Dahlin vs Svechnikov - Who to draft for fantasy?

[jshed2]

I think we can all agree who the better prospect is in real life, but does that change for fantasy?

I am lucky to have the 1st overall pick in a dynasty league and have to choose between the two. Scoring is in sig.

Overall the question is will Dahlin be able to out produce Svechnikov despite being a D-man? Having points for hits+blocks should make it more even, but I'm not sure.

[Axeman33]

Personally I would draft the forward over the D early on but that's me.

[lucafen4]

I think we can all agree who the better prospect is in real life, but does that change for fantasy?

I am lucky to have the 1st overall pick in a dynasty league and have to choose between the two. Scoring is in sig.

Overall the question is will Dahlin be able to out produce Svechnikov despite being a D-man? Having points for hits+blocks should make it more even, but I'm not sure.

I wonder, looking at your D, if you're the exception where you draft based on need over higher offensive ceiling. I'm all for having Dmen that are peripheral studs, but you should also have one capable of putting up 30+pts. If you can get an offensive dynamo in one D slot I think you have to go Dahlin at #1

[PenguinHunter]

In a points league I am drafting Dahlin #1... the potential for him to be a elite D man is real and I would love to have a 60 point D man on my roster.

But since this is a multi-cat league where goals are worth double the amount of assist and 5.33 shots is the same value as a goal... I am picking the forward in Svehcnikov here!

[Jouko-Pouko]

Long-term, I like Dahlin even for fantasy hockey purposes. But with defensemen, there's a longer waiting period. They take longer to mature, and they can't produce much on a bad team. Defensemen have to focus on defending first, and once their defensive game is at NHL level, they can start doing more offensively. Wing is the easiest position to play which means wingers can become offensive forces earlier and don't rely so much on others to produce. Wingers spend the least amount of time and effort defending.

At least wait until after the draft lottery before spending another thought on this. Then you'll know where they end up which is especially important for Dahlin. Buffalo and Edmonton would be great options for his fantasy hockey value.

[DocMcPuffin]

I am having this same issue. I will more than likely draft 2nd overall. I have a feeling the 1st pick will be used on Svech. Now, in my league where we only count goals/assists, do I go with the stud D man or the shifty winger, Zadina? It's a tough call. Myself, I tend to lean more towards forwards but if Dahlin is close to being a Hedman or EK, I may reconsider. If you guys had to choose, who are you picking? Dahlin or Zadina? Sorry to hijack your post but I feel this will help me come draft day.

[lucafen4]

I am having this same issue. I will more than likely draft 2nd overall. I have a feeling the 1st pick will be used on Svech. Now, in my league where we only count goals/assists, do I go with the stud D man or the shifty winger, Zadina? It's a tough call. Myself, I tend to lean more towards forwards but if Dahlin is close to being a Hedman or EK, I may reconsider. If you guys had to choose, who are you picking? Dahlin or Zadina? Sorry to hijack your post but I feel this will help me come draft day.

Not a hijack... just an extension. I have an addiction toward point producing Dmen.. I'd personally take Dahlin at #2

[YzermansLegacy]

For OP - see what JP's post said. It's spot on imo.

For Mike's - Like JP noted, it takes D longer (typically) to develop than F. EK didn't "jump" til his 3rd year and Heds til his 4th. If you can afford to wait, I'm going Dahlin. If you're in it to win the next 2 years, Zadina makes sense.

But as JP mentioned, if at all possible, at least wait until the lottery to see the likely landing spots as situational factors can expedite or slow things more than talent alone.

[fungchen3]

I would 100% take Dahlin 1st overall. Even if it takes 3 years, I'm fully convinced he'll be putting up Hedman numbers in the NHL. You're looking at an elite fantasy player at his position, with the raw talent to challenge the Karlssons of the world one day. Svechnikov, I like him, but he's not Laine, Matthews, MacKinnon material in my eyes. Even if he ends up a 75-80 point player one day, I'm taking the D who can flirt with 70.

[rangerdanger]

It completely depends on your league and how valuable D are compared with forwards. In a league like mine, 18 teams, multi -cat dynasty with PPP, hits, blocks, PIMS, SHP and SOG I might go with Dahlin as Dmen can be very valuable.
If it's more a points heavy league, goals and assists only, or a shallow league with Dmen available I would have to go with Svechnikov.

I might go with Svechnikov either way if he really looks to become as good as people say. All though there is a ton of hype surrounding him, as it surrounds other prospects like Tolvanen. As good as Svechnikov is considered, I think there is still more risk involved than with Dahlin.

But yea, in leagues where Dmen goals count extra, Dahlin is definitely my 1st choice. But otherwise, it would completely depend on league specifics.

[DusterDave]

A similar question was answered on the Keeping Karlsson podcast by Cam Robinson not too long ago. I believe he even put Zadina over Dahlin. So according to him (well respected fantasy prospect guy)....

Svechnikov
Zadina
Dahlin

[Feenom]

I am having this same issue. I will more than likely draft 2nd overall. I have a feeling the 1st pick will be used on Svech. Now, in my league where we only count goals/assists, do I go with the stud D man or the shifty winger, Zadina? It's a tough call. Myself, I tend to lean more towards forwards but if Dahlin is close to being a Hedman or EK, I may reconsider. If you guys had to choose, who are you picking? Dahlin or Zadina? Sorry to hijack your post but I feel this will help me come draft day.

I would take Dahlin at #1 so if he's there at #2.....

[FeenCity]

No chance Dahlin should be slipping to 3. Hes a potential 70+ point dman. He should be taken 1st overall in all formats in my opinion. There will be more zadinas and svechnikovs in the near future.

[fungchen3]

No chance Dahlin should be slipping to 3. Hes a potential 70+ point dman. He should be taken 1st overall in all formats in my opinion. There will be more zadinas and svechnikovs in the near future.

I absolutely agree. Look at the way the NHL is trending - offensive D are controlling the play, leading the transition, and putting up points in bunches. Dahlin could be the best D prospect since Denis Potvin - better than Pronger, Niedermayer, Doughty, Hedman, E. Johnson, Ekblad, Larsson, etc. in their draft years. He's a puck wizard with good size - should top off around 6-3, 215. He's exactly where the league is going in terms of dynamic, offensive defensemen. He's been labelled a "can't miss" by anyone who's watched him over the years and has been compared to countrymen Karlsson, Hedman and Lidstrom. The only way I'm passing on that is if a similar "can't miss" forward like McDavid, Laine or Matthews is on the board, which neither Svechnikov or Zadina project to be.

If we take each player at their absolute best comparisons, it's a clear win for Dahlin ...

(COMP / BEST CASE)

Dahlin - HEDMAN / LIDSTROM

Svechnikov - TARASENKO / HOSSA

Zadina - F. FORSBERG / HEATLEY

[rangerdanger]

The way some people rate Svechnikov I’m surprised he’s not being given more votes for first pick. I don’t know myself, but to, but Svechnikov is being described as a super prospect, the best winger since Laine. If not a generational player then certainly the next best thing. Surely Dahlin and Svechnikov will go at 1 & 2. But some leagues forwards are just worth so much more than d.