Preparing fog last season’s point totals and picking the biggest names. Player value can change quickly when a star joins a new team, a young forward earns first-unit power-play time, or a starting goalie suddenly finds himself in a timeshare.
The latest fantasy hockey rankings for the upcoming season are built for the 2026–27 campaign. They consider recent production, projected line combinations, power-play usage, injury risk, team strength, positional scarcity and each player’s ability to contribute across multiple categories.
League settings still matter. A pure goal scorer may be a premium option in a points-only league but less valuable in a head-to-head category league that also counts hits, blocks and faceoff wins. Before following any draft board, check exactly how your league awards points.
Fantasy Hockey Rankings for the Upcoming Season
Connor McDavid remains the safest choice at the top of the board. His combination of elite scoring, power-play production and week-winning upside keeps him ahead of every other forward. Nathan MacKinnon and Nikita Kucherov follow closely, while Macklin Celebrini’s rise into the top tier shows how quickly the fantasy landscape is changing.
These rankings are designed primarily for standard leagues that count goals, assists, power-play points, shots on goal, hits and blocks for skaters. Goalie value is based on categories such as wins, goals-against average, save percentage and shutouts. The latest NHL fantasy board also factors in recent playoff performance, anticipated line roles, injury history and expected workload. erall Fantasy Hockey Players
- Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers
McDavid remains the player to select first in most formats. He provides an unmatched scoring ceiling and should continue to drive one of the league’s most dangerous power plays. - Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche
MacKinnon offers elite points, heavy shot volume and dependable offensive involvement. He is an excellent alternative for managers who prefer a high-volume shooter at the top of the draft. - Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning
Few players control an offense as consistently as Kucherov. His playmaking and power-play production make him especially valuable in leagues that reward assists heavily. - Macklin Celebrini, C, San Jose Sharks
Celebrini has already moved into first-round territory. His growing role, age and long-term ceiling also make him one of the most valuable names in fantasy hockey dynasty rankings. - Leon Draisaitl, C/LW, Edmonton Oilers
Draisaitl remains an elite goal scorer with strong power-play value. Multi-position eligibility would make him even more useful on platforms that list him at both center and wing. - David Pastrnak, RW, Boston Bruins
Pastrnak is one of the best options for goals and shots. He carries a stable offensive role and can anchor a fantasy roster even when Boston’s lineup changes around him. - Kirill Kaprizov, LW, Minnesota Wild
Kaprizov brings high-end scoring and strong shot production. Health is the main concern, but his per-game upside keeps him in the first-round discussion. - Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche
Makar’s value goes beyond his point totals. Drafting him gives managers an elite offensive contributor at a position where comparable production is difficult to find later. - Jason Robertson, LW, Dallas Stars
Robertson enters the season with a secure place among the top fantasy forwards. His scoring touch and role in Dallas make him a dependable early-round target. - Matt Boldy, LW/RW, Minnesota Wild
Boldy’s rise reflects his expanding offensive role and all-around production. He can contribute goals, shots and power-play points without forcing managers to sacrifice wing depth.
This order follows the top 10 of the NHL’s latest 2026–27 fantasy hockey rankings, published on July 21, 2026. Zach Werenski, Quinn Hughes, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Martin Necas and Nick Suzuki are among the players positioned just outside this group. anked Just Outside the Top 10
Zach Werenski and Quinn Hughes deserve serious attention because elite defensemen can disappear quickly. Werenski sits ahead of Hughes in the current overall rankings, while Hughes begins a new chapter with Minnesota.
Andrei Vasilevskiy is the first goalie on the overall board. Managers who prefer securing a dependable starter early may consider him near the second-round turn, although goalie volatility makes this a league-specific decision.
Auston Matthews is another interesting case. His goal-scoring ceiling remains enormous, but he currently sits behind several younger and more balanced forwards in the overall rankings. That could make him a value selection when other managers rely too heavily on last season’s final totals or early average draft position.
Fantasy Hockey Rankings by Position
Overall rankings tell you which players carry the most value, but fantasy hockey rankings by position help you build a balanced roster.
Center is usually deeper than defense, while dependable starting goalies can become scarce once the first few tiers are gone. Managers who draft only the highest-ranked player available may end up with several centers and no reliable defensemen or goalies.
Fantasy Hockey Forward Rankings
The leading fantasy hockey forward rankings begin with McDavid, MacKinnon, Kucherov, Celebrini and Draisaitl. Pastrnak, Kaprizov, Robertson, Boldy and Martin Necas complete the current top 10 at the position. ld divide forwards into smaller groups instead of treating every player as an isolated number.
Elite franchise forwards
- Connor McDavid
- Nathan MacKinnon
- Nikita Kucherov
- Macklin Celebrini
- Leon Draisaitl
These players can carry an offense and deserve consideration with the first few selections.
High-end goal scorers
- David Pastrnak
- Auston Matthews
- Cole Caufield
- Kyle Connor
- Tage Thompson
Goal scorers become particularly valuable in formats that give extra weight to goals, shots or power-play production.
Multi-category forwards
- Brady Tkachuk
- Matthew Tkachuk
- Tom Wilson
- Timo Meier
- Sam Bennett
Brady Tkachuk is especially valuable in banger leagues. Despite playing only 60 games last season, he remained productive across standard categories. Over the previous five seasons combined, he was the only NHL player to record at least 300 points, 1,000 shots and 800 hits. His move to Florida places him alongside Matthew Tkachuk and potentially on a loaded first power-play unit. ockey Defenseman Rankings
The top of the fantasy hockey defenseman rankings is loaded with players who function like elite forwards while filling a much thinner roster position.
The leading group includes:
- Cale Makar
- Zach Werenski
- Quinn Hughes
- Evan Bouchard
- Lane Hutson
- Rasmus Dahlin
- Matthew Schaefer
- Darren Raddysh
- Jake Sanderson
- Jakob Chychrun
These rankings consider goals, assists, power-play points, shots, hits and blocks, along with expected pairings and special-teams roles. clear first choice because he provides elite offensive production from the blue line. Werenski and Hughes belong in the same premium tier, while Bouchard remains closely tied to Edmonton’s high-powered offense.
Lane Hutson and Matthew Schaefer offer exciting upside for managers who are comfortable investing in younger defensemen. Rasmus Dahlin and Moritz Seider may be particularly appealing in formats where physical categories matter.
Managers searching for undervalued defensemen in fantasy hockey rankings should monitor Bowen Byram, Brandt Clarke, Thomas Harley and Luke Hughes. Their value could jump with a stronger power-play role or increased ice time.
In fantasy hockey rankings with hits and blocks, names such as Seider, MacKenzie Weegar, Jacob Trouba and Darnell Nurse can move higher than they appear in standard points-based rankings.
Fantasy Hockey Goalie Rankings
Goalies require a different approach. A talented goalie on a weak team may post a respectable save percentage but struggle to collect wins. A less dominant individual player can become a strong fantasy option when supported by a deep, defensively responsible roster.
The current top 10 fantasy hockey goalies are:
- Andrei Vasilevskiy
- Logan Thompson
- Connor Hellebuyck
- Ilya Sorokin
- Jake Oettinger
- Igor Shesterkin
- Scott Wedgewood
- Jesper Wallstedt
- Jeremy Swayman
- Jacob Markstrom
Start volume, team support, injury history and competition from backup goalies all influence this order. its at the top because he combines a strong team environment with a proven ability to handle a major workload. Hellebuyck, Sorokin, Oettinger and Shesterkin remain dependable targets, but managers should avoid selecting a goalie simply because of name recognition.
Sergei Bobrovsky is a fascinating mid-tier option after signing with Toronto. He is currently ranked 15th among goalies, reflecting both the upside of his new environment and the possibility of sharing starts with Anthony Stolarz. ockey Rankings for Backup Goalies
Backup goalies become more important in deep leagues and formats with weekly start requirements. The best late-round options are not necessarily traditional backups. They are goalies in tandems who could gradually take over the larger share of starts.
Useful targets include:
- Young goalies playing behind an inconsistent veteran
- Tandem goalies on strong defensive teams
- Backups behind injury-prone starters
- Prospects who could earn a promotion during the season
- Goalies likely to receive 30 or more appearances
Yaroslav Askarov, Arturs Silovs, Dustin Wolf and Frederik Andersen sit outside the official top 25 but remain worth monitoring. Their paths to playing time are different, yet each carries enough upside to become useful when matchups or injuries create an opening. ckey Rookie Rankings
Rookies are tempting because their ceilings are unknown, but opportunity matters as much as talent. A gifted prospect playing limited third-line minutes may not help a redraft roster, while a less celebrated rookie receiving top-six and power-play minutes can become an immediate contributor.
The leading fantasy hockey rookie rankings for 2026–27 are:
- Porter Martone, Philadelphia Flyers
- Gavin McKenna, Toronto Maple Leafs
- Anton Frondell, Chicago Blackhawks
- Cole Hutson, Washington Capitals
- Ivar Stenberg, San Jose Sharks
- Konsta Helenius, Buffalo Sabres
- James Hagens, Boston Bruins
- Ilya Protas, Washington Capitals
- Jacob Fowler, Montreal Canadiens
- Victor Eklund, New York Islanders cKenna have the clearest standard-league appeal based on their early overall rankings. Cole Hutson is also worth watching because an offensive defenseman with meaningful power-play access can quickly become more valuable than a similarly productive rookie forward.
Carter Yakemchuk, David Reinbacher, Sebastian Cossa and Sergei Murashov are among the high-upside rookies missing from most fantasy hockey rankings. They may not need to be drafted in shallow leagues, but they belong on early-season watchlists.
Fantasy Hockey Dynasty Rankings and Keeper League Value
Redraft rankings focus on the next several months. Fantasy hockey dynasty rankings look several years ahead.
Macklin Celebrini currently leads the NHL’s keeper and dynasty board, followed by Connor Bedard, Matthew Schaefer, Lane Hutson and Wyatt Johnston. Jack Hughes, Leo Carlsson, Cole Caufield, Matt Boldy and Cutter Gauthier complete the top 10. lacement makes sense because he already carries elite redraft value while still offering room for long-term growth. Bedard remains a premium dynasty asset despite his current injury designation. Young defensemen such as Schaefer and Hutson are especially valuable because top-tier fantasy production at their position is difficult to replace.
Managers should not assume every young player is automatically a better keeper than a productive veteran. League rules matter. In formats where players can be kept for only two or three years, established stars may still offer more useful value than prospects who need time to develop.
Strong keeper targets include:
- Wyatt Johnston
- Jack Hughes
- Leo Carlsson
- Cole Caufield
- Matt Boldy
- Cutter Gauthier
- Ivan Demidov
- Dylan Guenther
- Jesper Wallstedt
- Jake Sanderson
Fantasy Hockey Rankings for Different League Formats
A ranking list should change when the scoring system changes. Copying standard rankings into every draft room is one of the easiest ways to miss value.
Fantasy Hockey Rankings for Head-to-Head Categories
In head-to-head categories, balance matters. A player who scores 85 points but contributes little in shots, hits or blocks may be less valuable than a 70-point forward who helps in five or six categories.
Prioritize players who contribute in:
- Goals
- Assists
- Power-play points
- Shots on goal
- Hits
- Blocks
- Penalty minutes
- Faceoff wins
Brady Tkachuk, Matthew Tkachuk, Tom Wilson and Moritz Seider often receive a boost in these formats because their value is not tied to scoring alone.
Fantasy Hockey Rankings for Points-Only Leagues
In points-only leagues, physical categories are irrelevant unless the scoring system specifically rewards them. Kucherov, McDavid, MacKinnon and Draisaitl remain premium selections because of their ability to generate goals and assists.
Offensive defensemen also become more attractive. Makar, Hughes, Werenski, Bouchard and Hutson can give managers forward-like scoring from a defense slot.
Fantasy Hockey Rankings for Rotisserie Leagues
Rotisserie leagues reward season-long consistency. Falling too far behind in shots, goals or goalie appearances can be difficult to repair later.
Managers should avoid building a roster filled with one-dimensional playmakers. Mixing assist-heavy players with goal scorers, shot generators and physical contributors creates a more stable category profile.
Fantasy Hockey Rankings for Banger Leagues
In banger leagues, hits, blocks and penalty minutes can dramatically change the board. Brady Tkachuk can become a first-round cornerstone, while players such as Wilson, Bennett, Trouba, Nurse and Seider move ahead of less physical players with similar point projections.
Fantasy Hockey Rankings for Deep Leagues
Deep leagues are won outside the obvious top 100. Third-line scorers, second-unit power-play players, category specialists and backup goalies all become relevant.
This is where managers should look at players such as:
- Pavel Dorofeyev
- Jimmy Snuggerud
- Beckett Sennecke
- Logan Stankoven
- Bowen Byram
- Brandt Clarke
- Jet Greaves
- Yaroslav Askarov
Fantasy Hockey Rankings: Sleepers, Breakouts and Busts
The most useful rankings do more than identify stars. They help managers find players whose draft cost does not match their potential.
Fantasy Hockey Sleepers
A fantasy hockey sleeper usually has a realistic path to better linemates, more ice time or a stronger power-play role.
Potential sleeper profiles include:
- A young forward moving into the top six
- A defenseman taking over the first power play
- A tandem goalie capable of winning the starting job
- A veteran joining a deeper offensive team
- A player returning after an injury-disrupted season
Darren Raddysh is a name to watch after moving to Toronto. He is ranked eighth among fantasy defensemen, suggesting his new role could be much larger than casual managers expect. John Carlson also carries interesting value with Tampa Bay after Darren Raddysh’s departure created an opening on the first power-play unit. ockey Breakout Candidates
Celebrini has already broken into the elite tier, but several younger players could make another major jump. Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson, Will Smith, Adam Fantilli, Ivan Demidov and Beckett Sennecke all have the talent to outperform their draft positions.
Jesper Wallstedt is another breakout candidate. He is ranked eighth among goalies and 19th in keeper and dynasty formats, showing how highly his immediate and long-term opportunity is viewed. anked Too High in Fantasy Hockey Drafts
A recognizable name can become overpriced when managers ignore recent injuries, reduced ice time or changes in power-play usage.
Be careful with players who have:
- Declining shot totals
- An uncertain top-six role
- Competition for first-unit power-play minutes
- A long injury history
- An unusually high shooting percentage from the previous season
- A goalie partner capable of taking significant starts
These players are not always bad selections. The problem is drafting them at a price that leaves no room for risk.
Players Ranked Too Low in Fantasy Hockey Drafts
Players returning from injury are often discounted too heavily. The same is true for veterans who remain productive but no longer generate preseason excitement.
Multi-position players, physical forwards and defensemen with stable power-play roles can all outperform their average draft position without producing a career-best scoring season.
Fantasy Hockey Rankings vs. Average Draft Position
Fantasy hockey rankings vs. average draft position is one of the most useful comparisons a manager can make.
Rankings estimate what a player is worth. Average draft position shows where that player is actually being selected. The gap between the two can reveal both value picks and overpriced targets.
Use ADP to judge timing rather than talent. When a player ranked 45th is regularly available around pick 70, you may not need to draft him in the fifth round. At the same time, waiting too long for every value target can leave you with none of them.
A practical approach is to:
- Group players into tiers
- Compare each tier with current ADP
- Reach slightly when a player fills a scarce position
- Avoid reaching several rounds for a replaceable center
- Update the board when injuries or line changes occur
Fantasy Hockey Rankings for Late-Round Targets
Late-round selections should have a reason to become more valuable. Drafting a safe player with a low ceiling may feel comfortable, but that player is often replaceable on waivers.
Better late-round targets include young forwards who could earn top-six minutes, defensemen waiting for power-play opportunities and goalies in unsettled tandems.
Players currently outside the top sections of the rankings but worth monitoring include Matvei Michkov, Frank Nazar, Matt Savoie, Zayne Parekh, Luke Hughes, Yaroslav Askarov and Dustin Wolf. Their value will depend heavily on training camp roles and early-season usage. n eligibility also matters late in drafts. A player who can be used at center and wing makes it easier to manage injuries, off nights and crowded weekly schedules.
Fantasy Hockey Auction Value Rankings
Auction drafts reward patience and flexibility. Managers who spend heavily on two or three superstars need to be comfortable finding value throughout the rest of the room.
McDavid, MacKinnon and Kucherov are worth aggressive bids because their production is difficult to replace. Makar may also justify a premium because he gives managers an advantage at defense.
Goalies require more caution. Paying top dollar for one starter can work, but the position carries more volatility than elite forward or defense. A balanced pairing from the middle tiers may provide better value than one expensive goalie and an unreliable backup.
Keep part of the budget available for:
- Mid-draft players overlooked by the room
- Young forwards with growing roles
- Category specialists
- Second-tier defensemen
- Tandem goalies
- One-dollar upside selections
How Injuries and Offseason Moves Affect Fantasy Hockey Rankings
Rankings published in July or August should never be treated as permanent. Injuries, preseason lines and roster decisions can move a player several rounds before opening night.
Connor Bedard currently carries an injury designation in the overall and dynasty rankings. Seth Jarvis, Kevin Fiala, Troy Terry and Owen Tippett are also listed among key forward injuries, while Filip Gustavsson appears as a notable goalie injury. ement has already changed several player outlooks. Brady Tkachuk is now in Florida, Bobrovsky is in Toronto, John Carlson is in Tampa Bay and Quinn Hughes is listed with Minnesota. These moves affect linemates, power-play roles, team support and category value. ers should track:
- Top-line promotions
- First power-play assignments
- Changes in defensive pairings
- Goalie start distribution
- Recovery timelines
- Preseason chemistry
- Position eligibility updates
How to Use These Fantasy Hockey Rankings on Draft Day
A rankings list should guide decisions, not make every decision for you.
Start by placing players into tiers. When five similar forwards remain available, there is no need to force a selection. You can draft a scarce defenseman or goalie and return to that forward tier in the next round.
Build a roster with both stability and upside. Early selections should usually have secure roles and dependable production. Later rounds are the place to chase rookies, breakout candidates and uncertain goalies.
Before the draft begins, confirm:
- Which categories your league uses
- How many players start at each position
- Whether lineups change daily or weekly
- The minimum number of goalie starts
- Whether there is a maximum games-played limit
- How your fantasy playoffs are scheduled
- Which players have multi-position eligibility
- Whether keepers affect the available player pool
Continue updating the rankings through training camp. A second-unit forward can become a strong fantasy hockey sleeper after one injury, while a highly ranked goalie can lose value when his team announces a true 50-50 rotation. The best draft board is not the one created earliest. It is the one that reflects the roles players are most likely to have when the season begins.