
Sean AllenOct 2, 2025, 09:00 AM ET
- Sean Allen is simply a contributing writer for phantasy hockey and betting astatine ESPN. He was the 2008 and 2009 FSWA Hockey Writer of the Year.
Your determination to draught Leon Draisaitl implicit Auston Matthews isn't going to triumph you your league.
Neither volition choosing Zach Werenski implicit Rasmus Dahlin. Or Sergei Bobrovsky implicit Igor Shesterkin.
Fantasy hockey leagues are won successful the margins. Everyone gets prime players early. The quality betwixt finishing mediate of the battalion and taking location the trophy is however you usage those late-round picks (and past however you negociate waivers and trades on the way, don't worry, we'll beryllium present for that, too).
ESPN Fantasy Hockey tracks mean draught presumption (ADP) retired to a 10-team league, which means 230 players. That means astir 230 is the max you'll spot connected ADP successful your draught model oregon erstwhile looking astatine the subordinate information successful your league. If a subordinate has an ADP little than 200, they are being selected successful the bulk of drafts. If they are successful the 200 to 210 range, it's a coin flip that they'll beryllium drafted. In the 210 to 220 range, we are talking person to 1 successful four. And if they are past 220 ADP, likelihood are they aren't being picked astatine all.
So who deserves a changeable successful that 200-plus range? Who should you really usage those past fistful of picks connected erstwhile you're filling retired your seat successful rounds 19 done 23?
This is wherever discourse beats prima power. Upside is hidden successful the details -- a second-unit power-play assignment, a extent illustration shuffle, being adjacent successful enactment if a prima gets hurt, oregon landing connected a squad that's simply amended this season. Beyond earthy talent, the precocious rounds are astir who has a existent pathway to meaningful minutes and production.
These are the players who tin crook the margins into your edge. You'll person your own, for your ain reasons. Here are 12 names extracurricular prime 200 that I'm targeting, and the hooks that marque them worthy the gamble.
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Late forwards
Quinton Byfield, C, Los Angeles Kings (214.7 ADP): Anze Kopitar's status circuit looms implicit this season, and Byfield is the heir apparent. He's shown capable that the takeover could statesman successful earnest this season. Don't beryllium amazed if helium ends up chasing for the Kings pb successful phantasy points among forwards.
Matty Beniers, C, Seattle Kraken (228.3 ADP): While we've had 4 seasons of Beniers for valuation and the extremity effect is much "meh" than "wow," helium is inactive lone 22 years old. But it's decidedly spell time. He should beryllium angling to beryllium deployed arsenic a true, No. 1 halfway with 20 minutes per game, surrounded by snipers connected the wings. This is the play wherever Beniers volition interruption done oregon amusement america he's destined arsenic a No. 2.
Cole Perfetti, LW, Winnipeg Jets (224.6 ADP): With Read Entire Article

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