Keeper Leagues

[ravens_creed]

I've never done a keeper league, but the temptation is at an all-time high, and I think I'm going to round-up the reliables and put one together for this season. Are there any suggestions out there from anyone who has done one in the past as to how to make the experience as fulfilling as possible? Should anyone who can't make the draft in person be excluded? Roster sizes? Problems that come about from the initial draft?


Would there be interest within the SCF family to start a keeper league of sorts? I suppose the commitment over the long-haul means you'd better like the folks here at SCF.



Thanks!

Paul

[HammerHawks]

If it's free I'm interested.

[CSSports]

Hey Paul
I have ran Multiple league - Keeper and non-keepers.....

Keeper Leagues
1. Have to get a group that will participate all year round and have some dedication to go year after year...
2. I have found 10-12 team leagues to be easier to keep people as the more teams you go the thinner the talent - A team of 1 elite and a bunch of 2nd-3rd liners will not keep as much interest as a team that has 2 elite and a lot of 2nd liners...if that makes sense
3. Keeping the Keepers to 3-4 will also keep from last place teams tfrom trading their better players when they know they can not win this season....Who wants to trade Toews when you have to play next season?
4. I usually like to keep it as real as the NHL....I put my rosters at 23 players (20 starting and 3 scratches) with a couple IR spots. I usually make it 4 lines (4LW, 4C, 4RW), 3 Defensive Parings and 2 goalies (both starting as most teams only play 3 times a week)
5. I ALWAYS go live draft - once you go through one, you never want to auto-draft again
6. I pick 23 players (rounds) - in the later rounds will show how your team will do in the season - We all know Ovie will get you points but when you get to the 20th round (pick #240th (in a 12 team league)...Who are you going to pick that will give you points?????? THAT's the best part - you can go for a sleeper or maybe you go for PIM only person like an Ivanans......
7. Make sure you are prepared for the draft - you get 90-120 seconds per pick when its your turn...have back-up picks in case yours is picked.....
8. I have gotten away from Yahoo since ESPN started free leagues...I have gone with ESPN for football and baseball and I used to pay for hockey leagues.....you dont get prizes for the free leagues but they are just as fun and prizes can happen on the side anyway....
9. Only problem I have experience on a live draft - make sure when you set for a keeper league that you do not set a deadline for 09 league - if you do the snake draft will not start until after the round you set your keepers (ex if you set 4 keepers, the draft will go 1-12, 1-12, 1-12, 1-12, 1-12, 12-1 - I can help you if you need it
10. Make sure everyone is in it for fun....if not - its not worth iot and you will have people lose interest.

With all that said and done - I will join if its a free league... :)

LMK if you need help setting it up...just PM me

[bidds55]

I'd be interested in joining a keeper league. shoot me a pm if you proceed.