This is a question that gets asked more and more these days. Mock drafts in fantasy hockey have exploded in the last year or two. The mere fact that it is over a week before Labor Day and both Yahoo! and ESPN have their fantasy hockey platforms up is telling. Finally, popularity is rising again for the long forgotten fantasy sport.
So I asked Michael Clifford the age old question last night. Here was his answer and it speaks volumes.
Oh yeah I’m not using this (referring to mock drafts) to see anything other than what people think early on and how ADP moves (more importantly, why it moves)
Again, mocks definitely have a purpose but for most, where a player goes is the bottom line. For most experts, we are heavily into why. If Player X goes a few rounds lower than expected, the example, there has to be some sort of explanation. This works the same way for those players who make a big rise in ADP (average draft position). That is when further investigation is needed.
There are a couple players to keep an eye on and as the weeks go by, we will spotlight those that seem to come out of nowhere.
Players Going UP?
David Clarkson (Toronto Maple Leafs) — This one is hard to believe, so much so that it could be fantasy. Yet that is a reality. He has stayed out of trouble and is ready to turn last season’s nightmare around. There was the ten game suspension, a couple small injuries, being shuttled from line to line, and other reasons. A theory exists that this could not possibly happen again. While David Clarkson probably won’t be that much of a fantasy liability again, he may never reach the level he did in New Jersey. Toronto will still have to be patient and fantasy owners still should too.
Anton Khudobin (Carolina Hurricanes) — Simply Anton Khudobin’s stock is still rising because of the many doubts Cam Ward owners have. There are many Ward owners tossing out the Viking funeral treatment for the goalie. However, Ward’s understudy has mastered the role so much better. When you see big gaps in 5 on 5 goaltending then overall, the picture becomes pretty clear. Training camp may force Carolina’s hand here.
Jonathan Drouin (Tampa Bay Lightning) — Quite a few people have Jonathan Drouin pegged as a likely Norris Trophy winner. While we might be tempted to at least keep our expectations a bit more measured, the possibility does exist considering how light the 2014 draft class really was as far as NHL ready talent. What line he is placed on in training camp may be pivotal in how much success he sees. The coaching he will get at the NHL level is levels above what he would get in the OHL. No one would be shocked if he had 50-60 points this year. Drouin really is a pivot with 90-100 point upside as his career rolls along. No one should be shocked.
