Predicting the first round of next year's NHL fantasy draft in banger leagues

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Banger Leagues | Standard Leagues

Here is a glimpse at what the first round of 2017 fantasy hockey drafts will look like in leagues with the following categories:

The addition of hits and blocks has a larger affect on player value than you might think.

1. D Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks

Burns provides elite forward-like production from the back end. He'll put up nearly a point per game and be among the league leaders in shots on goal. On top of this, he blocks plenty of shots and isn't afraid to throw his weight around from time-to-time.

2. LW Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

Even though Ovechkin's 2016-17 season has been sub-par by his standards, he deserves to go before Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid. He and Burns will be 1-2 in shots on goal. In addition to his annual 50-goal potential, the Great Eight is a lock for 200 hits, providing substantial value. Furthermore, the center position is much deeper than either wing.

3. C Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

Crosby's goal-scoring outbreak has been fantastic for his fantasy value, as assists are much easier to obtain. In spite of how great Crosby was in his teens and early twenties, he is in the prime of his career right now and Pittsburgh has a great supporting cast behind him. He is also good for roughly one hit per game.

4. D Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators

Karlsson will put up similar production to Burns, only with fewer goals and more assists. Senators head coach Guy Boucher puts a precedent on shot blocking, so Karlsson's league leading 199 aren't a fluke. A point-per-game D with secondary category contributions is more valuable than McDavid, even though he's in line to win the Art Ross Trophy.

5. C Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers

Alas, McDavid goes off the board. Though he leads the NHL in points, the vast majority of them are assists. This wouldn't be a knock on him if we were talking about reality, but in fantasy, goal-scoring comes at a premium. He doesn't make up for this with hits, blocks or PIMs either. Pick five is just about as low as he should ever go, though.

6. G Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals

The Capitals have four key pending free agents this coming offseason: RW T.J. Oshie, D Kevin Shattenkirk, RW Justin Williams and D Karl Alzner. Alzner, a sturdy shutdown defenseman, would be the biggest blow to Holtby's value. Nonetheless, Washington should still be one of the league's top teams and Holtby will remain the best fantasy goaltender.

7. C/RW Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks

Pavelski is one of the most underrated players in the game. He is on pace for his fourth straight 70-point season. He can rack up 150 hits, block an absurd amount of shots for a forward and has dual-position eligibility. Linemate C Joe Thornton is a pending UFA, but don't expect him to leave San Jose.

8. G Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets

Heading into 2016-17 the knock on Bobrovsky was "he's a great goalie, but plays for a bad team." Well guess what? The Blue Jackets are a powerhouse and with all of their youth - specifically on the back end - it won't be changing anytime soon.

9. G Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens

Price hasn't played like the 2014-15 Hart Trophy winner but by my estimation, he is still the best goaltender on the planet. While the Habs have some holes, a full season under the tutelage of head coach Claude Julien will lead to stronger defensive play from the entire team, therefore improving Price's fantasy outlook.

10. RW Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks

Kane will offer minuscule production in secondary categories, but his scoring makes up for it. He's a perennial Art Ross candidate and a high-volume shooter from the wing.

Just missed the cut: Penguins C Evgeni Malkin, Tampa Bay Lightning RW Nikita Kucherov, Dallas Stars LW Jamie Benn, Boston Bruins LW Brad Marchand, Winnipeg Jets RW Patrik Laine

(Photos courtesy Action Images)