.There are tons of way to build your team through the draft, but ideally you want a to be contender from day 1, but also have a bright longterm future. Ofc this is obvious for all, but the only way to secure that future and present at the same time is good asset management. Players like Gagne, Hejduk and Ohlund etc are elite players, that are signed up long term at very reasonable prices compared to just how good they are. Important thing here is that they are in their prime the entire contract, so you are not getting stuck with some over the hill waste in the last year of the contract, which can be very frustrating.
Young players ofc are good picks as well due to the rfa status and generally low contracts, at least as long as it lasts. Those players would be Pitkanen, Lundqvist, Phaneuf etc. Stay away from players like Drury who is ufa to be, just go after him in the offseason instead, he always becomes an ufa, so not worth that very early pick you would have to spend.
Building from the net out is the way I play, so taking the first over all pick and getting lets say Crosby might be a hot idea, but with snaking draft order, the next pick you have is at 60. By that time most if not all of the elite goaltenders are gone, so that spells trouble, since it is alot easier to upgrade scoring/defense then goaltending.
Ofc all this depends on personal preferences and Crosby is godlike in this game and have 6 years untill ufa status, so arguably worth it. Ofc be aware of the cap at all times, but with solid selection of players that shouldnt be a problem really.
Sure most of you know all of the above and it is pretty basic anyway, however on to the tips part.
In any draft there will be late round gems and steals, but knowing how long you can wait to pick a certain player is something you only learn through practice, but is ofc connected with commen sense.
The computer has a hard on for certain players, lots of them are valid choices, but they are alot of strange picks as well.
The only thing certain is that Crosby and Oveckin is gone in the top 5 every time, but ill list some of the players that are normally left after 10+ rounds and are very good considering draft position/wage etc and feel free to fill in everybody sure I missed alot myself.
Huselius: 2 years at 1.4 mill is a bargain, he has been at least a ppg player for me so far.
Kotalik: 3 years at 2 mill, exellent player for this price.
Tallinder: 4 Years at 1.6, absolut steal at this price
Nylander: 2 years at 2.3, despite his age of 33 he is very good player and can really help you in the first 2 seasons.
Montoya: 2 at less then 1 mill, 21 years old and very promising goaltender, certainly worth it past round 12 imo.
And lots more but those I normally target in the 10-11+ rounds, looking forward to seeing your picks
.