Player projections are great. In presenting a loose roadmap, they help steer fantasy managers in a rational direction while navigating through the all-important draft. But, like most guidebooks, the how-to track is only suggestive.
There's plenty of room for subjectivity and personal prognostication. A little intuition can also go a long way. In that spirit, here are my first 20 draft selections, sequenced and explained, in step with ESPN standard points leagues.
Resources: Projections | Mock draft | Goalie depth chart | Most added/dropped Draft Slot 1: Nathan MacKinnon , F, Colorado Avalanche Even if the NHL's top fantasy operator regresses a smidge across every single category in ESPN standard points competition, he still stands to outperform everyone else (with the possible exception of my second overall selection). Tough to argue against such a compelling selling point. Draft Slot 2: Connor McDavid , F, Edmonton Oilers Play Fantasy Hockey for Free Create or join a fantasy hockey league on ESPN.
Your championship run starts today! Sign up today! If not for MacKinnon's Hart Trophy-winning turn and fantasy-league domination in 2023-24, the league's best player would serve as my first pick overall. It's still a toss-up, knowing McDavid is a season removed from scoring 64 goals on 352 shots. Whether he chooses to set others up (last year) or score more himself (2022-23), the points will be there.
Draft Slot 3: Nikita Kucherov , F, Tampa Bay Lightning So what if he doesn't earn.