit in to your top 12 (if they would even make it at all)?

Thanks again.