Mock Draft
ESPN Fantasy Games
Keeper leagues are a great variation on the standard fantasy format, providing an extra element of strategy and giving cellar-dwelling teams a reason to remain competitive. ESPN's "Pucked Up" league, composed of ESPN.com employees, kicked off its fifth season with a September 25 draft. Each team chose one player from last season's roster to protect, selecting that player in the first round of an ESPN live draft. Some fantasy players worry that keeper leagues promote dynasties, but this league is still in search of its first repeat winner. Fantasy hockey editor Graham Hays analyzes every round, spotting the surprises and advising on strategy.
| KEEPER ROUND |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 1. | Graham Hays, fantasy editor | Brendan Shanahan, F |
| 2. | Eric Karabell, fantasy managing editor | Roman Cechmanek, G |
| 3. | Joe Lago, NFL lead editor | Dominik Hasek, G |
| 4. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell, NFL editor | Ed Belfour, G |
| 5. | John Marvel, V.P./executive editor | Paul Kariya, F |
| 6. | Brandon Funston, fantasy guru | Curtis Joseph, G |
| 7. | Brian Shactman, NHL Insider | Joe Sakic, F |
| 8. | Sherry Skalko, NHL editor | Jaromir Jagr, F |
| 9. | Jim Wilkie, Page 2 editor | Patrick Roy, G |
| 10. | Tom Coyle, producer | Pavel Bure, F |
| Analysis: | Nobody faced a tougher choice in selecting their keeper than NHL Insider Brian Shactman, forced to choose between Joe Sakic and Martin Brodeur. Each solidly entrenched as a top-four pick in an average live draft, Sakic and Brodeur are arguably the best players at their respective positions. Shactman opted for offense, trusting a good netminder would be available in the second round. |
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| ROUND 2 |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 11. | Tom Coyle | Martin Brodeur, G |
| 12. | Jim Wilkie | Mario Lemieux, F |
| 13. | Sherry Skalko | Olaf Kolzig, G |
| 14. | Brian Shactman | Martin Biron, G |
| 15. | Brandon Funston | Evgeni Nabokov, G |
| 16. | John Marvel | Patrick Lalime, G |
| 17. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell | Alexei Kovalev, F |
| 18. | Joe Lago | Sean Burke, G |
| 19. | Eric Karabell | Alexei Yashin, F |
| 20. | Graham Hays | Chris Pronger, D |
| Analysis: | Burke's selection drew a chorus of jeers from other owners. Phoenix's goalie deserves this spot if he can repeat last season's stellar numbers, but many feel the mercurial veteran enjoyed the performance of a lifetime. Burke's career GAA stands at 3.07, even after last year's 2.27 average. ... Don't forget Mario Lemieux's stated intention to skip at least 20 games this season, but don't overstate the impact of that decision either. Lemieux averaged 1.77 points-per-game last year, a figure actually lower than his career average. A repeat performance equates to 106 points in 60 games, and his competitive fire may push the games figure closer to 70. |
| ROUND 3 |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 21. | Graham Hays | Tommy Salo, G |
| 22. | Eric Karabell | Keith Tkachuk, F |
| 23. | Joe Lago | Rob Blake, D |
| 24. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell | Nicklas Lidstrom, D |
| 25. | John Marvel | Owen Nolan, F |
| 26. | Brandon Funston | Patrik Elias, F |
| 27. | Brian Shactman | Doug Weight, F |
| 28. | Sherry Skalko | Al MacInnis, D |
| 29. | Jim Wilkie | Bill Guerin, F |
| 30. | Tom Coyle | Sergei Gonchar, D |
| Analysis: | Tommy Salo is in for a long year. Salo faces plenty of rubber playing for an Edmonton team that doesn't have a proven backup and doesn't seek to slow opponents with a neutral-zone trap. Throw in a starting gig with a Swedish team expected to contend for a medal in Salt Lake City, and Salo may be worn out long before the end of the regular season. ... 12 goalies and five defensemen went in the first three rounds. It's possible to use those runs to stockpile top tier forwards, but the severe lack of depth in net and on defense makes that a dangerous strategy. |
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| ROUND 4 |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 31. | Tom Coyle | Peter Bondra, F |
| 32. | Jim Wilkie | Brian Leetch, D |
| 33. | Sherry Skalko | Theo Fleury, F |
| 34. | Brian Shactman | Teemu Selanne, F |
| 35. | Brandon Funston | Petr Sykora, F |
| 36. | John Marvel | Eric Lindros, F |
| 37. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell | Milan Hejduk, F |
| 38. | Joe Lago | John LeClair, F |
| 39. | Eric Karabell | Jeremy Roenick, F |
| 40. | Graham Hays | Brent Johnson, G |
| Analysis: | Pavel Bure and Peter Bondra give Tom Coyle a pair of rather selfish forwards, but chemistry isn't a category in fantasy hockey. It's always easier to find assists than goals in late rounds, so giving goal-scorers extra attention in the early rounds makes sense. ... Even more than Mario Lemieux, Eric Lindros is the enigma of this fantasy season. The combination of his health and New York's limited talent makes drafting Lindros the riskiest of propositions, but I'd still take him a round higher than this. |
| ROUND 5 |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 41. | Graham Hays | Zigmund Palffy, F |
| 42. | Eric Karabell | Mark Recchi, F |
| 43. | Joe Lago | Mike Modano, F |
| 44. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell | Joe Thornton, F |
| 45. | John Marvel | Mats Sundin, F |
| 46. | Brandon Funston | Jason Arnott, F |
| 47. | Brian Shactman | Roman Hamrlik, D |
| 48. | Sherry Skalko | Mathieu Schneider, D |
| 49. | Jim Wilkie | Markus Naslund, F |
| 50. | Tom Coyle | Luc Robitaille, F |
| Analysis: | Thornton has earned a place with the big boys, marking the end of his days as a sleeper. It would take a minor miracle to get Jason Allison back in a Boston sweater, suggesting Thornton will inherit the responsibility of centering Bill Guerin and Sergei Samsonov on the top line. ... Hamrlik's selection shows a lot of faith in the Islanders' rebuilding plan. A staggering -131 in 649 career games, Hamrlik has the offensive potential to join fantasy's elite if playing for a poor team doesn't put him in a plus/minus hole. |
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| ROUND 6 |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 51. | Tom Coyle | Byron Dafoe, G |
| 52. | Jim Wilkie | Mike Dunham, G |
| 53. | Sherry Skalko | Scott Stevens, D |
| 54. | Brian Shactman | Roberto Luongo, G |
| 55. | Brandon Funston | Pierre Turgeon, F |
| 56. | John Marvel | Eric Desjardins, D |
| 57. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell | Arturs Irbe, G |
| 58. | Joe Lago | Pavol Demitra, F |
| 59. | Eric Karabell | Jason Allison, F |
| 60. | Graham Hays | Alex Tanguay, F |
| Surprise: | The chase for goaltending continues after a brief respite to stockpile forwards. Mike Dunham and Roberto Luongo have quality backups, but all four goalies selected in this round are likely to see more than 55 starts. Luongo is an emerging star in Florida, but the Panthers must play better defense if he's to achieve fantasy success. |
| ROUND 7 |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 61. | Graham Hays | Brian Rafalski, D |
| 62. | Eric Karabell | Felix Potvin, G |
| 63. | Joe Lago | Sergei Zubov, D |
| 64. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell | Ed Jovanovski, D |
| 65. | John Marvel | Johan Hedberg, G |
| 66. | Brandon Funston | Martin Straka, F |
| 67. | Brian Shactman | Steve Yzerman, F |
| 68. | Sherry Skalko | Tony Amonte, F |
| 69. | Jim Wilkie | Marian Hossa, F |
| 70. | Tom Coyle | Brett Hull, F |
| Surprise: | One owner suggested Potvin has a history of breaking hockey hearts, and what Toronto or Vancouver fan would argue? Potvin burst on the scene with a 2.50 GAA in 48 games for Toronto in 1992-93, but he hasn't come close to matching that number in subsequent seasons. Vancouver gave up on Potvin after 35 ineffective games last year, but he proved to be a savior in Los Angeles, going 13-5-5 with a 1.96 GAA in 23 games. The Kings' job is his, but how long will he hold it? ... Some Vancouver fans would still rather have Pavel Bure, but Jovanovski is doing a pretty good job converting the flock. The burly defenseman is a bargain at this point in the draft, bringing both offensive potential and penalty minutes to the fantasy table. |
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| ROUND 8 |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 71. | Tom Coyle | Sergei Fedorov, F |
| 72. | Jim Wilkie | Chris Drury, F |
| 73. | Sherry Skalko | Roman Turek, G |
| 74. | Brian Shactman | Keith Primeau, F |
| 75. | Brandon Funston | Sandis Ozolinsh, D |
| 76. | John Marvel | Janne Niinimaa, D |
| 77. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell | Simon Gagne, F |
| 78. | Joe Lago | Vincent Damphousse, F |
| 79. | Eric Karabell | Radek Bonk, F |
| 80. | Graham Hays | Oleg Tverdovsky, D |
| Surprise: | Gagne, 21, is a candidate for immediate fantasy stardom. Entirely capable of holding his own on the defensive end, Gagne is a gifted offensive player. Look for him to make a serious run at 40 goals. ... Radek Bonk's stock rises with his ascension to Ottawa's top line, and Marian Hossa's decision to sign eases concerns over who Bonk will be passing to. The former first-round has shed the "bust" label which plagued him early in his career, but he's not going to create much offense on his own. |
| ROUND 9 |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 81. | Graham Hays | Alexander Mogilny, F |
| 82. | Eric Karabell | Adam Oates, F |
| 83. | Joe Lago | Ryan Smyth, F |
| 84. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell | Robert Lang, F |
| 85. | John Marvel | Dan McGillis, D |
| 86. | Brandon Funston | Colin White, D |
| 87. | Brian Shactman | Scott Niedermayer, D |
| 88. | Sherry Skalko | Anson Carter, F |
| 89. | Jim Wilkie | Teppo Numminen, D |
| 90. | Tom Coyle | Derek Morris, D |
| Surprise: | If only Adam Oates was happy. The veteran center collected 69 assists last year, often centering a line that included sniper Peter Bondra. Now Oates gets a chance to center a line with a winger who is better than Bondra, and he wants out of town? ... Colin White's selection drew some criticism, but it's tough to scoff at 155 penalty minutes and a +32 rating. He might have lasted a few more rounds, but I don't think this qualifies as a blunder. |
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| ROUND 10 |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 91. | Tom Coyle | Darryl Sydor, D |
| 92. | Jim Wilkie | Tom Poti, D |
| 93. | Sherry Skalko | Jeff O'Neill, F |
| 94. | Brian Shactman | Chris Chelios, D |
| 95. | Brandon Funston | Donald Audette, F |
| 96. | John Marvel | Jeff Friesen, F |
| 97. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell | Sergei Samsonov, F |
| 98. | Joe Lago | Trevor Linden, F |
| 99. | Eric Karabell | Lubomir Visnovsky, D |
| 100. | Graham Hays | Fred Brathwaite, G |
| Surprise: | A round of reaches and one great sleeper. Poti remains unsigned in Edmonton, and while there is hope a deal will be struck before the start of the regular season, does he deserve this much love? Enormously talented, Poti spent much of last season in Craig MacTavish's doghouse, and the defenseman's current contract squabble isn't likely to endear him to the coach. Poti has the gifts to someday be a fantasy star, but the signs don't point to this year as a breakout performance. ... Donald Audette may see time on a line with Pierre Turgeon, but is that enough to spark another surprise performance? The veteran winger had 79 points last year after failing to score more than 50 in six straight seasons. ... Brathwaite never seized a permanent job in Calgary despite limited competition, and he now faces daunting expectations in St. Louis. ... Friesen is poised for a breakout year skating alongside Paul Kariya in Anaheim. |
| ROUND 11 |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 101. | Graham Hays | Shane Doan, F |
| 102. | Eric Karabell | Fredrik Olausson, D |
| 103. | Joe Lago | Bryan McCabe, D |
| 104. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell | Martin Skoula, D |
| 105. | John Marvel | Scott Young, F |
| 106. | Brandon Funston | Jiri Dopita, F |
| 107. | Brian Shactman | Martin Lapointe, F |
| 108. | Sherry Skalko | Brad Richards, F |
| 109. | Jim Wilkie | Jarome Iginla, F |
| 110. | Tom Coyle | Vincent Lecavalier, F |
| Bargain: | Martin Skoula |
| Reach: | Scott Young |
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| ROUND 12 |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 111. | Tom Coyle | Tomas Kaberle, D |
| 112. | Jim Wilkie | Todd Bertuzzi, F |
| 113. | Sherry Skalko | Rob Ray, F |
| 114. | Brian Shactman | Joe Nieuwendyk, F |
| 115. | Brandon Funston | Scott Gomez, F |
| 116. | John Marvel | Wade Redden, D |
| 117. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell | Brenden Morrow, F |
| 118. | Joe Lago | Brad Stuart, D |
| 119. | Eric Karabell | Petr Nedved, F |
| 120. | Graham Hays | Daniel Alfredsson, F |
| Bargain: | Scott Gomez |
| Reach: | Rob Ray |
| ROUND 13 |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 121. | Graham Hays | Chris Osgood, G |
| 122. | Eric Karabell | Jan Hlavac, F |
| 123. | Joe Lago | Mike Comrie, F |
| 124. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell | Gary Suter, D |
| 125. | John Marvel | Manny Fernandez, G |
| 126. | Brandon Funston | Eric Weinrich, D |
| 127. | Brian Shactman | David Tanabe, D |
| 128. | Sherry Skalko | Mariusz Czerkawski, F |
| 129. | Jim Wilkie | Mattias Ohlund, D |
| 130. | Tom Coyle | Adam Foote, D |
| Bargain: | David Tanabe |
| Reach: | Chris Osgood |
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| ROUND 14 |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 131. | Tom Coyle | Radek Dvorak, F |
| 132. | Jim Wilkie | Steve Shields, G |
| 133. | Sherry Skalko | Chris Simon, F |
| 134. | Brian Shactman | Mike Richter, G |
| 135. | Brandon Funston | Bobby Holik, F |
| 136. | John Marvel | Peter Forsberg, F |
| 137. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell | Miroslav Satan, F |
| 138. | Joe Lago | Bryan Marchment, D |
| 139. | Eric Karabell | Valeri Bure, F |
| 140. | Graham Hays | Patrick Marleau, F |
| Bargain: | Radek Dvorak |
| Reach: | Steve Shields |
| ROUND 15 |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 141. | Graham Hays | Rostislav Klesla, D |
| 142. | Eric Karabell | Ron Tugnutt, G |
| 143. | Joe Lago | Jason Smith, D |
| 144. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell | Sean Hill, D |
| 145. | John Marvel | Donald Brashear, F |
| 146. | Brandon Funston | Rod Brind'Amour, F |
| 147. | Brian Shactman | Eric Daze, F |
| 148. | Sherry Skalko | Ron Francis, F |
| 149. | Jim Wilkie | Steve Sullivan, F |
| 150. | Tom Coyle | Jaroslav Spacek, D |
| Bargain: | Jaroslav Spacek |
| Reach: | Sean Hill |
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| ROUND 16 |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 151. | Tom Coyle | Robert Reichel, F |
| 152. | Jim Wilkie | Adam Deadmarsh, F |
| 153. | Sherry Skalko | Marty Turco, G |
| 154. | Brian Shactman | Fredrik Modin, F |
| 155. | Brandon Funston | Alexei Zhitnik, D |
| 156. | John Marvel | Adrian Aucoin, D |
| 157. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell | Pavel Kubina, D |
| 158. | Joe Lago | Nikolai Khabibulin, G |
| 159. | Eric Karabell | Rich Pilon, D |
| 160. | Graham Hays | Karel Rachunek, D |
| Bargain: | Nikolai Khabibulin |
| Reach: | Alexei Zhitnik |
| ROUND 17 |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 161. | Graham Hays | Viktor Kozlov, F |
| 162. | Eric Karabell | Paul Laus, D |
| 163. | Joe Lago | Shawn McEachern, F |
| 164. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell | Brad Isbister, F |
| 165. | John Marvel | Geoff Sanderson, F |
| 166. | Brandon Funston | Jean-Sebastien Giguere, G |
| 167. | Brian Shactman | Kyle McLaren, D |
| 168. | Sherry Skalko | Jiri Slegr, D |
| 169. | Jim Wilkie | Daymond Langkow, F |
| 170. | Tom Coyle | Alex Zhamnov, F |
| Bargain: | Brad Isbister |
| Reach: | Jiri Slegr |
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| ROUND 18 |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 171. | Tom Coyle | Sami Kapanen, F |
| 172. | Jim Wilkie | Derian Hatcher, D |
| 173. | Sherry Skalko | Cliff Ronning, F |
| 174. | Brian Shactman | Jozef Stumpel, F |
| 175. | Brandon Funston | Calle Johansson, D |
| 176. | John Marvel | Mark Messier, F |
| 177. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell | Jochen Hecht, F |
| 178. | Joe Lago | Darius Kasparaitis |
| 179. | Eric Karabell | Robert Svehla, D |
| 180. | Graham Hays | Martin Havlat, F |
| Bargain: | Jochen Hecht |
| Reach: | Mark Messier |
| ROUND 19 |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 181. | Graham Hays | Zdeno Chara, D |
| 182. | Eric Karabell | Jyrki Lumme, D |
| 183. | Joe Lago | Adam Graves, F |
| 184. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell | Steve Reinprecht, F |
| 185. | John Marvel | Slava Kozlov, F |
| 186. | Brandon Funston | Marcus Ragnarsson, D |
| 187. | Brian Shactman | Mike Peca, F |
| 188. | Sherry Skalko | Andrew Cassels, F |
| 189. | Jim Wilkie | Georges Laraque, F |
| 190. | Tom Coyle | Jason Spezza, F |
| Bargain: | Slava Kozlov |
| Reach: | Jason Spezza |
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| ROUND 20 |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 191. | Tom Coyle | Marc Savard, F |
| 192. | Jim Wilkie | Kenny Jonsson, D |
| 193. | Sherry Skalko | Drake Berehowsky, D |
| 194. | Brian Shactman | Luke Richardson, D |
| 195. | Brandon Funston | Sergei Berezin, F |
| 196. | John Marvel | Ray Ferraro, F |
| 197. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell | Brian Rolston, F |
| 198. | Joe Lago | Jocelyn Thibault, G |
| 199. | Eric Karabell | Scott Walker, F |
| 200. | Graham Hays | Peter Worrell, F |
| Bargain: | Ray Ferraro |
| Reach: | Luke Richardson |
| ROUND 21 |
| Pick | Team | Selected Player |
| 201. | Graham Hays | Tim Connolly, F |
| 202. | Eric Karabell | Steve Rucchin, F |
| 203. | Joe Lago | John Madden, F |
| 204. | Peter Lawrence-Riddell | Eric Brewer, D |
| 205. | John Marvel | Sean O'Donnell, D |
| 206. | Brandon Funston | Sami Salo, D |
| 207. | Brian Shactman | Tomas Holmstrom, F |
| 208. | Sherry Skalko | Rhett Warrener |
| 209. | Jim Wilkie | Alexander Khavanov, D |
| 210. | Tom Coyle | Dan Cloutier, G |
| Bargain: | Dan Cloutier |
| Reach: | Come on, it's the last round! |
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