As a fantasy hockey manager, you know how important it is to have a winning strategy. One crucial aspect of that strategy is drafting the right amount of goalies. Goalies can make or break your season, so it’s crucial to approach your draft with a solid plan in mind. In this ultimate guide, we’ll break down the factors you need to consider to determine how many goalies to draft to increase your chances of winning your league.
Why are goalies so important? Goalies can provide a significant number of points in fantasy hockey, so selecting the right goalies for your team is key to success. A solid goalie can earn you points in multiple categories, including wins, shutouts, save percentage, and goals-against average. However, drafting too many goalies can also be risky, as it can leave you short on skater positions.
Factors to consider when deciding how many goalies to draft include your league’s settings, the number of teams in your league, and your draft position. You’ll need to evaluate these factors to determine the right balance of goalies and skaters to draft for your team.
Ready to win your fantasy hockey league? Keep reading to learn how to strategically draft goalies, top goalie targets to consider, and what to do if you miss out on those top targets.
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Why Goalies Are Crucial For Fantasy Hockey Success
Goalies are the backbone of any hockey team, and the same holds true for your fantasy hockey team. A top-performing goalie can single-handedly win you a matchup, while a weak goalie can sink your entire season. This is why it’s crucial to draft the right number of goalies to give yourself the best chance at success.
But how many goalies should you draft in fantasy hockey? The answer isn’t straightforward and depends on several factors, including league size, scoring settings, and roster size. In this article, we’ll dive into the details and give you a comprehensive guide to drafting goalies in fantasy hockey.
Factor #1: League Size
The number of goalies you should draft depends on the size of your league. In smaller leagues, where there are fewer teams, you can get away with drafting fewer goalies, as there will be more quality options available on the waiver wire. In larger leagues, however, the pool of quality goalies becomes much shallower, and it’s essential to draft multiple goalies to give yourself a chance to compete.
Factor #2: Scoring Settings
Another factor to consider is your league’s scoring settings. If your league heavily favors goalie stats like saves, save percentage, and shutouts, you’ll want to prioritize drafting more goalies. Conversely, if your league doesn’t award many points for goalie stats, you can get away with drafting fewer goalies and focusing on other positions.
Factor #3: Roster Size
The size of your team’s roster also plays a role in how many goalies you should draft. In leagues with smaller roster sizes, you can afford to dedicate more spots to forwards and defensemen, as you won’t need as many backups. In leagues with larger rosters, you’ll need to dedicate more spots to goalies to ensure you have enough depth.
- In conclusion, the number of goalies you should draft in fantasy hockey varies depending on league size, scoring settings, and roster size.
- Consider drafting multiple goalies in larger leagues with deeper rosters and heavy goalie stats.
- In smaller leagues or leagues with lighter goalie scoring settings, you can get away with drafting fewer goalies and focusing on other positions.
Now that you have a better understanding of how many goalies to draft, you’re one step closer to fantasy hockey success. Keep these factors in mind when drafting your team, and you’ll be on your way to dominating your league.
The Risk of Drafting Too Many Goalies
While goalies can be a key component of fantasy hockey success, it’s also important to recognize the risks of drafting too many. Drafting too many goalies can leave your team lacking in other positions, such as forwards or defensemen, which can ultimately hurt your overall point production. It’s important to strike a balance and have enough quality goaltending to compete, but not at the expense of other positions.
Another risk of drafting too many goalies is the potential for injury. Goaltenders are at a higher risk for injuries than other positions due to the nature of the position. Drafting too many goalies increases your team’s exposure to injuries and can leave you scrambling to find replacements.
Increased Risk of Poor Point Production
By drafting too many goalies, you may be sacrificing opportunities to draft quality forwards and defensemen, which could lead to lower point production. It’s important to strike a balance and focus on drafting the best players available, regardless of position, to ensure the highest point production possible.
Limited Flexibility During the Season
Having too many goalies on your roster can limit your ability to make roster changes and respond to changes in the league. If you have a surplus of goaltenders, it can be difficult to make trades or pick up players in other positions. This lack of flexibility can hurt your team’s ability to adapt to changes and make the necessary moves to compete.
Difficulty in Starting Lineup Decisions
Having too many goalies on your roster can make it difficult to make starting lineup decisions. It can be challenging to predict which goalie will start for their respective team on a given night, which can lead to frustration and missed opportunities for points. It’s important to have a clear strategy and plan for your goaltending positions to avoid making last-minute decisions that could negatively impact your team’s point production.
Factors to Consider When Deciding How Many Goalies to Draft
When it comes to drafting goalies for your fantasy hockey team, it can be difficult to determine how many to draft. Here are some factors to consider:
League Scoring System: Before drafting any players, it’s important to understand the league’s scoring system. If the league places a heavy emphasis on goalie stats, such as saves or shutouts, then it may be wise to draft more goalies to ensure a competitive edge.
League Size:
- Small League: In a smaller league with 8-10 teams, you may only need to draft 2-3 goalies since there will be plenty of options available on the waiver wire.
- Large League: In a larger league with 14-16 teams, it’s recommended to draft 4-5 goalies to ensure a competitive edge since the waiver wire will be thin on quality goaltending options.
Injury Risk:
- High Risk Goalies: If you draft a goalie with a history of injuries, it’s wise to draft an extra goalie as insurance in case they go down with an injury.
- Low Risk Goalies: If you draft a goalie with a low injury risk, you may be able to get by with only 2-3 goalies on your roster.
Ultimately, the number of goalies you should draft will depend on your league’s scoring system, size, and the injury risk of the goalies you draft. It’s important to do your research and stay on top of waiver wire options throughout the season to ensure a competitive edge.
How to Strategically Draft Goalies Based on Your League’s Settings
Drafting goalies for your fantasy hockey team can be a complex process, especially when considering your league’s specific settings. In order to make the most strategic decisions, there are several factors you should consider before selecting your goalies.
First, analyze your league’s scoring system. If your league awards more points for goals scored than for saves made, it may be wise to draft goalies who play for teams with strong offensive capabilities. On the other hand, if your league heavily rewards saves made, drafting goalies who play for weaker teams that face a high volume of shots could be a better strategy.
Consider the size of your league
- In larger leagues, it can be more difficult to find starting goalies who are not already taken by other teams.
- It may be more advantageous to draft two solid goalies early on in the draft to ensure a consistent source of points in this category.
- In smaller leagues, it may be easier to find starting goalies later in the draft, making it possible to focus on other positions in the earlier rounds.
Look at the goalie rotation of each team
Many NHL teams use a goalie rotation system, in which two goalies split starts throughout the season. This can make it difficult to predict which goalie will be starting on any given night, and can make it risky to rely on a single goalie for your fantasy team. Researching each team’s rotation and choosing goalies who are likely to receive a higher percentage of starts can help mitigate this risk.
Don’t forget about backup goalies
- Even if a goalie is not a team’s primary starter, they can still be a valuable asset for your fantasy team.
- Backup goalies often receive starts during back-to-back game stretches, and can provide a source of unexpected points.
- In addition, if a starting goalie gets injured or underperforms, having their backup on your team can provide a safety net.
By carefully considering your league’s settings and the factors listed above, you can make more strategic decisions when drafting goalies for your fantasy hockey team. Whether you choose to draft multiple goalies early on or focus on finding hidden gems later in the draft, a well-thought-out strategy can help you achieve success throughout the season.
Top Goalie Targets to Consider in Your Fantasy Hockey Draft
If you want to dominate in your fantasy hockey league, you need to make sure you draft a strong goalie or two. Here are some of the top goalie targets to consider in your draft:
Andrei Vasilevskiy
The Tampa Bay Lightning’s goaltender has been a top performer in recent years, and he’s likely to continue that trend in the upcoming season. With a career save percentage of .919 and a goals against average of 2.56, Vasilevskiy is a solid choice for any fantasy team.
Marc-Andre Fleury
- Fleury is a veteran goalie who has consistently been one of the top performers in the league. He’s coming off an incredible season with the Vegas Golden Knights, where he posted a .928 save percentage and a 1.98 goals against average. He’s now playing for the Chicago Blackhawks and is expected to be a top performer once again.
- Fleury is also a popular choice for those who play in leagues with a wins category, as he’s consistently among the league leaders in that statistic.
Connor Hellebuyck
- The Winnipeg Jets’ goaltender has been a workhorse in recent years, playing in more games than any other goalie over the past three seasons. He’s also been incredibly effective, posting a .922 save percentage and a 2.54 goals against average during that time.
- Hellebuyck is a popular choice for those who play in leagues with a saves category, as he consistently faces a high volume of shots and is among the league leaders in that statistic.
Other notable goalies to consider include Carey Price, Tuukka Rask, and Semyon Varlamov.
When drafting your goalies, it’s important to consider your league’s settings and scoring categories. For example, if your league places a high value on wins, you may want to prioritize goalies who play for winning teams. If your league has a saves category, you may want to target goalies who face a high volume of shots. With these factors in mind, you’ll be well on your way to building a championship-caliber fantasy hockey team.
What to Do if You Miss Out on the Top Goalie Targets
If you weren’t able to grab one of the top goalie targets in your fantasy hockey draft, don’t worry. There are still ways to build a strong goaltending foundation for your team.
One strategy is to target goalies who may be undervalued or overlooked by others in your league. Here are some options:
Look for Goalies in a Timeshare
Goalies who share playing time with another goaltender can still provide solid production, particularly if they’re on a successful team. These goalies may not play as many games, but they could still rack up wins and save percentages. Consider targeting goalies like Chris Driedger of the Seattle Kraken or Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins.
Target Breakout Candidates
Some goalies may have flown under the radar but have the potential for a breakout season. Consider targeting goalies like Spencer Knight of the Florida Panthers or Alex Nedeljkovic of the Detroit Red Wings. These goalies may not have a proven track record, but they could provide excellent value if they live up to their potential.
Monitor the Waiver Wire
Keep an eye on the waiver wire throughout the season for goalies who may have been dropped by other teams in your league. You never know when a goalie could get hot and become a valuable asset to your team. Don’t hesitate to make a move if you see a goalie who could help your squad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How Many Goalies Should You Draft In Fantasy Hockey?
A: It depends on the size of your league and the scoring system. Generally, you should draft at least two goalies in a standard league to ensure that you have a reliable starter and a backup. In deeper leagues, it may be advisable to draft three goalies to have more options. Additionally, if your league rewards goalie stats heavily, such as in a points-per-save league, it may be worthwhile to draft more goalies than usual to maximize your points.
Q: Should You Draft a Goalie Early or Late in Your Fantasy Hockey Draft?
A: The strategy for drafting a goalie can vary depending on the league settings and personal preference. In a standard league with a snake draft, most experts recommend waiting until the later rounds to draft a goalie. However, if your league uses an auction draft or values goalie stats heavily, it may be worth drafting a top-tier goalie earlier in the draft. Ultimately, it’s important to have a balanced team and not focus too heavily on one position.
Q: Is It Better to Draft Established Goalies or Up-and-Coming Goalies?
A: This can be a tough decision to make, as established goalies come with a proven track record but may have higher draft values, while up-and-coming goalies have the potential for breakout seasons but also carry more risk. A good strategy is to draft a mix of both types of goalies. Consider drafting an established goalie early in the draft and an up-and-comer later on for depth. Keep an eye on goalie prospects throughout the season and be prepared to make adjustments to your roster as needed.
Q: Should You Draft Goalies from the Same Team?
A: Generally, it’s not advisable to draft two goalies from the same team, as it can limit your options and leave you vulnerable if one of them gets injured or performs poorly. However, if the team has a proven track record of success and you believe they will continue to perform well, drafting both goalies could be a viable strategy. Be sure to weigh the potential risks and rewards before making this decision.
Q: How Do You Decide Which Goalies to Draft?
A: There are many factors to consider when drafting a goalie, including their past performance, team defense, injury history, and overall potential. It’s important to do your research and keep up to date on the latest news and trends in the league. Look for goalies with a proven track record of success, as well as up-and-coming goalies who have the potential for a breakout season. Consider drafting a mix of goalies from different teams to give yourself more options and flexibility throughout the season.
Q: What Should You Do If You Don’t Draft a Top Goalie?
A: If you miss out on drafting a top-tier goalie, don’t panic. There are still plenty of solid options available later in the draft or on the waiver wire. Look for goalies who have shown consistency in their performance or have the potential for a breakout season. Be prepared to make adjustments to your roster throughout the season based on matchups and injuries. Remember, a successful fantasy hockey team is one that is flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances.