This is the first of a series focusing on specific fantasy hockey drafting strategies, the outcomes, and what I learned as a result. Allegedly.
Settings and Scoring:
Other than “Roster Maximization,” knowing your individual league’s scoring settings is probably the most important thing to keep in mind during the fantasy hockey season.
This is a Head to Head Categories league with the following settings:
Roster Positions: C,C, LW, LW, RW, RW, D, D, D, D, G, G, BN, BN, BN, BN
Forwards/Defensemen Stat Categories:
Goals, Assists, Plus/Minus, Powerplay Points, Shots on Goal, Hits
Goaltenders Stat Categories:
Goals Against Average, Save Percentage, Shutouts
As you can see, this league’s scoring relies more heavily on skaters than goaltenders.
Nevertheless, the most important thing to keep in mind is not the specific points nor categories, but rather knowing your league’s settings and proceeding accordingly.
Yahoo Mock Draft 1: Zero G
Three Things:
- I went into the draft with the goal of fading goalies until I was comfortable; without having to “play chicken” with my mock draft mates with respect to goalies. As a starting point, I had a list of four players I was targeting. If any were available from the 10th Round on, I was in. Those players included Thatcher Demko, Stuart Skinner, Tristan Jarry, and Darcy Kuemper.
- I drafted my players with the league settings listed above in mind. These picks were my attempt to maximize what my league values using Yahoo’s projections for the season.
- Finally, I drafted at the Number 5 position in a 12-team Yahoo Mock Draft
The Draft Results:
The Picks and Some Quick Hitters:
- Auston Matthews: My first pick from the Number 5 spot. Seriously stoked to have Matthews on my team for the very first time. He’s terrorized me as an opponent over the years. Now he’s my IDAK.
- Timo Meier: When your favorite player signs a long-term contract with your favorite team, it’s not a cheap date. So you put a ring on it.
- Roman Josi: My first foray into the “value over replacement” world. I literally had to ask Blake (the Cream of the Cropper) to explain the concept. Dude.
- Nico Hischier: Bergeron 2.0… Forget Me Nots Patrice…To help you to remember…
- Joe Pavalski: Wanted some of that top line/top PP action in D (hello Binksy), couldn’t swing on the Roope, and J had already been Rob-bed. Dual eligibility. You love to see it.
- Alex Tuch: See above minus the duality. Shuffling off onto Buffalo’s top line for some hot wings.
- Andrei Svechnikov: A panic attack pick. Ever had that happen? You just freeze in your tracks when the”Draft Now” alarm goes off. C’mon Professor, you’re better than that. Maybe I get lucky and he lives up to whatever everyone seems to think he’ll be. The struggle is real.
- Jakob Chychrun: Sort of like the D-man version of what happened to Timo once he was traded to NJ, though low-key living up to the hype. Imagine him healthy and on PP1 this year?!
- Noah Dobson: Like Nelson (below) and other Islanders, I think there’s some sneakily under-appreciated upside with Dobson that I don’t mind taking a shot on.
- Thatcher Demko: You never forget your first goalie. I just couldn’t pass him up in Round 10. It’s as Zero G as I could stomach at this point. I’m just more comfortable picking up high volume goalies, trying to ride them out, and streaming skaters throughout the season. One for one.
- Zach Werenski: Fingers crossed with this one. PP1 QB.
- Darcy Kuemper: The bookend piece of my Zero G strategy. I like vanilla ice cream late at night. Helps me rest a little less restlessly. Two for two.
- Brock Nelson: The Accountant. No one gives Nelly any love, but I rostered him a lot last year and he was a huge part of many a matchup win for me. Sometimes a beige suit works. Even in winter.
- Boone Jenner: His projections matched up well with our league settings and I thought he was a good value pick in Round 14. Dual eligibility with good grooming essentials.
- Mike Matheson: From one Professor to another. Loved him down the stretch in 2022-2023 and I’m still high on this Professor. Another PP1 QB. Someone’s got to do it.
- Ross Colton: In deference to the Big Kahuna of the Apples and Gino’s brain trust. I love his potential here with the Avs. Made this feel like a late-round sleeper swing.
Three Takeaways:
- Have a plan, but be flexible. Even though I went into this draft with the idea of fading goalies hard, i.e, full bore Zero-G, when my target goalies were available at a comfortable spot, I drafted them without holding fast to any preconceived notions.
- Know your league’s settings. It can be hard to tune out all the noise, but I really tried to draft based upon my league’s scoring settings as the number one consideration. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t or can’t draft from the heart. I mean, I did so with Timo and The Professor. I’m fond of those dudes and they’ve been good to me over the years. After all, we’re fans too.
- Participate in mock drafts. This is the first year, and I’ve been playing fantasy hockey on Yahoo since 2007, that I was pretty much obsessive about doing mock drafts. As a result, I think (and hope) that by doing so, the familiarity will not breed contempt but rather excellence for your respective teams.
Thanks for reading and please be on the lookout for my next Yahoo Mock Draft Series article.
Mike@TheFantasyHockeyProfessor
Apples and Ginos 