Pre-Draft Keepers:
F: Jack Eichel, Braden Point, Filip Forsberg, Josh Norris, Travis Konecny, Alex Tuch
D: Darnell Nurse, Seth Jones, K'Andre Miller, Jeff Petry
G: Jacob Markstrom
N/A: Dustin Wolf
I had pre-ranked my top-25 or so, and knowing that people always have different priorities with keepers and everything, I figured a few of them would slide to even fill up my middle round picks. Then I would be able to fill out any holes or see if anyone I like slides to the late rounds. Didn't really have much more of a plan than that other than going Fantilli at #2.
12-2: Adam Fantilli
Missing out on Connor Bedard, I have Jack Eichel anyways so I'm familiar with what the #2 in a great draft can be. Hoping he hits that ceiling.
12-10: Luke Hughes
I figured Georgiev wouldn't make it all the way to #10, but Fantilli wouldn't have either and I don't like investing in goalies here. Was hoping for one of Laine or Hughes at this pick, and went for the Dman first. Not sure how he'll do in year one, but he can replace Petry as my keeper D next year regardless.
13-2: Patrik Laine
He did slide a couple more picks to me, so I was very happy that I could get my two main targets off the bat. Interesting that he's already stealing Fantilli's spot as the #1C in Columbus...
13-8: Logan Cooley
I figured I might as well grab the other top young player at this point since I had a few of the others already. I'm not convinced Tuch or Norris are keepers on a championship team, so this gives me the option of trading youth in-season, or building for the next few years.
13-10: Owen Tippett
I hate having to chase RW, and I think Tippett has a great breakout season this year with volume in the peripherals and at least 50 points, hoping for 60-70+. Had him on my team last year and he was fantastic in our format.
14-2: Devon Levi
He probably wouldn't have lasted much longer, and I traded him away in another league this offseason, so I figured it would be nice to have a share in him at this point. Fits with the youth options too.
16-2: Valeri Nichushkin
He was the other guy I was considering at 14-2, but I figured Levi wouldn't slide. Happy to have five options at RW already, and hoping for a big campaign from him after his excellent statistical season got cut short by injuries last year.
16-10: Rasmus Sandin
He was one of the last defencemen that I really liked, and I needed a 6th for sure. Probably let him sit longer than I should have if I really wanted him, but happy to get him here. Might not keep up his scoring pace in WSH that he had while Carlson was out, but at minimum there is some upside and good peripherals too.
18-10: Rasmus Ristolainen
Second-straight Rasmus on defence, and I think they could make up a solid bottom-pair. Huge peripherals here, which is what I'm going to need to keep me out of the basement this year. Apparently he might get some PP time too?
19-2: Eeli Tolvanen
Similar to Tippett, he gets peripherals and has an awesome shot, just needs to use it more. With Sprong gone I think there are a lot more offensive minutes in which to shelter Tolvanen, and he's going to pop a bit this year. Fills out my LW, but gives me tons of RW options too which I love.
19-3: Akira Schmid
Definitely wasn't planning on another goalie, but getting the guy who could get anywhere from 20-40 starts for New Jersey when Vanecek went #4 overall felt like something that was too good to pass up.
23-7: Artturi Lehkonen
I drafted him earlier than this last year, and I don't think he has dropped off much in value, so it was good to be able to get him again here. This time he wasn't part of some elaborate make up of missing including Marco Rossi as a keeper, so I won't have to immediately flip him off my roster this year.
2023-24 Wheat Kings
C: Jack Eichel, Braden Point, Josh Norris, Adam Fantilli, Logan Cooley
LW: Filip Forsberg, Valeri Nichushkin, Eeli Tolvanen, Artturi Lehkonen
RW: Travis Konecny, Alex Tuch, Patrik Laine, Owen Tippett
D: Darnell Nurse, Seth Jones, K'Andre Miller, Jeff Petry, Luke Hughes, Rasmus Sandin, Rasmus Ristolainen
G: Jacob Markstrom, Devon Levi, Akira Schmid
N/A: Dustin Wolf
Strengths: SOG, Hits, youth
Weaknesses: A, FOWs
Questions: Goalies