Top-250 fantasy pool picks: Jeff Petry ahead of Mike Matheson

In just under two months, the 2023-2024 NHL season gets underway.

I know. I can’t wait either. It seems like summer never ends.

At this time of year, everyone is preparing in their own way for the opening of the campaign. Teams and players continue their preparations… while fans can already think about what the next line-up in their respective pools will look like.

The NHL Network has published a list of the top 250 fantasy pool players for next season… And it’s causing quite a stir, to say the least.

The list includes a total of 13 Quebecers… And the Habs have five players in the top 250. We’re talking about Cole Caufield (81st), Nick Suzuki (165th), Jeff Petry (231st), Juraj Slafkovsly (239th) and Mike Matheson, who sits at the very bottom (250) of the ranking.

For those a little less familiar with Fantasy pools, they are a little different from normal pools.

In fact, depending on the rules of each league, all player statistics are usually counted (goals, assists, +/-, checking, penalties)… And the same goes for goalkeepers (saves, shutouts, wins, etc.).

That said, it’s still special to see that only five players are in NHL Network’s top-250 for this purpose. We can think what we want… But it shows one way or another that the Habs are lagging behind the other clubs.

I would have liked to see Kirby Dach in the rankings. I’d have liked to see Nick Suzuki get a higher ranking… And I think it’s bold to put Petry’s name with Matheson’s name.

If you had to choose between the left-handed defenseman or the right-handed defenseman for one game next season, in terms of production… Which would you take?

That’s what I thought.

It’s also a bit special to see that Jonathan Drouin is ranked 249th… And (also) ahead of Mike Matheson. Basically, by letting Drouin go, it’s as if NHL Network sees that the Habs have lost one of their best players (again, in terms of overall production)…

For what it’s worth, we agree. And, as far as I’m concerned, the list bears no relation to the respective talents of each player.

For example, Aleksander Barkov is ranked 52nd, and I think we can all agree that the Panthers’ captain would be rated much higher if we were talking about a ranking based on the NHL’s best players.

That said… It’s only natural to cringe when you see the list published by NHL Network.

I told you about the Quebecers who were in the ranking. Here they are, in closing:

• Jonathan Marchessault (62nd)
• Pierre-Luc Dubois (95th)
• Marc-Andre Fleury (111th)
• Kris Letang (116th)
• Jonathan Huberdeau (124th)
• Thomas Chabot (163rd)
• Samuel Girard (202nd)
• Phillip Danault (203rd)
• David Perron (215th)
• Sammy Blais (218th)
• Anthony Beauvillier (227th)
• Alexis Lafrenière (234th)
• Jonathan Drouin (249th)

What do you think?

In gusto

– A well-deserved retirement.

All the best to Ian Walsh, who retired this month after 24 years as #NHL referee following knee replacement.

Injury prevented proper send off, but congrats are in order after 1,324 games. Not bad for a kid who began reffing to pay his field hockey bill. You made Philly proud, #29. 👏 pic.twitter.com/4kalMGomzv

– Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) August 15, 2023

– All the better.

– The Hurricanes are in Carolina to stay.

– Speaking of the Hurricanes. Don Waddell has no plans to add another forward to his roster.

– It should be a good show.