We have reached the stage of the offseason where things are slowing going to ramp up. Fantasy managers are hammering out mock drafts, and training camps are just around the corner. That combination makes this the perfect time to sharpen draft strategies. Player rankings and ADP trends help reveal where the value lies and league settings ultimately determine who becomes the hidden gem that tilts a season.

Mock drafts are where the quirks of ADP really come to life. Certain players slip far later than expected while others are drafted far too early for the risk attached. Over the past few days, I have been running plenty of Yahoo mock drafts and, I have been focusing on 14-team mocks. Most of my real leagues sit in the 12 to 14 range, so I find it useful to work on the larger side. It forces you to see who is actually worth taking at your slot instead of reaching too early and regretting it. A 14-team mock keeps you on your toes so that when you do land in a 10 or 12 team draft, you are more than prepared. Unless, of course, there is a player you absolutely cannot live without. If that is the case, go for it, but remember the old saying: buyer beware.

In my mock drafts so far, I am seeing that the top tier goalies are being drafted around their respective ADP's or earlier. Players like Connor Hellebuyck, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Igor Shesterkin, Ilya Sorokin, Jake Oettinger, and Filip Gustavsson are the recurring names. Mackenzie Blackwood has also worked his way into that conversation after a strong showing. There are other players such as Dustin Wolf and Jacob Markstrom to consider based on volume starts however after that group, there is a notable drop-off.    Which raises a question: why draft a middle-tier goalie at his ADP if he is not a make-or-break asset?

Personally, I avoid the temptation. Early goalie runs happen every year in drafts, and that is usually the point where you need to make a decision. Do you hop on the train and grab one before they all disappear, or do you use that opportunity to scoop up higher-end skaters who slipped because your league mates panicked? I prefer the second option almost every time. Elite defensemen are rare and can be the backbone of a winning roster, that is usually my primary focus.

Last season, I was patient with goalies and ended up with Lukas Dostal and Stuart Skinner as my late-round duo. Neither one was the reason I won my league, but both were serviceable enough while my skaters carried the load. I feel that drafting a goalie early only makes sense if one falls far enough to represent serious value. Otherwise, I would rather load up on forwards and defensemen who can potentially play a full 82 game slate and pile up points. Goaltending is the trickiest part of this process. The top tier is worth chasing if the price is right, but once you dip into the middle range the return rarely matches the cost. Reaching for a goalie simply because everyone else is doing it often leaves you weaker in the positions that actually drive weekly production. If your fellow league managers want to load up early on netminders, let them. You will usually benefit more by grabbing the extra forward or defenseman who fell right into your lap. When that player becomes a cornerstone of your roster, you will not be the one regretting draft night.

The reality is that no strategy guarantees a league title. Hockey is unpredictable, and so is fantasy hockey. What you can control is preparation. The more familiar you are with player ranks and ADP, roster construction, and league rules, the more likely you are to capitalize when chaos inevitably hits the draft room. And it always does.

Some Goalie Tandems I am Watching This Year

Columbus Blue Jackets

On paper, Elvis Merzlikins enters camp as the starter, but Jet Greaves has shown enough in limited action last year to keep things interesting. This could evolve as the season wears on, especially if Merzlikins struggles with consistency, which has been the story of his career. Keep an eye here, it may not be as straightforward as it looks in September.

Buffalo Sabres

Yes, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to carry the load. Yes, Alex Lyon is the backup. And yes, on paper this looks simple and could very well be however, this is Buffalo we are talking about. If you have followed the Sabres' crease over the years, you know better than to call anything safe. Sometimes the best fantasy advice with Buffalo goaltenders is to expect the unexpected.

Detroit Red Wings

The addition of John Gibson makes this situation fascinating. The question is not whether he is talented, it is which version of Gibson shows up: healthy or injured. Cam Talbot is still capable when managed properly, so a 1A/1B setup is not out of the realm of possibility. Neither goalie is young anymore, but a split could actually keep them both fresh and give Detroit steady play throughout the season.

Edmonton Oilers

Many expected the Oilers to grab a goalie this summer, but they stuck with Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. As a former Skinner owner in a few of my leagues, I can tell you the early goals against were a daily stress test. If you draft him, make sure your heart rate monitor is charged.

Before I we tie a bow on it for this week I wanted to share two players I have found myself drafting often in Mock Drafts, primary because I also feel that they may have some sort of a bound back season.

Owen Tippett

Owen Tippett is the type of player who impacts the game in ways that are not always reflected in the box score. His peripheral stats alone especially his shot rate alone is a good ready to draft him. However, in addition to that he was also just outside of the top 10 in the league in controlled entries that led to scoring chances, which shows his ability to consistently push the puck forward and generate opportunities for himself and his linemates. John Tortorella had little tolerance for Tippett and his lack of structure with the puck, hence the sharp drop in his number from the previous season. Tippett's underlying metrics show that he is better than 43-point player. With Rick Tocchet now leading Philadelphia and known as a player's coach, this could provide Tippett the right environment to rebound. The most important factor remains whether Tippett earns a role on the top power play unit, as that would naturally boost his production. However, the arrival of Trevor Zegras may limit his ceiling. This is something worth monitoring.

Mika Zibanejad

I still believe Mika Zibanejad has plenty left to be an intriguing bounce back candidate despite a difficult season in New York. The entire Rangers roster underperformed and dealt with significant turnover from Jacob Trouba, Chris Kreider, K'Andre Miller and Filip Chytil. That along would make it challenging for any player to find consistency. Zibanejad posted 62 points which was his lowest output in four years, and his shooting percentage was also the lowest since joining the Rangers. The encouraging sign was the chemistry he developed with JT Miller, producing 32 points in 31 games when the two played together. With Mike Sullivan stepping in as the new coach in New York, Zibanejad has a strong opportunity for a rebound season.

Thanks for reading! See you next week! For more fantasy hockey content and analysis, follow me on X @Punters_hockey. If you have any questions about your team or a trade? My DMs are always open, happy to help!