It’s the final countdown! We’ve finally made it to the end of the top 250. We are to the point where you are taking guys with your last few picks so I’m going to limit the details here. Target categories that you need some reassurance in but be prepared to cut these guys if necessary. If you want to handcuff your goalie, this is also the time to do it. Let’s finish this bad boy up!
201) Mike Green – Far cry from his hay day but he’ll be running the Detroit power play and has been healthier the last few seasons.
202) Michal Neuvirth – I think there’s a good chance he takes over in Philly eventually. You won’t have to draft him higher than this but he’s a great option is this late for the upside.
203) Connor Hellebuyck – If I knew he was going to be on the Winnipeg opening day roster, he’d be closer to 100 than 200. However, the Jets are dumb and may have him in the AHL to start so Hellboy is stuck here for the time being.
204) Benoit Pouliot – Will be in the top 6 again and possibly the first power play unit. Was really coming on last season before the injury.
205) Justin Williams – I’d rather shoot for upside this late but he did have 52 points last season. Role is a question though.
206) J.T. Miller – Strong season with 22+21. Should see a minute increase and as long as the shots go up, he could be a hold all season.
207) Zack Smith – 25 goals and 80 PIM last season, should be in top 6 now. Shooting percentage was unsustainable so the shot rate needs to increase to stay on rosters.
208) Seth Jones – Going to have big minutes; it’s year 4 so hopefully the offense starts to come through.
209) Anton Stralman – Yawnstipating but it’s good enough across the board.
210) Brock Nelson – 26 goals last season were a career high but I’m worried that he won’t be with J.T. plus the shots fell back. Just can’t pass on the goals at this point.
211) Frederik Andersen – Don’t want anything to do with him but he’s a starting goalie. This will be repeated throughout the rest of the top 250.
212) Mathieu Perreault – Consistent, underrated producer; he’s an injury risk but that’s perfectly fine in the last couple rounds.
213) Ryan Ellis – Another boring stat line but there’s enough there to be drafted. If one of the big two get injured, Ellis will get first power play time making him must own.
214) William Nylander – Shooting for the upside at this point.
215) Mitch Marner – Putting them back to back because I’m unsure which one will be on the second and third line. Either way, I think there is value there in redrafts but the one in the top six could end up a hold.
216) Pavel Zacha – Drafting him here to be able to stream him early in the season. By the end of the season, I expect him to be on close to 100% of rosters.
217) Ondrej Pavelec – I expect the Jets to be back in the playoff hunt and while Hellebuyck should be the starter, it may be Pavelec. If he starts poor, he’s definitely losing the job.
218) Craig Anderson – I don’t want anything to do with him but he’s an unquestioned starter so he needs to be ranked here.
219) Cam Ward – See Anderson, Craig except he’ll get less starts than Anderson.
220) Nino Niederreiter – I wish he was in the top 6 but he’s had back to back 20 goal seasons and just turned 24 years old.
221) T.J. Brodie – Excellent source of assists, wouldn’t touch him in roto because of how horrible the shots are.
222) Alexander Wennberg – Need the shots to increase and the PIM are nonexistent but there’s upside here. 8+32 last season in 69 games, just turned 22 years old and should be in the top 6.
223) Chris Kunitz – He’s horrible in real life at this point in his career but he’ll still mooch points off a superstar center. Great source of late plus-minus.
224) Michael Stone – If I knew he’d be on the first power play unit again, he’d be even higher. Stone had 36 points, 62 PIM and over 2 shots per game last season, a great value late in drafts. Have to hope he doesn’t lose that time to Gogo (coming up shortly).
225) Mike Smith – See Anderson, Craig again.
226) Alex Killorn – One of my favorite streamers, he looks like the favorite to start on the first line again.
227) Ryan Miller – Follow the same chain you have for the recent goalies except that Miller is closer to a time share. The only upside is that he’s traded to a better team who needs a goalie.
228) Jimmy Vesey – I don’t think he’ll be much more than 20+20 but at 23 years old, he’s safer than a normal rookie.
229) Erik Johnson – I think we see improvement with Roy gone but regardless, 10+ goals with good shots and PIM make him fill teams nicely right at the end.
230) Nick Bjugstad – Love the player but he’s stuck on the third line now. Could still get to 20+ goals but to be a hold, he’ll probably need an injury to Barkov or Trocheck.
231) Sean Couturier – Defensive role caps his upside but had 39 points in 63 games last season.
232) Oscar Klefbom – Upside pick since he should be on the first power play unit for the Oilers.
233) Nick Leddy – Also should be on the first power play unit, great source of assists but might not be much else.
234) Damon Severson – Somebody on the Devils blue line has to produce, right?
235) Mathew Barzal – Just like Zacha except that he has more talent on the team blocking him. Still think he’s going to be highly owned by the end of the season. Check out the Metro Pod for more discussion on him.
236) Zdeno Chara – At this point, it’s really just for PIM. Points will be okay but he’s off the first power play unit.
237) Ales Hemsky – Should be in the top 6 on arguably the best offensive team in the league.
238) Tanner Pearson – Not a huge fan because of his lack of contribution in most categories but he does get to play with two great offensive players.
239) Matt Niskanen – Not a fan with Carlson back and on the first power play unit. The upside is huge if Carlson goes down but otherwise, it’s pretty much only assists and plus-minus.
240) Joonas Donskoi – Should be on the second line; with Couture back he gets an elite center to play with. I expect an expanded role in year 2.
241) Carl Hagelin – Few power play points but played outstanding in his time with Pittsburgh last season.
242) Hampus Lindholm – Love him in real life, the question is whether or not he gets the offensive role from a fantasy perspective. Probably going to move him up some in the revision for the upside.
243) Mike Ribiero – Very cheap assists and PIM, horrible otherwise, especially in shots.
244) Alex Goligoski – Should be quality assists on a team with a ton of upside. Does he beat out Stone for the other PP1 spot?
245) Dmitry Orlov – Love the upside, hopefully his role increases.
246) Jarome Iginla – Showing plenty of signs of age but could be on a potentially lethal first power play unit. Avs should be much improved.
247) David Perron – Was much better in Anaheim, top 6 role in St. Louis should give him top streamer value.
248) Bo Horvat – Love the player, hate the situation. Could push -30 again with how bad the team is.
249) Drew Stafford – Second line right winger who will get to play with two strong offensive players. Definition of streaky.
250) Conor Sheary – Not convinced he’s a good player but he’s playing with Crosby. Good enough for me!
It’s over! 250 players ranked to help everyone with their draft. As always, feel free to ask any questions or leave any comments below. I’ll be back on Monday with fully updated rankings of my top 250 overall in one place to make things easier for everyone on draft day. Take care!
