Fantasy Hockey 2025-26 ADPs – Matt Larkin
- Okay, hear's a breakdown of the fantasy hockey advice from the provided text, focusing on players to avoid based on their Average Draft Position (ADP):
- Core Strategy: The overarching theme is to avoid overpaying for players - specifically, those whose ADP doesn't align with their likely production or role.
- * Dougie Hamilton (New Jersey Devils, D, ADP: 72.3): * Downside: His role is shrinking due to the emergence of Luke Hughes (who Jack Hughes wants on PP1).
Okay, hear’s a breakdown of the fantasy hockey advice from the provided text, focusing on players to avoid based on their Average Draft Position (ADP):
Core Strategy: The overarching theme is to avoid overpaying for players – specifically, those whose ADP doesn’t align with their likely production or role. The author emphasizes finding value by drafting players who are better fits for where they’re being drafted, rather than chasing hype.
Players to Avoid (and Why):
* Dougie Hamilton (New Jersey Devils, D, ADP: 72.3):
* Downside: His role is shrinking due to the emergence of Luke Hughes (who Jack Hughes wants on PP1).
* Age/Injury: He’s 32 and has a history of injuries (missed 18+ games in 3 of the last 4 seasons).
* Ice Time: His average ice time decreased last season to a 6-year low.
* Overall: Still productive, but the ADP is too high given the risk and declining role.
* alexander Nikishin (Carolina Hurricanes, D, ADP: 103.4):
* Lack of NHL Experience: Hasn’t played a regular-season NHL game yet.
* Role: Likely to be a middle-pair defenseman as a rookie.
* Power Play: Shayne Gostisbehere currently holds the PP1 spot.
* Overall: ADP is inflated; he should be a late-round flier, not a core pick.A “great” rookie season would be 30 points, strong physical stats, and 18 minutes of ice time.
* Pyotr Kochetkov (Carolina Hurricanes, G, ADP: 106.4):
* Inconsistent Starter: Hasn’t been able to definitively take the starting role from Frederik Andersen.
* Stats: Career save percentage is .905, and .897 last season.
* Playoff Usage: Andersen started significantly more playoff games.
* Overall: ADP is too high for a goalie who isn’t a clear-cut starter, especially when ranked ahead of more reliable options like Montembeault and Dostal.
* Neal Pionk (Winnipeg Jets, D, ADP: 124.4):
* The text cuts off mid-sentence here, but the heading suggests he’s also being overvalued.
In essence, the author is advocating for a more cautious and analytical approach to drafting, prioritizing players whose potential aligns with their draft position, and avoiding those who are being hyped up beyond their likely contribution.