In the 23rd episode of the Fantasy Hockey Hacks Podcast; Devon, Bruce, and John proudly welcome a special guest – Ian Gooding, Managing Editor for Dobber Hockey; to discuss our 2021 fantasy hockey guide, Dobber Hockey’s annual fantasy hockey guide, and much more. You will not want to miss this episode; it could lead your fantasy hockey team to glory this season!
The Fantasy Hockey Hacks team will also go through its own recommendations ahead of the 2021 NHL season; including: players to target, players to fade, bounce-back candidates, break-out candidates, draft advice, mock draft observations, and much more!
Highlights:
- Special Guest | Ian Gooding, Managing Editor for Dobber Hockey will join us on the podcast to discuss Dobber’s fantasy hockey guide, bounce-back candidates, break-out candidates, mock-drafts, draft strategy and general fantasy advice for the 2021 NHL season.
- Fantasy Break-Out Candidates For 2021
- Fantasy Bounce-Back Candidates For 2021
- Calder Candidates & Rookies To Watch This Season
- FHH Players To Target & Players To Fade
- 2021 Mock Draft Observations
- Past Fantasy Hockey Draft Observations & Championship Team Trends
Twitter | @FHHacks
Instagram | @FantasyHockeyHacks
Questions? Email us at FantasyHockeyHacks@Gmail.com
Hockey News | August 30 – September 5
August 30 | Eeli Tolvanen signed a 3-year, $4.35M ($1.5M AAV) contract with the Nashville Predators.
August 31 | The Canadian Women’s hockey team won gold at the IIHF World Championships; defeating the American team 3-2 in overtime on a goal by team Canada captain, Marie-Philip Poulin!
Um, you better believe it. Poulin knew it. Shes a Canadian hockey legend. Amazing. 🇨🇦 https://t.co/syA6iZwpfP
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) September 1, 2021
September 1 | The New York Islanders signed a number of players, Anthony Beauvillier (3 x $4.1M), Kyle Palmieri (4 x $5M), Ilya Sorokin (3 x $4M), and Casey Cizikas (6 x $2.5M).
#Isles Transactions: Anthony Beauvillier, Casey Cizikas, Kyle Palmieri and Ilya Sorokin have all agreed to multi-year contracts.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) September 1, 2021
September 1 | Colton Parayko signs an 8-year $52M ($6.5M AAV) contract with the St. Louis Blues.
September 2 | Casey Mittelstadt signed a 3-year $7.5M ($2.5M AAV) contract with the Buffalo Sabres.
Mittelstadt inks a 3-year, $7.5M deal with the Sabres after talks picked up earlier this week. https://t.co/oIiwAEySCm
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) September 2, 2021
September 2 | Joel Farabee signed a 6-year $30m ($5M AAV) contract with the Philadelphia Flyers.
OFFICIAL: Six more years for Philly Joel! https://t.co/7ZT15nejzn
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) September 2, 2021
September 3 | NHL players are officially headed back to the Olympics in 2022.
September 3 | Drake Batherson signs a 6-year $29.85M ($4.975M AAV) contract with the Ottawa Senators.
Drake Batherson #Sens
6 years / $29,850,000 contract
$4,975,000 AAVThe deal buys Ottawa 1 RFA year, 3 RFA Arb years, and 2 UFA years. https://t.co/QkBwg8lEBg
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) September 3, 2021
September 4 | The Detroit Red Wings re-signed defenseman Filip Hronek to a three-year contract.
September 4 | The Montreal Canadiens did not match the offer sheet for center Jesperi Kotkaniemi. The Habs then made a trade with the Arizona Coyotes for center Christian Dvorak. In five NHL seasons with the Coyotes, Dvorak registered 146 points (67 goals, 79 assists) in 302 regular-season games.
The Canadiens will not match the Hurricanes’ offer sheet to Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Montreal will receive Carolina’s 1st- and 3rd-round 2022 Draft picks as compensation.#GoHabsGo https://t.co/ErFdL2ucEb
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 4, 2021
2021 Fantasy Hockey Guide
Special Guest | Ian Gooding, Managing Editor At Dobber Hockey
Name | Ian Gooding | Website: DobberHockey.com | Twitter: @Ian_Gooding | 16th Annual Fantasy Hockey Guide
Ian Gooding is the Managing Editor of Dobber Hockey. He covers the Ramblings on weekends, and as needed, he also handles the Top 100 Roto Rankings each month. He also likes good scotch and riding his bike.
Topics For Discussion (Ian Gooding):
- Tell our listeners a bit about yourself. Where are you from? Education? Hobbies outside hockey? Beverage of choice?
- For anyone not familiar with Dobber Hockey, could you provide a brief overview of the company? Why should listeners visit the website or follow on social media?
- How many writers or contributors work for Dobber Hockey? Is there one per team?
- What is your role with Dobber Hockey, and how long have you been there?
- How did you get your start with Dobber Hockey?
- What separates Dobber Hockey from other Fantasy Hockey sites?
- Where or how does Dobber Hockey acquire its statistical data?
- Tell us about the annual Dobber Fantasy Hockey Guide – What does it cover? How much does it cost? Where can listeners get a copy? What makes it unique?
- What is your Favourite fantasy format? Season-Long Redraft (H2H, Total Points, Categories), Keeper, Dynasty, DFS, etc.
- Do you prefer Yahoo or ESPN, and why?
- Are you in any competitive fantasy leagues personally?
- What does the ideal or “perfect” fantasy hockey draft look like to you? Just a general overview would be fine, not round by round.
- Could you provide our listeners with some of your early mock draft observations? Value picks? Players with inflated ADPs?
- If you could give listeners one piece of advice for their upcoming fantasy draft, what would it be?
Listener questions:
- Keenan M.: Where do you see kk fitting in Carolina, and who has the stronger fantasy season, Kotkaniemi or Dvorak? Where are you targeting goalies, and which “end of the pack” goalies do you like best?
- Jay H.: What are Ian’s thoughts on the Zero G draft Strategy? Other than Vasilevskiey and Hellebuyck, which goalies are you targeting in the earlier rounds (12-team, standard h2h points).
Rapid Fire Segment
- Who is your pick to win the Vezina this year? Connor Hellebuyck, WPG
- Who is your pick to win the Hart Trophy? Connor McDavid, EDM
- Who is your pick to win the Rocket Richard Trophy? Auston Matthews, TOR
- Who is your pick to win the Selke Trophy? Alexander Barkov, FLA
- Who is your pick to win the Norris Trophy? Adam Fox, NYR
- Who is your pick to win the Calder Trophy? Coal Caufield
- Who is your pick to win the Jack Adams Trophy? Joel Quenville, FLA
- Who is your pick to win the Presidents Trophy? Vegas Golden Knights
- Stanley Cup Final matchup? Colorado Avalanche vs. Florida Panthers
- Stanley Cup Winner? Colorado Avalanche
- Favourite NHL team? Vancouver Canucks
2021-2022 NHL Break-Out Candidates
IAN GOODING | Who is your favourite break-out candidate at each position for the 2021-2022 NHL season?
FHH Team Selections
Forwards
📈 Kirby Dach, C, CHI | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 174.5 (7% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 192.0 | PTS. PREDICTION: 15 Goals, 55 Points
📈 Yanni Gourde, C/RW, SEA | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 158.3 (24% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A | PTS. PREDICTION: 25 GOALS, 50 Points
📈 Jared McCann, C/LW, SEA | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 152.7 (2% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A | PTS. PREDICTION: 22 GOALS, 55 Points
📈 Phillip Danault, C, LAK | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 165.1 (2% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 213.2 | PTS. PREDICTION: 12 GOALS, 50 POINTS
📈 Sam Bennett, C/LW, FLA | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 110.6 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A | PTS. PREDICTION: 27 GOALS, 61 POINTS
📈 Trevor Zegras, C/LW, ANA | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 177.9 (23% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A | PTS. PREDICTION: 25 GOALS, 55 POINTS
📈 Jack Hughes, C/LW, NJD | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 148.2 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 183.1 | PTS. PREDICTION: 21 GOALS, 57 POINTS
📈 Colin Blackwell, C, SEA | 2021 Yahoo ADP: N/A | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A | PTS. PREDICTION: 16 GOALS, 40 POINTS
📈 Nolan Patrick, C, VGK | 2021 Yahoo ADP: N/A | 2020 Avg. ADP: 229.9 | PTS. PREDICTION: 15 GOALS, 42 POINTS
📈 Cole Caufield, RW, MTL| 2021 Yahoo ADP: 108.5 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A | PTS. PREDICTION: 30 GOALS, 55 POINTS
📈 Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, NYI | 2021 Yahoo ADP: N/A | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A | PTS. PREDICTION: 22 GOALS, 52 POINTS
📈 Yagor Sharangovich, LW/RW | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 165.7 (3% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A | PTS. PREDICTION: 24 GOALS, 48 POINTS
📈 Josh Norris, C, OTT | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 181.6 (21% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 229.8 | PTS. PREDICTION: 22 GOALS, 52 POINTS
📈 Jakub Vrana, LW, DET | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 168.9 (92% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 135.3 | PTS. PREDICTION: 29 GOALS, 62 POINTS
📈 Alexis Lafrieniere, LW, NYR | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 166.3 (97% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A | PTS. PREDICTION: 21 GOALS, 51 POINTS
📈 Kappo Kakko, RW, NYR | 2021 Yahoo ADP: (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 198.1 | PTS. PREDICTION: 20 GOALS, 45 POINTS
📈 Joel Farabee, LW/RW, PHI | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 167.6 (17% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 229.9 | PTS. PREDICTION: 25 GOALS, 59 POINTS
📈 Eeli Tolvanen, LW/RW, NSH | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 171 (5% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A | PTS. PREDICTION: 22 GOALS, 52 POINTS
Defencemen
📈 Miro Heiskanen, D, DAL | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 82.7 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 64.6 | PTS. PREDICTION: 12 GOALS, 50 POINTS
📈 Charlie McAvoy, D, BOS | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 61.0 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 109.3 | PTS. PREDICTION 8 GOALS, 50 POINTS
📈 Vince Dunn, D, SEA | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 141.1 (92% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 201 | PTS. PREDICTION: 12 GOALS, 40 POINTS
📈 Jamie Drysdale, D, ANA | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 161.2 (19% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A | PTS. PREDICTION: 10 GOALS, 30 POINTS
📈 Evan Bouchard, D, EDM | 2021 Yahoo ADP: N/A | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A | PTS. PREDICTION: 10 GOALS, 30 POINTS
Goalies
📈 Spencer Knight, G, FLA | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 84.5 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A | WINS PREDICTION: 25 WINS, 3 SO
📈 Linus Ullmark, G, BOS | 2021 Yahoo ADP: (92% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: | WINS PREDICTION: 28 WINS, 2 SO
📈 Calvin Petersen, G, LAK | 2021 Yahoo ADP: (92% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: | WINS PREDICTION: 23 WINS, 2 SO
📈 Thatcher Demko, G, VAN | 2021 Yahoo ADP: (92% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: | WINS PREDICTION: 30 WINS, 2 SO
2021-2022 NHL Bounce-Back Candidates
IAN GOODING | Who is your favourite bounce-back candidate at each position for the 2021-2022 NHL season?
FHH Team Selections
Forwards
📈 Tyler Seguin, C/RW, DAL | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 79.4 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 186.8 | PTS. PREDICTION: 29 GOALS, 73 POINTS
📈 Jonathan Toews, C, CHI | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 169.5(26% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 148.4 | PTS. PREDICTION: 25 GOALS, 65 POINTS
📈 Dylan Larkin, C, DET | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 181.7 (58% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 133.5 | PTS. PREDICTION: 24 GOALS, 58 POINTS
📈 Nazem Kadri, C, COL | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 166.3 (2% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 171.7 | PTS. PREDICTION: 21 GOALS, 50 POINTS
📈 Sean Monahan, C, CGY | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 186.7 (32% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 164.9 | PTS. PREDICTION: 22 GOALS, 52 POINTS
📈 Viktor Arvidsson, LW/RW, LAK | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 176.1 (90% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 193.6 | PTS. PREDICTION: 29 GOALS, 59 POINTS
📈 Patrick Laine, C, CBJ | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 134.9 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 33.5 | PTS. PREDICTION: 29 GOALS, 59 POINTS
📈 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C/LW, EDM | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 76.9 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 61.2 | PTS. PREDICTION: 27 GOALS, 65 POINTS
📈 Taylor Hall, LW, BOS | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 93.2 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 48.0 | PTS. PREDICTION: 22 GOALS, 67 POINTS
📈 Alexander Radulov, LW/RW, DAL | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 91.6 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 166.9 | PTS. PREDICTION: 28 GOALS, 68 POINTS
📈 Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, STL | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 119.3 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 155.7 | PTS. PREDICTION: 29 GOALS, 64 POINTS
📈 Teuvo Teravainen, LW/RW, CAR | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 140.2 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 66.8 | PTS. PREDICTION: 25 GOALS, 66 POINTS
📈 Mike Hoffman, LW/RW, MTL | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 166.7 (67% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 89.6 | PTS. PREDICTION: 31 GOALS, 67 POINTS
Defencemen
📈 Tory Krug, D, STL | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 95.4 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 100 | PTS. PREDICTION: 8 GOALS, 53 POINTS
📈 Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, VAN | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 133.3 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 142.3 | PTS. PREDICTION: 10 GOALS, 44 POINTS
📈 Mark Giordano, D, SEA | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 139.9 (99% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 77.2 | PTS. PREDICTION: 11 GOALS, 37 POINTS
📈 Tony DeAngelo, D, CAR | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 143.7 (96% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 127.8 | PTS. PREDICTION: 15 GOALS, 52 POINTS
📈 Rasmus Dahlin, D, BUF | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 150.6 (90% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 74.4 | PTS. PREDICTION: 8 GOALS, 46 POINTS
📈 Keith Yandle, D, PHI | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 160.1 (45% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 147.5 | PTS. PREDICTION: 6 GOALS, 38 POINTS
Goalies
📈 Frederik Andersen, G, CAR | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 44.7 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 53.6 | WINS PREDICTION: 34 WINS, 3 SO
📈 Ilya Samsonov, G, WSH | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 75.1 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 64.7 | WINS PREDICTION: 28 WINS, 3 SO
📈 Tristan Jarry, G, PIT | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 84.5 (97% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 79.6 | WINS PREDICTION: 33 WINS, 3 SO
📈 Carter Hart, G, PHI | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 137.5 (98% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 47.3 | WINS PREDICTION: 30 WINS, 3 SO
📈 Jakob Markstrom, G, CGY | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 143.1 (99% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 94.7 | WINS PREDICTION: 30 WINS, 3 SO
2021-2022 NHL Calder Candidates
IAN GOODING | Which players are on your radar for the 2021-2022 Calder Trophy?
FHH Team Selections
📈 Cole Caufield, RW, MTL| 2021 Yahoo ADP: 108.5 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A | PTS. PREDICTION: 30 GOALS, 55 POINTS
📈 Trevor Zegras, C/LW, ANA | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 177.9 (23% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A | PTS. PREDICTION: 25 GOALS, 55 POINTS
📈 Quinton Byfield, C, LAK | 2021 Yahoo ADP: N/A (0% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 150.9 | PTS. PREDICTION:
📈 Marco Rossi, C/LW, MIN | 2021 Yahoo ADP: N/A (0% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A | PTS. PREDICTION:
📈 Moritz Seider, D, DET | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 164.8 (5% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A | PTS. PREDICTION: 6 GOALS, 28 POINTS
📈 Jamie Drysdale, D, ANA | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 161.2 (19% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A | PTS. PREDICTION: 10 GOALS, 30 POINTS
Players We Are Targeting
Forwards
📈 Kirill Kaprizov, C/RW, MIN | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 30.2 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 174.7 | PTS PREDICTION: 38 GOALS, 72 POINTS
📈 Sam Reinhart, C/RW, FLA | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 83.3 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 138.6 | PTS PREDICTION: 35 GOALS, 72 POINTS
📈 Sam Bennett, C/LW, FLA | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 110.2 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 115.2 | PTS PREDICTION: 35 GOALS, 70 POINTS
📈 Zach Hyman, LW/RW, EDM | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 129.1 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 171.4 | PTS PREDICTION: 30 GOALS, 65 POINTS
📈 Sean Couturier, C, PHI | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 147.6 (99% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 64.8 | PTS PREDICTION: 31 GOALS, 75 POINTS
📈 Jack Hughes, C/LW, NJD | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 147.7 (99% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 183.1 | PTS PREDICTION: 21 GOALS, 57 POINTS
📈 Viktor Arvidsson, LW/RW, LAK | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 175.8 (91% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 193.6 | PTS PREDICTION: 29 GOALS, 59 POINTS
📈 Kirby Dach, C, CHI | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 176.4 (7% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 192 | PTS PREDICTION: 15 GOALS, 55 POINTS
Defencemen
📈 Aaron Ekblad, D, FLA | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 49.9 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 133.6 | PTS PREDICTION: 16 GOALS, 50 POINTS
📈 Charlie McAvoy, D, BOS | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 61.0 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 109.3 | PTS. PREDICTION 8 GOALS, 50 POINTS
📈 Seth Jones, D, CHI | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 74.9 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 65.3 | PTS PREDICTION: 10 GOALS, 50 POINTS
📈 Miro Heiskanen, D, DAL | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 82.7 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 64.6 | PTS. PREDICTION: 12 GOALS, 50 POINTS
Goalies
📈 Darcy Kuemper, G, COL | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 22.3 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 106.4 | PTS PREDICTION: 35 WINS, 5 SO
📈 Spencer Knight, G, FLA | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 84.5 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A | WINS PREDICTION: 25 WINS, 3 SO
📈 Tristan Jarry, G, PIT | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 84.5 (97% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 79.6 | WINS PREDICTION: 33 WINS, 3 SO
📈 Carter Hart, G, PHI | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 137.5 (98% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 47.3 | WINS PREDICTION: 30 WINS, 3 SO
📈 Calvin Petersen, G, LAK | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 174.6 (77% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 192.4 | WINS PREDICTION: 23 WINS, 2 SO
Players We Are Fading
Forwards
📉 Mika Zibanejad, C, NYR | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 23.2 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 16
📉 Ondrej Palat, LW, TB | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 76.1 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 185.2
📉 Jack Eichel, C, BUF | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 81.0 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 9.7
📉 Evgeni Malkin, C, PIT | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 90.2 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 46.3
📉 Jakob Voracek, LW/RW, CBJ | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 158.1 (99% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 183.1
📉 Evander Kane, LW/RW, CBJ | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 133.8 (99% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 111.5
Defencemen
📉 Neal Pionk, D, WPG | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 104.8 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 95.6
📉 Ty Smith, D, NJD | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 131.7 (99% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 229.9
📉 Rasmus Dahlin, D, BUF | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 151.2 (90% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 74.4
📉 Rasmus Ristolainen, D, PHI | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 159.1(100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 146.6
📉 Keith Yandle, D, PHI | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 160.1 (45% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 147.5
Goalies
📉 Kevin Lankinen, G, CHI | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 100.5 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A
📉 Sergei Bobrovsky, G, FLA | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 120.9 (100% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 131.9
📉 Jake Oettinger, G, DAL | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 158.5 (90% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: N/A
📉 Chris Drieder, G, SEA | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 171.6 (80% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 199.3
📉 John Gibson, G, ANA | 2021 Yahoo ADP: 173.9 (42% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 186.6
📉 Antti Raanta, G, CAR | 2021 Yahoo ADP: N/A (5% Drafted) | 2020 Avg. ADP: 196.9
2021 Fantasy Hockey Early Mock Draft Observations
Below are some observations from the Fantasy Hockey Hacks team after completing some early mock drafts in ESPN & Yahoo (10 or 12 teams, 16 round drafts) Keep in mind, these are early results from Yahoo. Some mocks will include auto-draft selections, trades could still occur before the pre-season and regular season, and player deployment (and value) for select players will still need to be determined. That being said, here are some early mock draft observations:
Forwards
Sean Couturier is a MASSIVE value pick based on his Yahoo ADP OF 147.6. Couturier was taken at 64.8 on average last season; and has been basically a point per game player over the past 4 seasons (75 point-pace over 45 games last season).
Yanni Gourde (Avg. ADP: 157.3, Round 13.6) available at a significant discount, due to off-season surgery. Many fantasy managers are going to avoid drafting Gourde in drafts this fall, as his availability is unknown at this point. However, the 29 year old put up 64 points in 2017-2018, and was on pace for 53 points over 82 games this past season, in mostly a 3rd line role. When healthy, Gourde should be given every opportunity to play on the top line and power play for Seattle. Going in the 13th round on average makes him a fairly low-risk selection, given the potential upside.
Jack Hughes is being criminally under-valued. In standard Yahoo drafts, Hughes is being drafted on average with pick 148.2 (13th round, 100% drafted). Jack Hughes made significant strides in 2020-2021, including an improved PTS/GM rate (0.55 vs. 0.34) and SOG/GM rate (2.5 vs. 2.0). The FHH podcast fully expects a breakout from Hughes this season. Check out our How To Win Your Fantasy Hockey League episode on centers to hear more – click here.
Tyler Seguin (Avg. ADP: 89.3), Anze Kopitar (Avg. ADP: 97.0), and Blake Wheeler (Avg. ADP: 99.5) all provide 70+ point potential in the 8th round or later.
Patrick Laine’s value has taken a massive hit. In 2020-2021, his average ADP was 33.5; but so far in early mock drafts this year, Laine is at 134.9! With Tortorella gone and Voracek coming in, you have to think that Laine has some bounce-back appeal – particularly at that price point. I don’t think Laine completely forgot how to score goals…
Teuvo Teravainen is a great value pick, based on ADP and expected production. Turbo is currently going at 139.8 (12th round), although 100% drafted. A bounce-back candidate for the FHH Podcast; expect significant production from this player if he is deployed with Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov at 5v5.
Defencemen
4 Elite Defencemen Gone By Round 3. Cale Makar (Avg. ADP: 13.7) has consistently been taken in the second round of most standard Yahoo drafts; followed by John Carlson (Avg. ADP: 25.8), Adam Fox (Avg. ADP: 25.8), and Victor Hedman (Avg. ADP: 30.2). After Makar, it’s a bit of a guessing game as to which defenceman to go after…
Mackenzie Weegar’s ADP Appears Inflated. Weegar is currently being drafted in Yahoo on average at 111.6 (10.1 Round, 100% drafted). That’s higher than established fantasy defencemen like Zach Werenski, Ryan Ellis, Ivan Provorov, Thomas Chabot, Jarde Spurgeon, Brent Burns, Vince Dunn (kind of), and Tony DeAngelo to name a few. Mackenzie Weegar led all defencemen in even-strength points in 2020-2021 (3rd at 5v5), finishing the season with 36 points (6 goals, 55 point-pace over 82 GP), 101 SOG (1.9 SOG/GM), 118 Hits, 45 PIMs, +29, 83 Blks, 22:07 ATOI. Is Weegar really as good as his numbers suggest? Or was he just the beneficiary of plumb ice-time (due to Aaron Ekblad’s injury) on a very good team? Over or Under on 8 Goals, 45 Points?
Brent Burns May Be Worth A Gamble At His Current ADP of 128.1 (11th Round, 100% Drafted). Burns’ SOG/GM (2.5) are the lowest they have been since 2011-2012, same with points per game at 0.52; and his PP% (56.5) is the lowest it has been since 2013-2014 (38.6%). However, Burns may still be worth the gamble as a 4th or 5th defenceman.
Goalies
There will be quality goaltenders available in the later rounds of your fantasy hockey draft! Tristan Jarry, Mike Smith, Alex Nedeljkovic, Carter Hart, Jeremy Swayman, Jakob Markstrom, and Cal Petersen are all going in the 10th round or later. Thatcher Demko (Avg. ADP: 105.7), who we believe will have a very good season, is going just a touch earlier in the 9th round.
Carter Hart (Avg. ADP: 137.5) is consistently going late in early mock drafts. Many fantasy managers are down on Hart after disastrous 2020-2021; but with some of the off-season acquisitions that the Flyers made, along with more normal circumstances, Hart should bounce-back. Over or under on 30 wins, 3 SO?
Calvin Petersen (Avg. ADP: 174.6) could be the STEAL of the draft. The Kings are vastly improved after some off-season acquisitions; and they play in possibly the weakest division in the NHL. Petersen has been a solid goaltender through his first 54 NHL starts, posting a .916 SV% (23rd the past three seasons), 2.81 GAA, 12.26 GSAA, 50 QS%, and just 4 really bad starts (impressive given that the Kings have not been very good over the past three seasons). Over or under on 23 wins, 2 SO?
Past Draft Observations & Draft Selections By Round
The Fantasy Hockey Hacks team compiled draft data from the past three years for our 10-team ESPN Head-To-Head Points League. This league includes PIMs, Hits, and Blocked-Shots, in addition to standard ESPN scoring. Goalies are awarded 5 points for a win, -1 point for goals-against, 0.2 points for saves, and 3 points for shutouts.
For every draft, there were a total of 22 rounds with each team consisting of 22 players (9 forwards, 5 Defencemen, 1 Utility, 2 Goalies, and 5 bench spots).
Below are some observations we have garnered from three years worth of drafts, including the composition and round-by-round draft selections of the championship team in each year.
Draft Observations For Championship-Winning Teams
Goaltending Was Secured Early For Championship Teams. The latest that a championship team selected a goaltender was the 4th round (2021 – Igor Shesterkin, NYR). The earliest that a championship team selected a goaltender was the 2nd round (Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB). The 2019 champion selected goalies in the 3rd, 5th, and 9th rounds. The 2020 champion selected goalies in the 2nd, 4th, and 7th rounds. The 2021 champion selected goalies in the 4th, 7th, and 8th rounds.
Defencemen Were Faded By Championship Teams. Over the past three drafts in our ESPN league, defencemen accounted for just 20% of the picks by championship teams through the first 10 rounds (6 of a possible 30 picks). With the exception of one defenceman in the 4th round in 2019, no defencemen were selected by championship teams until round 7 at the earliest; and as late as round 9 in 2021.
Elite Forwards Were Targeted Early By Championship Teams. In total, 50% of picks by championship teams in the first 10 rounds (over the past three seasons) have been forwards (15 of 30 picks). The 2021 championship team saw the highest percentage of forwards selected through the first 10 rounds at 60%; compared to 50% in 2020 and 40% in 2019.
The championship teams were composed as follows:
- 2019 – 12 Forwards, 7 Defencemen, 3 Goalies
- 2020 – 12 Forwards, 7 Defencemen, 3 Goalies
- 2021 – 12 Forwards, 6 Defencemen, 4 Goalies
ZERO G IS A VIABLE DRAFT STRATEGY; BUT… When looking at the 3 championship teams, ALL of them selected a goalie by the 4th round. Two teams acquired two goalies by the 5th round; with only the 2021 team selecting one goalie in the 4th round, then working the wire. Every team did own at least one goalie acquired through waivers, but that’s common.
- 2019 – Sergei Bobrovsky (22nd, 3rd Round), Matt Murray (42nd, 5th Round), Aaron Dell (Waivers). 2018-2019 was the final year that Bobrovsky played in Columbus, and the last season he was truly fantasy-relevant. For many (myself included), the thought of Bobrovsky moving from Columbus to Florida in 2020 would surely make him a better goaltender, right? No. Bob’s first season in Florida was a train wreck, and many fantasy managers wasted valuable draft capital on a goaltender that had a .900 SV% and 3.23 GAA (see 2020)
- 2020 – Andrei Vasilevskiy (15th, 2nd Round), Frederick Andersen (31st, 4th Round), Sergei Bobrovsky (50th, 7th Round – dropped), Jusse Saros (Waivers), Jacob Markstrom (Waivers). 2019-2020 was the start of the decline for Andersen, and a 31st overall pick would have been better spent on the likes of Victor Hedman (5th round), John Carlson (5th round), Jonathan Huberdeau (5th round), or Artemi Panarin (6th round, 93 points in 67 GP). Even worse, this team selected Bobrovsky in the 7th round, only to later drop him to waivers. A few players taken after Bob: Mark Stone, Elias Pettersson, Thomas Chabot, Andrei Svechnikov…
- 2021 – Igor Shesterkin (39th, 4th Round), Jake Allen (Waivers), Alex Nedejlkovic (Waivers), Ilya Samsonov (Waivers – IR), Vitek Vanecek (Waivers). The 2021 champion had FOUR goaltenders that they had acquired on waivers – Jake Allen, Alex Nedeljovic, Ilya Samsonov (IR), and Vitek Vanecek. The only goalie from that roster that was drafted was Igor Shesterkin, who was taken in the 4th round!
Final Take
These three championship teams all took at least one goalie early, and that’s probably the safest bet for most fantasy managers. Especially considering that most fantasy league scoring systems award 3 to 5 points for a win, and 1 to 3 points for a shutout. Additionally, if you’re playing in a categories league; goalie stats could comprise 40% of your total categories.
With that being said, 2021 showed us that zero g is a viable option if you’re willing to work the waiver wire throughout the season. Goalie tandems appear to be a trend that is here to stay, and there are a limited number of elite workhorse goaltenders available. There is certainly plenty of value to be had late in drafts, where goalies like Cal Petersen, Tristan Jarry, Mike Smith, Jakob Markstrom, or even Alex Nedelkjovic may be available. Remember, last season Jack Campbell, Thatcher Demko, Kappo Kähkönen, Vitek Vanecek, and Alex Nedelkjovic were all available on waivers; and performed very well.
Carefully review your league settings, and consider that a zero g draft strategy is a season-long commitment that will require you to carefully monitor goaltender trends and performances throughout the season. Waiver priority will be an asset, so use it wisely.
2021 How To Win Your Fantasy Hockey League Series
- August 8th (Ep. 19) – Guide To Wingers
- August 12th (Ep. 20) – Guide To Centers
- August 19th (Ep. 21) – Guide To Defencemen
- August 29th (Ep. 22) – Guide To Goalies & Zero G Draft Strategy
- September 7th (Ep. 23) – 2021 Fantasy Hockey Guide & The Perfect Draft
BONUS: Dom Luszczyszyn’s (The Athletic) Fantasy Hockey Rankings & Cheat Sheet