Rate My Team - 10th Pick out of 11 Teams in Points Only League Snake-draft

[cgjoe]

Hockey Fanatics,

I'm in a points-only Yahoo league with 11 teams and I had the 10th pick. Positions are C,C,LW,LW,RW,RW,D,D,D,D,U,G,G plus 5 on the bench.

Scoring is:
Forwards/Defensemen:
G +1, A +.5, (+/-) +.5, PIM -.1, PPP +1, SHP +2, GWG +.5, SOG +.1
Goaltenders:
GS +.5, W +2, L -.5, GA -.2, SV +.1, SHO +5

My starters have the highest total FSI in the league by 150 points, but I wanted to get some feedback. Here is my team with position & pick number (& overall pick):

C Malkin (C,RW) - 2 (13)
C Couture (C) - 7 (76)
LW Sharp (C,LW) - 4 (35)
LW McDonald (C,LW) - 9 (98)
RW Pavelski (C,RW) - 5 (54)
RW Giroux (C,RW) - 6 (57)
D Edler (D) - 10 (101)
D Pronger (D) - 11 (120)
D Kaberle (D) - 12 (123)
D Clitsome (D) - 13 (142)
U Hossa (RW) - 8 (79)
G Bryzgalov (G) - 1 (10)
G Ward (G) - 3 (32)
BN Neuvirth (G) - 15 (164)
BN Cammalleri (LW) - 14 (145)
BN Gonchar (D) - 16 (167)
BN Elias (LW) - 17 (186)
BN Prospal (C,LW) - 18 (189)

[Mike]

You've got a lot of flexibility with all of those double-listed players. I really like the 18th round 'gamble' on Prospal. If he ends up getting time with Nash/Carter, you could have yourself a huge steal with that pick. Your goalies look solid: you won't have any problem reaching your max and all three of those goalies play for what should be playoff bound teams. I'm excited about your roster. Let us know how things go!

[cgjoe]

Thanks, Mike. The only place I feel thin is on D; I'd like to find a gem FA D-man but will probably wait until a couple of weeks into the season to see how line combos are shaking out, especially power-play time. I will also have to fight the temptation to use Bench players for racking up points early.

Here are the top 20 FA D-men listed in FSI order (highest to lowest). Any recommendations, or should I hold onto the ones I have?

Hamhuis VAN D
Meszaros PHI D
Foster ANA D
Bieksa VAN D
Martin PIT D
Franson TOR D
MacDonald NYI D
Demers SJ D
Clark TB D
Kampfer BOS D
Colaiacovo STL D
McDonagh NYR D
Robidas DAL D
Girardi NYR D
Lydman ANA D
Zidlicky MIN D
Blum NSH D
White DET D
Leopold BUF D
Larsen DAL D

[Rocketman9]

I would drop Clitsome for Zidlicky. Zidlicky's value may be higher being the #1 guy in Minny with a revamped offense.

[cgjoe]

I'll keep an eye on Zidlicky. Looks like Clitsome might be the one to drop; Gonchar is my lowest-ranked D-man FSI-wise, but he is certainly going to spend some time on the Power Play this season.

[Tim]

I would grab White. He'll be playing with Lidstrom on the wings power play and some even strength time too.

[Habs1]

I agree with Rocketman, I was would drop Clitsome for Zidlicky.

[cgjoe]

Thanks. Can't hurt at this point; the worst thing that could happen is Clitsome gets picked up by someone else and Zidlicky has a mediocre season. I'm not expecting much from my #4 D-man.

[Habs1]

I know what you mean. I picked up Clitsome last year at one point because he was on the PP line and getting PP assists. Other than that he was very streaky, and when I dropped him, no one was rushing to get him. Im in a 12 team that starts 4 D and 1 U with 5 bench spots, so D get pretty thin.

[cgjoe]

I know what you mean. I picked up Clitsome last year at one point because he was on the PP line and getting PP assists. Other than that he was very streaky, and when I dropped him, no one was rushing to get him. Im in a 12 team that starts 4 D and 1 U with 5 bench spots, so D get pretty thin.

It will be interesting to see which D-men get PP time. That's what will separate the top from the bottom on the D-man free agent list. I look forward to using the Line Combos tool for a lot of research!

[Habs1]

It will be interesting to see which D-men get PP time. That's what will separate the top from the bottom on the D-man free agent list. I look forward to using the Line Combos tool for a lot of research!

The line combo tool is great for reading that. Last year when LWL started posting line, they had percentages next to them. This is ten levels ahead of that now. Simply great.