Tuesday, April 14
Neil Parker
2015-04-14
Dobber’s 10th annual Interactive Playoff Draft List is updated as of yesterday (updates include Mrazek and Kane news), pick it up here for $8.99. It includes my own picks, a printable spreadsheet, injury notes, tips, etc.
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It was an honour to be invited to join the Dobber Hockey team, and doing so alongside Michael Clifford sweetened the deal. Now that we’re both here for the summer, I’m excited to play fantasy hockey pitch and catch with the top dudes in the league.
Given this is my first Ramblings, I’m throwing a shout out to the guys I’ve talked and played hockey with for years. Ramble on, gentlemen, ramble on!
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Nail Yakupov signed a two-year bridge deal with an average annual value of $2.5 million Monday. While many have written him off in the real world, his virtual value is still on the rise. With goals down across the league, offensive talent should be targeted, and Yakupov finished the season with 20 points — nine goals — over his last 28 games.
Looking ahead, he’ll enter his fourth season at just 22 and with 192 games under his belt. While Edmonton doesn’t project to finally figure it out and win many games, they’re going to score. They averaged 2.89 goals per game over their final 19 outings of the season.
Take the obvious plus/minus risk and whitewash it with Yakupov’s eligibility at right wing, and file him in the late-round flier folder. Right wing is the weakest position in the fake game, and there is a legitimate chance Yakupov takes a modest to substantial step forward in 2015-16. Either way, late in drafts, you should be targeting upside.
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Art Ross winner Jamie Benn will undergo hip surgery which will require a four- to five-month rehab period. He projects to be ready for training camp. Still, monitoring his progress over the summer would be wise, especially leading into training camp.
Benn will likely be a polarizing fantasy player in rankings next season. I had him pegged at fifth overall this season. His winger eligibility and cross-category production were the main reasons behind the aggressive ranking. Plus, he is a beast, and Tyler Seguin helps, too. I had Seguin ranked sixth overall. Those two are first-round locks for the 2015-16 season, at least in my books.
Who joins them on the top line is the biggest fantasy question, though. Valeri Nichushkin looked awesome in my last viewing. He reminded me of a Jaromir Jagr-Evgeni Malkin clone. It makes sense to have Nichushkin play with Jason Spezza, though, but Nichushkin would be otherworldly playing with Benn and Seguin. Although, there might not be enough puck for all three of them. Early wagers on Dallas making the playoffs next year stand to be extremely profitable.
I participated in a 23-team, in-person live draft tonight. Don’t question the odd number of team, and noting it is a points-only pool is important.
The sharps in the room were after Rangers and Blues early, and surprisingly, only my father selected an Anaheim player early. Dad took Ryan Getzlaf third overall.
I had the fourteenth pick, and I really wanted to take John Tavares. Derek Stepan was the selection I went with, though. With 230 players being selected, you have to tread lightly in the early rounds.
I’ve left with money the majority of the time in this pool, which is a pool older than me. I was on the Ducks-Sens final in 2007, hit with Pens-Wings in 2008, and backed the Kings’ run in 2012. Last year, I drew the No. 1 pick and went with David Krejci …
Instead of sharing a picture of my toes in beach sand or my beautiful family, here is my fake team:
Derek Stepan, Rangers – While people hone in on Rick Nash, Stepan is the man to own in Manhattan. He suffered through a 12-game pointless drought late and also finished the season without a point over his last three games. So that leaves 55 points through 53 games. New York is built for a deep playoff run, and Stepan will avoid top-defense pairings as long as he isn’t centering Nash.
Jaden Schwartz, Blues – Admittedly, there is a concern about his playoff build. However, all Schwartz has done is score, and he has done so at every level. He is a top-six lock, and St. Louis is due. David Backes shifting down to the third line impacted this decision, too. Look for Schwartz to thrive with Paul Stastny and T.J. Oshie.
Paul Stastny, Blues – It is interesting that Stastny has played outside the top six for the majority of the season. He has been rather inconsistent in the point-production department, but he has a prime opportunity now. Plus, Stastny registered 10 points through seven playoff games last season. Pairing linemates is also beneficial, especially with this many entries.
Victor Hedman, Lightning – The Lightning are nearly unbeatable on home ice, and Detroit enters the Round 1 series without crease confidence. Hedman has frequently flashed Norris credentials this season, and he passes the eye test nightly. That said, injuries have been an issue. Thankfully, inconsistency is irreverent in the playoffs.
Hedman was the best player available overall, and it was a bonus he played for a team I’ve pegged for the conference finals.
Alex Killorn, Lightning – A pre-draft target, Killorn has flanked Steven Stamkos — No. 1 pick in this pool – for the majority of the season. He plays a boot-leather style, and his physicality and puck skills open space for Stamkos. While the season-long numbers are uninspiring and his game-to-game production has been somewhat hit and miss, Killorn is a solid bet skating with Stamkos.
Craig Smith, Predators – So, James Neal was the target, as only one of 23 drafters were targeting Preds, but he went. Smith is a worthy investment in Round 6 and over 130 picks deep, though. Call me foolish, but the Blackhawks are beatable, and Nashville is built to win from the crease out. Smith is a reliable producer, and at some point in deep drafts you have to zig.
Brian Boyle, Lightning – When drafts go shallow, you either diversify your investments or double up. Boyle is a load, and he has 19 playoff points over the last three seasons. While the role is obviously far from ideal, Boyle’s minutes are reliable, and he’ll have an impact nightly. Unfortunately, it might not always be on the score sheet.
Matt Carle, Lightning – Another Lightning Bolt? Absolutely! Carle’s offensive dazzles are in the rear-view mirror, but he remains a minute eater. He has averaged 22:19 minutes per game over the final six games of the season, and with inexperienced depth surrounding him, expect Carle to continue to see plenty of ice time. He does have 88 playoff games under his belt, too.
Mike Santorelli, Predators – As a fan of the Maple Leafs, Santorelli’s ability to generate offensive opportunities impressed me, especially off the side walls. While he did very little with Nashville, it was late in the draft, and he is going to play respectable minutes. Nashville has the makings to go deep.
Matt Cullen, Predators – Again, with the opinion that Nashville advances past Round 1, it is easy to see them in the conference finals, too. On paper, is there a better defense-goaltending combo in the league? Cullen is a solid player with 68 playoff games and a Stanley Cup on his resume. Those credentials alone warrant a pick in the plus-200 range.
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Top 10 saves of the year: