At this time of the year, the thoughts of many hockey fans are directed toward selecting their fantasy league team.
1. Select stars first
It should be obvious, but it never ceases to amaze me how often participants will make risky picks in the early rounds. It is entirely fine to be of the view that Radek Bonk is going to have a career season. It is entirely ludicrous to select him first in your pool. Seasoned veterans of the fantasy league wars know this intuitively, but rookies and sophomores might not. Last season, ten players had 89 points or more. In a typical hockey pool, those players will be gone in a hurry. If you are going to take risks, do so in the late rounds only. Jagr, Lindros, Kariya, Selanne... Don't let them pass you by.
2. Do not select injury prone players
One day, Saku Koivu may play a full season and net 80 or 90 points. Until that day arrives, you would be wise to avoid selecting him. Injuries will happen, but for some players they are as frequent as the next bus. Let someone else take that chance.
3. Avoid rookies
It takes most NHL prospects -- even the most certain star -- two or three years to become accustomed to the pace of the NHL. Rookies, and particularly those who step into the NHL from junior, will rarely net 50 points. It happens, but not often enough that it is worth the risk. There are plenty of established NHL players who are more likely to bring you that total. A rookie may start the season in the NHL but there is always the risk that he will be sent packing to the minors or back to junior hockey.
4. Make sure a player is signed before selecting him
With restricted free agency, it is becoming common to see players sit out for lengthy periods before signing. Even if these players sign early in the season, it takes time for them to regain their speed, strength and stamina. Selecting a hold-out may seem like a good risk, but as each week passes it becomes increasingly frustrating to look at the big "0" beside that player's name. Last season, Petr Nedved sat out about a quarter of the season before being traded and signing with the Rangers. But recall that he missed the entire season prior to that. Alexei Yashin and Robert Reichel are good bets to miss significant portions of this season. Why create headaches for yourself? Let someone else take the chance.
5. Make sure a player is not seriously injured to start the season
Peter Forsberg will be out of the lineup for the first one to three months of the season. Even when he returns, it will take him time to return to game shape. Selecting an injured player is only inviting disaster, even if he is a star. Our rule is simple: avoid injured players.
6. Select players who will get power play time
Players who are regulars on the power play -- even defensemen -- will accrue higher point totals than those players who do not get regular power play time.
7. Don't select third or fourth line players
These are usually checking lines whose primary purpose is to prevent goals. Players on these lines skate fewer minutes and miss shifts. Third or fourth line players also rarely get power play time.
8. Select players on offensive-minded teams
The totals for a player on an offensive-minded team are usually inflated somewhat compared to a player of the same calibre of skill who plays on a low-scoring team. It only makes sense. When faced with a choice between two such players, you know whom to select.
9. Save your risk-taking for the late rounds
If you feel the itch to take a chance, wait until the late rounds to do it. It may be that the pickings will be slim in the late rounds anyway. That's the time to take a chance, because the downside is not significant. This depends, too, upon how deep your league is. The 100th ranked player in points last season was Igor Korolev with 47 points. Is it worth picking Alexei Yashin and getting nothing when an Igor Korolev may still be available?
10. Have fun -- it's only a game
Don't become so absorbed by your fantasy league that your entire life revolves around whether your player got points the night before. It's not worth the heartache. Equally important is that you not divest your life savings in pursuit of your goal of winning a fantasy league. If first and last month's rent is what is required to join, think about organizing a league of your own instead.
GOOD LUCK!
[Photos courtesy of Pictures Now! and Hockey.Ontheweb.]
