As NHL training camps are around the corner and the preseason rapidly approaches, this is exactly what I live for, talking hockey with my friends and conducting research for my upcoming hockey pools. Over the next month and throughout the season I will be conducting an in-depth blog about Fantasy Hockey for the entire 2014-15 NHL season. I will be discussing draft strategies and will cover what types of players to go for, and why. As you all know, there are numerous types of hockey pools and therefore many different things to look for when drafting a player to your fantasy team. I will be covering all attributes of the player, including the obvious goals, assists and points categories; however I will also be discussing players who can do more to help pad your fantasy stats than just putting the puck in the net. Don’t kid yourself…nobody is drafting Crosby or Karlsson in the middle rounds of your fantasy draft, so I am hoping that my analysis of breakout players and hidden gems that will likely be available in the middle or later rounds will help lead you to success in your pools.
Over the coming weeks I will be providing breakdowns and analysis of my top 50 forwards, top 25 defenseman and top 10 goalies to keep an eye on as the fantasy season approaches. *I will also have a list from two other Hockeybuzz bloggers for your reference to compare*.
I will also discuss some possible rookies and sophomores that will make an impact or not. With already several players in mind, I will discuss exactly why I think they will have a good, bad, or incredible 2014-15 season. Some of these guys may slip to the later rounds of the draft, and these are type of players that are worth looking into to help increase your chances of having fantasy success. I will also provide analysis of those vets that are on cheap one year contracts that are looking to revitalize their career in the NHL and prove their worth for their next contacts. Numerous players have been traded or picked up through free agency, some look like a good fit, some horrible. Perhaps a few already popped into your head? I bet so, now I hope to point out a couple that are flying low under the radar that can add some depth to your Fantasy roster(s).
As the draft comes closer I will go through a number of players from the top of the draft right to the bottom for the larger player pools. One of the keys to drafting a quality team is to have players highlighted all the way down the list. Getting stumped after all the all-stars and your favorite players are picked is horrible, nothing worse than scrambling for a player and ending up with some plug you don’t want. Once the draft is complete we can move onto bigger and better things, here are a few I plan to discuss:
- Trades, and trade ideas (selling high, buying low).
- Picking up free agents (if included in your pool)
- What players are hot/cold (weekly)
- What players are injured and coming back
- What players are moving up and down in the lineup (powerplay time, being promoted to a better line)
There are many topics, many games, and even more players. Stick with me through the draft and into the season and you will surely find yourself giving the wink to your friends and colleagues after giving them a nice lashing in your pool. Oh and a little cash on the side goes well with the bragging rights ;)
It’s important to mention that all of my blogs will be 100% my opinion. That being said, I am confident that my analysis and theories will help make your NHL Fantasy experience a positive one and hopefully you will be rewarded by winning your pool or at least doing better than past years.
Thanks a lot for reading and I hope you will take the time to check out my next blog.
Lucas
Twitter: @lucasneilson84
Blogger •Fantasy Hockey Expert • 
Join the Discussion:
»