What if your draft position is 7th?

[niconasr]

Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin, Stamkos, Giroux, Tavares. Is that the clear top-6 (whichever order) in terms of fantasy forwards in keeper leagues as of this year?

I'm re-starting a keeper league this year and we're 7 members. I'm trying to predict how the first round we'll go in order to target the right player. I'm thinking if I earn one of the top 6 picks, I'll pick one of those forwards. But what if I'm in the 7th spot? Is there another forward that's worth first round consideration?

It's a points-only league (1 NHL point = 1 point, 2 pts for wins, 1 pt for OTL and 1 extra point for SO) where we'll draft 12 forwards, 6 defensemen and 3 goalies. It's also a cap league which can change things.

So if you'd be drafting 7th in that league and assuming the top 6 mentioned earlier is gone, who would you pick? Would you go with a top goalie (Lundy, Rask), the top D-man (Karlsson) or would you go with a forward (say Hall, P. Kane, Backstrom or other)?

[Mattp913]

I prefer Hall 6th over Giroux. Possibly even 5th over Ovechkin as well because of the age difference and the KHL risk in the future

[CascadeFilly]

Karlsson and Hall would be the guys I'd target at that range.

[als_revenge]

Assuming it's a snake draft, you should be targetting two players at 7 and 8. I could definitely see the rationale for taking Karlsson (although I'm not as keen on him as most). And then maybe Hall or P Kane?

[Leafsin2050]

I would take Lundqvist. The only elite goaltender you can count on.

Look at the last 82 game season
39 W , 5 OTL, 8 SO = =78+5+8= 91 points year in year out. With 21 goalies drafted this will ensure you have a stud that generates 10-15 points more than a second tier goalie. Very few forwards can guarantee this and most D vary widely from year to year. Karlsson looks like a lock but so did Green 5 years ago.

[niconasr]

Assuming it's a snake draft, you should be targetting two players at 7 and 8. I could definitely see the rationale for taking Karlsson (although I'm not as keen on him as most). And then maybe Hall or P Kane?

I can see the logic behind drafting Karlsson but, at most, he's a 80-point per year player, right? And that would be an incredible year. For how long could he sustain that? History suggests that high-scoring defensemen are rarely constant from year-to-year. Is Karlsson the exception?

And the thing is, all the remaining forwards are more of the same to me. Backstrom, Hall, Kane, Getzlaf, Staal, etc. They all can get 90 points but they're probably more like 75-80 points players. Is there a possibility that some of them will be there when I draft again at 21-22?

Would it be insane to go Lundy-Rask and ensure myself of the best goaltending duo of the league?

It's all speculation, obviously. There's only a 1/7 chance that I draft 7th but I guess I like to think about that stuff!

[kevinsrangers]

id go lundy , hall, karlsson. i might even step lundy up over giroux.

[PSlipps]

I had the 7th pick in a new keeper this year. Was facing same dilemma assuming those top 6 guys went. Luckily, someone took Lundy 4th so Giroux slipped to me. If he didn't, I most likely would have taken Hall. I don't like depending on a dman to remain a stud year to year. Too much can change and affect their production.
Would not go goalie goalie. In a 7 team league, there are plenty to go around.

[iamlilc]

Lundy and Rask would be ballsy. Could work if a lot of goalies start getting drafted before it comes back, but after Quick there's a bunch of goalies who are similar so it could easily bite you in the ass.

I'd draft Lundy and Karlsson. I'd rather have the #1 goalie and #1 dman over the #1 goalie and #7 forward.

[BladesOfSteel]

Patrick Kane.

[Rocky71]

Patrick Kane would be my choice. I don't see the Hawks getting any weaker. I also like his 0.95 point per game ratio, and at 24 he still hasn't reached his prime.

[nyr36]

I'd be taking, or thinking of taking a few guys before Giroux.
As mentioned, Giroux, Kane, Lundy, Karlsson are all excellent choices.

[Seeds of Grapes]

Karlsson, Kane and Hall, in that order for me.

[TheZamboniGuy]

If you only consider forwards at this 7th position i'll probably choose in a point only pool Backstrom after Hall, Neal, Spezza ...

If you included goaltender then Rask and lundy before any forwards

[bernjean]

Lundqvist and Backstrom for me.

Backstrom has already achieved that 100 points mark and is still young.