Originally Posted by
LordoftheRinks
I drew the lucky 7 as my draft number ? middle of the pack is a good place. You don?t have the looong gaps between picks and it helps to avoid being on the tail-end of a goalie / d-man run. This year, unlike previous years, I?m going into the draft with NO SET STRATEGY (hah!) other than it just really depends on who is available at #7. The only thing I?m changing this year is that I?m likely not taking a goalie with my first pick or two. Price is elite but the defense in front of him is thin and Montreal is going to have trouble scoring? Holtby is still elite but the team is likely to regress with the talent they lost? Bob is always an injury concern, etc. I see more value in the later rounds and I want to focus on volume starters (65+ starts with lots of saves) who won't kill me on the peripherals. Also, given the depth at center, I tend to target centers in the mid/later rounds.
So, my ?approach? (for lack of an in-depth strategy) for this draft:
1. Consult my magic 8 ball on all decisions (better than any spreadsheet, FHG, real-world evidence modelling, data analytics, etc.)
2. Have cold beer available for replenishing liquids during this marathon
3. Target a high-value forward or d-man based on availability for rounds 1 ? 3
4. Target 2 volume start goalies along with a 1A/B goalie to max my goalie stats
5. Balance ? don?t ?punt? on any categories you then have to ?chase? throughout the season (Really curious on Ryan's strategy - he was a true disrupter and he's either crazy / evil / innovative / all the above with his bazillion goalie selections)
6. Where possible ? target players with SOG/PIMS/HITS
1. (7) Ovechkin LW
Somewhat surprised Ovechkin was available. He?s getting old in the tooth and rumors abound of his demise but he's still a category stuffer and just too good an opportunity to pass up.
2. (18) Simmonds RW
I really wanted Byfuglien as my second pick but knew highly unlikely he would be there when my turn came around. My short queue consisted of either Simmonds or Talbot. I went with Simmonds as I really like his category coverage and didn?t want to chance him not being there when I drafted again. Biggest lesson learned in this league is don?t wait on someone you really want.
3. (31) Subban D
Targeting a d-man this round and have Subban / Josi / Risto teed up. Picked Subban as I think his ceiling is higher and will improve across the board this season with Nashville.
4. (42) F. Andersen G
A goalie run is going to happen soon (9 go off the board in round 4 and 5) so I need to get my volume starters. I see Andersen as this year?s Talbot ? he?ll get lots of starts and his team is on the upswing.
5. (55) Jones G
Still a few quality goalies available and they won?t last long. Have Jones and Quick in my queue and go with Jones. I like Quick, but have concerns with the Kings new ?focus? on offense.
6. (66) B. Schenn C,LW
Another category stuffer who has the potential to center one of the top 2 lines in STL.
7. (79) Shattenkirk D
Targeted a top PPP quarterback and not many remaining. Having Shattenkirk and Subban is a good d-foundation to build on.
8. (90) Monahan C
Time for a center ? I had MacKinnon and Monahan in my queue and MacK was selected a few picks before me so it was an easy choice. Light on HIT and PIM but a solid floor otherwise.
9. (103) Kuznetsov C
Have Lucic, Carlsson, Maroon in my queue. Lucic and Carlsson were taken before me and I saw Kuznetsov still available. I just ?feel? Maroon will last another round or so went with Kuznetsov as I really like his upside.
10. (114) Maroon LW
Another solid roto contributor. I like the across the board coverage he brings and potentially riding shotgun with McDavid only helps. He may have lasted another round but I?m happy taking him sooner rather than missing out on him.
11. (128) Palmieri RW
Looking at a solid RW to begin building depth (only 1 RW so far). Have Palmieri, Duchene / Lindholm (C/W eligible for FOW), Foligno, Niederreiter. Palmieri brings a solid floor with across board coverage.
12. (138) Ekblad D
The D ranks are really thinning out and I want to fill at least 2 slots in the next few rounds. I?ve had Ekblad on my radar. Somewhat of an injury risk but good upside and should improve this season along with better +/-.
13. (151) Reimer G
Targeted another D-man (Muzzin, Leddy, Niskanen) this round but saw that Brandon / Rick took Luongo this round. I had Reimer queued up as the best available 1A/1B to supplement my 2 starters and knowing they would take Reimer next I needed to pull the trigger and hope one of my D-men would still be there next round.
14. (162) Leddy D
Leddy was still on the board. He?s a quiet but solid producer for my D corps.
15. (176) Taffoli RW,C
All about value now as my basic positional needs are covered. I had both Neal and Taffoli lined up and would have been happy with either. Taffoli should have a bounce-back year and represents really good value this late.
16. (187) Little C
With only 2 centers, I had both Little and Staal on my radar but was open to a d-man such as Barrie as well. Barrie taken earlier in round so went with Little for his higher offensive upside.
17. (199) N. Ritchie LW
I had Ritchie as a late round target for my last LW. A HIT machine with decent upside who will improve his offensive numbers from last year.
18. (210) Panik RW
I had wanted McAvoy this round but he was taken. Back up was to fill out my last RW selection and had Panik and Gallagher on deck. Consulted my magic 8 ball and decided on Panik (8 ball says ?You may rely on it?) for his cross the board coverage over Gallagher and his injury history.
19. (222) Brassard C
May miss first week of season but best C still available IMO for FOW and scoring. All positional needs filled except 2 D slots now. Almost took Domi ? not because I needed him but more so to prevent anyone else. Decided to be a good guy (for once) and still feeling guilty (not really) for screwing over Brandon / Rick on the Reimer pick.
20. (234) Theodore D
First time tonight my queue was cleaned out. Focus strictly on value D-men w/blocks and Vatanen, Del Zotto, Petry all taken. Had Edler in my queue too but just couldn?t bear the thought of having him on my squad. Selected Theodore based soley on his PPP potential. Definitely my worst round of the draft for me (I blame needing a beer and having to make a run to the fridge while my wife is shouting "how much longer are you going to be up there with your hockey thing")!
21. (247) Keller C,LW (Ott - D)
Looking for players with upside at this point. Keller has as good of a shot as any for the Calder so a safe pick at this point.
22. (258) Manson D
A d-man to fill out HIT / PIM / BLK.
23. (271) Pearson LW
A decent bench LW who will improve from his last year numbers and can serviceably fill in when/if needed.
24. (281) Montour D
Played well in limited time/role last season and will get time on PP to start season with key injuries in ANA. Potential real sleeper value who eases the earlier Theodore pick.
25. (296) Anisimov C
Needed a streamer for Brassard early season and it was one of Rask or Anisimov. Likely drop and replace once Brassard is healthy. Rask was taken before me so this wrapped up the draft!
All in all, I?m happy with my draft (it ain't an easy draft with this group - they'll pick your bones clean) and I believe my team has balance to compete for a top 3 position. Some tweaking, waiver wire working and potential trading will be needed but I have, I believe, a good foundation to compete against the other sharks in this tank.
The Kings in Yellow (my homage to the HP Lovecraft mythos):
C Monahan, Kuznetzov, Little, Brassard
LW Ovechkin, Schenn, Maroon, N. Ritchie
RW Simmonds, Taffoli, Palmieri, Panik
D Subban, Shattenkirk, Ekblad, Leddy, Montour, Manson
G Andersen, Jones
BN Reimer, Pearson, Keller, Theodore, Anisimov