Detailed Keeper League Question

[hockeyguy]

Though it's going to be long, I am going to give a somewhat brief replay as to how our league is set up before asking my question...

We decided last offseason that we wanted to institute a larger pool of keepers (it used to be 3 per season). Due to trades that included future draft picks from the previous season--before this idea came to fruition--we decided it would be unfair to begin the new keeper league this past season. However, to keep things interesting, we allowed teams to begin adding players to their farm team rosters. Skaters have a 75 GP maximum and goalies have a 25 GP maximum to be eligible for the farm team.

Later in September, we are having our initial draft under the new keeper rules. It's a 20 round draft. All players who are not on a farm team or a 2012 Draft draftee are eligible to be drafted so it's basically wide open. As you can see below in my signature, my farm team is pretty stacked. I do have some players who are going to reach their GP limit rather early in the season (Schenn, Connolly) and I have other players who will likely pass or get very close to their limit at some point in the season (Kadri, Elliott, Yakupov (I have the 1st rookie pick), Huberdeau, Granlund). An additional wrinkle which will be difficult for me but I'm comfortable living under these rules is that, instead of 20 farm team players, a new rule mandates each farm team must be no larger than 10 players by the end of this coming season. At the end of the season, each team will be able to keep 20 total players--any combination of active roster or farm team.

Having said all that, given the talented players who I will have to make decisions on whether to add to my main roster, trade, or let walk at various points in the season, should this affect my draft strategy in any way at all? I've thought about drafting players like Selanne and Alfredsson, players other teams in a keeper league will be scared of due to age but who should produce this year. I've been struggling with this most of the offseason. What say you guys?

[Flames89Champs]

Well.. in my opinion... on your farm team these are the guys I would try to keep... Huberdeau, Schwartz, Schenn, Bartschi, Markstrom, and Hackett.

At defense, there is (or should be in your situation since there are only 8 teams) a lot of good defensemen out there... that is where you should try to get the experienced high power play minute guys.. or if not high pp... at least some power play time so not keeping the 3 you have stated there isn't a big deal. The more important positions in your case is at forward and goal. I would say that if you are in a keeper league... you have to have a little patience.. and going with the youth you have will be a big time boost come 2 or 3 years from now.

As far as seasoned veterans... I think it's ok to have one or two... but don't go overboard. You don't want to be the "flash in the pan" type of manager.

[hockeyguy]

Thanks Flames, any other thoughts on this dilemma?