Re: 2017/18 Rocky Horror Roto Show
Always such a treat to draft againstthis group of GM's. They simply don't make big mistakes. Mostchallenging draft bar none for me.
Last year, I adopted a unique draftingstrategy that required targeting specific cat beasts (e.g. M.Martin)and late-drafting goaltending (e.g. R.Lehner). It brought me close tothe title, but required a TON of in-season waiver moves.
This year, I simply couldn't define aparticular strategy I wanted to adopt, aside from a basic draft plan.Drafting at #4, I REALLY didn't want to draft a W-only eligibleplayer, as I felt W depth was cavernous on Yahoo! this year. As perusual in this league though, best laid plans are quickly put to craplol.
Due to drafting Getzlaf, name switchfrom Skinned Hasselhoff to Polter-Getz for this season. I actuallyhad an idea to draft Jamie Benn at #4, and Curtis Lazar (24) andChris Lee (25) just so I could use Jamie Lee Curtis as my team namethis year... but I simply couldn't give up those last couple of pickswith this group of GM's.
Round 1
As mentioned, really didn't want a W,but with McD/Sid going 1-2, Burns going 3 and EK with an injury, Ifelt I had to go Benn or OV here. OV was the home run swing bettingon a return to form. Benn is the safer cross-cat coverage (with a fewFOW), so I went with Jamie Benn.
Round 2
Missing a D in round 1 meant I ashellbent on getting a top guy in Rd 2. Basically, had BB, EK as onetier, Buff as his own tier, and then Heds/Letang. With Hedman goingright before me, felt I had to grab the uber-injured-but-talentedLetang to set up my D. While it's never ideal to anchor your teamwith Band-Aid Boys, in a max-games ROTO set-up, I find the risk to bemore palatable since the level of production for “x” games + anastute waiver wire pickup can salvage any lost value.
Round 3
Had 2 tiers of goalies,Price/Holtby/Murray and then the next tier of 4 guys. Was hopeful oneof those 4 would fall, and indeed after 3 went, Gibson was stillthere when I picked. Big on ANA this year, although this pick willideally have me being uber-cautious with starts early in the year(with Lindholm, Vats and Kes out) and my preference would be tohandcuff with Miller with JG's injury history.
Round 4
Again, wanted a solid D here, and thatwas without having any inkling that Peng, along with the other GM's,were going to bleed D dry. Happy to have Doughty here. Actuallybelieve he's in for an above-average year.
Round 5
Rounds 3 and 5 are typically (in mylimited experience in this league) where some insane value can befound. Usually guys are so focused on early strategy, that the oddstud falls through the crack. Last year, I was able to grab Geno inRd 3. I banked on the same thing, but couldn't capitalize due toneeding a G in Rd 3, so I felt like getting Getz here was solid valuetoo. Backstrom went just before, just to prove the value point. Withany luck, Getz also gets a FOW boost with Kes out, taking strong-sidedraws (Vermette taking his LS strong-side) too.
Round 6
Had mapped out that I was takingS.Darling here if he was available. At worst, I'd planned to takeanother G that I had in his tier – but unsurprisingly, all of themwere drafted. That said, I'm REALLY big on Carolina this yearsurprisingly, and am happy having Darling as a #2.
Round 7
Targeting multi-cat F's here but wascognizant that with this group, they can run dry in a hurry. Thatsaid, this year, with the run on D and G, there were actually moreoptions here than I expected, forcing me to choose within my owntiers. I'm an unabashed Radulov fan in this format, so he was mypick.
Round 8
Strongly debated taking E.Kane in Rd 7,as I think the pending UFA alongside Eichel will have a huge year...well at least for however many games he winds up playing. Reallyneeded Goals and Shots after my draft so far, so was thrilled withthis pick.
Round 9
D are absolutely FLYING off the board.Basically have one guy left in a (large) tier, and that's JohnCarlson. There's basically NOTHING I've read on him, or WSH thissummer that makes him attractive... but I'm a believer for somereason. A hunch pick – we'll see how it plays out.
Round 10
While I tend to map out the first 2-3rounds, I am HUGE fan of targeting mid-range and sleeper guys inparticular rounds for later. Last year, I'd ranked Gudas too low,thinking I could “steal” him in a mid-teens round. Of course,with this group, he was long gone before then. So this year, Iover-ranked him and reached, but felt that securing him and hisinsane peripherals would open up value picks later for guys who onlybring points.
Round 11
**Crux #1 of the draft for me.** I hadtargeted L.Couture as a massive value pick here, but as the draft wasunfolding and D and G were flying off the board, I seriouslyconsidered jumping and taking R.Suter here instead. That would haveset me up with a stellar 5D corps. As the clocked ticked down, I feltI couldn't leave Couts – but of course, Suter went before my nextpick and it forced me to dig deep to find D value later. We'll seehow this plays out, but it was 1 of 2 “harbingers” I'll mostcertainly look back on post-season.
Round 12
Pre-draft, I had penciled in R.Lehnerhere as my #3 G. I'd grabbed him late the last two years in thisleague and felt like nobody was really overly fond of him. Whoops.Think he went at least a round if not two before here. My backup planif Lehner was gone was Raanta, so I grabbed him here. I actuallythink ARZ D is better than the best, and again I'm willing to wageron the Pacific being a little more open this year than in years past.At worst, he'll give me strong SVS. At best, he'll be a #3 withdecent peripherals.
Round 13
Pretty much all of my D and G targetsare gone at this point, so it's time to start loading up on F's. Afew preferred targets went just before my pick, but despitehorr-awful peripherals, I like M.Stone's upside for points.
Round 14
One of my FAVOURITE picks of the draft.Nabbed Huberdeau here and despite weak peripherals, I felt like hisADP was depressed due to his shortened season. Taking a peek at hisnumber when both he and Barkov were healthy... and me likey. Plus,I've loaded up early on peripherals for exactly this reason.
Round 15
Despite the likely brutal +/-, Neal isactually a decent multi-cat option this year imo. Should have lots ofPP time and shoot a ton with Ship as a linemate. I believe his ADP isdepressed due to his usage in NSH last year and his recent handinjury (which admittedly is always a little risky with a shooter).Hoping for a decent showing, ending with a big boost after his(likely) trade towards the deadline.
RHRS, Yahoo, 12-team, Roto
PQMC, Yahoo, 12-team, Keep 11, H2H
Taro Tsujimoto Draft League, Fantrax, 6-team, pts-only (*2018 draftees or later only)
Hanson Bros., Fantrax, 10-Team, Keep 8, weighted scoring
Black & Blue, Fantrax, 12-Team, Dynasty, H2H weighted
The Dream Team League, Fantrax, 14-Team, Dynasty, H2H
On Frozen Ponds, Fantrax 10-Team, Dynasty, Roto
"When I do not know who I am I serve you, and when I do know who I am, you and I are one." - Hanuman-ji