Whether you are brand new to fantasy hockey or a returning manager looking for a refresher, there should be something to take away from these tips and tricks. Yahoo has several leagues to join, or you could become a commissioner yourself. 

Fantasy Hockey Tips: Draft Strategy, League Settings & Roster

Reviewing the Settings 

Rotisserie and Head-to-Head have been the most popular single-season scoring types for a while. Doing a standard draft for a points league is recommended for first-timers, but managing an auction league isn't complicated. However, trying a salary cap league is a bit more challenging without experience. You also want to review the categories that each format has set. It can be as simple as goals, assists, and points, but adding hits, blocks and shots provides some additional variety. I personally like the simplicity and strategy that head-to-head category pools provide. That way you only have to worry about defeating one individual per week.

Fantasy Hockey Mock Draft Tips and Draft Strategy

Mock draft season is upon us, and it's a great tool to use regardless of experience. It's a very good idea to jump into as many as possible. It's excellent practice before league play begins, gives you a feel for how other managers see players, and helps you evaluate where certain players appear on the rankings that Yahoo provides. It is a superb method for finding under-the-radar value and making the most of your drafting position. I like to show up early for drafts to know where I am in the order and plan accordingly. It is highly recommended that you attend the proceedings and select your own players. Don't rely on auto-drafting because it cheapens the experience and can leave you at the mercy of the waiver wire when your league starts. However, if something comes up and you can't be there, then set a priority queue.

Building a Versatile Fantasy Hockey Roster 

Assuming an understanding of the players and their roles in the lineup is already established, you want to leverage it to create a well-balanced roster. That is where drafting for positional scarcity and multi-category coverage comes into play. There is a wealth of center depth to choose from, but there aren't nearly as many elite scoring defensemen or goaltenders available. Accounting for that, and the statistics being credited in your league settings, is important to find success. A popular method nowadays is to fade netminders until later in drafts to amass as much talent as possible. However, that may not be as beneficial in a head-to-head league if goalie statistics make up a notable chunk of the categories. Snagging skaters who are eligible for both right- and left-wing slots, or for a wing and a center spot, is a solid way to fill out a roster. However, that generally shouldn't take priority over drafting a much higher-rated player who has only one position in the earlier rounds.

Fantasy Hockey Schedule Strategy and Off Day Planning

It is a slightly more advanced tip, but checking the schedule before draft day is a great way to get more out of your roster. Determining which teams have the most off days, which are days on the schedule that typically feature fewer games, helps managers get the most out of their lineup. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday usually fall into that category. It is a great way to ensure a steady flow of points while also alleviating some of the more crowded roster decisions on busier days.

Waiver Wire Moves, Trades and Injury Management in Fantasy Hockey

Making weekly or monthly roster moves around the schedule is a common practice. Monitoring waivers throughout the year is important. It offers replacements for injured or struggling players. It can be especially helpful early in the year, just in case some late-round value pickups aren't working or a new starting goaltender emerges. Don't be afraid to shoot trade requests to other managers, but make sure you can sell them on the move because it could take some convincing. Stay on top of injuries and starting goaltender confirmations. There will be many situations during the season when teams don't finalize their lineups until minutes before the opening puck drop. Knowing about player injuries and their recovery timelines is obviously valuable once the campaign begins, but it also serves an important purpose at the draft. It could scare away some managers who don't want to take on that risk, resulting in a compelling roster option falling further than they should and becoming a solid choice to stash away for future use. 

Whether you are playing for bragging rights or cash prizes, fantasy sports are about having fun and putting together a championship-worthy lineup. Have fun!