The third annual Experts League draft took place on September 25, 2008 with the following participants:
Scott Cullen - TSN.ca (The Sports Network)
Ray Flowers - Fanball
Gus Katsaros- McKeen's
Jan Levine - Rotowire
Matt Romig - Yahoo!
Eric Maltais - Dobber Hockey
Michael Finewax and Brian Rosenbaum - Rotoworld
Ian Gooding-Fantasy Hockey.com
Nicklas Chabot-The Sports Forecaster
John Toperzer-Rotowire
Rocky Bonnano-NHL.com
Jeff Angus-Dobber Hockey
Brian and I were rushing to meet on Thursday as Brian had to attend a school event for his son Ricky and I had to leave early from my niece Jenna's seventh birthday party.
Each team was required to take four centers, four left wingers, four right wingers, six defensemen, two goaltenders and five bench players. There are also two IR spots available for injuries. There was no requirement to balance after 20 players and the position eligibility was determined by the Yahoo site. Players are ranked in the following categories: Goals, Assists, Plus/Minus, Power Play Points, Shots on Goal and Penalty Minutes for forwards and defensemen. Wins, Goals Against Average and Save Percentage for goaltenders.
This season, for the first time, the Experts have decided to make it a keeper league. A team can keep four players each year, but no more than one goaltender. We picked 10th out of 12 teams.
Round One
1.01 (1) - Sports Forecaster-Alex Ovechkin, Capitals, (LW)
1.02 (2) - Rotowire (Jan)- Sidney Crosby, Penguins, (C)
1.03 (3) - TSN.ca- Evgeni Malkin, Penguins, (C)
1.04 (4) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais)-Dany Heatley, Senators, (LW)
1.05 (5) - NHL.com- Jarome Iginla, Flames, (RW)
1.06 (6) - Rotowire (John)- Henrik Zetterberg, Red Wings, (LW)
1.07 (7) --FantasyHockey.com - Martin Brodeur, Devils, (G)
1.08 (8) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Roberto Luongo, Canucks, (G)
1.09 (9) - Fanball - Joe Thornton, Sharks, (C)
1.10 (10) -RotoWorld - Evgeni Nabokov, Sharks, (G)
1.11 (11) -McKeens - Vincent Lecavalier, Lightning, (C)
1.12 (12) -Yahoo! - Ilya Kovalchuk, Thrashers, (LW)
Our Pick: We had the tenth overall pick and wanted a ooaltender. We had Nabokov rated number three overall and the top goaltender so Brian and I were thrilled when he was still available at ten.
Best Value: It's hard to argue with any of the picks in this round although Joe Thornton being available at number nine seems to be a steal.
Not a pick we'd make: It's hard to argue any selection in this round although being a keeper league, we were surprised that Martin Brodeur went so early.
Trends, Etc.: There were four left wingers and centers taken, as well as three goaltenders. No defensemen were selected.
U.S. & World
Round Two
2.01 (13) - Yahoo! - Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers, (G)
2.02 (14) - McKeens - Marty Turco, Stars, (G)
2.03 (15) - RotoWorld - Dion Phaneuf, Flames, (D)
2.04 (16) - Fanball - Marc-Andre Fleury, Penguins, (G)
2.05 (17) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Marian Hossa, Red Wings, (RW)
2.06 (18) - FantasyHockey.com - Pavel Datsyuk, Red Wings, (C)
2.07 (19) - Rotowire (John) - Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Ducks, (G)
2.08 (20) - NHL.com - Ryan Getzlaf, Ducks, (C)
2.09 (21) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Carey Price, Canadiens, (G)
2.10 (22) - TSN.ca - Miikka Kiprusoff, Flames, (G)
2.11 (23) - Rotowire (Jan) - Jason Spezza, Senators, (C)
2.12 (24) - Sports Forecaster - Chris Osgood, Red Wings, (G)
Our Pick: We had hoped to get Nabokov and Dion Phaneuf with our first two picks, once we found out that we were picking tenth overall. We pegged Phaneuf as the number one defenseman when you take age into consideration as he was very close to the Red Wings Nicklas Lidstrom and at age 23, 15 years younger than the veteran Lidstrom.
Best Value: With all goaltenders going fast and furious, Jason Spezza was an excellent pick at 23rd overall. A healthy Spezza should break the 100 point barrier.
Not a pick we'd make:Chris Osgood. The Detroit netminder will put up gaudy stats, but the veteran will play only 50 or so games for the Red Wings, and will turn 36 in November.
Trends, Etc.: There were seven goaltenders selected in the second round. We took the first and only defenseman and three centers were also picked.
Round Three
3.01 (25) - Sports Forecaster - Niklas Backstrom, Wild, (G)
3.02 (26) - Rotowire (Jan) - Daniel Alfredsson, Senators, (RW)
3.03 (27) - TSN.ca - Nicklas Lidstrom, Red Wings (D)
3.04 (28) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Ryan Miller, Sabres, (G)
3.05 (29) - NHL.com - Olli Jokinen, Coyotes, (C)
3.06 (30) - Rotowire (John) - Zdeno Chara, Bruins, (D)
3.07 (31) --FantasyHockey.com - Marian Gaborik, Wild, (RW)
3.08 (32) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Ilya Bryzgalov, Coyotes, (G)
3.09 (33) - Fanball - Rick Nash, Blue Jackets, (LW)
3.10 (34) - RotoWorld - Mike Green, Capitals, (D)
3.11 (35) - McKeens - Dan Boyle, Sharks, (D)
3.12 (36) - Yahoo! - Eric Staal, Hurricanes (C)
Our Pick: Brian and I were hoping for another outstanding young defenseman and we were thrilled to get Mike Green. The Capitals have a lot of young talent and are going to be an offensive force for years, with Green quarterbacking the power play.
Best Value:Rick Nash. He is ready to break out and will be helped by R. J. Umberger as his new center. He seems to have been around for a long time but the left winger is only 24-years-old.
Not a pick we'd make:Ryan Miller. He had a really tough year last season and while we think he will come back somewhat, we think he was taken too early.
Trends, Etc.: It was a fairly even round with four defensemen taken, along with three goaltenders, bringing the goaltender count to 13 in the first three rounds.
Round Four
4.01 (37) - Yahoo! - Chris Pronger, Ducks, (D)
4.02 (38) - McKeens - Daniel Briere, Flyers, (C)
4.03 (39) - RotoWorld - Martin St. Louis, Lightning, (RW)
4.04 (40) - Fanball - Brian Campbell, Blackhawks, (D)
4.05 (41) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Brenden Morrow, Stars, (LW)
4.06 (42) - FantasyHockey.com - Jonathan Toews, Blackhawks, (C)
4.07 (43) - Rotowire (John) - Daniel Sedin, Canucks, (LW)
4.08 (44) - NHL.com - Cristobal Huet, Blackhawks, (G)
4.09 (45) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Patrick Kane, Blackhawks, (RW)
4.10 (46) - TSN.ca - Thomas Vanek, Sabres, (LW)
4.11 (47) - Rotowire (Jan) - Brian Rafalski, Red Wings, (D)
4.12 (48) - Sports Forecaster - Andrei Markov, Canadiens, (D)
Our Pick: We needed to start drafting forwards and Martin St. Louis was one of the few remaining forwards capable of hitting the 100-point mark. He is weak at plus/minus and penalty minutes, but we thought we could address those issues later in the draft.
Best Value:Patrick Kane was the Calder Trophy winner last season and he is only going to get better. It is possible that he has the dreaded sophomore jinx, but he will be a great NHL player for many years to come.
Not a pick we'd make: At the time of the draft it was Cristobal Huet. He was to share the goaltending duties with Nikolai Khabibulin and there was no reason to believe that Huet would get the majority of the action. Of course, Khabibulin was put on waivers, making Rocky's pick a good one.
Trends, Etc.: A pretty even round with four defensemen and only one goaltender taken. There were four Chicago Blackhawks taken in this round as well.
Round Five
5.01 (49) - Sports Forecaster - Mike Richards, Flyers, (C)
5.02 (50) - Rotowire (Jan) - Paul Stastny, Avalanche (C)
5.03 (51) - TSN.ca - Shane Doan, Coyotes, (RW)
5.04 (52) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Brent Burns, Wild, (D)
5.05 (53) - NHL.com - Bryan McCabe, Panthers, (D)
5.06 (54) - Rotowire (John) - Tomas Vokoun, Panthers, (G)
5.07 (55) -- FantasyHockey.com - Joe Corvo, Hurricanes, (D)
5.08 (56) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Dustin Byfuglien, Blackhawks, (LW, D)
5.09 (57) - Fanball - Corey Perry, Ducks, (RW)
5.10 (58) - RotoWorld - Nicklas Backstrom, Capitals, (C)
5.11 (59) - McKeens - Zach Parise, Devils, (LW)
5.12 (60) - Yahoo! - Alexei Kovalev, Canadiens, (RW)
Our Pick:Nicklas Backstrom was still available in the fifth round so we took our first center. The talented Backstrom will center Alex Ovechkin, so his 69 point rookie effort last season could just be a little taste of his true potential. Backstrom is also a consideration for our keeper list for next season.
Best Value:Paul Stastny. Stastny is a terrific pivot and would have surpassed his outstanding rookie season in points, had he not missed 16 games with injuries. He still managed 71 points and could close in on 100 this seaon.
Not a pick we'd make:Bryan McCabe. We took him last year and suffered through a poor, injury-riddled season. Perhaps the change of scenery will help as he will be out of the spotlight in Florida.
Trends, Etc.: A very even round as three centers, right wingers and defensemen were selected.
Round Six
6.01 (61) - Yahoo! - Alexander Frolov, Kings, (LW)
6.02 (62) - McKeens - Jason Pominville, Sabres, (RW)
6.03 (63) - RotoWorld - Alexander Semin, Capitals, (LW)
6.04 (64) - Fanball - Marc Savard, Bruins, (C)
6.05 (65) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Derek Roy, Sabres, (C)
6.06 (66) - FantasyHockey.com - Michael Cammalleri, Flames, (LW)
6.07 (67) - Rotowire (John) - Tomas Kaberle, Maple Leafs, (D)
6.08 (68) - NHL.com - Cam Ward, Hurricanes, (G)
6.09 (69) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Nikolai Zherdev, Rangers, (RW)
6.10 (70) - TSN.ca - Nathan Horton, Panthers, (C,RW)
6.11 (71) - Rotowire (Jan) - Jeff Carter, Flyers, (C)
6.12 (72) - Sports Forecaster - Anze Kopitar, Kings (C)
Our Pick:Alexander Semin. We wanted a left winger and the talented Russian was the best out there in our opinion. Semin had only 26 goals and 42 points in an injury-riddled 2007-08 season, but the 24-year-old had a 38 goal, 73-point season the year before. It fits in perfectly with our strategy of buying low as we love very good players coming off injury-filled seasons.
Best Value:Marc Savard. We debated for a while as to whether or not to take Savard instead of Semin, but the fact that we already had a center swayed us to pass on Savard. Fanball gets a very nice player in Savard.
Not a pick we'd make:Tomas Kaberle, The talent around the defenseman in Toronto scares us. His plus/minus will suffer as will his point total as he doesn't have Sundin, Tucker or McCabe anymore.
Trends, Etc: Ten forwards were taken, as well as the first Maple Leaf and King.
Round Seven
7.01 (73) - Sports Forecaster - Ed Jovanovski, Coyotes, (D)
7.02 (74) - Rotowire (Jan) - Sheldon Souray, Oilers, (D)
7.03 (75) - TSN.ca - Brad Richards, Stars, (C)
7.04 (76) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Sean Avery, Stars, (LW)
7.05 (77) - NHL.com - Tomas Plekanec, Canadiens, (C)
7.06 (78) - Rotowire (John) - Daymond Langkow, Flames, (C)
7.07 (79) - FantasyHockey.com - Jose Theodore, Capitals, (G)
7.08 (80) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Teemu Selanne, Ducks, (RW)
7.09 (81) - Fanball - Jonathan Cheechoo, Sharks, (RW)
7.10 (82) - RotoWorld - Martin Biron, Flyers, (G)
7.11 (83) - McKeens - Erik Cole, Oilers, (LW, RW)
7.12 (84) - Yahoo! - Pascal Leclaire, Blue Jackets, (G)
Our Pick:Martin Biron. Biron is the starting goaltender for a very good Flyers team and should see action in 55-60 games, filling the backup spot on our team behind Nabokov. It gives us two starting goalies on top-notch teams which should make our wins total among the top three at worst.
Best Value: We love the pick of Erik Cole in this round. The Oilers traded for the winger and he has a chance to score 35 goals if he is healthy.
Not a pick we'd make: There really isn't anyone that we don't like in this round. Pascal Leclaire might have trouble repeating last season's results, but there isn't a lot left in the goaltending pool.
Trends, Etc.: Three goaltenders were selected as teams filled out their number two goaltenders spot.
Round Eight
8.01 (85) - Yahoo! - Lubomir Visnovsky, Oilers, (D)
8.02 (86) - McKeens - Scott Niedermayer, Ducks, (D)
8.03 (87) - RotoWorld - Daniel Carcillo, Coyotes, (LW)
8.04 (88) - Fanball - Dan Ellis, Predators, (G)
8.05 (89) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Mike Ribeiro, Stars, (C)
8.06 (90) - FantasyHockey.com - Sergei Gonchar, Penguins, (D)
8.07 (91) - Rotowire (John) - Milan Michalek, Sharks, (LW)
8.08 (92) - NHL.com - Andrei Kostitsyn, Canadiens, (LW)
8.09 (93) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Ales Hemsky, Oilers, (RW)
8.10 (94) - TSN.ca - Martin Gerber, Senators, (G)
8.11 (95) - Rotowire (Jan) - Brad Boyes, Blues (RW)
8.12 (96) - Sports Forecaster - Milan Hejduk, Avalanche, (RW)
Our Pick:Daniel Carcillo. Carcillo led the NHL in penalty minutes last season with 324, 98 minutes better than Jared Boll who was second and he did it in only 57 games. That will take care of some of our players who tend to stay out of the penalty box. What a lot of poolies don't remember is that Carcillo came on at the end of the season in 2008 as he led the NHL in goals the last week of the season with five.
Best Value:Ales Hemsky. We think that Hemsky is ready to join a higher level in points. He already has an 83-point season under his belt and he could hit the 90-point mark this season.
Not a pick we'd make:Sergei Gonchar. His injury status was unknown at the time and it now appears that Gonchar will be out a minimum of six weeks, and a lot longer than that if his ailing shoulder requires surgery.
Trends, Etc.: Three rights, three lefts and three defensemen made this an even round.
Round Nine
9.01 (97) - Sports Forecaster - Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Wild, (RW)
9.02 (98) - Rotowire (Jan) - Jay Bouwmeester, Panthers, (D)
9.03 (99) - TSN.ca - Simon Gagne, Flyers, (LW)
9.04 (100) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Steve Stamkos, Lightning, (C)
9.05 (101) - NHL.com - Patrick Sharp, Blackhawks, (LW)
9.06 (102) - Rotowire (John) - Patrice Bergeron, Bruins, (C)
9.07 (103) --FantasyHockey.com - Miroslav Satan, Penguins, (RW)
9.08 (104) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Kris Letang, Penguins, (D)
9.09 (105) - Fanball - Shawn Horcoff, Oilers, (C)
9.10 (106) - RotoWorld - Patrick Marleau, Sharks, (C)
9.11 (107) - McKeens - Alex Tanguay, Canadiens, (LW)
9.12 (108) - Yahoo! - Peter Mueller, Coyotes, (C)
Our Pick: In keeping with our buy low philosophy we selected Marleau, another Rotoworld player coming off of a relatively poor season. Marleau picked it up after the trade deadline and we think that the firing of head coach Ron Wilson in San Jose will help.
Best Value:Alex Tanguay. He had a rough year in Calgary under the iron hand of Mike Keenan. The trade to Montreal puts him back in his home province and Tanguay could return to the 80-point mark again this season.
Not a pick we'd make:Simon Gagne. We are awfully concerned that his concussion problems are far from over.
Trends, Etc.: Five centers were selected as they rule the round. There were also two players coming off concussion problems in Bergeron and Gagne.
Round Ten
10.01 (109) - Yahoo! - Ryane Clowe, Sharks, (LW)
10.02 (110) - McKeens - Tim Thomas, Bruins, (G)
10.03 (111) - RotoWorld - Vaclav Prospal, Lightning, (LW)
10.04 (112) - Fanball - Kari Lehtonen, Thrashers, (G)
10.05 (113) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Niklas Kronwall, Red Wings, (D)
10.06 (114) - FantasyHockey.com - Kevin Bieksa, Canucks, (D)
10.07 (115) - Rotowire (John) - Henrik Sedin, Canucks, (C)
10.08 (116) - NHL.com - Shea Weber, Predators, (D)
10.09 (117) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Scott Gomez, Devils, (C)
10.10 (118) - TSN.ca - Braydon Coburn, Flyers, (D)
10.11 (119) - Rotowire (Jan) - Mathieu Garon, Oilers (G)
10.12 (120) - Sports Forecaster - Ryan Suter, Predators (D)
Our Pick:Vaclav Prospal. Prospal is due for a 55 point season if you believe in the every other year theory that Prospal has shown. We think that he will be closer to 70-75 points playing beside Vincent Lecavalier.
Best Value:Scott Gomez. Gomez had 70 points in his first year in the Big Apple. Even if he stays the same, that's pretty good for the 117th player taken.
Not a pick we'd make:Kari Lehtonen scares us. We loved him a couple of years ago, but the Thrashers look to be as weak as the Maple Leafs, so his goals-against-average and win total will suffer.
Trends, Etc.: Five defensemen were selected along with three goaltenders in the 10th round.
Round Eleven
11.01 (121) - Sports Forecaster - John-Michael Liles, Avalanche, (D)
11.02 (122) - Rotowire (Jan) - Wade Redden, Rangers, (D)
11.03 (123) - TSN.ca- Petr Sykora, Penguins, (RW)
11.04 (124) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Kimmo Timonen, Flyers, (D)
11.05 (125) - NHL.com - Brian Gionta, Devils, (RW)
11.06 (126) - Rotowire (John) - Brian Rolston, Devils, (LW)
11.07 (127) --FantasyHockey.com - Patrik Elias, Devils, (LW)
11.08 (128) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Duncan Keith, Blackhawks, (D)
11.09 (129) - Fanball - Dustin Brown, Kings, (RW)
11.10 (130) - RotoWorld - Joe Sakic, Avalanche, (C)
11.11 (131) - McKeens - Filip Kuba. Senators, (D)
11.12 (132) - Yahoo! - J. P. Dumont, Predators, (RW)
Our Pick:Joe Sakic. Sakic couldn't decide whether or not to retire and based on his output we are glad he signed on for another year. Sakic managed 40 points in 43 games after scoring 100 points at age 37 in 2007-08. We loved the fact that he was still available in the 11th round.
Best Value:Petr Sykora. Playing with the Penguins can't hurt, and playing on the second line with Malkin is like playing on the top line with practically every other team. Look for Sykora to be good for 60-70 points, not bad for an 11th round pick.
Not a pick we'd make:Patrik Elias. We think his time has passed.
Trends, Etc.: Defensemen, right wingers and Devils were taken this round, five, four and three respectively.
Round Twelve
12.01 (133) - Yahoo! - Mark Streit, Islanders, (D)
12.02 (134) - McKeens - Jordan Staal, Penguins, (C)
12.03 (135) - RotoWorld - Sergei Zubov, Stars, (D)
12.04 (136) - Fanball - Markus Naslund, Rangers, (LW)
12.05 (137) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Mikko Koivu, Wild, (C)
12.06 (138) - FantasyHockey.com - Johan Franzen, Red Wings. (C)
12.07 (139) - Rotowire (John) - Chris Drury, Rangers, (C)
12.08 (140) - NHL.com - Todd Bertuzzi, Flames, (LW)
12.09 (141) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Andrej Meszaros, Lightning, (D)
12.10 (142) - TSN.ca - Marek Zidlicky, Wild, (D)
12.11 (143) - Rotowire (Jan) - Paul Kariya, Blues, (LW)
12.12 (144) - Sports Forecaster - Chris Kunitz, Ducks, (LW)
Our Pick:Brian and I took a chance by selecting Sergei Zubov. Zubov was injured before the start of training camp and could miss as much as a month of the season, but we figured he was worth the risk because he averages close to .75 points a game.
Best Value:Paul Kariya. Kariya is due for a bounce back year and still managed 65 points in a poor season.
Not a pick we'd make:Mark Streit. He was the first Islander taken and we don't think that he will come close to the 62 points he had last season in Montreal.
Trends, Etc.: Defensemen, left wingers and centers were split evenly this round.
Round Thirteen
13.01 (145) - Sports Forecaster - Michael Ryder, Bruins, (RW)
13.02 (146) - Rotowire (Jan) - Vesa Toskala, Maple Leafs, (G)
13.03 (147) - TSN.ca - Sam Gagner, Oilers, (C)
13.04 (148) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Martin Havlat, Blackhawks, (RW)
13.05 (149) - NHL.com - Sami Salo, Canucks, (D)
13.06 (150) - Rotowire (John) - Matt Niskanen, Stars, (D)
13.07 (151) --FantasyHockey.com - Dennis Wideman, Bruins, (D)
13.08 (152) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Joni Pitkanen, Hurricanes, (D)
13.09 (153) - Fanball - Rob Blake, Sharks, (D)
13.10 (154) - RotoWorld - Jason Arnott, Predators, (C)
13.11 (155) - McKeens - Nik Antropov, Maple Leafs, (C)
13.12 (156) - Yahoo! - Joffrey Lupul, Flyers, (RW)
Our Pick:Jason Arnott. Arnott is a solid center in the NHL and has managed seasons of 76, 54 and 72 points in his last three years. He played in only 68 games in his 54 point season. He is the number one pivot with the Predators and will lead the power play.
Best Value:Dennis Wideman. The Boston defenseman surprised many with a 13 goal, 39 point effort last season. He can even do better this year.
Not a pick we'd make:Sami Salo. He is too injury-prone. While Havlat is even worse, Havlat does have the capabilities of getting over a point a game making him a much better risk.
Trends, Etc.: Five picks in a row were defensemen in this round as there was a quick run on the blueliners.
Round Fourteen
14.01 (157) - Yahoo! - Michal Rozsival, Rangers, (D)
14.02 (158) - McKeens - Radim Vrbata, Lightning, (RW)
14.03 (159) - RotoWorld - Tomas Holmstrom, Red Wings, (RW)
14.04 (160) - Fanball - Ryan Malone, Lightning, (LW)
14.05 (161)- Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Scott Hartnell, Flyers, (LW)
14.06 (162) - FantasyHockey.com - Philippe Boucher, Stars, (D)
14.07 (163) - Rotowire (John) - Mike Knuble, Flyers, (RW)
14.08 (164) - NHL.com - Bobby Ryan, Ducks, (RW)
14.09 (165) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Patrick O'Sullivan, Kings (C)
14.10 (166) - TSN.ca - Kristian Huselius, Blue Jackets, (LW)
14.11 (167) - Rotowire (Jan) - Wojtek Wolski, Avalanche, (LW)
14.12 (168) - Sports Forecaster - Tobias Enstrom, Thrashers, (D)
Our Pick:Brian & I talked about the need to improve our plus/minus and what better way than taking a Detroit Red Wing. Tomas Holmstrom is a first line player on the Red Wings and still is on the top power play unit, so we figured that he was the man. He was injured last season (a common thread in a lot of players we have taken) and a healthy Holmstrom should hit the 55-60 point mark with a plus-15.
Best Value:Scott Hartnell. We love the Flyers forward for his offensive play and chippiness. Angus made a really nice pick here.
Not a pick we'd make:Tobias Enstrom. It's a pretty porous Atlanta squad and he lost his quarterback position on the power play after we drafted, to Mathieu Schneider.
Trends, Etc.:Four right wingers and left wingers were selected as teams filled out their teams.
Round Fifteen
15.01 (169) - Sports Forecaster - Paul Ranger, Lightning, (D)
15.02 (170) - Rotowire (Jan) - Ryan Smyth, Avalanche, (LW)
15.03 (171) - TSN.ca - Steve Bernier, Canucks, (RW)
15.04 (172) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Ryan Whitney, Penguins, (D)
15.05 (173) - NHL.com - Maxim Afinogenov, Sabres, (RW)
15.06 (174) - Rotowire (John) - Jere Lehtinen, Stars, (RW)
15.07 (175) --FantasyHockey.com - Brent Seabrook, Blackhawks, (D)
15.08 (176) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Sergei Samsonov, Hurricanes, (LW)
15.09 (177) - Fanball - Shane O'Brien, Lightning, (D)
15.10 (178) - RotoWorld - Mathieu Schneider, Thrashers, (D)
15.11 (179) - McKeens - Pavel Kubina, Maple Leafs, (D)
15.12 (180) - Yahoo! - Ty Conklin, Red Wings, (G)
Our Pick: We figured that Mathieu Schneider would be traded from the Ducks quickly and he was. Brian and I weren't pleased that the destination was Atlanta, but he will qb the power play and team up with superstar Ilya Kovalchuk.
Best Value:Maxim Afinogenov. We were hoping that he would drop to us. We think that Afinogenov will rebound from an awful 2007-08 season and get back to the 70-point mark.
Not a pick we'd make:Pavel Kubina. While he played great after the trade deadline for the Maple Leafs, we think that he will get discouraged with a poor Leaf season and possibly asked to be traded.
Trends, Etc.: Half of the players selected in this round were defensemen.
Round Sixteen
16.01 (181) - Yahoo! - Nikita Filatov, Blue Jackets, (LW)
16.02 (182) - McKeens - Ray Whitney, Hurricanes, (LW)
16.03 (183) - RotoWorld - Jamie Langenbrunner, Devils (RW)
16.04 (184) - Fanball - Pavol Demitra, Canucks, (C)
16.05 (185) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Jiri Hudler, Red Wings, (RW)
16.06 (186) - FantasyHockey.com - Kyle Turris, Coyotes, (C)
16.07 (187) - Rotowire (John) - Adrian Aucoin, Flames, (D)
16.08 (188) - NHL.com - Marco Sturm, Bruins, (LW)
16.09 (189) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Michael Nylander, Capitals, (C)
16.10 (190) - TSN.ca - David Perron, Blues, (LW)
16.11 (191) - Rotowire (Jan) - Milan Lucic, Bruins, (LW)
16.12 (192) - Sports Forecaster - Kyle Okposo, Islanders, (RW)
Our Pick:Jamie Langenbrunner. Langenbrunner was injured to start the season and that put him behind the eight-ball. He never recovered and ended up with only 13 goals and 41 points in 64 games. A healthy Langenbrunner will get back to the 55-60 point mark.
Best Value:Michael Nylander was a great pick. If he ever plays with Ovechkin, he'll get 90 plus points.
Not a pick we'd make: There really wasn't a bad selection made in this round as teams took chances on young players. Filatov has a very high ceiling but may not play much in the NHL this season.
Trends, Etc.: There were a lot of young players taken that could be keepers in the years to come including Filatov, Turris, Perron, Lucic and Okposo.
Round Seventeen
17.01 (193) - Sports Forecaster - Christopher Higgins, Canadiens, (LW)
17.02 (194) - Rotowire (Jan) - Ron Hainsey, Thrashers, (D)
17.03 (195) - TSN.ca - Jaroslav Spacek, Sabres, (D)
17.04 (196) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Dustin Penner, Oilers, (LW)
17.05 (197) - NHL.com - Rod Brind'Amour, Hurricanes, (C)
17.06 (198) - Rotowire (John) - Ales Kotalik, Sabres, (RW)
17.07 (199) --FantasyHockey.com - Jason Blake, Maple Leafs, (LW)
17.08 (200) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Robert Lang, Canadiens, (C)
17.09 (201) - Fanball - Cam Barker, Blackhawks, (D)
17.10 (202) - RotoWorld - Cory Stillman, Panthers, (LW)
17.11 (203) - McKeens - Saku Koivu, Canadiens, (C)
17.12 (204) - Yahoo! - Antoine Vermette, Senators. (LW)
Our Pick: Brian and I didn't expect to see Cory Stillman still around at pick 202. He will play on the Panthers top line with Stephen Weiss and Nathan Horton. Stillman is great on the power play and that won't hurt us.
Best Value: We like the first and last picks in Christopher Higgins and Antoine Vermette. Both are on the verge of breaking out.
Not a pick we'd make:Ron Hainsey. He is now the third defenseman in Atlanta as far as the power play is concerned. If you're not playing with Kovalchuk, you're in trouble on the Thrashers blueline.
Trends, Etc.: Five left wingers were taken in this round.
Round Eighteen
18.01 (205) - Yahoo! - Mats Sundin, UFA, (C)
18.02 (206) - McKeens - Mark Giordano, Flames (D)
18.03 (207) - RotoWorld - Martin Erat, Predators, (RW)
18.04 (208) - Fanball - Matt Carle, Lightning, (D)
18.05 (209) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Jack Johnson, Kings, (D)
18.06 (210) - FantasyHockey.com - Mikael Samuelsson, Red Wings, (RW)
18.07 (211) - Rotowire (John) - Rick DiPietro, Islanders, (G)
18.08 (212) - NHL.com - Phil Kessel, Bruins, (RW)
18.09 (213) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Evgeny Artyukhin, Lightning, (RW)
18.10 (214) - TSN.ca - Peter Budaj, Avalanche, (G)
18.11 (215) - Rotowire (Jan) - Mike Smith, Lightning, (G)
18.12 (216) - Sports Forecaster - Joe Pavelski, Sharks, (C)
Our Pick:Martin Erat. We picked up Jason Arnott's linemate in the eighteen round. Perhaps they can work a little magic together. He has had 57 points in his last two campaigns.
Best Value: It's awfully late for a starting goaltender to be selected, but Rick DiPietro was still available. He needs to be outstanding for the Islanders to be capable of doing anything.
Not a pick we'd make: Evgeni Artyukhin. He'll get some minutes but will be lucky to get 20 points, if he plays.
Trends, Etc.: Four right wingers were taken, but none on the left side.
Round Nineteen
19.01 (217) - Sports Forecaster - Ryan Kesler, Canucks, (C)
19.02 (218) - Rotowire (Jan) - Jason Williams, Thrashers, (RW)
19.03 (219) - TSN.ca - Drew Doughty, Kings, (D)
19.04 (220) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Jaroslav Halak, Canadiens, (G)
19.05 (221) - NHL.com - Fabian Brunnstrom, Stars, (LW)
19.06 (222) - Rotowire (John) - Johnny Oduya, Devils, (D)
19.07 (223) --FantasyHockey.com - Andrew Brunette, Wild, (LW)
19.08 (224) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Scottie Upshall, Flyers, (RW)
19.09 (225) - Fanball - Keith Tkachuk, Blues, (C)
19.10 (226) - RotoWorld - Paul Martin, Devils, (D)
19.11 (227) - McKeens - Darcy Tucker, Avalanche, (RW)
19.12 (228) - Yahoo! - Brad Stuart, Red Wings, (D)
Our Pick:Paul Martin. He's the best blueliner on New Jersey and will qb their power play. Our strategy after getting our four keepers was to grab good veterans who are capable of scoring. Martin falls into this spot.
Best Value: Lots of picks that we like here, including Doughty and Tkachuk. However, we think that Tucker will have a comeback season.
Not a pick we'd make: There really wasn't a bad pick in the round. Halak may not see much time, but Maltais took Price earlier and Halak is terrific insurance.
Trends, Etc.: An interesting mix of a couple of rookies, but mostly veterans.
Round Twenty
20.01 (229) - Yahoo! - Steve Downie, Flyers, (RW)
20.02 (230) - McKeens - Alexander Steen, Maple Leafs, (C,LW)
20.03 (231) - RotoWorld - Craig Rivet, Sabres, (D)
20.04 (232) - Fanball - Marek Svatos, Avalanche, (RW)
20.05 (233) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Josh Harding, Wild, (G)
20.06 (234) - FantasyHockey.com - Manny Fernandez, Bruins, (G)
20.07 (235) - Rotowire (John) - R. J. Umberger, Blue Jackets, (C)
20.08 (236) - NHL.com - Tom Gilbert, Oilers, (D)
20.09 (237) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Sergei Kostitsyn, Canadiens, (LW)
20.10 (238) - TSN.ca - Ruslan Salei, Avalanche, (D)
20.11 (239) - Rotowire (Jan) - Claude Giroux, Flyers, (RW)
20.12 (240) - Sports Forecaster - Loui Eriksson, Stars, (LW)
Our Pick:Craig Rivet. We continue picking solid veteran defensemen who play the point on the power play.
Best Value:Steve Downie. The agitator should finish in the top ten in penalty minutes and also knows how to score. Umberger was also a nice selection at this point of the draft as were the goalies.
Not a pick we'd make: When you get around the late stages of a deep draft, it's hard to argue against any pick. You take a chance on a young player or you take a veteran who has done it before.
Trends, Etc.: There were some nice players still around in this round including the aforementioned goalies. Adding Svatos, Eriksson and Steen to the mix makes it an interesting round.
Round Twenty-One
21.01 (241) - Sports Forecaster - Manny Legace, Blues, (G)
21.02 (242) - Rotowire (Jan) - Alex Goligoski, Penguins, (D)
21.03 (243) - TSN.ca - Teddy Purcell, Kings, (RW)
21.04 (244) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Tom Preissing, Kings, (D)
21.05 (245) - NHL.com - Francois Beauchemin, Ducks, (D)
21.06 (246) - Rotowire (John) - Mattias Ohlund, Canucks, (D)
21.07 (247) --FantasyHockey.com - Viktor Tikhonov, Coyotes, (RW)
21.08 (248) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Fredrik Modin, Blue Jackets, (LW)
21.09 (249) - Fanball - Zack Stortini, Oilers, (RW)
21.10 (250) - RotoWorld - Roman Hamrlik, Canadiens, (D)
21.11 (251) - McKeens - Jarret Stoll, Kings, (C)
21.12 (252) - Yahoo! - Devin Setoguchi, Sharks, (RW)
Our Pick:Roman Hamrlik. We take another veteran blueliner. Hamrlik should line up on the first power play alongside Andrei Markov as Mark Streit left the Habs through free agency.
Best Value:Devin Setoguchi. The Sharks forward could see some action on the Sharks top line.
Not a pick we'd make: Beauchemin moved up one slot on the depth charts when the Ducks traded Schneider, but he needs Pronger or Niedermayer to get hurt before getting first power play time.
Trends, Etc.: Five blueliners and four right wingers were taken in Round 21.
Round Twenty-Two
22.01 (253) - Yahoo! - Brian Lee, Senators, (D)
22.02 (254) - McKeens - Ville Koistinen, Predators, (D)
22.03 (255) - RotoWorld - Tim Connolly, Sabres, (C)
22.04 (256) - Fanball - Stephane Robidas, Stars, (D)
22.05 (257) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Brett Clark, Avalanche, (D)
22.06 (258) - FantasyHockey.com - Viktor Kozlov, Capitals, (C)
22.07 (259) - Rotowire (John) - Tuomo Ruutu, Hurricanes, (LW)
22.08 (260) - NHL.com - Trevor Daley, Stars, (D)
22.09 (261) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Alexander Radulov, Predators, (RW)
22.10 (262) - TSN.ca - Andrew Cogliano, Oilers, (C)
22.11 (263) - Rotowire (Jan) - Derick Brassard, Blue Jackets, (C)
22.12 (264) - Sports Forecaster - Patrik Berglund, Blues, (C)
Our Pick:Tim Connolly. The Buffalo pivot averages close to a point a game when healthy. We sure hope he stays off the injury shelf this season. We thought he was worth the risk at pick 255.
Best Value: Lots of good chances taken here as Lee, Cogliano, Brassard and Berglund are all talented young players. Radulov is an outstanding selection if he returns from Russia.
Not a pick we'd make: It was a good round for everyone.
Trends, Etc.: Five centers and defensemen were taken along with a couple of wingers.
Round Twenty-Three
23.01 (265) - Sports Forecaster - Mikkel Boedker, Coyotes, (LW)
23.02 (266) - Rotowire (Jan) - Owen Nolan, Wild, (RW)
23.03 (267) - TSN.ca - Keith Ballard, Panthers, (D)
23.04 (268) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Tom Poti, Capitals, (D)
23.05 (269) - NHL.com - Olaf Kolzig, Lightning, (G)
23.06 (270) - Rotowire (John) - Alexander Auld, Senators, (G)
23.07 (271) --FantasyHockey.com - Jakub Voracek, Blue Jackets, (RW)
23.08 (272) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Brandon Dubinsky, Rangers, (C)
23.09 (273) - Fanball - Brendan Shanahan, UFA, (LW)
23.10 (274) - RotoWorld - Nikolai Khabibulin, Blackhawks, (G)
23.11 (275) - McKeens - Lee Stempniak, Blues, (RW)
23.12 (276) - Yahoo! - Valtteri Filppula, Red Wings, (C)
Our Pick: We thought we stole Nikolai Khabibulin at this point. That is, until he was put on waivers earlier this week. We still think he will play in the NHL this season and give us 20-30 games at worst.
Best Value: The young players continue to be selected. Great picks in Boedker and Voracek. We also like the selection of Kolzig.
Not a pick we'd make: Shanahan was a good risk here but it's looking more and more unlikely that he will play in the NHL again.
Trends, Etc.: Round 23 added precious bench strength for all teams.
Round Twenty-Four
24.01 (277) - Yahoo! - Bryan Little, Thrashers, (C)
24.02 (278) - McKeens - Scott Walker, Hurricanes, (RW)
24.03 (279) - RotoWorld - Alex Pietrangelo, Blues, (D)
24.04 (280) - Fanball - Jason LaBarbera, Kings, (G)
24.05 (281) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Alexander Edler, Canucks, (D)
24.06 (282) - FantasyHockey.com - Dave Bolland, Blackhawks, (C)
24.07 (283) - Rotowire (John) - Andrej Sekera, Sabres, (D)
24.08 (284) - NHL.com - Brendan Morrison, Ducks, (C)
24.09 (285) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Alex Burrows, Canucks, (LW)
24.10 (286) - TSN.ca - Chris Neil, Senators, (RW)
24.11 (287) - Rotowire (Jan) - Zach Bogosian, Thrashers, (D)
24.12 (288) - Sports Forecaster - Fedor Tyutin, Blue Jackets, (D)
Our Pick:Alex Pietrangelo. It nevers hurts to have another young player as a possible keeper. Pietrangelo could stick with the Blues as Erik Johnson will miss the entire season.
Best Value: Edler, Bolland and Bogosian have great upside. If Brendan Morrison is able to play as well as in the past, this pick is a steal.
Not a pick we'd make: We can't argue with any pick made this late.
Trends, Etc.: Seven defensemen were selected in the 24th round.
Round Twenty-Five
25.01 (289) - Sports Forecaster - Andrew Ladd, Blackhawks, (LW)
25.02 (290) - Rotowire (Jan) - Ruslan Fedotenko, Penguins, (LW)
25.03 (291) - TSN.ca - Nigel Dawes, Rangers, (LW)
25.04 (292) - Dobber Hockey (Maltais) - Robert Nilsson, Oilers, (LW)
25.05 (293) - NHL.com - Daniel Cleary, Red Wings, (RW)
25.06 (294) - Rotowire (John) - Drew Stafford, Sabres, (RW)
25.07 (295) --FantasyHockey.com - Karl Alzner, Capitals, (D)
25.08 (296) - Dobber Hockey (Angus) - Jared Boll, Blue Jackets, (RW)
25.09 (297) - Fanball - Jonathan Bernier, Kings, (D)
25.10 (298) - RotoWorld - Slava Kozlov, Thrashers, (LW)
25.11 (299) - McKeens - Erik Johnson, Blues, (D)
25.12 (300) - Yahoo! - Christian Ehrhoff, Sharks, (D)
Our Pick: We took a bit of a chance with Kozlov as he is coming off of a 41 point season. But he managed 80 the season before and how many guys selected at pick 298 can score a point a game.
Best Value:Erik Johnson. McKeens grabbed the injured blueliner and will be able to use one of two IR spots to stash him until next season. Great pick.
Not a pick we'd make: Since it was the final round, it's hard to say that any pick was unwarranted since you have to take some chances.
Trends, Etc.: The twenty-five round draft was over and everyone got to sign off!
This is Rotoworld's team for the 2008-09 season
Goaltender - Evgeni Nabokov
Goaltender - Martin Biron
Goaltender - Nikolai Khabibulin
Defense - Dion Phaneuf
Defense - Mike Green
Defense - Sergei Zubov
Defense - Mathieu Schneider
Defense - Paul Martin
Defense - Craig Rivet
Defense - Roman Hamrlik
Defense - Alex Pietrangelo
Left Wing - Alexander Semin
Left Wing - Daniel Carcillo
Left Wing - Vaclav Prospal
Left Wing - Cory Stillman
Left Wing - Slava Kozlov
Center - Nicklas Backstrom
Center - Patrick Marleau
Center - Joe Sakic
Center - Jason Arnott
Center - Tim Connolly
Right Wing - Martin St. Louis
Right Wing - Tomas Holmstrom
Right Wing - Jamie Langenbrunner
Right Wing - Martin Erat
The best of luck to all the participants during the upcoming season. We will comment about the standings every so often in "The Week Ahead".
