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Subject: Yahoo Fantasy Hockey League Draft Rationale Thread
Posted by: barilko6
- [07381514] Sat, Sep 03, 2005, 08:30
Post your rationale here, starting with pick 1.1 and moving onward.
This could be the most interesting rationale thread in a long time, noting some of the points that were already listed, a year away from the game, no decent cheatsheets, no publications out...
Should be good! |
| Only the 50 most recent replies are currently shown. Click on this text to display hidden posts as well. |
| 75 | Hubble
ID: 59562922
Sat, Sep 17, 2005, 11:37
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9.09 Saku Koivu, C, MON
I didn't mean to draft 3 MON in the first 10 rounds, but heck i've been looking at Koivu for few rounds now. Again if i follow me feeling, him and Kovalev should be a heck of a duo this year and provide me with some productive evenings. Koivu is injury prone, and that i hate. But if healthy, he should be close to 1 PPG. It was either Koivu or Ribeiro here, Ribeiro got taken 2 picks after... and that could turn out to be a mistake from me and a steal for Tommyd.
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| 76 | Little M
ID: 508161711
Sat, Sep 17, 2005, 12:36
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7.12 Chris Osgood, G, Det
I really didn't know who to pick here. There were a number of forwards that were about the same and no defenseman stood out. Since I had another selection 5 picks later, I knew that some of the forwards would still be available. I decided on Osgood, since Detroit should still have a decent team. Since he was my third goalie, it will allow me to be selective in the teams that they start against. It also gives me the flexability to trade a goalie in the future.
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| 77 | The Beezer
Leader
ID: 191202817
Mon, Sep 19, 2005, 21:01
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10.10 Petr Sykora, RW, ANA
I wanted to finish off my starting RWs here since I saw a dropoff past Sykora. He's my third guy from the top 10 in '04 in SOG and also was in the top 50 in goals. He's weaker in PIM, +/-, and PPP than I would like but if he'd been better, he wouldn't have been on the board in round 10, so I'll take it.
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| 78 | The Beezer
Leader
ID: 191202817
Mon, Sep 19, 2005, 21:05
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11.05 Doug Weight, C, STL
This pick's lost a bit of its shine since Tkachuk was suspended, but hopefully he'll be in shape soon and back on the ice. I'm still really happy to get Weight here as he'll give me a good push in the assist category after finishing 7th in '04. He's also strong in SOG and PPP and won't hurt me badly in other categories so I have no complaints.
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| 79 | C.SuperFreak
ID: 53771616
Mon, Sep 19, 2005, 22:16
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6.01 Olli Jokkinen, C, FLA
I needed to switch gears from D-men to forwards. I have the d that should get me some assists and shots on net so now is the time to look for goal scoring help. He's the top center on a team that should improve over last year. With this years new rules format I'm hoping a faster younger player will get an advantage in the NHL. If anything he'll have more time on the pp. Was unsigned when i drafted him but has now been locked in by Fla.
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| 80 | C.SuperFreak
ID: 53771616
Mon, Sep 19, 2005, 22:20
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7.14 Patrick Marleau, C, SJ
My strategy for this pick was to finish off my goaltending. I had planned on an Osgood/Legace combo pick slated for my next 2 picks. I was so close to landing the duo but LittleM123 snagged Osgood thus voiding my strategy. I wonder if LitteM was planning on doing the same?
However looking down the list I saw Marleau's name. He's got game. I'm a little worried about his +/-. Solid on shots and hopefully he can break the 30 goal barrier.
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| 82 | C.SuperFreak
ID: 53771616
Mon, Sep 19, 2005, 22:36
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8.01, Manny Legace, G, Det
Mind games! As previously noted, I was wondering if LittleM was going to pick up Legace for the 1,2 Detroit punch. Rather than give him the opportunity to get them both I figured I'd better act. He's a fairly decent backup. The only concern I have with this pick is the extra work I'll have to do. Everytime Detroit plays I'll have to check the web.
At this stage in the draft I was not sold on either Kolzig or Gerber.
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| 83 | The Dienasty
ID: 132591
Mon, Sep 19, 2005, 23:13
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10.08 Martin Gerber, G, CAR
The best starting goalie remaining at this point, according to my sheet. Carolina's a decidedly better team this season compared to last (well at least on paper they are), and Gerber's individual stats have been good as well. This gives me a bit of insurance should one of my other 2 goalies fall to injury, assuring that i meet the minium games played requirement from this position and giving me potential trade bait later on in the event that all 3 are heathly and playing well.
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| 84 | The Dienasty
ID: 132591
Thu, Sep 22, 2005, 06:24
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11.07 Jason Arnott, C, DAL
I think he's going to be in for a very nice year. Early reports now say that he's slated to play on a line with Bill Guerin and Brendan Morrow (selected in rounds 3 and 9, respectively), so i think getting Arnott this late was a pleasent surprise. He's the insurance i mentioned in my Mike Modano (9.07) rationale. If any offence is going to be generated in Dallas, it will most likely flow through one or hopefully both of these players.
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| 85 | The Beezer
Leader
ID: 191202817
Thu, Sep 22, 2005, 07:30
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12.10 Sean Hill, D, FLA
Hill was a real find in this round IMO. In '04 he was 25th overall in SOG and among defensemen he was second only to Blake in the category. He was also in the top 50 at his position in G, A, PPP, and PIM. I also anticipate that his move to the Panthers from the Hurricanes will help his +/- which was already far from harmful.
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| 86 | The Dienasty
ID: 132591
Fri, Sep 23, 2005, 18:27
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12.08 Derek Morris, D, PHO
With power plays sure to be plentiful, a player like Morris stands to benefit from a statisical standpoint. Phoenix has some good talent up front that he can hit on breakaways and being the point man on the top PP doesn't hurt either. He also can contribute in PIM's.
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| 87 | The Dienasty
ID: 132591
Fri, Sep 23, 2005, 18:31
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13.07 Paul Mara, D, PHO
His 42 point season in '03-'04 was nice, im hoping a few new teammates coupled with more PP time allowed him to better that number this season. He'll make a nice addition to my D corps, ensuring me that i collect all of the offence from Phoenix's blueline. Mara's +/- wasn't all that impressive last go around, but the team around him is, so i don't expect him to hurt me there.
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| 88 | The Beezer
Leader
ID: 191202817
Sat, Sep 24, 2005, 00:04
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13.05 Luc Robitaille, LW, LOS
Hopefully the old man has got one more good year in him. He was in the top 30 in '04 in shots on goal and in goals on the PP, so he should be a solid performer as long as the time away hasn't hurt him too badly.
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| 89 | The Beezer
Leader
ID: 191202817
Sat, Sep 24, 2005, 00:07
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14.10 Janne Niinimaa, D, NYI
I wanted to go D the next two picks as all the value I saw on the board was there. Janne's a solid pick at D as I think the Isles will be improved this year with Zhitnik joining the team. Janne was in the top 50 among D in both assists and +/-, and is also above average in PIMs, so I think he'll fit in well with the team.
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| 90 | The Beezer
Leader
ID: 191202817
Sat, Sep 24, 2005, 00:10
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15.05 Philippe Boucher, D, DAL
I felt at this point my two weakest points were in +/- and PIM so I wanted my last D starter pick to be good in both areas. Boucher should fit the bill and he's historically been a good performer in both of these areas. He won't score much but you can't expect the world from your fifth D spot either.
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| 91 | mMoses
ID: 51115143
Sat, Sep 24, 2005, 08:09
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7.06 Kevin Weekes, G, NYR
This is what happens when you wait too long to take your first goalie. I'm obviously not very impressed with my goalie situation, and I had hoped for my team to turn out just slightly different. I like Kevin Weekes, but am not very optimistic in regards to the New York Rangers. I was hoping to get Gerber as well, but my eyes (and consequently my typing) kept darting in other directions...
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| 93 | mMoses
ID: 51115143
Sat, Sep 24, 2005, 08:13
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8.09 Scott Walker, RW, NAS
He fit into my early setting of players that can help me in points and penalty minutes. He also, somehow, kept in the positives on a Nashville squad that has a lot more potential this year. I'm not a fan, at all, but I will hope he continues to progress.
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| 94 | mMoses
ID: 51115143
Sat, Sep 24, 2005, 08:17
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9.06 Pavel Datsyuk
Had he already been signed to Detroit, it is very unlikely I could have gotten Datsuk in round 9. All I kept reading on sites was that his "contract" in Russia wasn't even registered with the league, and that the "contract" had an easy opt-out clause, and that Datsyuk would talk to Detroit again in a week... It made the risk not seem very scary to me. I wouldn't be surprised to see Datsyuk taken in the top 4 rounds in later drafts, so I feel fortunate to have gotten him in round 9.
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| 95 | mMoses
ID: 51115143
Sat, Sep 24, 2005, 08:20
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10.09 Dick Tarnstrom, D, PIT
Yeah, so Gonchar's in town, and my boy Tarnstrom's value falls through the ground... But that second line in Pittsburgh doesn't look so shabby, and neither does the second Power Play squad. I don't have any bold predictions for him, but I don't see that much of a falloff.
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| 96 | mMoses
ID: 51115143
Sat, Sep 24, 2005, 08:23
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11.06 Jeff Carter, C, PHI
As soon as I heard news that he's been placed on Forsberg/Gagne's line, it was time to jump. Great young talent, lead the AHL's playoffs in points, even greater new linemates. I don't even know how this kid plays, if he gets PIM or not, if he's injury prone or not, if much of anything... Forsberg/Gagne about made the decision for me.
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| 97 | mMoses
ID: 51115143
Sat, Sep 24, 2005, 08:26
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12.09 Mike Dunham, G, ATL
I was (and still am) in dire straights, regarding goalies. Lehtonen came to camp out of shape, and quickly (but not very severely) injured himself. I am hoping (even tho it sounds mean) that Lehtonen's injury won't give him time to get into game shape anytime soon - and that Dunham can start for a few months.
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| 98 | mMoses
ID: 51115143
Sat, Sep 24, 2005, 08:29
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13.06 Patrice Brisebois, D, COL
I am hoping that the move from Montreal to Colorado will be enough to improve Brisebois's stats... This pick -still- feels like a reach.
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| 99 | mMoses
ID: 51115143
Sat, Sep 24, 2005, 08:33
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14.09 Dion Phaneuf, D, CAL
I can't wait to see this guy "phaneuf" some of the top players in the game... I just hope they aren't on my fantasy team! He is one of the most dominating players in CHL history. Whether that can transfer into NHL/fantasy points is yet to be seen. I'm not convinced he's ready to crack a fantasy lineup yet... But if any season is the time to try for some great sleepers/rookies right out of the draft, it'd have to be this one. I missed out on the bigger name ones, but Carter/Phaneuf/Bochenski/???? will do for now.
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| 100 | mMoses
ID: 51115143
Sat, Sep 24, 2005, 08:38
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15.06 Eric Brewer, D, STL
He's to fill the shoes of Pronger and/or McInnis? Doubtful. Can he finally break the 40 point barrier? Very possible. As much as this player keeps dissapointing, fantasy-wise, he still gets invites to the international tournaments. The new atmosphere, in STL, might be just what he needs - as he's been wanting out of EDM for a while now.
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| 101 | mMoses
ID: 51115143
Sat, Sep 24, 2005, 08:41
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16.09 Marc-andre Fleury, G, PIT
Didn't have the best of years in the lockout season, which is why Thibault is in town. This is about as close to a homer pick as I have gotten to, as Pittsburgh has been my favourite team since childhood, and Marc-andre has been my favourite goalie ever since he was drafted. I'll likely hold him on my bench all season, hoping he can turn Thibault into a backup. More realistic, though, is the possibility of a platoon.
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| 102 | mMoses
ID: 51115143
Sat, Sep 24, 2005, 08:44
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17.06 Brandon Bochenski, LW, OTT
Currently (pre-season) playing on Spezza and Hossa's line. This is just a gamble, in case he sticks. Spezza won all the awards in the AHL last season, but Bochenski only finished one goal behind him. Here's to hoping.
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| 103 | R9
Leader
ID: 02624472
Mon, Sep 26, 2005, 09:38
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9.13 Brenden Morrow, LW, Dal
I was surprised he was still around, as I figured he was the last of the 20-25 G/A types who rack up alot of PIM's. When I took two goalies last time around I didn't think any power forwards would be left. I had a huge PIM hole up to this point. I'm mainly aiming for a mid-pack finish in PIM's, so this is a decent start.
Another plus with Morrow is that he's been of the most consistant guys in the league. Rarely injured and always producing what you expect.
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| 104 | R9
Leader
ID: 02624472
Mon, Sep 26, 2005, 09:40
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10.02 Dan Boyle, D, TB
I definitely wanted a defenseman here. My forwards were looking strong (2 centers and a RW left to fill) but I still only had 1 D-man, an aging guy at that. Not much has changed in TB except for the goaltending, so I expect similar numbers to his last two years in all but +/-. Going Khabibulin -> Grahame might hurt his usually strong +/- ratio a bit...
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| 105 | R9
Leader
ID: 02624472
Mon, Sep 26, 2005, 09:45
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13.13 Alexander Mogilny, RW, NJ
My first 'risky' pick, other then Ilya I suppose. I don't really count Kovy though because I wasn't aware of his contract nonsense when I picked him...
Mogilny has regularly posted close to 1 pt/g stats, and now he's back with NJ where he had a monster year in 2000-01. Its looking like he'll line up with Gomez and Elias (once he's back) which should mean good things.
Injuries are always a part of his season though, which is why I bulked up on forward depth at RW later. I still think 60 games of 55-60 pt production and a fill-in for 20 games is better then 80 games of 60 pts, which is what was left imho.
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| 106 | R9
Leader
ID: 02624472
Mon, Sep 26, 2005, 10:49
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11.13 Alexei Zhamnov, C, Bos
I probably reached here a bit, and in hindsight I should've just taken the center I wanted more, Patrice Bergeron. Still, Zhamnov has been skating with Samsonov lately and has always been a decent producer of everything. I'm expecting solid +/- numbers as well with the move to Boston. Basically just an average pick of an average player.
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| 107 | R9
Leader
ID: 02624472
Mon, Sep 26, 2005, 10:53
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12.02 Nick Boynton, D, Bos
I liked this pick alot when I made it. Mediocre goals and assists, but a stellar +/- ratio (3 years in a row that proves its no fluke) and a garanteed 100 PIM's is exactly what my team needed. Unfortunately, the idiot GM of Boston and the idiot agent of Boynton refuse to agree on a deal. Which would be fine, if they were really far apart... but apparently, they're arguing over 250k! Really not what my team needs given that Ilya is still being a big stupid Ilya... ;)
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| 108 | R9
Leader
ID: 02624472
Mon, Sep 26, 2005, 11:06
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14.02 Valeri Bure, RW, LA
I was expecting to get Bergeron here. Superfreak already had a bunch of centers, so I really didn't expect him to grab another one. I actually assumed if I didn't take Mogilny first that I would lose him. Didn't even consider that Patrice might go!
Bure was a decent backup plan though, as LA's team is much revamped. Playing alongside either Demitra or Roenick, I expect Bure to get around 25 goals, and maybe 60 pts. If Ilya signs Bure is actually my 1st backup forward, which gives me decent depth.
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| 109 | R9
Leader
ID: 02624472
Mon, Sep 26, 2005, 11:33
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15.13 Nathan Horton, C, Fla
Horton has been highly regarded for a while now, but shoulder injuries slowed him down after a torrid start in 03/04, and held him out entirely last year. The Panthers say he is completely healthy, and will be playing on one of their top 2 lines.
He's capable of producing 25 goals/20 assists, but more importantly will do it while posting 100 PIM's. He's also probably capable of getting hurt his 5th game in and giving me nothing, but for the 15th round its not much of a risk. :)
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| 110 | C.SuperFreak
ID: 53771616
Mon, Sep 26, 2005, 14:54
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9.14 Jeff O'Neill, RW, Tor
Since I'm a Leaf fan I am obligated to take one or two. I've always liked this guy and I have had him in a few drafts in previous years. I believe his numbers will improve this year. A change of scenery should do that and his +/- should turn around and be in the positives.
My super secret stats source reveals that he will be the Left Winger on the top line.
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| 111 | C.SuperFreak
ID: 53771616
Mon, Sep 26, 2005, 15:18
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10.01 John LeClair, LW, Pit
I just hope the offensive juggernaut know as the Penguins lives up to it's hype. I took LeClair for goals, assists and shots. I don't expect much from the +/- category. There's no way he'll match the +20 he had in his last year at Philly. I needed a LW and LeClair was one of the highest ranked players still available.
This position will be my weakest link.
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| 112 | C.SuperFreak
ID: 53771616
Mon, Sep 26, 2005, 15:33
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11.14 David Legwand, C, Nas
I expect big things outta this guy now that Legwand has a legitimate wingman. Nashville's pp should be improved with Kariya and an ever improving d-man named Zidlicky. Legwand if he avoids injury should have a good year and I'm expecting him to have at least a 20 goal 35 assist season. Anything less would be disappointing.
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| 113 | The Dienasty
ID: 132591
Tue, Sep 27, 2005, 03:48
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14.08 Ruslan Fedotenko, RW, TAM
I had about 4 other players in line to pick ahead of Fedotenko here, but when it came time to pick, i just couldn't pass him up. He was the best opportunity left at this point to get a part of the Tampa Bay offence, and i think he may be in a for a breakout year, coming off his awesome 2004 Playoff performance. I don't think 50pts is asking too much from him given his potential linemates (any combination of Richards, Lecavelier, St. Louis, Modin, Prospal), and getting it out of the 14th round makes it even better.
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| 114 | The Dienasty
ID: 132591
Tue, Sep 27, 2005, 03:57
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15.07 Thomas Vanek, LW, BUF
I would have acutally preferred to have gotten Vanek in a later round, but after seeing another draft go down, with him getting selected much earlier, i think i probably made the right decision. He had a great season in the AHL, and is having a fine preaseason in the NHL. Vanek should find himself on a scoring line along side either Daniel Briere or Chris Drury, and should log some decent PP time. 30g/25a might be within his reach. I like him as a dark horse for the Calder Trophy.
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| 115 | The Beezer
Leader
ID: 191202817
Tue, Sep 27, 2005, 06:54
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16.10 Bryan Smolinski, C, OTT
Needed a center to complete my starting lineup. After sifting through what was left, I found the second line center for Ottawa still here. Smolinski should be strong in +/- and SOG and won't hurt me in other categories. Really happy to find this quality a guy here to round out the starters.
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| 116 | The Beezer
Leader
ID: 191202817
Tue, Sep 27, 2005, 07:01
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17.05 Vesa Toskala, G, SJ
When I went to make my very first pick, I took a stab at my ideal goalie lineup that I thought I could get and came up with Turco, Belfour, and Toskala. I could not pass up the chance to make that a reality.
Toskala has been a very capable backup to Nabakov in 03-04, posting the 8th best overall GAA in the league at 2.06 and .930 save % in 22 games. I figure Toskala is good for about 20 games this year and will give me the little bit of push I need in the goalie categories.
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| 117 | The Dienasty
ID: 132591
Thu, Sep 29, 2005, 18:23
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16.08 Mike Van Ryn, D, FLA
Van Ryn should be a mainstay on Florida's top PP unit, and that should almost ensure that he should at least match his previous point totals from '03-'04. That i can live with.
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| 118 | The Dienasty
ID: 132591
Thu, Sep 29, 2005, 18:29
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17.07 Andrei Markov, D, MON
I must admit that i bought into the hype a bit here, as many online and offline publications had him pegged for as high as 40 pts this season. While i don't know if that's attainable, i do know that he'll get plently of oppotunities playing as a number two behind Souray. Should see decent PP time and stay above water in +/-. I'm hoping he regains the form he showed in '02-'03.
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| 119 | The Dienasty
ID: 132591
Thu, Sep 29, 2005, 18:35
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18.08 Michael Nylander, C, NYR
I think i may have landed a real gem here. Although i can absolutely see why he would have fallen this far as well. Nylanders +/- won't be good, nor will his chances of playing all 82 games, but despite that, he going to be playing alongside Jaromir Jagr in all situations, and that only leads to points. Many. I figure a basement projection of 50 pts, to top out around 70... Nylanders good enough to step in and help carry the C position in the event that one of my starters go down. Again, real pleased to have drafted him here.
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| 120 | The Dienasty
ID: 132591
Thu, Sep 29, 2005, 18:41
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19.07 Ray Whitney, LW, CAR
Ray was on my list for a long time, but just kept sliding in favor of players who were showing promise in the preseason. While he likely won't be able get in any preaseaon action, i think he will do well once the puck is dropped for real... Should contribute in SOG, an area i wanted to address late in the draft. Not being able to see him play in the preaseason also adds that interesting element of mystery... He could turn out to be a huge surprise and resurrect his socring ways of old from Columbus, or be a complete bust playing for a new team that's come together without him. Should be interesting.
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| 121 | The Dienasty
ID: 132591
Sat, Oct 01, 2005, 09:03
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20.08 Matt Cooke, C/LW, VAN
I must admit first off that this was a homer pick. There were other players that i was looking at here, specifially ones that could help fill my PIM quota, but when it came down to it in Cooke i could get 40-45pts and 100 PIM's, whist being able to watch all of his games on TV. There's also a bit of an extra upside on the scoring front as well, because if anything should happen to one of the top six forwards in Vancouver, Cooke would likely be one of the top candidates to step in. He's shown in the past that he could play with the big boys (skating with Morrison and Naslund at the end of '03-'04), so he should be in line to benefit from any sudden line shake ups in Vancouver.
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| 122 | The Dienasty
ID: 132591
Sat, Oct 01, 2005, 09:07
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21.07 Anson Carter, RW, VAN
This picks success is going to hinge on one factor - whether Carter stays on the same line with the Sedins all season. If for whatever reason he gets taken off the line, be it lack of chemistry or othwerise, then i can pretty much write off this pick as a bust. On the other hand, if that lines clicks like i think/hope it should, then i might walk away with a 45-50 pt player that can contribute in PPP's and +/-. A homer pick to boot, i should have plenty of opportunity to view his progress as the season wears on.
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| 123 | The Beezer
Leader
ID: 191202817
Sat, Oct 01, 2005, 09:44
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18.10 Darryl Sydor, D, TB
I had Sydor highest on my board here and now that he's with the Lightning the bad +/- he's had the past two years should be history. He should be a PP contributor and he puts up a fair amount of shots for a D guy. I won't hesitate to have him fill in for a game or two here or there as needed.
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| 124 | The Beezer
Leader
ID: 191202817
Sat, Oct 01, 2005, 09:48
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19.05 Shawn McEachern, RW, BOS
If McEachern plays 82 games like he did when we last saw him, he'll be a steal. In '04 he tallied 55 points, over 70 PIM, 18 PPP, and and decent +/- and SOG numbers. Defininely a more than capable bench player.
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| 125 | The Beezer
Leader
ID: 191202817
Sat, Oct 01, 2005, 09:53
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20.10 Kirk Maltby, LW, DET
I wanted a backup here that could put up +/- and PIMs and not hurt in other areas when needed. Maltby fills the bill as he's consistently been a +/- star (T11th among all skaters in '04) and puts up above average PIM numbers. Not much left at this point in the draft so I got more than I expected here.
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| 126 | The Beezer
Leader
ID: 191202817
Sat, Oct 01, 2005, 09:56
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21.05 Keith Primeau, C, PHI
This pick is the closest thing I took to a gamble in the whole draft. A combination of potential, good production when in the lineup, and a bit of homerism made this pick happen. Injuries are always a concern here and he's already started down that road, but I don't mind swapping him in once he gets healthy to help make up games Weight will miss at the start of the season. If he plays 60 games this year with decent production I'll be pleased.
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