Most valuable point pairs to target in fantasy drafts

Strategy for the first round of fantasy hockey drafts is universal: Take the best player available when it is your turn to pick. But after owners choose the cornerstone of their respective fantasy teams, it makes sense to seek out NHL teammates to link together in an effort to get the most out of your players.

Having a few tandems where each player registers a point when their respective NHL teams score a goal can go a long way in achieving fantasy dominance. The following list takes into account the average draft round (ADR) in Yahoo fantasy leagues of select point-pair leaders. Players like the Dallas Stars' Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin or new Pittsburgh Penguins teammates Sidney Crosby and Phil Kessel are being selected in the first round of drafts and are not included here.

1. Corey Perry (RW) and Ryan Getzlaf (C), Anaheim Ducks

Team goals in 2014-15: 29

ADR: Perry – 2.0, Getzlaf – 2.7

While you'd have to select Perry in the first round and then Getzlaf in the second in a 10-to-12 team league, it is worth it for this dynamic duo. The NHL leaders in 2013-14 with point contributions on 55 team goals saw a dip in production last season as Perry missed a total of 15 games because of the mumps and a knee injury. But Perry figures to be a 40-goal, 85-point threat with the potential for 70-plus penalty minutes (PIMs), 200 shots on goal (SOG), a plus-25 rating and 30 power-play points (PPP) this season. Although Getzlaf is more of a 25-goal player, he makes up for it with assists in the 60 range, around 60 PIMs and a plus-minus and SOG projection similar to Perry.

2. Daniel Sedin (LW) and Henrik Sedin (C), Vancouver Canucks

Team goals in 2014-15: 58

ADR: D. Sedin – 6.9, H. Sedin – 8.4

The Sedins were the top point pair in the NHL in six of the past nine seasons, including last season when the brothers each registered a point on 24.5 percent of the Canucks' 236 goals. The twins' facial features aren't the only thing tough to tell apart, as Daniel finished with 20 goals, 76 points and 39 PPP last season and Henrik had 18 goals, 73 points and 40 PPP. While you get double the amount of SOG with Daniel (226 last season to Henrik's 101), it is recommended to take each player in consecutive rounds. Since the Sedins aren't going too high in preseason Yahoo drafts, fantasy owners can build a well-balanced team before selecting these super Swedes.

Team goals in 2014-15: 48

ADR: Ovechkin – 1.2, Backstrom – 5.5

If an owner lucks out with the No. 1 pick, Ovechkin is the obvious choice with eligibility at both wing positions in Yahoo leagues and the ability to lead all six of the standard offensive fantasy categories. Selecting a No. 1 goalie and another top forward in the following two rounds is recommended, but owners should not let Backstrom get away since he led the League with 60 assists last season and partnered with Ovechkin as the second best point-pair in 2014-15. Although Backstrom is uncertain if he'll be available for opening night Oct. 10 against the New Jersey Devils following arthroscopic surgery on his left hip on May 27, the long-term payoff will outweigh missing a brief stretch of service at the beginning of the season.

4. Claude Giroux (C/RW) and Jacob Voracek (RW), Philadelphia Flyers

Team goals in 2014-15: 46

ADR: Giroux – 1.2, Voracek – 2.4

Possessing this pair will require spending first and second-round picks, but the return on investment should be high. Giroux can be relied upon for 25 goals, 80-plus points, 40 PPP and 240 SOG, while Voracek can chip in with similar statistics. If owners only take one of the two, then selecting defenseman Mark Streit as a counterpart in the middle rounds is recommended. Streit and Giroux were the top forward-defenseman pair with 30 team goals last season, while the combination of Streit and Voracek was third in the NHL with 25 team goals.

5. Tyler Johnson (C), Nikita Kucherov (RW) and Ondrej Palat (LW), Tampa Bay Lightning

Team goals in 2014-15: 40 (Johnson and Kucherov), 31 (Palat and Kucherov)

ADR: Johnson – 4.4, Kucherov – 4.8, Palat –11.3

The line known as "The Triplets" was one of the most exciting in the NHL last season and drafting any of these three young stars should yield great results. If owners don't want to spend two high picks on Johnson and Kucherov, then consider taking at least one of those players and adding Palat somewhere down the line. Johnson and Kucherov each have potential for 30 goals and 75-plus points, along with 200 SOG and 20 PPP, while Palat can top 50 assists, 65 points and around 15 PPP. And as long as this trio continues its torrid offensive pace, owners should expect a plus-25 rating from each player. Although Johnson broke his wrist in Game 1 of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks, Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said last week his top center is progressing fine and hopes that he is ready to go by the opening of training camp on Thursday.

6. Johnny Gaudreau (LW), Jiri Hudler (LW/RW) and Sean Monahan (C), Calgary Flames

Team goals in 2014-15: 34 (Gaudreau and Hudler), 28 (Monahan and Hudler)

ADR: Gaudreau – 7.5, Hudler – 9.1, Monahan –10.6

The offense is diverse in Calgary and roping in these three linemates can bring 30-plus goals, 70 points, 200 SOG, plus-20 ratings and 20 PPP each to fantasy teams. Based on how Gaudreau, Hudler and Monahan have been drafted in Yahoo leagues this preseason, it's possible to score these key contributors in three consecutive rounds. Bottom line is if owners can make any combination of these three happen, do not hesitate.

7. P.K. Subban (D) and Andrei Markov (D), Montreal Canadiens

Team goals in 2014-15: 23

ADR: Subban – 2.4, Markov – 11.5

Owners can rest easy with picking Subban in the second round as he was second in the NHL among defensemen last season with 45 assists and 60 points. Subban also has potential for 75-plus PIMs, plus-20 rating, 175 SOG and 20 PPP. If owners draft Subban, adding Markov by round 10 pairs up the NHL leaders in team goals among two defensemen. Markov should be good for 40 assists, 50 points, plus-20 rating and around 25 PPP.

8. Joe Pavelski (C/LW) and Joe Thornton (C), San Jose Sharks

Team goals in 2014-15: 37

ADR: Pavelski – 2.6, Thornton – 14.0

The two Joes have been the most dependable pair behind the Sedin twins recently and, based on how these Sharks have been drafted this preseason, can each easily be had by fantasy owners. With Thornton going in the middle-to-later rounds, a very deep team can be built before hooking him up with Pavelski. "Little Joe" Pavelski brings 40-goal, 75-point potential along with a plus-20 rating, 30 PPP and 275 SOG, while "Big Joe" Thornton gives owners 50 assists and 150 SOG, along with the possibility of 20 PPP.

9. Connor McDavid (C) and Taylor Hall (C/LW), Edmonton Oilers

Team goals in 2014-15: Does not apply

ADR: McDavid – 3.9, Hall – 4.9

The most highly-touted NHL prospect since Crosby, McDavid is a generational player that needs to be taken quickly in fantasy drafts. The sky is the limit with McDavid and everyone is expecting 30-plus goals, 80 points and 200-plus SOG from the rookie. If owners spend a top-three pick on McDavid, grabbing Hall in the following round is a logical choice. While Hall played 53 games last season because of separate knee and ankle injuries, he should have a bounce-back season in 2015-16. Owners should not miss the opportunity to get these two stars working together on their team.

10. Patrick Sharp (C/LW) and Jason Spezza (C), Dallas Stars

Team goals in 2014-15: Does not apply

ADR: Sharp – 8.8, Spezza – 12.8

Playing on what will likely be the strongest second line in the NHL, new teammates Sharp and Spezza should provide a great value to fantasy teams. Sharp played on a deep Blackhawks team the past nine seasons and totaled 30 or more goals four times and 25-plus goals six times. Spezza can chip in with 50 assists, 60-plus points, 25 PPP and 200-plus SOG.

JUST MISSED: Brandon Saad and Ryan Johansen (Columbus Blue Jackets), Anze Kopitar, Milan Lucic and Marian Gaborik (Los Angeles Kings), Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg (Detroit Red Wings), Andrew Ladd and Bryan Little (Winnipeg Jets).

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