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Interesting. I didn't notice that bit before. In the league I usually play in we've got to dress a certain number of each position (even broken down by forward position). Haven't the forwards lumped together makes it much easier to fill those slots. One of keys to drafting in that league was to try to find players that were marked as multiple positions (LW/RW or LW/C or whatever) so you'd have more flexibility.
It's a good thing I read this thread today. I've been busy at work and totally spaced on the fact that the draft is TOMORROW! And I just got a reminder from my regular league that the draft for that one is Sunday at 5PM ET. It's going to be a busy weekend for fantasy hockey drafts. I hope my wife understands...
Wow, I could save myself a lot of effort if I'd check my own email. I just sent out a league-wide email reminding everyone of the draft tomorrow... only to realise ESPN did it already.
Shame there isn't a goon award in the NHL for the most penalty minutes. Be interesting to see who would have won it had this league had one .
Also, a question. How do we draft a utility player? Does selecting a player classed as utility put him automatically into the utility slot, or does it fill up your forward/defense slots first?
In every league I've played, you utility player slot is an extra slot that you can throw any non-goalie into. It's just an extra player you get to dress but it's up to your discretion as to what type of player fills it. In leagues where you have to dress a certain number of players at each position (as opposed to just forwards and defense), it's a very useful slot. You might have 4 RW's playing one night and only 2 LWs. This helps you work in that extra RW (for example).
bruins72 is exactly right. It's just an extra slot for any skater. For drafting purposes, It'll be filled after you have filled all your forward and defence slots. Then any skaters drafted after that will go to your bench.
EDIT: The draft is officially open, and the draft order is in place!! Head on over and chat it up if you want, or get familiar with the draft layout. I'm in there now.
WOW! I am in love with my forwards. Defense and goaltending...not so much. My 2nd goalie won't even play a game in the NHL. Gots some work to do there.
I'm loveing the draft. Want to do it all over again though. Good banter throughout and i'm dissapointed with my rounds 10 to 18 as they were autopicked!
I love my team! From #1 overall Ovechkin and on. Good goalies and solid D to go with some possibly great scorers.
Right now it feels like I could go through the season without a single trade, but that won't happen
If you didn't get your goaltending early, you were in a bit of trouble. There was a big run on it in the early rounds. People also got burned by not setting up their pre-draft rankings. You needed to make sure to bottom rank guys that were going to be out injured for the season or signed in Russia. That's one place a lot of people got hurt.
For anyone needing a goalie, keep an eye out for third string goalies playing in the minors. One injury and they could be called up. Watch the injury reports and be quick with the signings. That's worked for me in years past.
Stinson... I think you're right about the IR. We need to be able to put guys on IR (if they're actually out with an injury) so we can add a replacement without having to lose somebody permanently.
I've got one question for Archi. Why did you have Zetterberg ranked higher than Crosby? You dropped him right into my lap! Thanks for the gift... but why?
Just for everyone's reference, here is the list of teams and our fellow users who're managing them:
Aussie Sharks: sjsharks
Boston Maulers: bruins72
Catchup's Ketchupheads: CatchUp
Cearphilly Knights: Andyjayp
Corinthians Smilodons: Corinthian
Djurgården IF: joehelmer
Fernie Fog Devils: batdad
Karlstad Killers: Manimal
Kent Mighty Turnips: Archibalduk
Love Love Love: LoXish
Manchester Phoenix: Calv
Might Ducks of Getzlaf: getzlaf15
Philadelphia FHC: B. Stinson
real hot tabasco peppers: tabascoward
Team Aiming for 19th: bobmcgoo
Thundercliff Rage: m0fownz0r
Turku Turkeys: rottamies
Vancouver Canucks: StarboardWinger
Västrås Vikings: Lidas
Vienna Devils: Devils88
Considering I did autodraft, I didn't do too badly. Having the third pick probably helped. I'm stoked I got Zetterberg right at the beginning - I think he could be one of my key players.
I'm disappointed with my goaltenders. I did rank them fairly highly in my pick list, but clearly not highly enough. I see I'm not the only autodraft user to have been stung by the early claims to the goalies.
I've got a couple of players on my roster who are perhaps more depth players so I'm going to probably dump them and pick up some players more likely to get a few games under their belt.
Man - I am not so pleased with ESPN autopick. But then again, I was too busy to even go in and pre-rank. So I guess I shouldn't complain. Start the wheelin and dealin!
archibalduk wrote:Considering I did autodraft, I didn't do too badly. Having the third pick probably helped. I'm stoked I got Zetterberg right at the beginning - I think he could be one of my key players.
There's nothing wrong with Zetterberg. He's definitely a great player to have. But to draft him over Crosby? I still don't get that one.
hi "daddy".
can't accept your first offer, so lets start the trade talks.
i made a counter offer.
also let's see what Lidas offers, cause he really NEEDS a Goalie.
I don't have a sure Star Goaltender but 3 solid ones.
Nice to be in that position now
Thanks for the gift... but why? 
