5th Overall Pick in Inaugural Keeper Draft - crazy to pick Ziba?

[hockeypoolfanatic]

So I have the 5th overall pick in a new keeper league (3C,5W,3D,3U,2G +5 Bench Spots) and could use some opinions for who to take with the pick. I'm assuming the top 4 will be in no particular order McDavid, Draisatl, Pastrnak and MacKinnon. If one of them falls to me, that's who I will pick. The stats favour goal scorers so I'm thinking Matthews but I have a strong urge to draft Zibanejad as I feel this is the year he will breakout as a true superstar, if he's not there already. NYR is an up and coming powerhouse and with Lafrenniere joining the sky is the limit. Below are the scoring stats:

· Goals (3)
. Overtime Goals (1)
. Primary Assist (2.5)
. Secondary Assist (1.5)
· Short-Handed Points (1)
· Shots on Goal (0.5)
. Corsi +/- (0.1)
. Takeaways (0.5)
. Hits (0.3)
. Blocks (0.25) * Defense Only
. Fights (2)
. Hat Tricks (1.5)
. Shootout Goals (0.25)

Thoughts? Will rep where possible.

[Belexus75]

Zib provides excellent value in leagues like yours but 5th...that is pushing it for me. I Prefer to draft Matthews or Eichel here specially that i dont see any mention of Salary Cap here. But he is top 10 imo.

[Eskimo Brother]

Eichel would be my pick. Zibs may actually fall to your second round pick. Eichel won't fall out of the top 10.

[Goldendelicious]

Good value player but not worthy of 5th overall. Take Matthews Eichel or Petterson at 5.

[hockeypoolfanatic]

Eichel would be my pick. Zibs may actually fall to your second round pick. Eichel won't fall out of the top 10.

Thanks for the reply. Any reason Eichel over Matthews?

[SeaDawg]

Zibanejad may be a good pick here, but I feel there is a chance he slips a bit and you might be able to sneakily grab him with your second pick. Also, centers are usually easier to come by, so wingers like Marchand and Kucherov (he'd by my pick) would be worth considering. If you lose out on Zibanejad when your second pick comes around, there are LOTS of good centers you could take instead: Barkov, Aho, Eichel, Matthews, Point, Pettersson...I'd prefer to have one of those and Kucherov than Zibanejad and whatever winger you'd get with your second pick.

[Eskimo Brother]

Thanks for the reply. Any reason Eichel over Matthews?

Upside, health. Not much really, they're both worthy.

[hockeypoolfanatic]

Thanks for the replies guys. Much appreciated.

[Belexus75]

Upside, health. Not much really, they're both worthy.

yeah i think its personal preference with those 2....i like Eichel a bit better as well but you dont go wrong with either

[Pengwin7]

Matthews, then Eichel... Ziba somewhere down the line.
IMO.

[Axeman33]

Eichel for me, then Matthews.

[Dr.Brad]

No mention of Kucherov? This is a keeper (how many?) league, not dynasty - - and with 2.5 points for primary assists, he could be worth more love than you’re giving him, and for the next 3-4 years. Be honest, how many new leagues LAST 6-8 years?

[hockeypoolfanatic]

No mention of Kucherov? This is a keeper (how many?) league, not dynasty - - and with 2.5 points for primary assists, he could be worth more love than you’re giving him, and for the next 3-4 years. Be honest, how many new leagues LAST 6-8 years?

Sorry forgot to mention it's a keep 12 (skaters and goalies) and 10 rookies (skaters < 100GP, goalies < 55). Right now it's looking like Matthews, Eichel and Kucherov as the top options.

[Pengwin7]

Age is critical in new keepers.

27 Kucherov
23 Eichel
22 Matthews

For dynamic players, you get "prime" stats up until about age 30, dependably.
Then... it's a crapshoot.
Some players, like Ovechkin - keep giving great years.
Some players, like Gaborik or Tarasenko - get injured.
Time is a cruel beast.
Give me the youth here... and Matthews is a good one.
I've been pumping him as a #2/#3/#4 pick in dynasties for a while (behind only McDavid and, perhaps, MacKinnon... and maybe Kucherov a year or two ago).

[Magicstew]

If you are a Leafs fan then take Matthews, if not then go with Eichel - as others state you won't go wrong either way. I would go with Eichel.
See if the # 6 pick is a leaf fan maybe you can get a swap of picks and maybe get a 5th for your 6th. These drafts aren't won by top picks it is the mid to end pick that out perform their draft position so if you can move up a few positions here and there you benefit by getting higher picks.