Nathan McKinnon lands at third in a high-variance 10-team format, with McKinnon and McDavid sitting in a tight top tier. Auston Matthews surges at the 8th pick, showcasing a two-way profile and near-50-goal pace that keeps him fantasy anchor material even when lineups shift. Connor Hellebuyck looms as a bold zero-G favorite from the sixth slot, while Jaromir-style patience on goalies surfaces as a viable path in this format.

The duo of Bedard and Raymond anchor the forward corps as breakout bets, with Bedard representing the long-term ceiling and Raymond poised for sustained top-line production in Detroit. The back end leans on Hedman as a first defenseman, with Hedman’s durability and power-play impact key to balanced builds. Nashville’s Saros and Tampa’s Bobrovsky appear as late-round upside bets in this goalie-heavy field, emphasizing value over panic.

Across the table, the mock emphasizes a forward-first cadence, with careful budget allocation to defensive studs like Harley and Morsy and a willingness to ride top-line wings into the playoffs. The session underscores the strategic tilt: maximize forwards early, secure a reliable goalie trio later, and exploit positional flexibility to shore up every category.