I'm sure Dobber will cover this in one of his articles, but with the latest negotiation talks talking about a shortened 56 game schedule, does it change your drafting techniques?

There are guys that typically start out hot out of the gate, and then there are those that are habitual second halfers. What super stars (typically drafted in the top 2-3 rounds) are you going to stay away from, and what guys are going to move up your draft board with a 56 game season?

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Yes go after fast starters, stay away from guys like Iginla or Patrick Kane.

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Looking at it from a different perspective, given this is not the usual preparation for a season, I wonder if looking at hot/cold starters of the past will be as relevant. You have players just waiting/practicing, playing in the AHL/KHL etc and this is different than other seasons. Personally I won't be looking into old trends as they may not have as much of an effect, if at all.

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Getz has been a slow starter as well, but I'm with Horrorfan, I'm not sure it'll be as relevant. Depends on the level of preparation each player has been a part of.

I'd be more interested in guys that can carry-over chemistry from their current situations.
For example, Edmonton's PP is basically already playing together in OKC. That's gotta help.

I'd also think youngsters and hopeful rookies are less likely to earn a spot with a short training camp -- coaches might be more likely to go with that they know.

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Goal: Luongo, Holtby

not only players but teams.
toronto usually has a good start before the wheels come off. could they make the playoffs?
some pools count playoffs so you could look to fast/slow starting teams as well.

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My thoughts:

1. I agree past trends of fast/slow will be less important. What's more important to me is what players have been doing during the long offseason.
1. Roto v. Head-2-Head. In roto I'd prefer guys playing in Europe or the AHL. They are in game shape and will miss fewer steps in the first month. However in Head-2-Head (where fantasy playoffs are key) I think fresh guys have an edge. During the fantasy playoffs these guys will be on games 45-56 whereas guys who played in Europe will be on games 75+.
2. Rookies (and young guns). Most of these guys are playing in the AHL (and a few overseas). I'd expect a big fall-off for such players in the second half, especially rookies coming from 40-50 game seasons last year. For example, Justin Schultz is coming off a 45 game season. If the NHL starts he'll likely play 80+ games between AHL and NHL, combine that almost twice as long season with the fact half the league will be fresher than him and I can see a big fall-off down the stretch for guys like Schultz, including increased likelihood of nagging injuries.
3. Off-Season Surgery. Obviously their stock rises. Quick, Kesler, Gaborik were all supposed to be out to start the season, if you're using rankings based on an 82 game schedule these guys get a huge bump (especialy Kesler and Gaborik)
4. Deep Playoff Runs. Usually Stanley Cup hangovers lead to slow starts, with the lengthy layoff I don't see that in itself being a factor this season.
5. Band-Aid Boys. Higher risk higher reward in my opinion. If the season is more games per night anyone with any nagging injuries is more likely to re-injure or play through the nagging, hurting production. However those guys who just can't seem to make 82 games ever may be able to make 60 games

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