Pay Attention to Your League Settings
Depending on your league and what settings and scoring your commissioner has decided to enforce, certain players that are expert, consensus first-round picks might have less value. Some leagues have scoring for goals, assists AND points, which would offer more value for point-getters rather than pure goal-scorers.
Additionally, some leagues elect to track hits or penalty minutes which, in case of the former stat, would provide a big boost for a player like Alex Ovechkin, who already provides ample scoring and power-play points. Someone like Brady Tkachuk would also thrive in a league that rewards hits and penalty-minutes and, as a young, talented player who can score and put up a few points, he would be a great asset in a keeper-league because he will be a juggernaut when that Sens team gets better and his plus-minus improves.
Finally, look at other settings such as moves allowed per week, goaltender starts, and goaltender losses. Leagues with limited moves allowed could be particularly tough if your goaltender misses a start or is being rested and moves only come into effect the following day.
Planning ahead of time is key in these leagues and not managing to adhere to the minimum G appearances can be very costly. Goalie losses add an interesting wrinkle and prevents someone from benefiting from having a goalie put up strong save % numbers on a weak team. Jack Campbell and his 17-3 record last year with a 2.15 GAA, .921 sv% and 2 SO in 22 games would have thrived in this league last year.
If you’re drafting on yahoo they have the expert rankings, the average draft pick of each player and the rankings based on your league settings. Make sure to put more emphasis on your league setting rankings and not get swayed by expert rankings and random mock drafts.