Fantasy Hockey Spotlight: Drafting Strategies

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With 41 short days away from preseason games, it is now time to start thinking about how you will approach your fantasy hockey draft. As there are three types of scoring, all of them will be covered. Due to many leagues not pursuing auction drafts, they will be skipped. Auto drafts are more common, but less relevant. This is strictly for live draft formats.

Rotisserie/Head-To-Head Leagues:

These two league types are basically the same. The only difference is that in Head-To- Head leagues you are battling one team each week. In Rotisserie, since you are competing against every team in the league at once, it is important to grab all the forward talent quickly. All scoring stats will be recorded, so make sure you are leading all categories so you can be a top the league standings all season long. Typically, in Rotisserie formats, most owners are going to have the same approach. That is: Go hard for offense talent first. Make sure you aren’t one of those teams with no forward production.

Mar 9, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Islanders beat the Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

As teams are taking forwards, keep in mind that defensemen will be help you move up the standings. During your live draft, alternating between forwards and defensemen is key. Great talent on D will be skipped over to fill in both LW, RW, C, etc. As hits, blocked shots, and shots on goal are usually accounted for, these guys are crucial. Once 4-5 elite/solid defensemen are on your roster, then move on to just forwards.

May 1, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (76) reaches for the puck during the overtime period in game two of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. The Tampa Bay Lightning won 2-1 against the Montreal Canadiens. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Goalies are important in any fantasy hockey league that you are in. There are many goalie stats to be accounted for. Due to most people going offense crazy to start, then going for defense, this leaves goalies to be available at the end. Of course, owners will take a goalie here and there throughout the draft. A solid bunch will still be around near the end. That is when you take a goalie. Near the end. Lets recap this strategy. Alternate offense and defense until you have 4-5 elite/solid D. Lastly, take your goalie.

Apr 23, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) makes a save during the first period against the Chicago Blackhawks in game five of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Point-Based Leagues:

What’s great about this format is that not only are you competing against all other teams at once, but you are also keeping track of many stats with point values. These point values are used to record where in the standings you fall. No matter how many stats your fantasy hockey league keeps track of, the most important thing to note: Offense and Goalies rule.

Feb 26, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers forward Claude Giroux (28) goes to pass the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

During your live draft go all out for forwards. If your team starts 2 C, 2 LW, 2 RW, then pay attention. Your first 7 picks need to be all forwards and a goalie. Not necessarily in that order, but keep that in mind. With point-based leagues, goalies tend to be drafted earlier since they are more valuable. Ideally, goalies should be somewhere in rounds 2-4. Yes, many superstars will be drafted in those same rounds. No, they will not have nearly as good of a goalie as your squad.

Jun 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop (30) makes a save against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period at game five of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena. Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Defense is less valuable here since they typically do not score as much as forwards do. If your league give points to stats such as hits, shots, blocked shots, or penalties, then they are worth a little more. Year after year there are sudden boomers that sit on the waiver wire that nobody gives credit to. Fill your D slots with good/average players. Upgrade your team by using the waiver wire as your source of fantasy hockey gold.

Next: Looking Back at Past Scouting Reports - Part 2

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