Here's my play by play - Team is Markov the Devil.
Last year I went hard after FOW, especially guys who took draws from the wing and tried to load up on what I thought were high upside forwards. I got burned on some offensive stats, especially SOG and G. I also had a brutal d-core (Suter was my #1!). This year my plan was to go after SOG, G and PP1 time. I decided I would take one elite level d-man in the first two rounds but otherwise focus on wingers early who fit my plan. I didn't do a ton of prep but told a buddy of mine that my hope was for BPA, Letang, Perry and Max Pac in the first four rounds. I also wrote down "Hanzal as your fourth C".
Round 1 (10) - Pat Kane. I knew I was largely going to have to wait and see what happened with picks 1-9. When it was my turn I couldn't pass up on last year's point leader. Seguin and Tarasenko were also still on the board but I decided to go with the guy who has already shown how high his upside is. I don't expect 100 points or even 90, but think 80-85 is pretty close to a lock and this will do nicely for my first pick.
Round 2 (15) - Kris Letang. As per above, I wanted at least one elite d in the first two rounds and was happy to see him there. I love his upside. Injury is always a concern but if I can get 65 games from him I will be thrilled. The key to taking a d here is that I did not expect any elite d to be left by the time my next pick at 34 came around. I passed on Seguin and Tarasenko again figuring I can fill out the G with other options later on.
Round 3 (34) - Corey Perry. A winger who fits the SOG, G and PP1 criteria perfectly with some grit. I am hoping for 30-35 from him.
Round 4 (39) - Max Pacioretty. Another winger who fits my criteria and throws a good amount of hits. So far my plan has gone exactly according to plan (not saying it is a great plan, but A+ for execution!).
Round 5 (58) - Phil Kessel. I really wasn't sure what to do after round 4 other than try to round out wingers and keep looking for the key stats. I did scour the goalies at this point but didn't see anything I liked and thought I could get value later on (more on this to come!). I am high on Phil and think he could have a great year. After five rounds I have four wingers who should threaten for 30 goals. I like it! Two of my guys (Kane, Kessel) are very thin on grit but I figure I can address this later.
Round 6 (63) - I decided it was time for centre as things were starting to get thin(ish). I don't expect Spezza to hit 30+ goals again but I think he can hit 25 and gets 200 shots while playing on PP1. Strong supporting cast in Dallas so looking for 60+ points.
Round 7 (82) - Matt Duchene. Three RW in my line-up and one LW. I am starting to think LW here but decide to take a bit of a chance of Duchene to help anchor my C. I am hoping for higher scoring in Colorado this year and like his upside. I am also hoping he has a chance at getting LW status (like last year).
Round 8 (87) - Cam Talbot. I can't wait on goalies any longer (and know I have waited too long). My draft position leaves me with too long a wait between picks after even rounds and have seen too much come off the board. I take Talbot based on Dobber's guide and what I am hoping is a notably stronger D core in Edmonton. Cam Talbot as my #1 G, not great at all but not much choice at this point.
Round 9 (106) - Rasmus Ristolainen - very happy with this pick and added validation when Pengwin lets us know this was his next pick. He brings it across the board other than +/- which I am hoping improves.
Round 10 (111) - David Krejci. Looking at what's left on C and LW. Getting antsy on both but think I see some names that should drop on the left side. I take Krejci based on the 60+ point upside. His peripherals are bad but I can handle some low SOG guys based on previous picks. 3C, 3RW, 1 LW, 2D, 1G. Liking my skaters.
Round 11 (130) and Round 12 (135) - Alex Steen and Daniel Sedin. This is the spot in my draft where having two picks close together pays off. I need LW and have been eyeing these two for a few rounds. I figure this is the time to strike and grab them both. Both have 60+ point upside, good SOG, goal scoring ability, and PP time. I am very happy with these two.
Round 13 (154) - James Reimer. By now I am very desperate for a G and don't see any starting goalie I like. A few rounds ago I accepted that I may need to go the back up route for quality and/or take a guy like Cam Ward near the end to get my starts. I know this may seem a bit early but most predictions have him getting a good number of starts and with my focus on skaters early on I am happy to reach a bit here to start addressing my weakness.
Round 14 (159) - Andrei Markov. With only two D on my roster I feel the need to take a blue liner. I am really not sure about this pick - could be decent, could be a bit of a train wreck. I like the PPP and BKS so decide to pull the trigger.
Round 15 (178) - Martin Hanzal. I have had him in my queue since the draft started and having been in this league for a few years know if you really want someone then don't be afraid to reach. I look at my team and am pretty low on grit and decide I will be devastated if I lose out on him. Another piece of my (limited) strategy in place.
Round 16 (183) - Michael Stone. Am happy with this pick. Need to round out my D and see upside. Nice combo of HITS, BKS, and SOG to boot.
Round 17 (202) - Antti Raanta. Looking at my G situation and like his stats. I also consider that Lundy is getting older and think this could add a decent amount of starts for a back up. I think this is a decent pick.
Round 18(207) - Michael Cammalleri. I look at the LWs left and only see a few names I like. Big wait until my next pick so decide I need to act. The injury history is scary but I figure if he gets 50 games I can try to find some grit through the waive wire for the other 32.
Round 19 (226) - Dan Girardi. Nice BKS and HITS. I like this for a fifth D. I have plenty of offensive upside so am more than okay to focus on the peripherals with this pick.
Round 20 (231) - Dustin Brown. I need some HITS. Also need some PIM but don't see the right combo so decide Brown's HITS and decent SOG are a good option. With Gaborik out he should also get some PP2 time to start the season.
Round 21 (250) - Jared Spurgeon. Good BKS, decent SOG, chips in with a few PPP. Not bad for my sixth D.
Rounded out things with Scott Darling (hoping for a few more starts on a good team), Luke Schenn (grit, especially PIM), Zajac for FOW (he is already back on waivers) and Horvat for FOW. Looking at my C at the end of the draft I realized they are all pretty low on FOW. The thinking (late and a couple too many beers) was that these last two could help fill in if FOW get tight.
Overall I am very happy with my skaters and very unhappy with my goalies, which is supported by the projection we have seen to date! I am also exposed to injuries in a bad way (Hanzal, Letang, Cammalleri, Steen) but am excited to see how this team plays things out for the first little bit. I think I am solid in G, P, SOG and PPP. I will need to address my goalie situation, either through attentive management or trade. Post-draft note: Stone is on IR+, Zajac kicked to the curb - in are Kuemper and Montoya. Carrying six G while I try to figure things out!
All in all love drafting with this group. It is brutal at times as any semblance of a plan can go to hell in a minute, but nothing beats playing with the best.