When draft day comes and you have only seconds to make your next pick, you need to know which guys are going to deliver. Some of your opponents will head out there without doing their homework. Others won’t even be online for the draft. What usually happens then is the highest guy on the list is chosen. Please don’t do that.
Now I’m not saying that Yahoo’s rankings are not good, in fact they are excellent guidelines. What you need to remember is that depending on the type of pool you’re in, and the stats it incorporates, your rankings should be adjusted to suit. Study and make your own predictions and be sure to “go deep” for the guys that are, for some reason, underappreciated.
I will give you a number of players who you might want to take a bit before, or well above their ranks. Sometimes this is the difference between a winning and a losing team. I am a firm believer that the late picks in a draft are a key to success. Add good work with FA’s and Waivers and you’ll get the upper edge in your pool.
Keep in mind that the players I mention are determined mainly by their talent alone, without looking as far into other stats such PIM, SOG etc. They are mostly wingers because centers and defencemen are easier to come by in most formats. Goaltenders are always ranked high and completely depend on league specifics so I left them out. If you are in a keeper league there are some young prospects that aren’t on the list because they may not accomplish much this year.
Rick Nash CLB LW\RW – O-Rank- 50th – A great player. I love duel eligibility wingers. Take into account that Jeff Carter signed with the Jackets and should play with Nash.
Claude Giroux PHI RW – O-Rank- 53rd – Giroux broke out last season. He will be picking up extra ice time with Carter and Richards out of the picture. Don’t underestimate the Flyers, they are still deep up front.
Marian Hossa CHI RW –O-rank- 113th – Hossa puts up stats across the board, including SHP which can be rare. Being a member of Chicago’s top 6 also has its benefits.
Derek Roy BUF C –O-Rank- 123rd – 35 points in 35 games last season. Roy is very talented and Buffalo has decent wingers for him to play with.
Mikko Koivu MIN C –O-Rank – 124th – He’s not way underestimated but I would still take him before some other centers above him.
Brent Seabrook CHI D –O-Rank- 148th – One of the best all-around defencemen in the NHL. His value will extend far beyond mere points in your pool.
Dennis Wideman WSH D –O-Rank- 155th- Last year he had a -19 but that won’t be happening in Washington this season. The high-powered offense should boost all of his stats.
Jamie Benn DAL LW –O-Rank- 160th – Fantastic all around player who will take advantage of Brad Richards and James Neal’s absence from the Stars line-up.
James van Riemsdyk PHI LW –O-Rank -163rd – This 2007 2nd overall draft pick is about to get some more ice time. He just finished signing a long term deal with Philly.
Michael Grabner NYI RW –O-Rank – 172nd – It’s not hard to believe that he will pick up right where he left off from last year. He has loads of speed and is a natural scorer.
Patrick Elias NJ LW –O-Rank- 184th – Listed as a left winger but Kovalchuk and Parise are LW’s. With Zajac out to begin the year, Elias should be the # 1 center with a C,LW eligibility.
Into the Deep – The picks beyond 200 that could surprise. These guys will be valuable in deeper pools.
Jakub Voracek PHI RW –O-Rank- 203rd – He is only 22 and entering the 4th year of his career. Playing on a stronger team with better line mates should help him step up his game..
Kevin Bieksa VAN D –O-Rank- 224th – Ehrhoff is in Buffalo now. That should translate into extra time on the ice for Bieksa. 40+ points and 100+ PIM are not out of the question.
Teddy Purcell TB RW –O-Rank – 234th – Purcell saw plenty of time on the power-play last year. He is coming into his prime and will be a member of one of the best top 6 groups in the league.
T. J. Oshie STL C –O-Rank – 277th – This young gun has plenty of offensive talent. It’s uncertain if he will play enough minutes to be very effective but 277th is still a low rank.
Ales Hemsky EDM RW –O-Rank- 314th – I know his last few seasons have been plagued by injuries but 314th? He is well worthy of a pre 200 ranking.
Peter Mueller COL C,LW –O-Rank – 321st – Another guy who was hurt last year. Mueller is one of those guys that you can take a shot with and hope for the best, which could be great.
Vinny Prospal CLB – LW –O-Rank – 347th – Prospal always seems to end up on the power-play with great players…and Columbus just signed a few.
Ville Leino BUF LW –O-Rank- 373rd – Huh? I just don’t get it.
I hope this helps you on your draft day. Feel free to reply some of your thoughts on players that are undervalued.
