Fantasy: Mock draft 2.0 analysis for 2017-18

The NHL season is less than two weeks away, and mock drafts continue to provide an accurate glimpse of the fantasy landscape.
NHL.com conducted another mock draft this weekend with fantasy staffers Pete Jensen, David Satriano and Ben Zweiman, correspondent Brian Metzer, Scott Pianowski of Yahoo, James Harding of DraftKings, Jonathan Baron of NHL Network, and five active Yahoo users. With injury updates and preseason storylines, there are plenty of developments compared to our
mock draft 1.0
.

FANTASY RANKINGS:
Top 250
|
Top 100 'F'
|
C
|
LW
|
RW
|
Top 50 'D'
|
Top 25 'G'
OTHER FANTASY DRAFT GUIDES:
Keeper / dynasty
|
Hits
|
Faceoff wins
2017-18 PROJECTIONS:
Forward points
|
D-man points
|
Goalie wins
|
Team previews
LISTS:
Forward bargains
|
D
|
G
|
Breakouts
|
Sleepers
|
Deep sleepers
|
Rookies
We encourage you to manually prerank your players on Yahoo's platform using
NHL.com's top 250
fantasy rankings, frequently reference the point/win projections in our
cheat sheet
, and examine the results from this exercise before drafting.
NOTE: This was a 12-team, non-keeper mock draft with standard categories (goals, assists, plus/minus, penalty minutes, power-play points and shots on goal for skaters; wins, goals-against average, save percentage and shutouts for goalies). Positions indicate eligibility in Yahoo leagues.
ROUND 1:
1. Baron - Connor McDavid (EDM - C)
2. FAN 1 - Sidney Crosby (PIT - C)
3. Satriano - Patrick Kane (CHI - RW)4. Metzer - Auston Matthews (TOR - C)5. Harding - Vladimir Tarasenko (STL - RW)6. Jensen - Nikita Kucherov (TBL - RW)
7. FAN 2 - Carey Price (MTL - G)
8. FAN 3 - Jamie Benn (DAL - LW)
9. FAN 4 - Brent Burns (SJS - D)
10. Pianowski - Alex Ovechkin (WSH - LW)
11. FAN 5 - Evgeni Malkin (PIT - C)
12. Zweiman - Patrik Laine (WPG - RW)
Analysis: It's not surprising Kane went earlier than his NHL.com rank (7) in the midst of an impressive preseason alongside center Nick Schmaltz and rookie left wing Alex DeBrincat. … This is the earliest I've seen Tarasenko go in a standard format, but you have to love his goal-scoring ceiling given the success under coach Mike Yeo down the stretch last season and the forward depth around him this year. … Ovechkin is the best value pick of the round, especially with fresh linemates Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jakub Vrana. … Price continues to
go very high despite concerns
surrounding the Montreal Canadiens roster.

ROUND 2:
13. Zweiman - Brad Marchand (BOS - LW)
14. FAN 5 - Tyler Seguin (DAL - C/RW)
15. Pianowski - Jack Eichel (BUF - C)
16. FAN 4 - Mark Scheifele (WPG - C)
17. FAN 3 - Steven Stamkos (TBL - C)
18. FAN 2 - Braden Holtby (WSH - G)
19. Jensen - Nicklas Backstrom (WSH - C)20. Harding - John Tavares (NYI - C)21. Metzer - Matt Murray (PIT - G)22. Satriano - Leon Draisaitl (EDM - C/RW)
23. FAN 1 - Erik Karlsson (OTT - D)
24. Baron - Victor Hedman (TBL - D)
Analysis: Seguin has been going behind Eichel and Scheifele in most mocks, but I still love him in this spot, especially playing with Benn and Alexander Radulov this preseason. That said, the new Eichel line with Evander Kane (in a contract year) and Jason Pominville could be a great fit for all three Buffalo Sabres forwards. … This is a little early for Stamkos given his injury history, but he could be a top five overall player if everything goes right alongside Kucherov. … Backstrom, playing on a line with Andre Burakovsky and T.J. Oshie this preseason, remains one of the safest bets for a point-per-game season out there. … Karlsson skated for the first time Saturday since having offseason foot surgery. If he doesn't end up missing much time, he could be a steal outside the top 20.

ROUND 3:
25. Baron - Johnny Gaudreau (CGY - LW)
26. FAN 1 - Dustin Byfuglien (WPG - D)
27. Satriano - Sergei Bobrovsky (CBJ - G)28. Metzer - Artemi Panarin (CBJ - C/LW)29. Harding - Cam Talbot (EDM - G)30. Jensen - Mitch Marner (TOR - C/RW)
31. FAN 2 - Phil Kessel (PIT - RW)
32. FAN 3 - Devan Dubnyk (MIN - G)
33. FAN 4 - Joe Pavelski (SJS - C/RW)
34. Pianowski - Jake Allen (STL - G)
35. FAN 5 - Filip Forsberg (NSH - LW)
36. Zweiman - Roman Josi (NSH - D)
Analysis: Gaudreau had a strong points-per-game average (0.85) in a down season when he missed 10 games, likely why Baron reached for the Calgary Flames left wing over Panarin. … The 26-35 range of most drafts is where you can either take a proven commodity (e.g. Kessel, Pavelski, Blake Wheeler) or reach for an emerging young wing (e.g. Marner, Pastrnak). I went with the upside here with dual-eligible Marner, who's a big component of arguably the deepest offense in the League. … Dubnyk went much higher than his ADP (46.0), but he's undervalued in general. Only Braden Holtby (131) has more wins than Dubnyk (108) over the past three seasons.
ROUND 4:
37. Zweiman - Kris Letang (PIT - D)
38. FAN 1 - Tuukka Rask (BOS - G)
39. Pianowski - Max Pacioretty (MTL - LW)
40. FAN 2 - David Pastrnak (BOS - RW)
41. FAN 3 - Claude Giroux (PHI - C)
42. FAN 4 - Shea Weber (MTL - D)
43. Jensen - P.K. Subban (NSH - D)44. Harding - Duncan Keith (CHI - D)45. Metzer - Blake Wheeler (WPG - RW)46. Satriano - Zach Werenski (CBJ - D)
47. FAN 5 - Pekka Rinne (NSH - G)
48. Baron - John Gibson (ANA - G)
Analysis: This is a good range for Letang, who's healthy and set to make his preseason debut Sunday. He has top 15 potential and could finish first among defensemen if he stays healthy for close to a full season. … Giroux's value is low right now, so it's probably not necessary to reach for him (especially with centers dropping in most 12-team leagues). … There was a run on defensemen in this round, with five of the 12 picks at the position. Even with Subban facing questions after Mattias Ekholm was moved to Roman Josi's defense pair, he was on pace for a 50-point season last year despite injury and not playing on the Nashville Predators' first power-play unit.

ROUND 5:
49. Baron - William Nylander (TOR - C/RW)
50. FAN 5 - Wayne Simmonds (PHI - RW)
51. Satriano - Martin Jones (SJS - G)52. Metzer - Kevin Shattenkirk (NYR - D)53. Harding - Ben Bishop (DAL - G)54. Jensen - Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL - G)
55. FAN 4 - Drew Doughty (LAK - D)
56. FAN 3 - Jonathan Quick (LAK - G)
57. FAN 2 - Corey Crawford (CHI - G)
58. Pianowski - Henrik Lundqvist (NYR - G)
59. FAN 1 - Frederik Andersen (TOR - G)
60. Zweiman - Patrice Bergeron (BOS - C)
Analysis: This may be a reach for Andersen, but he has room to improve on his League-worst overtime/shootout losses (14), and, thus, has a ceiling of 35-40 wins for the surging Maple Leafs. … Shattenkirk has looked dynamic this preseason and is a good value outside the top 50. … I am high on Bishop and Vasilevskiy, but don't sleep on Quick's value as he continues to slide in drafts. He doesn't need much goal support to be a top 5-10 fantasy goalie. … Zweiman secured the dangerous Marchand-Bergeron point pair in this round, and got a
Twitter reply from the left wing
after the draft.
ROUND 6:
61. Zweiman - Sean Monahan (CGY - C)
62. FAN 1 - Rasmus Ristolainen (BUF - D)
63. Pianowski - Mike Hoffman (OTT - LW/RW)
64. FAN 2 - Evgeny Kuznetsov (WSH - C)
65. FAN 3 - Alex Pietrangelo (STL - D)
66. FAN 4 - Brandon Saad (CHI - LW)
67. Jensen - John Klingberg (DAL - D)68. Harding - Ryan Getzlaf (ANA - C)69. Metzer - Dougie Hamilton (CGY - D)70. Satriano - Ryan Johansen (NSH - C)
71. FAN 5 - Jeff Carter (LAK - C)
72. Baron - Oliver Ekman-Larsson (ARI - D)
Analysis: Kuznetsov brings renewed fantasy optimism on a line with Ovechkin this preseason. Kuznetsov finished 51st in Yahoo last season despite an underachieving first half. … Johansen has slipped much further than this in other mocks, so make sure you're on your toes. … Klingberg brings exposure to all the potent forwards in Dallas, so I'll take him in every mock as a No. 2 defenseman. … Ekman-Larsson's bounce-back appeal looks even better with the Arizona Coyotes' improving defense (added Niklas Hjalmarsson, Jason Demers). … Getzlaf was better than a point per game over the regular season and playoffs combined, so he's the ultimate bargain this late.

ROUND 7:
73. Baron - Cam Atkinson (CBJ - RW)
74. FAN 5 - Corey Perry (ANA - RW)
75. Satriano - Jeff Skinner (CAR - LW)76. Metzer - James van Riemsdyk (TOR - LW)77. Harding - Alexander Radulov (DAL - RW)78. Jensen - Nikolaj Ehlers (WPG - LW)
79. FAN 4 - Mark Giordano (CGY - D)
80. FAN 3 - Jakub Voracek (PHI - RW)
81. FAN 2 - Brayden Schenn (STL - C/LW)
82. Pianowski - Logan Couture (SJS - C)
83. FAN 1 - Ryan Suter (MIN - D)
84. Zweiman - Mike Smith (CGY - G)
Analysis: There is plenty of value at right wing in this round; Atkinson finished 32nd in Yahoo last season, and Radulov could have NHL career-best totals across the board in Dallas. Voracek remains with Giroux and can at least be counted on for an elite shot volume. … Many forget Skinner finished among the League's top 10 in goals (37) and shots on goal (281) last season, and is 25 years old. … If Mike Smith ends up winning 30-35 games for the defensively sound Flames, this pick could pay large dividends. … Ehlers has been moved off the Winnipeg Jets' top line this preseason but would still be a threat for 55-60 points alongside Bryan Little.
ROUND 8:
85. Zweiman - Mikael Granlund (MIN - C/RW)
86. FAN 1 - T.J. Oshie (WSH - RW)
87. Pianowski - Justin Schultz (PIT - D)
88. FAN 2 - Jonathan Drouin (MTL - LW/RW)
89. FAN 3 - Sebastian Aho (CAR - LW/RW)
90. FAN 4 - Jonathan Toews (CHI - C)
91. Jensen - Rickard Rakell (ANA - C/LW)92. Harding - Jonathan Huberdeau (FLA - LW)93. Metzer - Jake Guentzel (PIT - C/LW)94. Satriano - Mark Stone (OTT - RW)
95. FAN 5 - Torey Krug (BOS - D)
96. Baron - Jordan Eberle (NYI - RW)
Analysis: Rakell has greater fantasy upside playing center and on the first power-play unit for the Ducks in Ryan Kesler's injury absence. … Drouin could potentially gain center eligibility if he remains at the position after a preseason trial. … Guentzel could see some first power-play action if Patric Hornqvist (hand) misses the start of the season. It's amazing to see Huberdeau (ADP: 78.8) and his Florida Panthers linemate Aleksander Barkov (100.2) continue to slide in drafts. … Krug (fractured jaw) is unlikely for the start of the season, opening the door for rookie Charlie McAvoy to seize first power-play minutes.
ROUND 9:
97. Baron - Scott Darling (CAR - G)
98. FAN 5 - Taylor Hall (NJD - LW)
99. Satriano - Jacob Trouba (WPG - D)100. Metzer - Viktor Arvidsson (NSH - LW/RW)101. Harding - Justin Faulk (CAR - D)102. Jensen - Craig Anderson (OTT - G)
103. FAN 4 - Seth Jones (CBJ - D)
104. FAN 3 - Shayne Gostisbehere (PHI - D)
105. FAN 2 - Cory Schneider (NJD - G)
106. Pianowski - Anze Kopitar (LAK - C)
107. FAN 1 - Ryan O'Reilly (BUF - C)
108. Zweiman - Jaden Schwartz (STL - LW)
ROUND 10:
109. Zweiman - Oscar Klefbom (EDM - D)
110. FAN 1 - John Carlson (WSH - D)
111. Pianowski - Kyle Palmieri (NJD - RW)
112. FAN 2 - Aleksander Barkov (FLA - C)
113. FAN 3 - Kyle Okposo (BUF - RW)
114. FAN 4 - Ryan McDonagh (NYR - D)
115. Jensen - Aaron Ekblad (FLA - D)116. Harding - Evander Kane (BUF - LW)117. Metzer - Colton Parayko (STL - D)118. Satriano - Brent Seabrook (CHI - D)
119. FAN 5 - James Neal (VGK - LW/RW)
120. Baron - Conor Sheary (PIT - LW/RW)
*NOTE: Neal (hand) has been sidelined this preseason for the Vegas Golden Knights.

ROUND 11:
121. Baron - Alex Galchenyuk (MTL - C/LW)\
122. FAN 1 - Jake Gardiner (TOR - D)
123. Satriano - Marcus Johansson (NJD - LW)\124. Metzer - Marc-Andre Fleury (VGK - G)125. Harding - Zach Parise (MIN - LW)126. Jensen - Jason Spezza (DAL - C/RW)
127. FAN 2 - Kyle Turris (OTT - C)
128. FAN 3 - Keith Yandle (FLA - D)
129. FAN 4 - Ryan Ellis (NSH - D)*
130. Pianowski - Tyler Toffoli (LAK - C/RW)
131. FAN5 - Milan Lucic (EDM - LW)
132. Zweiman - Brian Elliott (PHI - G)
\NOTES: Ryan Ellis (knee surgery) will miss at least two months. Ekholm would have been a better pick than Ellis here, but this is too early to be taking any team's third defenseman. ... Galchenyuk is playing wing this preseason for the Canadiens, and Johansson is playing center for the New Jersey Devils.
ROUND 12:
133. Zweiman - Cam Fowler (ANA - D)
134. FAN 5 - Jake Muzzin (LAK - D)
135. Pianowski - Max Domi (ARI - LW)
136. FAN 4 - Nino Niederreiter (MIN - LW/RW)
137. FAN 3 - Evgenii Dadonov (FLA - RW)
138. FAN 2 - Patric Hornqvist (PIT - RW)
139. Jensen - Andre Burakovsky (WSH - LW/RW)140. Harding - Tyson Barrie (COL - D)141. Metzer - Nathan MacKinnon (COL - C)142. Satriano - Jakob Silfverberg (ANA - RW)
143. FAN 1 - Jaroslav Halak (NYI - G)
144. Baron - Brady Skjei (NYR - D)
ROUND 13:
145. Baron - Charlie McAvoy (BOS - D)
146. FAN 1 - Ryan Kesler (ANA - C)\
147. Satriano - Matt Niskanen (WSH - D)148. Metzer - Jaccob Slavin (CAR - D)149. Harding - Ondrej Palat (TBL - LW)150. Jensen - Nick Leddy (NYI - D)
151. FAN 2 - Patrick Marleau (TOR - C/LW)
152. FAN 3 - Nick Foligno (CBJ - LW/RW)
153. FAN 4 - Mathew Dumba (MIN - D)
154. Pianowski - Marc-Edouard Vlasic (SJS - D)
155. FAN 5 - Alexander Steen (STL - C/LW)*
156. Zweiman - Alex Wennberg (CBJ - C)
\NOTES: Kesler (hip surgery) is out indefinitely; the Ducks hope to have him back by Christmas. He is worth stashing on injured reserve if you can get him late or off the waiver wire, but don't take him this high, especially with so many viable centers being drafted following this pick (e.g. Wennberg, Mika Zibanejad, Nico Hischier). ... Steen (hand) will miss the rest of training camp.
ROUND 14:
157. Zweiman - Sam Reinhart (BUF - C/RW)
158. FAN 5 - Tyler Johnson (TBL - C)
159. Pianowski - Jared Spurgeon (MIN - D)
160. FAN 4 - Mats Zuccarello (NYR - RW)
161. FAN 3 - Vadim Shipachyov (VGK - C/LW)
162. FAN 2 - Robin Lehner (BUF - G)
163. Jensen - Antti Raanta (ARI - G)164. Harding - Anders Lee (NYI - LW)165. Metzer - Mika Zibanejad (NYR - C)166. Satriano - Bryan Little (WPG - C)
167. FAN 1 - Chris Kreider (NYR - LW)
168. Baron - Anthony Mantha (DET - LW/RW)
\NOTE: Fabbri (knee) will miss the entire season.
ROUND 15:
169. Baron - Robby Fabbri (STL - C/LW)
170. FAN 1 - Brendan Gallagher (MTL - RW)
171. Satriano - Ivan Provorov (PHI - D)172. Metzer - Bobby Ryan (OTT - RW)173. Harding - Roberto Luongo (FLA - G)174. Jensen - Henrik Zetterberg (DET - C/LW)
175. FAN 2 - Nazem Kadri (TOR - C)
176. FAN 3 - Sami Vatanen (ANA - D)*
177. FAN 4 - Brock Boeser (VAN - RW)
178. Pianowski - Alec Martinez (LAK - D)
179. FAN 5 - Matt Duchene (COL - C/RW)
180. Zweiman - Peter Budaj (TBL - G)
*NOTES: Vatanen (shoulder) likely won't return until November, so he isn't worth drafting unless you're in a deeper league. There were higher-upside defenseman options (Nikita Zaitsev, Dmitry Orlov, Morgan Rielly, Ryan Pulock, Julius Honka) available in this spot. … Duchene's fantasy stock has never been lower for the Colorado Avalanche, but he's worth drafting this late in the hope he's traded either before or during the season.
ROUND 16:
181. Zweiman - Patrick Maroon (EDM - LW)
182. FAN 5 - Joe Thornton (SJS - C)
183. Pianowski - Eric Staal (MIN - C)
184. FAN 4 - T.J. Brodie (CGY - D)
185. FAN 3 - Timo Meier (SJS - LW/RW)
186. FAN 2 - Rick Nash (NYR - LW/RW)
187. Jensen - Ryan Strome (EDM - C/RW)188. Harding - Shea Theodore (VGK - D)189. Metzer - Damon Severson (NJD - D)190. Satriano - Jimmy Howard (DET - G)
191. FAN 1 - Nico Hischier (NJD - C)
192. Baron - Mikko Rantanen (COL - LW/RW)