Before the draft
1. Read your pool's scoring
Rule number one. With classic scoring, scorers dominate. With detailed scoring (shots, hits, blocked shots), a physical defenceman can be worth a first-line forward. Rank players for your scoring, not generic rankings.
2. Build lists by position and by tiers
Instead of a list of 300 names, group players into tiers (e.g. the 8 elite defencemen, the next 20…). When a tier empties, you know it's time to move on that position. Yetii's free draft kit projects more than 1,300 players for your pool's scoring and lets you build your lists. You can also start from our top 200.
3. Do a mock draft
Nothing beats practice: you learn how fast goalies go and which players are still there later. Try the mock draft room against bots.
During the draft
4. Don't take a goalie too early… or too late
Number-one goalies on good teams are scarce. If wins are worth 2 points, you need at least one solid one. But taking one in the first round often means passing on a 90-point scorer. See our goalie rankings.
5. Think about scarce positions
If your pool splits centres and wingers, or requires 6 defencemen, those positions run out fast. A good offensive defenceman in round 3 is often worth more than a 10th forward.
6. Master the snake
In a snake draft, if you pick at the turn, you get two picks back to back (end of one round, start of the next), then a long wait. Plan ahead: take the two players who won't be there at your next pick.
7. Use your queue
Queue up the 4 or 5 players you want ahead of time. If your turn comes while you're grabbing snacks, the auto-pick takes the first available player in your queue instead of someone you didn't choose.
8. Beware of injured players… and take advantage
A player out for two months often slides far too low. If you have IR space, he can become the steal of the draft for the second half.
Practise before the real draft
Yetii Pool's draft kit is free: projections for your scoring, custom lists and a PDF or Excel cheat sheet to bring to the draft.
Picking the right players
9. Look at the power play
Players on the first power-play unit pile up easy points. A defenceman who quarterbacks a good team's power play is gold (see our defencemen rankings).
10. Rookies: upside and risk
A rookie can explode or spend half the season in the AHL. In the early rounds, favour sure things; save rookie gambles for the end (see the rookies to watch).
11. Don't draft with your heart
Taking three players from your favourite team too early is the classic trap. If your pool limits players from the same NHL team, all the more reason.
After the draft
12. The draft is only the beginning
Pools are won on the market: free agents who break out in November, well-timed trades, a backup goalie who becomes the starter. Stay active all season (our waiver pickups are updated daily), and check your lineup every game day.
Frequently asked questions
When should you draft a goalie in a hockey pool?
Generally after locking in 2 or 3 elite scorers, when number-one goalies on good teams start going. With scoring that gives 2 points per win, don't let them all go by.
What is a snake draft?
A draft where the order reverses every round: whoever picks last in round 1 picks first in round 2. It's fairer than a fixed order.
What happens if I miss my pick in the draft?
With auto-pick, when the clock hits zero, the site takes the first available player in your queue, otherwise the best available player who fits your lineup. You don't lose your pick.
Where can I find player rankings for my pool?
Our top 200 is updated daily, and Yetii Pool's free draft kit projects more than 1,300 players for your scoring, with lists and a PDF or Excel cheat sheet.