If They Drop… You Should Pounce

When it comes to drafting a good fantasy team obviously you want to get your hands on the big names like Crosby, Stamkos and Malkin. If you’re fortunate enough to land one of these All-Stars on your team, that’s a fantastic way to start your draft. However, the most important picks you’re going to make are your value picks. You want to find guys in the middle to late rounds who are going to outperform the other players that are drafted in those same rounds. I’m going to highlight a few players who in my opinion are good pickups given their ADP (Average Draft Position) according to Yahoo!.

1. Marian Gaborik – RW – New York Rangers (ADP-100.6)
After offseason surgery on his right shoulder to repair a torn labrum that he suffered in last year’s playoffs, there was speculation whether or not Gaborik would be ready to return to the NHL once the lockout ended. However, according to Steve Zipay of Newsday, Marian is ready to return to the ice with his Ranger teammates. Depending on what kind of league you’re in, it is difficult to imagine Gaborik being available with the 100th pick but there is a very good chance that he drops significantly lower than he should. In his 3 seasons in New York, Gaborik has averaged just under a point-per-game which would put him among the likes of Nicklas Backstrom (ADP-46.7) and Patrick Marleau (ADP-48.6). Those are 5th round players and Gaborik on average is going in the 9th! Add Rick Nash to the Rangers to take some heat off of Gaborik and I think you’re looking at 35+ goals for the Slovak. If he’s still available in those middle rounds Gaborik would be a great addition to your team.

2. Mike Green – D – Washington Capitals (ADP-109.4)
After scoring 76 points in 75 games in 2009-10, a barrage of different injuries over the past two seasons have held Green back. After the long layoff of the offseason plus the lockout, Green is healthy again and should be poised for a big 2013 campaign. Although I don’t think he’ll touch a point-per-game again he should be very productive on an explosive Capitals team as the quarterback of their power play. His ADP is 109.4 which makes him a 10th round pick. If you can pick Green up that late it would be a huge for your defensive unit. Even in his injury plagued seasons Green was still a plus player. With a healthy season from Green, he can easily be in the TOP-10 Defenceman in 2013 at a 10th round price.

3. Alexander Semin – LW/RW – Carolina Hurricanes (125.6)
This one makes no sense to me. How can a player who was so disliked in Washington but still put up solid numbers move to an offensive oriented team with one of the NHL’s best centers drop to the 125th pick in fantasy drafts? I’m a huge fan of Alexander Semin in fantasy leagues and always have been. He has a bad reputation and tends to drop in drafts… BUT 125th!? Semin possesses one of if not the best wrist shot in the league. Now he’s heading to a very organized offensive system under Kirk Muller in Carolina and will very likely play with Eric Staal. As long as the Hurricanes don’t try to spread the scoring around too much you can expect both Staal and Semin to have fantastic years. If you can somehow manage to get Semin at 125, you’re going to be laughing once the season starts.