Fantasy Hockey Mock Draft: Expert Strategies & Matthew Tkachuk’s Draft Position

This article presents the inaugural four-team mock draft for ESPN Fantasy Hockey. Due to the increasing popularity of four-team leagues, experts were tasked with developing strategies and building their rosters. A central discussion point was the optimal time to draft the injured Matthew Tkachuk. The Florida Panthers star is sidelined with a groin injury until at least December, though he was previously a top-10 ranked player. In leagues with available IR (Injured Reserve) spots, Tkachuk could be stashed, freeing up a roster spot until his return.

The draft participants (in order of first-round selection) were Victoria Matiash, Pierre Becquey, Sachin Dave Chandan, and Sean Allen. Scoring adhered to the ESPN standard H2H points system. Below, you`ll find expert commentary and a round-by-round breakdown of the draft.

Expert Commentary

Round-by-Round Draft Results

Round 1

1. Nathan MacKinnon Col, C — Matiash
2. Auston Matthews Tor, C — Becquey
3. Connor McDavid Edm, C — Chandan
4. Cale Makar Col, D — Allen

Round 2

1. Leon Draisaitl Edm, C — Allen
2. Connor Hellebuyck Wpg, G — Chandan
3. Jake Oettinger Dal, G — Becquey
4. David Pastrnak Bos, RW — Matiash

Round 3

1. Nikita Kucherov TB, RW — Matiash
2. Andrei Vasilevskiy TB, G — Becquey
3. Brady Tkachuk Ott, LW — Chandan
4. Kirill Kaprizov Min, LW — Allen

Round 4

1. Macklin Celebrini SJ, C — Allen
2. Artemi Panarin NYR, LW — Chandan
3. Filip Forsberg Nsh, LW — Becquey
4. William Nylander Tor, RW — Matiash

Round 5

1. Kyle Connor Wpg, LW — Matiash
2. Mikko Rantanen Dal, RW — Becquey
3. Jack Hughes NJ, C — Chandan
4. Jack Eichel VGK, C — Allen

Round 6

1. Sam Reinhart Fla, RW — Allen
2. Igor Shesterkin NYR, G — Chandan
3. MacKenzie Weegar Cgy, D — Becquey
4. Roman Josi Nsh, D — Matiash

Round 7

1. Kirill Marchenko CBJ, LW — Matiash
2. J.T. Miller NYR, C — Becquey
3. Alex Ovechkin Wsh, LW — Chandan
4. Rasmus Dahlin Buf, D — Allen

Round 8

1. Zach Werenski CBJ, D — Allen
2. Cole Caufield Mon, LW — Chandan
3. Sergei Bobrovsky Fla, G — Becquey
4. Filip Gustavsson Min, G — Matiash

Round 9

1. Brayden Point TB, C — Matiash
2. Moritz Seider Det, D — Becquey
3. Jake Guentzel TB, LW — Chandan
4. Tim Stutzle Ott, C — Allen

Round 10

1. Sidney Crosby Pit, C — Allen
2. Jason Robertson Dal, LW — Chandan
3. Victor Hedman TB, D — Becquey
4. Quinn Hughes Van, D — Matiash

Round 11

1. Evan Bouchard Edm, D — Matiash
2. Elias Pettersson Van, C — Becquey
3. Tage Thompson Buf, C — Chandan
4. Mitch Marner VGK, RW — Allen

Round 12

1. Dylan Guenther UTA, RW — Allen
2. John Tavares Tor, C — Chandan
3. Matt Boldy Min, LW — Becquey
4. Adin Hill VGK, G — Matiash

Round 13

1. Clayton Keller UTA, LW — Matiash
2. Matthew Tkachuk Fla, RW — Becquey
3. Jesper Bratt NJ, RW — Chandan
4. Jake Sanderson Ott, D — Allen

Round 14

1. Adam Fox NYR, D — Allen
2. Adrian Kempe LA, RW — Chandan
3. Steven Stamkos Nsh, C — Becquey
4. Josh Morrissey Wpg, D — Matiash

Round 15

1. Mark Scheifele Wpg, C — Matiash
2. Dustin Wolf Cgy, G — Becquey
3. John Carlson Wsh, D — Chandan
4. Wyatt Johnston Dal, C — Allen

Round 16

1. Thomas Harley Dal, D — Allen
2. Brandon Hagel TB, LW — Chandan
3. Vincent Trocheck NYR, C — Becquey
4. Darcy Kuemper LA, G — Matiash

Round 17

1. Dylan Larkin Det, C — Matiash
2. Nick Suzuki Mon, C — Becquey
3. Jackson LaCombe Ana, D — Chandan
4. Dylan Holloway StL, C — Allen

Round 18

1. Connor Bedard Chi, C — Allen
2. Nazem Kadri Cgy, C — Chandan
3. Mikhail Sergachev UTA, D — Becquey
4. Martin Necas Col, RW — Matiash

Round 19

1. Rasmus Andersson Cgy, D — Matiash
2. Mike Matheson Mon, D — Becquey
3. Noah Dobson Mon, D — Chandan
4. Aleksander Barkov Fla, C — Allen

Round 20

1. Mackenzie Blackwood Col, G — Allen
2. Charlie McAvoy Bos, D — Chandan
3. Seth Jarvis Car, RW — Becquey
4. Brock Faber Min, D — Matiash

Round 21

1. Mika Zibanejad NYR, C — Matiash
2. Sebastian Aho Car, C — Becquey
3. Erik Karlsson Pit, D — Chandan
4. Frederik Andersen Car, G — Allen

Round 22

1. Jacob Markstrom NJ, G — Allen
2. Anthony Stolarz Tor, G — Chandan
3. Kris Letang Pit, D — Becquey
4. Ilya Sorokin NYI, G — Matiash

Team Rosters