When last we left Part One of that ProjectRoto Mock Draft, we looked at the six players who were absolute steals based strictly on value. Now, it was not easy and there were some choices that may have been left off the board.
The later rounds were tough to gauge because you look at average draft position then start to think about twelve different strategies rolled into legitimate steals. Here is the draft recap itself one more time and let’s get to work. We give you five of the best values in those late rounds for fantasy hockey drafts.
More Fantasy Hockey Value Shockers
1. Ales Hemsky — 167th overall pick — Corey Abbott
There were some picks a bit earlier that came close but the Hemsky pick at 167 was probably a question of do I or don’t I for many experts. Hemsky is easily a top 100 player and could be closer to top 50 or 60 if he can stay healthy. Okay, health is a very big if but 167 personifies value. Even if the forward plays only 65 games or so, he probably still winds up with 55 points or so. Now if he stays healthy, a 65-70 point season is not out of the question.
2. Devante Smith-Pelly — 198th overall pick — Neil Parker
He plays on the right wing but do not be surprised if Dany Heatley falls flat in the grand LW1 experiment and Bruce Boudreau tries to plug in Smith-Pelly one more time and likely with better results than last year. The forward is going to play more this year and that experience will serve him well. That is especially if a late season change happens again. People do forget just how young the right winger is. However, that does not dismiss the upside. If anything, it may come a little faster than people expect.
3. Travis Zajac — 237th overall pick — Chris Wassel
It is unfathomable that a 60-point a year forward fell this far but here we are. Now Zajac took a good bit more than a year to get back most of the form he had before the Achilles injury. People forget that this is an injury with a very tough recovery. A bigger plus is now that Zajac will center a line with Jaromir Jagr and Michael Cammalleri. Basically he will be a pivot between two potential 60-point players. Is it a stretch to suggest Zajac won’t be close to that? Exactly, I rest my case!
4. Brock Nelson — 249th overall pick — Scott Cullen
Honestly I took Anders Lee because I gambled on the fact that he, in theory, is a better first line left wing fit but ultimately Brock Nelson could be tried first. Nelson has the potential but does he have enough wheels to keep up with John Tavares? Now if he does, can he keep doing it again and again? It seems to almost be a 50-50 between the two. The fun part is that Nelson should make the team and do pretty well for himself regardless. This just won’t be top six production but will still be respectable. Youth will be served on Long Island and then in Brooklyn.
5. Ryan Strome — 264th and final pick — Scott Cullen
Cullen came through the meadows one more time to pull off this parting shot with Ryan Strome. Honestly I thought I was going to be able to sneak the center off waivers and then boom! That was it. He was taken off the board with the last pick. Here is a player with 50-point upside for this year if everything goes right. There really should be an investigation if Strome does not make the team out of camp because there is no reason why not. Strome has skills, is physical, and not afraid to make the play or take the blame when needed. Those are great qualities to have fantasy hockey fans!
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