We spend so much of our time leading up to a fantasy draft analyzing who we should take in the first few rounds, and rightfully so. Those first few picks are going to be the core of your team and who you really rely on week in and week out throughout the season.
That said, it’s often the later-round picks that can give you the biggest advantage over your competition. The majority of players taken in the last few rounds will end up on waivers, so if you land one that’s really productive, it gives you a big edge.
Take someone like Frank Vatrano for example, who was on average the 278th player taken in drafts last year and likely wasn’t even drafted in a lot of leagues. Vatrano ended up finishing with 37 goals, 272 shots, 156 hits and 85 penalty minutes. That’s incredible value from someone who was virtually a fantasy afterthought heading into the campaign.
Late picks aren’t always exciting, but they can be just as important to your overall success. Hopefully, you can find a gem and this year’s Frank Vatrano to help support your squad.
Before we get to the players on our list, here are a few things to keep in mind when viewing the rankings:
• These rankings are based on one-year, head-to-head leagues and not keepers.
• Categories for skaters are goals, assists, shots on goal, power-play points, hits, blocks and penalty minutes.
• For goalies it’s wins, save percentage, goals against, and shutouts.
• Past production, line combinations, durability, positional value and projections are used to formulate the rankings.
Here are the top 250 fantasy player rankings for the 2024-25 season:
1. Connor McDavid, EDM, C: Last year marked the first time since 2020 that McDavid didn’t win the Art Ross Trophy, though he followed it up with a playoff performance for the ages. Don’t overthink this one.
2. Nathan MacKinnon, COL, C: Fresh off a Hart Trophy and narrowly missing out an Art Ross, MacKinnon has now topped 110 points in back-to-back seasons. He also had more than 400 shots in 2023-24, which was more than anyone else had in the league. MacKinnon should be a no-brainer No. 2 pick.
3. Nikita Kucherov, TBL, RW: A career-high 144 points should leave no doubt that Kucherov is still an elite player at age 31. He has also missed just one game in the past two seasons, putting injury concerns behind him that pushed Kucherov down draft boards a bit in recent years.
4. Leon Draisaitl, EDM, C: Sounds weird to say, but Draisaitl may end up as somewhat of a value pick in drafts. He’s coming off a down year by his standards in points, power-play points and shots, which could even push him out of the top five in some leagues. He could easily go as high as No. 2 and will be a steal anywhere beyond that.
5. Auston Matthews, TOR, C: He won’t put up the point totals like some others in the top 10, but Matthews is a scoring machine. In leagues that value goals more heavily, you could argue Matthews may even be a top-three pick, as it seems 60 goals is the floor for him right now.
6. David Pastrnak, BOS, RW: Pastrnak has averaged more than 50 goals, 110 points and nearly 400 shots over the past two seasons. He’s a very safe pick who is coming off a great year playing without an elite centre. We can debate how much Elias Lindholm will bring to the table, but I think it’s fair to say he’s an upgrade over who Pastrnak played with in 2023-24.
7. Mikko Rantanen, COL, RW: Rantanen had career highs in hits and PIMs two years ago, giving some hope he could become more of a multi-cat weapon, though those numbers unfortunately returned to normal last season. Still, he can give you around 50 goals and over 100 points easily and has a very high floor.
8. Artemi Panarin, NYR, LW: In almost any other season, Panarin could’ve been a serious Hart candidate after a career campaign in a number of categories. The addition of Vincent Trocheck has done wonders for his game and even if his numbers slip a little, Panarin should still be a 90-plus point player all day.
9. JT Miller, VAN, C: Miller is rapidly becoming a multi-cat stud. Players who can reach 100 points and tally more than 200 hits are very hard to find and the only thing he’s really lacking is shots. If Miller could get his shot totals to around the 250-plus mark, he could one day be a top-five pick.
10. Cale Makar, COL, D: There’s a good chance Makar will hit 100 points one day as a defenceman, making him extremely valuable because of his position. He’s in the top tier of defenders and also has great value for blocked shots. If you can get elite forward offensive production from a defenceman, that can give you a big edge over your competition.
11. Kirill Kaprizov, MIN, LW: The Wild forward group isn’t necessarily what you would describe as loaded with talent, yet Kaprizov continues to produce year after year. He should comfortably get over 90 points and around 275 shots, making Kaprizov a great value pick if you’re selecting outside the top 10.
12. Quinn Hughes, VAN, D: Hughes exceeding 90 points was what everyone raved about in 2023-24, but the increase in shots might be more notable. He improved his totals by almost 50 shots, going from roughly the 150 range to nearly 200. If Hughes can give you that shot volume with around 90 points, it’s easy to overlook his lack of hits and blocks.
13. Jack Hughes, NJD, C: Hughes was on pace for nearly 100 points and 362 shots before injuries derailed his season. He’ll probably be drafted a bit lower than he should be because of it and new head coach Sheldon Keefe has a history of getting the most out of his star players offensively in the regular season, so Hughes could end up being a steal if he stays healthy.
14. Brady Tkachuk, OTT, LW: There’s no denying Tkachuk is a rare talent and is definitely a fantasy unicorn with his blend of hits, PIM and shots, but he’s still only had one season where he reached 80 points. That’s the only thing holding him back from being a top-10 pick, as offence is the toughest thing to find in fantasy.
15. William Nylander, TOR, RW: Nylander enjoyed a surge in points last season thanks to topping 300 shots for the first time and averaging nearly 20 minutes per game, a new career high. His shooting percentage also remained right around his career average, so concerns about a regression shouldn’t be high. Nylander has gone from a very good fantasy option to an elite one.
16. Matthew Tkachuk, FLA, LW: Even with a quiet first half and a lower shooting percentage than normal, Tkachuk still put together another strong season in 2023-24. Tkachuk’s blend of hits, PIM, shots and points make him a very valuable commodity and there’s reason to believe with some more puck luck, he could get back to being a 100-point player once again.
17. Mitch Marner, TOR, RW: Marner seems to always take the most heat for Toronto’s playoff shortcomings, though don’t let that distract you from his regular season play. He scored at a 101-point pace a year ago and had 99 and 97 the two years prior. Marner is still in a loaded top six and heading into a contract year, so he’ll be motivated to put together another strong campaign.
18. Elias Pettersson, VAN, C: Pettersson is coming off a somewhat disappointing season, which saw his goal, point and shot totals all drop. He also had a really rough playoffs, which could hurt his draft stock. Still, the potential, talent and upside for Pettersson remain off the charts and he’s a good target in the second round of your drafts, as his floor is still very high.
19. Filip Forsberg, NSH, LW: You don’t often see a player have a career year in almost every metric as they approach 30. Forsberg never slowed down last season, scoring almost 50 goals, 94 points and bettered his previous best shot total by 100. He also had 141 hits for good measure. The fact that Nashville added a load of talent in free agency certainly won’t hurt Forsberg’s value either.
20. Sidney Crosby, PIT, C: Despite being 37 and on a Penguins squad that’s headed in the wrong direction, Crosby isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. He’s still a 90-point player all day that gives you solid shot volume and can still produce playing with just about anyone.
21. Evan Bouchard, EDM, D: Dating back to the 2022-23 postseason, Bouchard has recorded 131 points in his past 118 games. He’s an elite point producer from the blue line that gets to quarterback one of the league’s best power plays and still has upside to outperform his draft position.
22. Sam Reinhart, FLA, C/RW: Everything Reinhart shot went in last season, so there’s a little cause for concern that his goal totals could regress in 2024-25. He is coming off a campaign with a whopping 24.5 shooting percentage which will be almost impossible to sustain. He’s still a fine second-round pick, just don’t bank on him scoring 50 again.
23. Brayden Point, TBL, C: He’s probably one of the more unheralded elite players in the NHL, but all Point does is produce and now he enters a season likely on a line with Kucherov and Jake Guentzel. The Lightning forward has hit 90 points in back-to-back campaigns, while averaging nearly 50 goals a season over that stretch. Even if he doesn’t get enough hype, Point will quietly go about his business and be a backbone of your fantasy squad.
24. Roman Josi, NSH, D: Josi is one of only a handful of defencemen that can score at an elite rate and gives you great shot volume, too. Much like Forsberg, Josi should benefit from an influx of talent in Nashville which can hopefully also help an average Predators power play. Distributing the puck to Steven Stamkos for one-timers on the man advantage isn’t a bad job for Josi to have.
25. Zach Hyman, EDM, LW: Hyman became a 50-goal scorer at age 31 and has averaged a point per game over the past two seasons. That’s what playing with the best player in the world will do for you. As long as he continues to skate alongside McDavid and owns a spot on a great Oilers power play, I see no reason why Hyman can’t score 50 again.
26. Jason Robertson, DAL, LW: Robertson is probably a good value pick here, as we know he has 100-point potential. He couldn’t replicate what he did in 2022-23, but he still notched 80 points and has a high floor. If he gets his shot totals back to the 300 range, Robertson should be a 40-goal scorer again.
27. Sebastian Aho, CAR, C: Aho is coming off the best season of his career, nearly hitting 90 points for the first time. I tend to downgrade Hurricanes players a tad because of their balanced lineup and structured play, which can sometimes limit offence or spread around minutes too much, though Aho may be the exception to my rule. A late second or early third-round pick feels right for him.
28. Connor Hellebuyck, WPG, G: The first goalie on our list checks all the boxes for a top fantasy netminder. Hellebuyck’s numbers are great, he’s one of the few goalies that can play 60 games and he has one of the best defensive teams in front of him. Goalies are extremely tough to predict year to year but Hellebuyck is probably the safest bet.
29. Jack Eichel, VGK, C: Eichel has battled injuries in his career but he’s averaged well over a point per game during the past two years in Vegas with good shot volume. He’s a good option at this point in your drafts, as Eichel has major upside if he can stay healthy.
30. Jesper Bratt, NJD, LW: There’s so much to like about Bratt. He’s remarkably consistent and took an even bigger step last year, setting new career highs in points, shots and hits. Keefe has a history of stacking lines, so there’s potential for Bratt to reach new heights if he gets some extended time with Jack Hughes.
31. Aleksander Barkov, FLA, C: Much better in the real world than fantasy hockey, Barkov has missed a combined 38 games over the past three seasons, which has limited his point totals. If he stays healthy though, Barkov could potentially be a 90-point player, assuming linemate Reinhart doesn’t regress too much.
32. Jake Guentzel, TBL, LW: There were few landing spots for Guentzel that would’ve been an upgrade from playing with Crosby, but Tampa is one. Skating with Kucherov is going to be key for Guentzel and his power-play production should skyrocket. The Lightning had the league’s best power play last season, while Pittsburgh ranked 30th.
33. Vincent Trocheck, NYR, C: No longer one of the best-kept secrets in fantasy, you’re going to have to target Trocheck early if you want him. He covers a ton of categories and Trocheck’s offensive numbers have really exploded next to Panarin. Trocheck should be good for around 175 hits and even averaged more than a block per game last year. There isn’t much he can’t do.
34. Sergei Bobrovsky, FLA. G: Bobrovsky has been extremely consistent and durable the past three seasons, playing at least 50 games in each campaign. He’s playing behind a top defensive team and set up for great success even as he heads into his late 30s. Maybe he loses a few starts to Spencer Knight this year if the Panthers want to keep him fresh for the playoffs, though that shouldn’t sway you from drafting Bobrovsky as a No. 1 goalie for your squad.
35. Kyle Connor, WPG, LW: Connor will likely be overlooked a little because injuries hampered his 2023-24 campaign, but he’ll be a great value pick if healthy. The Jets forward was on pace for 43 goals and 279 shots last year if not for injuries. Connor is a very consistent scorer and goals are the toughest thing to find in fantasy.
36. Mathew Barzal, NYI, C: Barzal finally recaptured the magic of his rookie season, recording a point per game and shattering his previous career best in shots on goal. A full season with Bo Horvat proved fruitful and Barzal really took off when Patrick Roy was hired. Barzal recorded 34 points in 38 games after Roy took over behind the bench.
37. Igor Shesterkin, NYR, G: Even when he’s not at his best, Shesterkin can produce quality numbers and in a slightly down year, he still managed a .913 save percentage and a 2.58 goals against average in 2023-24. Shesterkin will give you volume and has a very high floor, which is exactly what you want in a fantasy netminder.
38. Clayton Keller, UTAH, RW: Keller is one player on your roster you’ll never have to worry about. He’s a pillar of consistency with 225 points in his past 227 games and has proven he can produce without much established talent around him yet. If some of Utah’s young players take a step forward this season, maybe Keller can even take his production to another level.
39. Jake Oettinger, DAL, G: Oettinger’s save percentage was the lowest of his career in 2023-24, but he found another gear in the playoffs and took his game to a new level. At the end of the day, Oettinger is a good goalie on a great team that has no one to challenge him for starts. He’s a number one fantasy goalie any day of the week.
40. Victor Hedman, TBL, D: Rumors of Hedman’s demise were greatly exaggerated, as he bounced back with a massive season. Mikhail Sergachev is no longer around to challenge him as the quarterback of the league’s best power play, so don’t hesitate to draft Hedman as a number one defenceman once again.
41. Chris Kreider, NYR, LW: A steady goal scorer that gives you good shot volume and solid hit totals is hard to find, so Kreider will always be a hot commodity in the first four or five rounds in most leagues. What’s most encouraging from Kreider recently is that he set a new career high in assists in 2023-24. If that continues it will just make Kreider that much more versatile.
42. Juuse, Saros, NSH, G: Saros has ranked first in games played in each of the past three seasons and first in total saves in each of the past two. In leagues where volume is important, there are few options better than Saros and Nashville just proved its commitment to him with a big new contract. As long as he stays healthy, you can probably survive with just Saros and another 1B as your tandem for the fantasy season.
43. Connor Bedard, CHI, C: Bedard had a really strong rookie season despite minimal talent around him and now reinforcements have arrived. The Blackhawks added Teuvo Teravainen and Tyler Bertuzzi to the mix, giving Bedard more skill on his wings. I think it’s fair to expect Bedard to be around 30-35 goals and 80 points in his sophomore campaign if he can stay healthy this time around.
44. Adrian Kempe, LAK, RW: Always an underrated fantasy option, Kempe’s offensive numbers just keep going up and he’s coming off a campaign with a career-high 75 points. He also has very consistent shot volume and sneaky value for hits, topping the 100-hit mark in three-straight seasons now.
45. Thatcher Demko, VAN, G: The talent is undeniable and the numbers back it up, but Demko has missed big chunks of the past two campaigns due to injuries and there’s mystery around the ailment he’s dealing with right now. Vancouver has become a very strong team, so expect to Demko to pile up the wins and even if you only get 45 or so games out of him, it’s probably a pick you won’t regret at this stage.
46. Tim Stutzle, OTT, C: One of the more disappointing players in 2023-24, Stutzle saw his numbers plummet in goals, points, shots and hits. Some of that can be attributed to a low shooting percentage, though it isn’t an excuse for everything. It felt like Stutzle was well on his way to being a reliable multi-cat stud and while he’s still a solid pick, he enters this year with a lot more questions about his outlook.
47. Rasmus Dahlin, BUF, D: Dahlin’s offence dipped a bit in 2023-24, but he helps you in so many other areas it wasn’t a huge concern. Even if he becomes closer to a 60-point player than a 70-point player, Dahlin’s proficiency in blocks, hits and shots will still make him super valuable. He’s also posted double-digit goal totals in three straight campaigns, including a whopping 20 a year ago, making him even more important in leagues that emphasize goals.
48. Dylan Larkin, DET, C: The very definition of a safe and reliable pick, Larkin has been right around a point per game in his past 219 contests with good shot volume. He also has plenty of talent on his wings with Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond, to help ensure his numbers won’t dip. Larkin doesn’t offer much for hits, but it’s hard to pass up that offensive consistency.
49. Adam Fox, NYR, D: Fox is much more valuable in points leagues, as his shot volume and hit numbers are virtually non-existent. Still, defencemen that average a point per game are hard to find and Fox is coming off a career-high 17 goals. Don’t hesitate to grab Fox and fill in the categories he’s lacking with other players in your roster.
50. Noah Dobson, NYI, D: Dobson is quickly climbing the ranks of elite fantasy defensemen after a breakout season that saw him reach 70 points. He’s also a block machine and can give you more than a hit per game, so he’s really effective in multi-cat formats. Still only 24, Dobson still has plenty of upside and may even have another gear to get to points wise.
51. Alex Ovechkin, WAS, LW: It seems weird to see Ovechkin this low in the rankings, but he’s clearly declining. Even if that’s the case, he had a strong second half of 2023-24 and he’s still very solid for shots and hits. Plus, you know he’ll be motivated to break Wayne Gretzky’s goal record. Ovechkin is great value if you’re getting him in the late fourth or early fifth round.
52. Nazem Kadri, CGY, C: One of the few bright spots on the Flames last season, Kadri looked more comfortable in his second year in Calgary and posted a career high in shots on goal. He can still probably give you 70-75 points and more than 250 shots, so don’t sleep on Kadri just because he may be on a rebuilding team.
53. Carter Verhaeghe, FLA, LW: There’s a lot to like about Verhaeghe’s game. His ceiling isn’t very high as far as points go, but you can count on 35-40 goals and about 250 shots. Verhaeghe is also coming off a career-best 21 power-play points and is now firmly entrenched on Florida’s top unit with the man advantage.
54. Tage Thompson, BUF, C: Quite possibly the biggest buy-low candidate heading into drafts, Thompson had a disastrous season a year ago in almost every metric. He’ll have tremendous upside this season, though, with a chance to easily outperform his draft position and become a major value pick. In a perfect world, Thompson could even be a potential 50-goal scorer and 90-point player who might go outside of the top 50.
55. Nick Suzuki, MON, C: Suzuki didn’t get enough hype for his season in 2023-24. He was very solid on a team not loaded with talent and he helped someone like linemate Juraj Slafkovsky take a big step forward. With Slafkovsky and Cole Caufield only going to get better, I think Suzuki will be a safe bet to continue to pile up the points going forward.
56. Jeremy Swayman, BOS, G: After a great postseason and with Linus Ullmark now gone, Swayman will be a top goalie target in drafts for 2024-25 playing behind Boston’s goalie-friendly structure. If there is one concern with Swayman, however, is that he’s never handled a full starter’s workload and it remains to be seen how his numbers will hold up if he’s asked to play 55 games or so.
57. Joel Eriksson Ek, MIN, C: One of my favourite players in fantasy hockey, Eriksson Ek might be the most versatile player around. He took his game to another level last season playing with Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, and Eriksson Ek can help you offensively, with hits, shots, PIM and even faceoff wins if your league has that. Is there anything he can’t do?
58. Brock Boeser, VAN, RW: Boeser hadn’t scored 30 goals before last season and then he went out and posted 40. That was in large part to a near 20 per cent shooting percentage, so expect his numbers to come down somewhat in 2024-25. Even so, Boeser has the benefit of playing with JT Miller at even strength and on a loaded Canucks top power play unit, so he’ll still have great value.
59. Andrei Vasilevskiy, TBL, G: Vasilevskiy is coming off the worst statistical season of his career and it might be wishful thinking to hope he gets back to elite fantasy goalie status with the Lightning no longer as dominant as they once were. He’s still going to play a ton on a team that should be in the playoff race, so Vasilevskiy will fill the win column, play a lot and be great value for where he’ll likely be selected in drafts.
60. Brad Marchand, BOS, LW: Even at 36, there’s reason for optimism about Marchand going forward. He’s coming off a campaign where he played 82 games, despite a myriad of injuries, for only the second time in his career and he totalled a career-high 115 hits. Marchand is still very productive offensively and looks like a player that is going to age very well.
61. Kevin Fiala, LAK, LW: You always know exactly what you’re getting from Fiala. Even if he plays in the Kings’ at times boring and structured system, you can still count on 70-80 points and well over 200 shots. As an added bonus, Fiala has also improved his numbers in hits and PIMs in recent years, too.
62. Wyatt Johnston, DAL, C: Johnston is no longer one of the best-kept secrets in fantasy. He avoided a sophomore slump and followed up his rookie with a strong 32-goal and 65-point campaign and then found another gear in the postseason, notching 10 more goals in the playoffs. If you want Johnston this season you’ll have to make him a priority in your draft. Don’t expect him to slip through the cracks.
63. Stuart Skinner, EDM, G: Skinner is slowly but surely earning more trust as a fantasy netminder. He now owns a .910 save percentage and a 72-36-10 record for his career and with Jack Campbell out of the picture, Skinner is an unrivalled number one on a team loaded up to try and make another run to the Cup Final.
64. Steven Stamkos, NSH, LW: I’d be a little cautious about banking on 40 goals and 80 points from Stamkos this season. The former Lightning forward feasted on Tampa’s league-best power play last season, scoring nearly half his points on the man advantage. He also won’t be playing with a centre in Nashville anywhere near as talented as Point or a player as dynamic as Kucherov. Stamkos still has a lot left in the tank but I think his numbers take slight a dip with the Preds.
65. John Tavares, TOR, C: There’s no denying Tavares is no longer the player he once was, but he’s still a 65-70-point player all day who can net you about 275 shots. He’s also raised his hit numbers significantly in recent years, posting well over 100 hits in each of the past two campaigns. Tavares may not be elite anymore but he’s still effective.
66. Alexandar Georgiev, COL, G: Georgiev played a tonne last season and has led the league in wins in each of the past two years. His overall numbers in 2023-24 outside of the victories, though, weren’t very good at all and while he’s still a valuable piece because of the volume he’ll give you on a good team, Georgiev will probably run hot and cold from a quality start perspective.
67. Josh Morrissey, WPG, D: Some felt Morrissey would have a tough time backing up his superb 2022-23 season, but he proved everyone wrong. He’s been a late bloomer offensively and has decent numbers across the board in the other pivotal categories for multi-cat leagues. Morrissey should be viewed as a No. 1 defenceman for fantasy squads going forward.
68. Mika Zibanejad, NYR, C: It was a concerning year for Zibanejad offensively and he posted his lowest hit totals since 2016-17. He should still be an effective option but the 20 power-play goals he scored in 2022-23 may not be reachable again. I would draft Zibanejad with the expectation he’ll be a 75-80-point player and hope for upside.
69. Travis Konecny, PHI, RW: Konecny is rounding into a very solid fantasy option. His ceiling isn’t super high, though you should expect 30-plus goals, solid shot volume and more than a hit per game. Around the seventh round feels like the sweet spot to draft Konecny, just don’t overreach for him earlier because he signed that big off-season extension.
70. Seth Jarvis, CAR, C/RW: Jarvis enjoyed a breakout season and it looks like he’s still only scratching the surface of his abilities. The point production is nice, though it’s the 115 hits he had a season ago that takes his value to another level. Jarvis has to remain on Aho’s wing as opposed to being shifted to centre, as the Canes are a bit thin down the middle.
71. Dougie Hamilton, NJD, D: Hamilton missed the majority of last season and will likely fall down draft boards because of it, but in his last full campaign he scored 74 points. The Devils should be a very potent offensive team and Hamilton will be a great low-risk, high-reward pick for where you can probably snag him.
72. Jonathan Marchessault, NSH, RW: I’m always wary about drafting a guy who had a career high in goals and points at age 33. Especially when that player had a bit of an inflated shooting percentage and is now on a different team. Marchessault going from playing with Eichel at centre to likely Tommy Novak is a bit of a drop off. I wouldn’t say avoid Marchessault entirely, just temper your expectations.
73. Cole Caufield, MON, RW: It’s amazing Caufield is still searching for a 30-goal season. That should come sooner rather than later, as he totalled a whopping 314 shots last season with a low shooting percentage. The dam is going to break for Caufield at some point and you’ll want him on your squad when that happens.
74. Bo Horvat, NYI, C: We probably won’t again see Horvat produce at the pace he did in his final season in Vancouver, but he’s developed a nice chemistry with Barzal and is coming off another strong season. Even though he’s more valuable in leagues that count faceoff wins, Horvat is still very serviceable in other formats if he’s giving you 60-plus points with good shot volume.
75. Roope Hintz, DAL, C: Hintz, much like Robertson, is coming off a down year offensively and the two things are certainly related. If there’s reason to be concerned about Hintz’s value going forward, though, it’s probably more related to deployment. Is there a chance the emerging Wyatt Johnston can steal the No. 1 centre job from Hintz?
76. Robert Thomas, STL, C: Give Thomas credit for upping his shot volume last season, even if it’s still only average at best. He also managed just 16 hits in 82 games in 2023-24, so if you’re drafting him, it’s going to be solely for the points and you’ll want to make sure your other forwards help you for category coverage.
77. Mark Scheifele, WPG, C: You’d like Scheifele to have a tad more shot volume, but he’s been right around 70 points in three straight seasons and that’s nothing to complain about. He probably won’t get close to 40 goals again — he notched 42 a couple of years ago on an inflated shooting percentage — so if you’re drafting Scheifele, don’t expect much upside in any other categories besides points.
78. Ilya Sorokin, NYI, G: Sorokin lost his job late last season to Semyon Varlamov, though I can’t imagine he won’t be playing the bulk of the games in 2024-25. The thing holding Sorokin back is the Isles have been mediocre for a few years now and the win totals just haven’t been there. He’s averaged 27 wins over the past three seasons. Not bad, but that’s not elite fantasy production by any means.
79. Matt Boldy, MIN, RW: Boldy’s game really took off when he played with Eriksson Ek and Kaprizov, as that trio was excellent for the Wild last season. If they reunite the group for the majority of 2024-25, Boldy will be a must roster and I think the Minnesota forward could have a 40-goal season in him.
80. Brock Nelson, NYI, C: Another underrated fantasy gem, Nelson is one of the few Isles you can rely on for consistent scoring. He’s averaged 36 goals over the past three seasons and is coming off a career-high 250 shots. The New York forward also spends minimal time at even strength with Horvat and Barzal, so you know Nelson can produce in any situation and without elite linemates.
81. Alex DeBrincat, DET, RW: Maybe DeBrincat’s ceiling isn’t super high, but he’s a steady player with good shot volume who you should be able to count on for around 70 points. Playing with the potent combination of Larkin and Lucas Raymond doesn’t hurt either. One other thing I like about DeBrincat is his durability. He’s played all 82 games in five of his seven seasons.
82. Andrei Svechnikov, CAR, RW: If only Svechnikov could avoid the injury bug. Based on his talent, it feels like he should be an 80-point player, but he’s never even hit 70. The fact that he throws a ton of hits and plays with Aho and Jarvis will always make him a player worth betting on, though. Hopefully one day he puts it all together.
83. Brandon Hagel, TBL, LW: Hagel has really found a home in Tampa and has become a very productive player. With the arrival of Guentzel, though, Hagel will likely see less time with Kucherov and Point at even strength, putting a dent in his numbers. Getting significant minutes and producing on a potent power play will be critical for Hagel’s value this season.
84. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, EDM, C: It’s safe to say Nugent-Hopkins probably won’t hit the 100-point mark again, but he’s still a very effective player. You should be drafting him with the expectation he’ll be in the 65-70-point range with a ceiling that’s much higher than most that are drafted around him, thanks to a loaded Oilers top six and a great Edmonton power play.
85. Owen Tippett, PHI, LW: He won’t give you the point totals that some others will around him at this stage of the rankings, but Tippett’s blend of shot volume and hits certainly make him a worthy selection at this point in your drafts. There’s reason to believe Tippett could be a 300-shot player with 150 hits. In that scenario, you can live with Tippett getting around 55 points.
86. Anze Kopitar, LAK, C: A very safe and durable player, Kopitar has missed only two games in the past four seasons. His shot and hit volume really fell off last season, though, and eventually other parts of his game likely will too as Kopitar just turned 37. For now, expect 60-plus points and try to squeeze as much value out of him while you can.
87. Timo Meier, NJD, RW: It was a nightmare start for Meier a year ago, though he managed to have a really strong finish. He’s a great blend of offence, shots and hits who is a massive asset when he’s at his best. If you’re getting the Meier who finished last year next to a healthy Jack Hughes for the bulk of 2024-25, you’ll be very happy.
88. Lucas Raymond, DET, RW: Raymond has arrived. Disappointed fantasy general managers from two years ago were rewarded for their faith, as Raymond enjoyed a breakout season and helped the Red Wings remain in the playoff race down the stretch. He’s still lacking great shot volume, but Raymond looks like he could be a great offensive fantasy player for years to come.
89. Alex Tuch, BUF, RW: Add Tuch’s name to the long list of disappointing Sabres in 2023-24. His offensive numbers were down across the board, though he set a new career-high in PIM and blocked shots. Tuch actually ranked seventh in blocks among forwards last season. If his offensive numbers bounce back, he’ll be a very versatile player this year. Consider him a good buy-low option with upside.
90. Frederik Andersen, CAR, G: There’s no denying Andersen’s value, talent or the great position he’s in on arguably the league’s most goalie-friendly team, but he’s fallen well short of 40 games in three of the past four seasons. Pyotr Kochetkov is also around to steal starts as well. Andersen will be a high-risk, high-reward pick.
91. Nico Hischier, NJD, C: Which Hischier will we get this year? The one who scored nearly a point per game and had over 250 shots from 2022-23? Or the one who fell below 70 points and 200 shots a year ago? I’d bet coach Sheldon Keefe can help Hischier get back closer to that 2022-23 season and, either way, he’s a player with a fairly high floor.
92. Jordan Kyrou, STL, RW: Much like linemate Thomas, Kyrou doesn’t offer much in the way of physicality and should be rostered mainly for points. His shot totals are respectable, though, and Kyrou’s offensive numbers have been very consistent for three seasons now. It’s reasonable to expect 30 goals and 70 points from Kyrou on an annual basis.
93. Pyotr Kochetkov, CAR, G: Kochetkov comes into the season with major upside, given the fact that creasemate Andersen has missed major time over the past few seasons. If Andersen avoids injury, Kochetkov will still likely play nearly 50 per cent of the games and if he can’t stay healthy, Kochetkov could stumble into a ton of volume on a really good defensive team. If you can grab the tandem, it’s probably a smart move to insulate yourself.
94. Drake Batherson, OTT, RW: Batherson is coming off a somewhat lacklustre season. He set career highs in points and goals, but his numbers dropped substantially in shots and hits. I’m not sure Batherson’s ceiling is ever going to be that high, and your expectations for him going forward should be 25-30 goals and around 65 points.
95. Frank Vatrano, ANA, LW: Vatrano had a season for the ages and probably didn’t get enough credit for being a major difference-maker. That season came essentially out of nowhere and it’s probably unreasonable to think he’ll do it again, but his great category coverage makes him a good bet for this season.
96. Evgeni Malkin, PIT, C: Malkin is definitely slowing down at this point in his career, but if there’s one thing to be encouraged about, it’s his durability. He hasn’t missed a game now in two-straight seasons and continues to provide solid production offensively. Malkin is still an effective asset, even if he isn’t a pillar of fantasy rosters anymore.
97. Matt Duchene, DAL, C: Duchene did not finish last season particularly strong but still managed 65 points thanks to a torrid start. I’d be mildly concerned he can keep that going, though, as young players such as Johnston, Logan Stankoven and Mavrik Bourque are coming for ice time and power-play minutes. Duchene’s ice time has been steadily declining for a couple of years.
98. Linus Ullmark, OTT, G: There will be plenty of questions heading into 2024-25 about Ullmark. The biggest one is, can he succeed away from the friendly confines of Boston’s very good and structured defensive system? He also may be asked to play more than he has in recent years since because he will no longer be part of an elite tandem. Ullmark is still a great goalie, just don’t expect the numbers he had with the Bruins on a weaker Sens squad.
99. Pavel Buchnevich, STL, LW: Another Blues forward who is good offensively but doesn’t stand out in any other area. I like Buchnevich a lot better on Thomas’ and Kyrou’s wing, as opposed to when he was shifted to centre on the second line late last season. He’s scored at better than a point-per-game pace in two of the past three years, so Buchnevich can definitely deliver in the right spot.
100. Jacob Markstrom, NJD, G: Markstrom is actually coming off a really strong season, even if his numbers just looked average. The Flames moved half their defence corps and started a rebuild, yet Markstrom was still able to hold his own. With a Devils squad on the rise, expect Markstrom’s win totals to improve and he could end up being a major steal at this point in your draft.
101. Patrick Kane, DET, RW: Kane looked more like himself last season and finally appeared to be healthy. He averaged nearly a point per game with the Wings, though he played only 50 games. Injuries would be a real concern for a player of his age and I bet Kane would have a hard time maintaining the pace he set in 2023-24 over a full 82 games. My expectation would be somewhere between 60-70 points for Kane this season.
102. MacKenzie Weegar, CGY, D: Weegar broke out in a major way in 2023-24, scoring 20 goals and posting more than 200 shots, with huge hits and blocks totals. He enjoyed being paired with the trustworthy Rasmus Andersson, though the two will likely be separated this season with all the Flames blueliners who have departed. Playing with a lesser partner could hamper Weegar offensively, but he’s still a great option in multi-cat formats.
103. Nikolaj Ehlers, WPG, LW: Ehlers continues to be underutilized through limited ice time, though he is quietly coming off a season where he scored the second most points in his career. He’ll always be an option with major upside and perhaps a coaching change in Winnipeg finally helps Ehlers find another gear.
104. Tomas Hertl, VGK, C: Entering the season as a bit of an afterthought thanks to injuries last year, don’t forget what Hertl can do when he’s at his best. On a strong team like Vegas, there’s reason to believe he could land in the 60-70-point range and Hertl has always had sneaky value for hits. He’ll likely play down the middle, though it would be ideal if he gets time on Eichel’s wing.
105. Ryan O’Reilly, NSH, C: I kept thinking O’Reilly wouldn’t be able to sustain the pace he started on last season, but regression never came. His line with Forsberg and Gustav Nyquist was a force all season, and even if it’s reasonable to expect a little drop in production, the Preds certainly added some substantial talent at forward around O’Reilly. Nashville could be an exciting offensive team in 2024-25.
106. Moritz Seider, DET, D: Points are just a bonus where Seider is concerned, thanks to his great peripherals. It’s very likely you’re looking at least 200 hits and 200 blocks from him, so you can live with just 45 points or so from the Red Wings blueliner. There’s no one else in the league who possesses Seider’s combo of hits and block coverage.
107. Dylan Strome, WAS, C: With Nicklas Backstrom out of the picture, Strome is the Caps’ No. 1 centre and has put together back-to-back very strong seasons. Playing next to a motivated Ovechkin, who is going for the all-time goals record, will have its benefits as well. Strome is probably one of the more underrated top-line centres in the league and he should have little trouble netting you over 60 points.
108. Miro Heiskanen, DAL, D: I always think Heiskanen is a little overrated when it comes to fantasy. He’s had only one elite offensive year and has never hit 60 hits or 100 blocks in a season. Outside of that 2022-23 campaign, he’s been under 40 points in four of his other five seasons. You’d have to be reasonably confident Heiskanen was going to get around 60 points to take him over options with better peripherals.
109. Blake Coleman, CGY, RW: Coleman is coming off a 30-goal season somewhat out of nowhere, with a high shooting percentage. That means you can expect his goal totals to drop a little, but Coleman still has major upside for hits and PIMs with steady shot volume. I wouldn’t let a little offensive regression scare you off from taking Coleman.
110. Claude Giroux, OTT, C: Giroux’s point and hit totals dropped quite a bit in his second year with the Sens, and he’ll be 37 in January. Father Time is going to catch up with Giroux eventually, but Ottawa still has a lot of talent for him to play with up front and, for now, 60 points is still a reasonable expectation for the veteran.
111. Quinton Byfield, LAK, C: Byfield is coming off a mini-breakout season and the Kings now seem motivated to play him at centre full time. I’d be a bit cautious about banking on Byfield to increase his offensive totals significantly if he’s moved into a new role away from Kopitar and Kempe with more defensive responsibilities.
112. Alexis Lafreniere, NYR, RW: Lafreniere’s breakout finally came last season and he followed it up with 14 points in 16 playoff games. Getting to play with Panarin and Trocheck has been critical for Lafreniere, and in that spot it’s not unreasonable to think he could be a 35-40-goal scorer someday.
113. Mike Matheson, MON, D: Proving his 2022-23 was no fluke, Matheson showed he was incredibly valuable again last season. The 30-year-old has suddenly become an offensive force and a real weapon on the power play. Add in elite blocked-shot totals, and Matheson is capable of anchoring a defence corps on any fantasy squad.
114. Adin Hill, VGK, G: Hill is in a great spot with Logan Thompson gone, but there are still question marks around the volume he can give you. He’s played just 27 and 35 games, respectively, over the past two years, which is hardly enough to count on him as a No. 1 goalie for your squad. Hill will have to get near the 50-game mark to have maximum value.
115. Jeff Skinner, EDM LW: This might be my favourite contract in free agency, as Skinner could fit perfectly next to McDavid and Hyman and be a bargain. Despite being bought out, Skinner still averaged 31 goals over the past three seasons and knows how to get open in the offensive zone, which will certainly become fruitful if McDavid is passing you the puck.
116. Shea Theodore, VGK, D: Theodore has scored at around a 67-point pace over the past two seasons; he just can’t stay healthy. He hasn’t played more than 55 games in either of the past two seasons and Vegas now has a loaded defence corps with Noah Hanifin in the fold. There’s major upside with Theodore, though he comes with a fair bit of risk as well.
117. Morgan Rielly, TOR, D: The addition of Chris Tanev could pay huge dividends for Rielly’s game. Tanev should be a stabilizing force who will allow Rielly to roam more offensively and produce even more points. Plus, no offence to the incoming Oliver Ekman-Larsson, but there’s still no one to really challenge Rielly for power-play time, so expect him to have a productive campaign once again.
118. Jordan Binnington, STL, G: It’s hard to predict Binnington’s numbers year-to-year, but we do know he’ll give you a lot of volume. The Blues netminder is one of only a handful of goalies who can provide you around 60 starts and if he’s on his game like he was in 2023-24, he’s a major asset. Binnington is still a low-end No. 1 fantasy goalie for your squad, just make sure you’re insulating him with a couple of other quality netminders.
119. Elias Lindholm, BOS, C: Probably one of the best buy-low options this season, Lindholm should have a fair amount of upside playing with arguably the best winger he’s ever played with in his career in Pastrnak. Someone such as Pavel Zacha is coming off a pair of very productive seasons thanks to Pastrnak being on his wing. Even if he can’t regain the form he showed a few years ago in Calgary when he averaged a point per game, Lindholm is a great bet as a 10th- or 11th-round pick.
120. Luke Hughes, NJD, D: Hughes had a nice rookie season, though most of that came with Hamilton on the sidelines due to injury. A healthy Hamilton may mean Hughes sees fewer minutes and top power-play time, so there’s a chance he hits a sophomore slump. Still, Hughes’ talent is off the charts and he’ll probably have a high floor with good value in points leagues.
121. Trevor Moore, LAK, LW: Moore really found a home playing with Kevin Fiala, exploding for 31 goals in 2023-24. He’s a player with a very high floor thanks to the category coverage he provides with hits and shots, and he could be an interesting weapon if your league has shorthanded points, too. Moore has combined for 10 shorthanded goals in the past four seasons.
122. Casey Mittelstadt, COL, C: Mittelstadt has been right around 60 points for two seasons and now he’ll get a full campaign in a high-powered Avalanche top six. An ideal scenario for Mittelstadt is if Colorado spreads out the offence and puts Rantanen on his wing at even strength. In that situation and with some top power-play time, Mittelstadt should be headed for a career year.
123. Joseph Woll, TOR, G: Woll’s numbers have been spectacular, but he’s managed only 36 games over three seasons because of injuries. There’s a huge opportunity in front of him now, though, as Woll is suddenly the No. 1 for a very strong regular-season team. If he can stay healthy, there’s a chance Woll could be one of the most valuable fantasy netminders this season.
124. Pavel Zacha, BOS, C: Zacha is likely headed for a permanent move to wing with the addition of Lindholm, but he should still be on the top line with Pastrnak. Without having as many defensive responsibilities, perhaps this will free up Zacha for more offence and give him an opportunity to top 60 points for the first time in his career.
125. Zach Werenski, CBJ, D: If Werenski is healthy, he produces consistently on the offensive end, especially when it comes to goals. He’s reached double-digit goals in six of his eight NHL seasons, which includes a 20-goal campaign. Goals are the toughest thing to find in fantasy and getting a bunch from a blueliner such as Werenski can give you a big edge.
126. Jamie Benn, DAL, LW: Benn has had a late-career resurgence, posting two strong offensive seasons in a row to go along with his usual solid hit volume. I’m not sure how long he’s going to be able to sustain those numbers, but perhaps playing with youngsters Johnston and Stankoven will continue to keep him relevant.
127. Vince Dunn, SEA, D: Dunn has scored at a 64-point pace in back-to-back seasons, but the arrival of Brandon Montour will provide some real competition for power-play time. Dunn’s shot volume is also quite low, so you shouldn’t expect more than 150 shots even in a best-case scenario. He should be fine as a No. 2 or No. 3 D-man for your squad, just don’t rely on him for too much outside of offence.
128. Juraj Slafkovsky, MON, LW: Rumours of Slafkovsky’s demise were greatly exaggerated. After a rough rookie campaign, Slafkovsky bounced back with 20 goals and more than 150 hits and seems firmly entrenched on Montreal’s top line with Caufield and Suzuki as well as the top power-play unit. There still appears to be plenty of upside for Slafkovsky and with his size; he could be a force in multi-cat leagues for years to come.
129. Charlie Lindgren, WAS, G: Lindgren carried the Capitals to an improbable playoff appearance a season ago, emerging from career backup status to play 50 games. I’d be a bit concerned Lindgren can replicate those numbers again, given how goalies can vary from year-to-year and Washington doesn’t figure to be a strong team. View him as a decent No. 2 goalie option for your squad with upside.
130. Mats Zuccarello, MIN, LW: Not the flashiest or the best for category coverage, but it’s really hard to argue with Zuccarello’s offensive production. He’s had real success playing with Kaprizov, averaging nearly 70 points over the past three seasons. The concern with Zuccarello going into 2024-25 is that Boldy bumps him off that top line, which would hurt his production. Buyer beware.
131. Jared McCann, SEA, LW: McCann has now put together three solid seasons in a row in Seattle. Maybe he doesn’t hit 40 goals and 70 points again like he did in 2022-23, but I think it’s safe to count on McCann for around 30 goals and 200-plus shots. He’s a nice piece who can provide offensive depth to your roster and has added value in leagues with a higher emphasis on goals.
132. Yegor Sharangovich, CGY, C: Sharangovich made a seamless transition to centre last season, notching a career-best 31 goals and saw a big jump in ice time. That said, Sharangovich offers nothing when it comes to hits and his shot volume is just OK, so his value is a lot higher in leagues that track just points.
133. Gustav Nyquist, NSH, RW: Nyquist was one of the biggest surprises in fantasy last season, posting a career year with a whopping 75 points in his mid-30s. Given that his shooting percentage was a bit high and he just turned 35, it’s hard not to think regression is coming. That said, Nashville’s top six is suddenly loaded and anyone on the top two lines should have value this season.
134. Charlie McAvoy, BOS, D: I’m always amazed that McAvoy’s game doesn’t translate better to fantasy. He’s an elite blueliner who plays big minutes and on the top power play, but he’s never hit 60 points, has mediocre numbers with the man advantage and his shot volume is very weak. There’s some value with hits and blocks there, just don’t overdraft McAvoy based on name recognition.
135. Brock Faber, MIN, D: Even after an impressive rookie season, it feels like the best is still yet to come for Faber. He played every game and averaged nearly 25 minutes a night, posting decent offensive numbers while being a monster in the block department. Faber should now be the full-time quarterback on the top power-play unit in 2024-25, too.
136. Mason McTavish, ANA, C: McTavish was on pace for a 10-point increase from his rookie season but injuries took their toll in 2023-24. I can see McTavish having a chance to be the next great multi-cat fantasy player if he can raise those offensive numbers a bit. The hits and penalty minutes are going to be there, so if McTavish can get himself into the 60-point range on an annual basis, he’ll be highly coveted.
137. Mark Stone, VGK, RW: When Stone is healthy, he’s a very effective fantasy asset, but his health is always a big question mark. Stone hasn’t played more than 56 games in any of the past three seasons, so he’s a big gamble. If he’s still available around the 11th round or so of your draft, the reward should outweigh the risk.
138. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, BUF, G: Luukkonen was one of the few bright spots on a disappointing Sabres team a year ago, posting a winning record and good overall numbers. He was a great find on waivers, though sometimes there’s a danger to elevating a goalie like Luukkonen too high the following season given how volatile the position can be. He’s a high-risk, high-reward pick that I’d still be cautious with.
139. Boone Jenner, CBJ, C: It’s easy to see why everyone falls in love with Jenner around draft time every year, even if he’s had a tough time staying healthy. He’s got 30-goal potential and provides a tonne of hits, making him a great for just about any multi-cat format. If you draft him, though, you’ll likely have to account for Jenner to miss around 20 games or because of his rugged style of play.
140. Vladimir Tarasenko, DET, LW: It’s been a couple of underwhelming seasons for Tarasenko, who hasn’t been able to top 55 points since 2021-22. If Tarasenko is going to get back to being fantasy relevant, he’s in a great spot in a potent Red Wings top six. If he’s getting significant minutes with Kane, Tarasenko is probably a good bet to make at this point in your draft.
141. Charlie Coyle, BOS, C: The arrival of Lindholm complicates things for Coyle, who is coming off a career-high 60 points. If Zacha moves to wing full-time, Coyle should remain on the second line, but if the B’s keep Zacha at centre, Coyle could be headed for the bottom six. The good thing about Coyle is even if his numbers dip slightly, he hasn’t missed a game in three years and is always effective for hits.
142. Brandon Montour, SEA, D: Montour never recaptured the magic of the 73-point season he had from 2022-23 after being sidelined to start last season. Now he joins a Kraken team that ranked 29th in goals for a season ago, with only Anaheim, San Jose and Chicago being worse. There’s also Dunn to contend with for power-play time. Put Montour into the buy-low category and temper your expectations.
143. Teuvo Teravainen, CHI, RW: Some are still clinging to hope that Teravainen can recapture the form that saw him notch 76 points in 2018-19. That seems like a long-shot at this point, though, as Teravainen hasn’t been anywhere close to that in two seasons despite spending significant time next to the productive Aho. If he’s on Bedard’s wing in Chicago, there’s certainly upside, but I think expectations for Teravainen should be around 55 points and nothing more.
144. William Karlsson, VGK, C: Karlsson is coming off a bounce-back season, scoring at a 70-point pace and hitting 60 for only the second time in his career. Those numbers came with a bit of an inflated shooting percentage, though, and Hertl’s arrival likely entrenches Karlsson as the third-line centre. I think he’ll have a tough time getting to 60 points again.
145. Jonathan Drouin, COL, LW: Colorado was the perfect landing spot for Drouin to rejuvenate his career. He secured one of the most coveted spots in fantasy, playing next to MacKinnon and Rantanen, and ended up being a very serviceable depth piece on a lot of squads. The return of Landeskog could hurt Drouin for minutes in the top six and first power-play unit, though I bet they keep him with at least one of MacKinnon or Rantanen because that’s where the Avs are going to get the most out of him.
146. Nick Schmaltz, UTA, RW: It’s hard to argue with points, and Schmaltz provides just that. He’s been right around 60 points for three straight seasons, as he’s taken advantage of playing on Keller’s line. Schmaltz doesn’t provide much outside of offence, but he has a high floor and always seems to be available on waivers as a good injury replacement/stopgap if you’ve lost one of the top guys in your lineup.
147. Darcy Kuemper, LAK, G: Injuries and a couple of uninspiring seasons in Washington will likely push Kuemper down draft boards, which could make him an excellent Zero G candidate. The Kings have made the likes of Cam Talbot, Pheonix Copley, Joonas Korpisalo and David Rittich serviceable fantasy options in recent years, and Kuemper is more talented than any of them.
148. Michael Bunting, PIT, LW: There’s a lot riding on Bunting’s deployment. We know from his time with Marner and Matthews that he can succeed next to great players, so if he’s on Crosby’s wing, Bunting could have major value and 60-point potential. If he’s playing farther down the lineup, he’s probably more of a streaming option you grab off waivers when he gets hot.
149. Dylan Cozens, BUF, C: Cozens was another Sabre who disappointed a season ago. His shooting percentage in 2023-24 regressed closer to his career average, so he’s probably more of a 20-goal scorer than a 30-goal scorer. Since he’s solid for hits and has decent shot volume, there’s enough upside there offensively to take a chance on him again. Just bank on 55-60 points instead of 70 and hope for a best-case scenario where Buffalo’s 29th-ranked power play bounces back.
150. Filip Hronek, VAN, D: Hronek got off to a torrid start last year, but had only four total points in March and April. I don’t expect Hronek to become the next great offensive defenseman, though he’s a perfect partner for Hughes and should be able to pick up enough points in that scenario to make him fantasy relevant going forward.
151. Gabriel Vilardi, WPG, RW: Vilardi was on pace for 38 goals had injuries not derailed his season. Staying healthy has proven to be a challenge for Vilardi, but the value and upside are definitely there if he can. A full season next to Connor and Scheifele should see Vilardi deliver a breakout season and career highs in just about every metric.
152. Jake DeBrusk, VAN, LW: A change of scenery could be good for DeBrusk, but I’m not one of those who necessarily feels a breakout season is coming. He played a lot with Pastrnak and Marchand in Boston, so it’s going to be hard for DeBrusk to see a huge upgrade in deployment, even if he is playing with the likes of Pettersson. I think DeBrusk is a 30-goal and around 50-point player in an absolute best-case scenario.
153. Chandler Stephenson, SEA, C: Stephenson has the potential to be a very regrettable pick this season. His numbers started to fall last season and he won’t be playing with as much offensive talent in Seattle as he had with him in Vegas. Without Stone, specifically, Stephenson looked very ordinary. His shot volume is also very poor, as Stephenson has broken 100 shots only twice in his career.
154. Drew Doughty, LAK, D: Doughty is still providing steady value, even at 34. Expect around 50 points to go along with triple-digit hits and block numbers. At some point, Brandt Clarke will take over the top power-play duties for the Kings, but expect Doughty to continue to quarterback the top unit in 2024-25.
155. Tristan Jarry, PIT, G: Jarry will come with some risk, given his battle with injuries and the fact that the Pens aren’t nearly as strong as they once were. If he’s healthy, Jarry should play a fair bit and give you some volume, but there’s real concerns he’ll be able to maintain good numbers on a mediocre Pens squad.
156. JJ Peterka, BUF, RW: Peterka solidified himself as a top-six winger and first power-play unit option last season, providing consistent offence throughout the campaign. He’s more valuable in a strictly points league, but his ability to score with solid shot volume makes him relevant in multi-cat formats as well. Goals are the most valuable thing in fantasy, and Peterka can provide them.
157. Martin Necas, CAR, C: It would have been nice to see what Necas could do out of the confines of the Canes’ structured system, but he’s back for two more years. There just hasn’t been enough consistency in his game and if he’s not on the top line, I struggle to see him getting anywhere close to 70 points again. There’s certainly a high-reward/best-case scenario where he feasts on the power play and injuries push him up to play with Aho, though that hope isn’t enough to take him inside the top 125.
158. Patrik Laine, MON, RW: It’s a fresh start for Laine, who’s played sparingly over the past few seasons with minimal value. Still, Laine has tallied 117 points in his past 129 games, so the skill is clearly still there. I think he’ll start on Line 2 with Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook, while getting time on the first power-play unit. It’s never a bad idea to bet on talent, and Laine seems like a decent gamble for 2023-24.
159. Tyler Seguin, DAL, RW: Despite not being the player he once was, Seguin is settling into a serviceable 25-goal and 50-point player. The Stars have a lot of young players in Johnston, Stankoven and Mavrik Bourque, though, who will be hungry for minutes and opportunities, so Seguin’s fantasy relevance could be challenged this season.
160. Tyler Toffoli, SJS, RW: There aren’t many more reliable scorers than Toffoli, though it will be challenging for him to hit the 30-goal mark in San Jose. The Sharks have a bunch of young talent on the way and players such as Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith ready to make an impact, but there will undoubtedly be growing pains. Toffoli should be looked at as a depth piece at this point to fill out your roster.
161. Thomas Harley, DAL, D: Harley came almost out of nowhere last season to make a huge fantasy impact, scoring 15 goals and averaging more than 21 minutes per game. Pairing with Heiskanen was certainly fruitful, but can Harley overtake him at some point for top power-play time? That could open the door for Harley to really move up the pecking order of fantasy blueliners.
162. Erik Karlsson, PIT, D: Predictably, Karlsson regressed last season in Pittsburgh and didn’t come anywhere close to 100 points. That doesn’t mean he no longer has any value, though, as a 50-point, 200-shot defenseman is still a useful player on your fantasy squad. You just have to make sure grabbing him in the back half of the draft and not the front.
163. Logan Cooley, UTA, C: It was a decent rookie season for Cooley, despite playing fewer than 16 minutes per game. If he can earn more minutes and secure top-centre duties between Keller and Schmaltz, there’s a real chance Cooley’s sophomore season will be far more productive. Add Cooley’s name to the list of players with higher long-term value than short-term, but he’s still a decent gamble to take in the later rounds.
164. Tom Wilson, WAS, RW: Once thought of as a multi-cat stud because of his goal-scoring ability and physical style of play, Wilson really hasn’t lived up to the hype on an annual basis. Outside of one decent year, the offence hasn’t clicked for Wilson consistently. He’s still great value for hits or penalty minutes, but the offensive upside for Wilson seems to be dwindling.
165. Brent Burns, CAR, D: Burns started showing his age last season, having arguably his worst statistical season in about a decade. He’ll turn 40 in March, so banking on a bounce back seems like a pretty big gamble at this point. Shayne Gostisbehere is also back in the fold and could challenge Burns for time on the top power-play unit.
166. Sean Durzi, UTA, D: Durzi really didn’t deliver in a major way in his first season in Arizona despite getting a lot more power-play time, posting only a three-point increase from 2022-23. Mikhail Sergachev is also around now, lurking for minutes with the man advantage. Given he’s a force when it comes to blocked shots and still has offensive upside, there remains value with Durzi but a breakout of around 55 points, let’s say, is starting to seem unlikely.
167. Jake Sanderson, OTT, D: Sanderson is still searching for a 40-point season even after averaging more than three minutes of power-play time per game to go along with more than 23 minutes at even strength in 2023-24. He’s still very young and perhaps the points will come, though I do get a feeling Sanderson may morph into one of those defencemen who are much more valuable to their team than they are at fantasy hockey.
168. Bryan Rust, PIT, RW: Rust scored at a near 80-point pace in 2021-22 and at a 74-point pace last season, so we know he has the talent to be a fantasy asset. As long as he’s on Crosby’s wing, he’s a solid depth option for your roster, even if Rust doesn’t provide a lot of value in areas other than points.
169. Sam Bennett, FLA, C: Bennett provides a lot of the elements that are key in multi-cat leagues. His blend of hits and penalty minutes, as well as above-average shot volume, make him very effective. Much like many players who play his style, though, you have to account for Bennett missing 15 games or so due to injuries. He’s never had a 50-point season, so you’ll need to insulate Bennett with other offensive talent.
170. Mikhail Sergachev, UTA, D: Sergachev enters this season as a wild card after missing most of last year with injuries and now joining a new team. He’ll likely start behind Durzi for power-play time, but we’ve seen Sergachev wrestle away the top spot from Hedman in the past. For what he provides in hits and blocks, Sergachev should be a low-risk, high-reward pick in your drafts this late.
171. Adam Fantilli, CBJ, C: Fantilli was off to a solid rookie season before injuries cut it short, pacing for 20 goals and more than 100 hits. If that’s the kind of trajectory we can expect from Fantilli, he’ll be highly coveted once he gets more comfortable in the NHL. Big bodies that can score and throw their weight around don’t come around every day.
172. Brayden Schenn, STL, C: Not the flashiest player or one with a high ceiling, Schenn’s appeal is his reliability. He provides respectable offensive numbers that he blends with great hit production. Schenn has now recorded at least 100 hits in 13 straight seasons and 20 goals or more in each of the past three campaigns.
173. Tyler Bertuzzi, CHI, LW: Going from playing with the likes of Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Tavares to a much thinner roster in Chicago will be challenging. If Bertuzzi can land on Bedard’s wing, though, he’ll have some good offensive upside. Anywhere else in the lineup, it’s going to be challenging for Bertuzzi to be a consistent point producer.
174. Semyon Varlamov, NYI, G: Varlamov briefly stole Sorokin’s job late last season and into the playoffs, and his save percentage numbers are always very strong. Coach Patrick Roy clearly is very comfortable playing him, but at 36 and having hit 30 games only once in the past three seasons, Varlamov is probably more quality over quantity at this point in his career.
175. John Carlson, WAS, D: He might not be the offensive player he once was, but Carlson is still an effective option if healthy. Anytime you can grab a defenceman who has a chance at 50 points, 200 shots and 175 blocks, it’s never a bad idea. The fact that Carlson also gets to tee up Ovechkin for one-timers on the power play doesn’t hurt either.
176. Evander Kane, EDM, LW: Always a useful player in multi-cat leagues, Kane is still delivering a ton of hits and is typically a lock for more than 20 goals. That said, the Oilers added some quality forwards in free agency who could push him out of the top six and he isn’t on Edmonton’s first power-play unit, so there’s definitely a limit to what Kane can provide offensively. Also, when you factor in that he’s starting the year on LTIR, his value is really going to take a hit.
177. Macklin Celebrini, SJS, C: Much like Bedard last season, Celebrini is joining a thin roster and will be in tough to have significant value as a rookie. His true value lies in keeper scenarios, but it’s always good to take chances on top prospects such as Celebrini with late picks in your draft. Plus, at least there are some veteran players in the Sharks top six in Toffoli and Mikael Granlund who should be able to help Celebrini as a rookie.
178. Jeremy Lauzon, NSH, D: You may think a one-dimensional player like Lauzon shouldn’t be so high on this list, but he’s so dominant in the hits category that he can be a difference-maker every week. He broke the record for hits in a season last year and should easily get over 350 on an annual basis. If you’re in a head-to-head format, Lauzon could essentially win you the hit category all by himself most weeks.
179. Devon Toews, COL, D: Even though he’s overshadowed by Makar and doesn’t get top power-play time, Toews has still managed to produce three-straight 50-point seasons. His mediocre numbers in hits and blocks prevents him from pushing farther up this list, though given the steady offensive numbers, Toews is a solid No. 3 or No. 4 option on your fantasy blueline.
180. Connor Ingram, UTA, G: Ingram was one of the most pleasant surprises in goal for fantasy last season, outperforming Karel Vejmelka and leading the league in shutouts. Utah has bulked up its blueline in the off-season, which should benefit Ingram going forward, too. That said, for Ingram to crack the top 10 or 15 in fantasy netminders, Utah will need to improve in the win column and really push for a playoff spot.
181. Kris Letang, PIT, D: All things considered, it could’ve been a lot worse for Letang after the arrival of Karlsson, who took over top power-play duties. He may not hit 60 points again, but if Letang can get to around 50 to go along with well over 100 hits and blocks, there’s still value there. Letang is still getting huge minutes as well, which is always helpful in multi-cat formats.
182. Matty Beniers, SEA, C: Another buy-low candidate after a disappointing season, Beniers is coming off a big contract extension this summer and will have a lot to prove this year. He’ll be the Kraken’s top centre and get loads of power-play time, though I do worry Seattle’s balanced offence will limit his overall minutes. Beniers has never averaged more than 17:58 of ice time in his three seasons, which isn’t exactly ideal for a No. 1 centre. He has all the talent in the world and eventually should produce big numbers, it just may not be this year.
183. Trevor Zegras, ANA, C: Zegras’ value is at an all-time low after a dreadful season full of injuries and inconsistencies. Trade rumours have swirled around the forward, but for now he remains on an Anaheim squad full of young talent. It’s possible Zegras bounces back to fantasy relevance because of his talent, and that’s never a bad thing to bet on. Zegras might give you the most bang for your buck as far as buy-low options go in your draft.
184. Dakota Joshua, VAN, LW: Joshua reminds me a lot of Tanner Jeannot, in the sense he throws a tonne of hits and is coming off a season where he notched a bunch of goals because of a really high shooting percentage. I think Joshua is rosterable because of the hits and his ability to find the back of the net, just expect some regression offensively.
185. Oliver Bjorkstrand, SEA, RW: Very quietly, Bjorkstrand set a career high in points last season, just missing out on 60. A five-time 20-goal scorer, Bjorkstrand is a safe bet for around 200 shots and has the potential for close to a hit per game. He’s a reliable option with a high floor.
186. Logan Thompson, WAS, G: Thompson has left the friendly confines of Bruce Cassidy’s structured defensive system for a much weaker Caps squad. He’s also playing behind Lindgren, who is coming off a very strong season. Thompson could end up playing a lot less than he did in Vegas and on a squad nowhere nearly as strong, so buyer beware.
187. Artturi Lehkonen, COL, LW: Lehkonen is a great player, but that hasn’t always translated to fantasy value. Part of that is injuries, as he’s missed 55 games over the past two seasons. In those seasons, though, he was on pace for 65 and 62 points, respectively, so the upside is definitely there. Lehkonen is probably a risk worth taking and you should be thankful you did if he plays anywhere close to 82 games.
188. Mattias Ekholm, EDM, D: Ekholm had a strong finish to the season that saw him set a career high in points and break 100 hits for the first time. The Oilers blueliner typically isn’t very fantasy relevant, but partnering with the offensive-minded Bouchard and taking advantage of a high-scoring Edmonton lineup is making Ekholm worth rostering.
189. Mason Marchment, DAL, LW: We finally got to see Marchment over a full season and it was a little underwhelming. He delivered offensively with 22 goals, though, surprisingly, his hits and PIMs fell short of expectations. There was some hope that Marchment could be a future multi-cat stud with his physicality combined with a nose for the net, but it remains to be seen if he’s worthy of a full-time roster spot on fantasy squads.
190. Lawson Crouse, UTA, LW: Crouse is what he is at this point, a 20-25-goal scorer who can push for 200 hits. He does have value in leagues that track hits and is probably tough to roster in leagues without him. It really depends on your format because Crouse doesn’t have a very high ceiling.
191. Leo Carlsson, ANA, C: It was hard to evaluate Carlsson as a rookie because he missed a bunch of time because of injuries and load management. At this point, he’s probably Anaheim’s No. 1 centre and should get plenty of opportunities and minutes to produce in 2024-25. He’s a high-end talent who is definitely worth taking a shot on in a one-year scenario, even if his value is likely greater in keeper leagues.
192. Mikael Granlund, SJS, C: Granlund was fantasy gold last season, managing to score at a 71-point pace on the league’s worst team. There’s more talent for Granlund to work with in San Jose this season, so if you’re looking for someone to provide you with strictly points and not much else, he’s a good option.
193. Viktor Arvidsson, EDM, RW: Excellent for shot volume, Arvidsson could have a lot of upside this season if he can earn and keep a spot in the Oilers top six. In that scenario, it’s not unrealistic to think Arvidsson could push for 30 goals. The challenge with rostering him is durability, as Arvidsson has hit 70 games only three times in his career.
194. Eeli Tolvanen, SEA, LW: In the only two years when Tolvanen played close to a full season in his career, he averaged almost 200 hits. He doesn’t quite have the offensive upside as someone like Crouse does, but he could have some short-term value on your roster in leagues that track hits — if he can stay healthy.
195. Kirill Marchenko, CBJ, RW: A streaky scorer who doesn’t offer much in the way of anything else, Marchenko is probably safer as a waiver-wire pickup than a draft pick. It was encouraging that he nearly reached 200 shots in 2023-24, but he’d still have to raise that to the 225-250-mark to earn a full-time roster spot on most fantasy squads, given his lack of production in other metrics.
196. Josh Norris, OTT, C: Norris had a career-best 86 hits last season in just 50 games, but his inability to stay healthy makes the Sens forward tough to trust. His physical style of play combined with good offensive skill makes Norris a very tempting and attractive pick — if you can get past the injury risk. The reward might be worth the gamble with one of the final few picks of your draft.
197. Alex Lyon, DET, G: The Red Wings have the most crowded crease in the league and there’s no guarantee Lyon is even on the opening-night roster, but if you want to bet on a Detroit goalie this year, I’d take my chances on him. Lyon has kept two different teams in the playoff hunt in the past two seasons, albeit in a smaller sample size. There’s a world where Lyon claims the starting job and the Wings march to the post-season. We can dream, can’t we?
198. Jacob Trouba, NYR, D: Much like Lauzon, Trouba will almost solely be rostered for his physicality. He won’t provide much offence at all, but in a perfect world Trouba could hit 200 shots, blocks and hits while providing decent value for penalty minutes. There’s room for one player like Trouba on every defence corps in a multi-cat league.
199. Dylan Guenther, UTA, RW: Guenther quietly scored at a 64-point pace last season, making him an intriguing gamble on a very young and exciting Utah squad. He’s another player who is going to have excellent long-term value to go along with high upside for 2024-25. Guenther is behind Schmaltz, who has missed significant time in two of the past three seasons with injuries, on the Utah right-wing depth chart. So, there’s a decent chance Guenther could see time with Keller on the top line this season.
200. Shayne Gostisbehere, CAR, D: Given the struggles Burns had last season, there’s a realistic chance Gostisbehere could take over PP1 duties at some point for the Canes. He may not provide a tonne of category coverage, but there’s no denying Gostisbehere can quarterback a power play, as the 29 points he registered with the man advantage in Detroit last season will attest.
201. Matias Maccelli, UTA, LW: Maccelli upped his goal totals and shot volume last season, proving he had more value than for just assists. He’s still more relevant in leagues that only count points, but Maccelli is still worthy of consideration in multi-cat formats, given he can push for 60 points. Offence is hard to find and Maccelli has proven he can generate it.
202. Jake Neighbours, STL, LW: Neighbours can clearly put the puck in the back of the net, but is he too one-dimensional? The 27 goals were great and he was no slouch for hits, but he managed a measly 11 assists in 2023-24. Unless you’re in a league with an added emphasis on goals, Neighbours is probably utilized as a streamer.
203. Ivan Barbashev, VGK, LW: Barbashev couldn’t recapture the magic he had during Vegas’ Cup run in his first full year with the Golden Knights. He once scored 60 points with the Blues, but that came with a whopping shooting percentage of 23.4. Realistically, he’s more of a 40-50-point player who has great value for hits.
204. Sean Monahan, CBJ, C: Monahan cashed in after a major breakout season, though Columbus hasn’t exactly been a great landing spot for great fantasy seasons in recent years. The Blue Jackets also are very deep at centre, so there is a possibility Fantilli or Jenner could pass him on the depth chart at some point. Monahan definitely comes with some risk this season.
205. Brady Skjei, NSH, D: Skjei has scored 31 goals over the past two seasons and has missed only three games in the last three years. He joins the Predators now, though, and will be hard-pressed to earn much power-play time behind Josi, making it challenging for him to get close to 50 points again.
206. Bowen Byram, BUF, D: Byram’s ice time jumped by two minutes when he went from Colorado to Buffalo last season and he found decent success paired with Dahlin. The issue is Dahlin is firmly ahead of him for power-play time and Owen Power could steal some of the second-unit minutes too. It’s tough to see Byram exceeding 40 points or so in his current situation.
207. Jonathan Huberdeau, CGY, LW: After a dreadful first season in Calgary, Huberdeau’s production was slightly worse in 2023-24, despite a handful of other Flames forwards managing to have very good seasons. It’s been quite a fall for Huberdeau, who was amazingly a 115-point player only a couple of years ago. I don’t think he’s worth drafting at this point, unless you’re the world’s biggest optimist.
208. Logan Stankoven, DAL, C: Stankoven looked good in a brief cameo in Dallas last season, which included an impressive eight playoff points in 19 games. The Stars are so deep at forward that anyone in the top nine has a decent chance at a productive season. If you’re a fan of taking chances on young players with upside, Stankoven is as good an option as anyone.
209. Matvei Michkov, PHI, RW: Michkov arrives in Philly with plenty of fanfare and anticipation, but I’m tempering my expectations. There’s no doubt he’ll be a great player eventually, though it’s hard not to anticipate a few hiccups in Year 1 and maybe a handful of scratches or demotions in the lineup playing under John Tortorella. I’d forecast around 50-60 points for Michkov on the high end.
210. Andrei Kuzmenko, CGY, RW: There’s no doubt Kuzmenko can score, after seasons of 39 and 22 goals. The question is, how sustainable is it with a career shooting percentage of over 23? The answer is, probably not very, and Kuzmenko is likely better utilized as a streamer off waivers instead of being a permanent fixture on your fantasy squad.
211. Jake Allen, NJD, G: Allen’s numbers improved substantially upon arriving in New Jersey last season and he owns a career .907 save percentage. He’s a backup, but Markstrom battled multiple injuries in 2023-24 and the ailments don’t figure to be less frequent for the soon-to-be 35-year-old. So, there’s a world where Allen stumbles into some decent playing on a much-improved team.
212. Thomas Chabot, OTT, D: Chabot plays big minutes but injuries have limited his value in recent years. It also feels like he’s been surpassed for power-play time by the up-and-coming Sanderson. The Sens blueliner seems overrated in fantasy to me, as he doesn’t perform particularly well in any specific category, but instead is just decent across the board. Add Chabot to the list of skaters who has more real-world value than in fantasy.
213. Philipp Kurashev, CHI, RW: Kurashev quietly had 54 points in 75 games last season and built real chemistry with Bedard. He has more value in a points league, and if you’re rostering him, you’ll have to hope new additions on the wing Bertuzzi and Teravainen don’t bump Kurashev down the lineup.
214. Valeri Nichushkin, COL, RW: There’s a chance Nichushkin returns in mid-November from the player assistance program and flourishes, making this pick a steal. Or it’s possible he’ll be out much longer and maybe even doesn’t play for Colorado again. It’s a gamble, but probably one worth taking to stash a player with major upside if all works out.
215. Ivan Fedotov, PHI, G: There’s still a lot of mystery around Fedotov after only a few NHL games, but his size and the fact he’s that John Tortorella has a history of being a goalie-friendly coach makes him an intriguing pick if you’re looking for a bargain goalie late in your drafts. Fedotov is a low-risk, high-reward option between the pipes very deep in drafts.
216. Troy Terry, ANA, RW: Terry’s production has declined each year since his incredible season in 2021-22. A full year with Carlsson should help and he does have a fairly high floor. In a worst-case scenario, Terry should net you 50-plus points and in a best-case situation maybe he can get north of 65 and close to 200 shots.
217. Alex Pietrangelo, VGK, D: Pietrangelo’s fantasy relevance is slowly dissipating. He’s a decent piece for blocked shots, but if he plays a full season, the best you can hope for is around 45 points. In deep leagues that count blocks, you could still roster him, though the Vegas blueline is suddenly crowded with last year’s addition of Noah Hanifin. Power-play time for Pietrangelo could be scarce.
218. Pierre-Luc Dubois, WAS, C: A buy-low if there ever was one, Dubois’ value plummeted in Los Angeles and a fresh start in Washington can’t hurt. He’ll likely play higher in the lineup with the Caps, though his new team isn’t exactly full of offensive talent. The Capitals ranked 28th in goals for last season. Dubois might be worth a look with the final pick or two in your drafts or as an early-season addition off waivers, as long as your expectations are low.
219. Gabriel Landeskog, COL, LW: It sounds like Landeskog could return at some point near the start of the season, making him an intriguing option. There’s still no guarantee his injury will allow him to resume his career full time or we’ll see the Landeskog of old after two years off, but there’s enough talent and upside of playing in the Avs top six to make him worth a later-round gamble and then stashing him until he’s ready.
220. Max Domi, TOR, C: Much of Domi’s value will depend on how new coach Craig Berube deploys his lines, as he’d have much value in the top six as a winger as opposed to a third-line centre. Domi could be especially valuable in leagues that count penalty minutes, though, as he had a career-high 118 last season.
221. Justin Faulk, STL, D: With Torey Krug sidelined for the season due to an injury, there are few challengers on the Blues to Faulk for power-play time. If he stays healthy, the defender has a chance for 50 points, around 200 shots and should have little trouble securing well over 100 hits and blocks.
222. Filip Gustavsson, MIN, G: We saw the inevitable regression from Gustavsson last season after an incredible but unsustainable 2022-23. Part of that was on the team, as the Wild are trending in the wrong direction and don’t figure to be much better this season. Minnesota’s crease is also crowded, with Marc-Andre Fleury returning and Jesper Wallstedt knocking on the door. Gustavsson probably isn’t draftable unless you’re in a very deep league where goalies are scarce.
223. Aaron Ekblad, FLA, D: Ekblad has still really had only one fantasy-relevant season, which had many put major stock in him. Montour is no longer around, so maybe a full year of unchallenged PP1 time can help Ekblad get back to the 50-point mark. If he can’t do that, it’s hard to justify rostering Ekblad because he really doesn’t wow you in any other category.
224. Taylor Hall, CHI, LW: We didn’t get to see much of Hall with Bedard last season, and now the Blackhawks have brought in Teravainen and Bertuzzi, crowding Chicago’s depth chart on the wing. Hall’s stock is very low right, but we’ve seen him deliver very productive seasons in the past. If he does land a consistent spot with Bedard, there might be some value, otherwise Hall may not be worth rostering this season.
225. Rasmus Andersson, CGY, D: It’s going to be hard for Andersson to hit 50 points again as Calgary enters a rebuild, so if you’re rostering him, it’s probably going to be mainly for blocked shots. Andersson should also see minimal power-play time unless there’s an injury to Weegar. Once a solid depth fantasy blueliner, Andersson’s value is lower than it’s been in quite some time.
226. Ilya Samsonov, VGK, G: There’s some sneaky value with Samsonov this season. Vegas plays a solid defensive structure with a deep blueline and head coach Bruce Cassidy loves rotating his goalies. Add in the fact that starter Hill hasn’t played more than 35 games in a season, and there’s a chance Samsonov gets some decent playing time on a solid team.
227. Gustav Forsling, FLA, D: Unless plus/minus is a category in your league, Forsling is another defenceman you’d much rather have on your favourite NHL team than your fantasy squad. Maybe there’s a chance Forsling challenges for some power-play time now with Montour gone, though in a best-case scenario he’s still probably only around a 40-45-point player.
228. Jakob Chychrun, WAS, D: I don’t really see Washington being much more fruitful than Ottawa was for Chychrun. He’ll be behind Carlson for power-play minutes and he hasn’t really been able to recapture the form he had in 2020-21, when he scored at a 60-point pace. If your league values goals higher than other categories, though, he may be worth a look on deeper rosters because Chychrun is a real threat to hit double-digit goal totals.
229. Fabian Zetterlund, SJS, RW: Zetterlund closed last season with 12 points in his final 13 games and that was in a very thin San Jose top six. Fantasy players are hoping that stretch was a sign of things to come, and the Sharks now have Celebrini and Toffoli to help the cause, so there are far worse late-round gambles than Zetterlund.
230. Darnell Nurse, EDM, D: Nurse is one of the few players you can overlook a lack of offence from. His efficiency in the hits, blocks and penalty minutes categories alone make Nurse worth rostering, and if he gets close to 200 shots, that’s a huge bonus. The Oilers blueliner has also scored at least 10 goals four times in his career, so there is a little scoring pop here and there.
231. Spencer Knight, FLA, G: I’m a big fan of Knight as a Zero-G option this season. Given Bobrovsky’s age and the fact that Florida is coming off back-to-back deep playoff runs, there’s a decent chance Knight plays a fair bit this season. Plus, it doesn’t hurt Florida is probably going to be one of the best defensive teams in the league once again, which should provide a great support system for Knight to post respectable numbers.
232. Phillip Danault, LAK, C: Danault is much more valuable in leagues that count faceoffs, and this year he could slide down the depth chart if Byfield makes a full-time move to centre. He had 27 goals three years ago, but hasn’t really come anywhere close to that since. I think Danault is better served as someone to monitor on waivers in case the Kings deal with injuries down the middle.
233. Noah Hanifin, VGK, D: I think the fact that Vegas has such a deep blueline hurts a player like Hanifin. Pietrangelo, Theodore and Hanifin are all capable of taking top power-play minutes and they may end up eating into each other’s overall ice time. Hanifin has never had a 50-point or 200-shot season, and it’s hard to see that changing this year, given how balanced the Vegas defence corps is.
234. Marco Rossi, MIN, C: Rossi showed glimpses of what he can deliver with a 21-goal season a year ago. A lot is going to depend on deployment when it comes to his value in 2024-25. If he’s centring Kaprizov and Boldy, he could have huge value this season, but if he’s pushed farther down the lineup, we may have to keep waiting for a Rossi breakout.
235. Kirby Dach, MON, RW: Dach has missed a bunch of time over the past two seasons because of injuries, but the addition of Laine could make him an interesting option. The Canadiens forward will likely have dual eligibility and centre Laine. If the duo can stay in the lineup for the majority of the season and play together, Dach will likely be headed for a career year.
236. William Eklund, SJS, LW: Eklund found his stride late last season, closing with 15 points in his final 14 games. The Sharks suddenly have a plethora of young talent in their forward group to all feed off each other for production. Eklund also had sneaky value for blocks in 2023-24, ranking among the best among forwards in the category by averaging almost one per game.
237. Anthony Duclair, NYI, LW: There’s a left-wing spot available for the taking next to Horvat and Barzal, so if Duclair gets it, he’s likely going to be productive. We know Duclair can succeed with talent around him, as was evident with the boost he got when joining Tampa last season. Barzal and Horvat are certainly not on someone like Kucherov’s level, but they should be skilled enough to help Duclair to fantasy relevance if he’s on New York’s top line.
238. Tommy Novak, NSH, C: With the arrival of Stamkos and Marchessault, Novak suddenly gets a massive upgrade in wingers if he can hold the second-line centre spot. That could be easier said than done, though, as Nashville has three first-round picks in next year’s draft, meaning it could be active before the deadline and add to its centre depth. If Novak gets pushed down the lineup, he’ll be tough to hold.
239. Tyson Foerster, PHI, LW: Foerster quietly had a solid season for the Flyers, notching 20 goals and more than 100 hits. He doesn’t provide much else beyond that, but those kinds of numbers can definitely make him an asset in a league that tracks hits and values goals. If he gets consistent time on Philly’s top line and some decent power-play minutes, Foerster could be worth rostering full time.
240. Radko Gudas, ANA, D: Another player to not be overly concerned about a lack of goals and assists, Gudas should fill up the rough-and-tumble categories to make him worth rostering all season. He should have little trouble hitting triple digits in the hits, blocks and PIMs categories, giving you plenty of coverage in those areas. Gudas is elite when it comes to hits specifically, and don’t be surprised if clears the 300-mark if he can stay healthy.
241. Dawson Mercer, NJD, RW: One of the more disappointing players last season, Mercer registered a measly 33 points. Part of that likely had to do with injuries to New Jersey’s forward group and Meier getting off to a slow start. Mercer is a decent buy-low option, knowing there’s a chance he’ll get to play considerably with Meier and Hughes on the wing. If there’s anywhere a player should be able to produce, it’s next to Hughes.
242. Shane Wright, SEA, C: Wright should be a fixture with the Kraken this season after spending the majority of last year in the AHL. New coach Dan Bylsma coached Wright to success in the minors and is likely going to be more comfortable leaning on him for playing time. There’s a chance Wright ends up as the Kraken’s No. 2 centre by the end of the season, but I think it’s going to be another year or so before he’s really fantasy relevant.
243. Will Smith, SJS, RW: Smith seems like a can’t-miss prospect and will be joining a Sharks squad with far more talent up front than it had last year. Still, a lot of that talent is young an inexperienced and it might be another couple of years before we see the likes of Smith making a big impact. We’ve seen duos like Celebrini and Smith come into the NHL together and have huge success, so the Sharks will be hoping this pair follows a similar path.
244. Anthony Stolarz, TOR, G: Woll has played only 36 games over three seasons due to injuries, so there’s a chance Stolarz stumbles into some decent playing time for 2024-25. His numbers were stellar in Florida last season and don’t just assume it was because the Panthers were a very good defensive team.
245. Jack Quinn, BUF, RW: It was a tough season for Quinn injury-wise, but nine goals and 19 points in 27 games shows what he’s capable of if he’s healthy. The Sabres should hopefully be a bounce-back team and they have a lot of talent for Quinn to play with in the top six. If he can hold a spot in the top two lines, we could see a breakout season for Quinn.
246. Ville Husso, DET, G: Husso’s numbers have plummeted since he arrived in Detroit and the Red Wings crease is suddenly very crowded. His contract indicates Husso will get a shot to run with the top role, though nothing about his play with the Wings gives you confidence he can hold it. If you’re desperate for a goalie late in your draft, you could take a chance, just don’t draft Husso too early.
247. Pavel Mintyukov, ANA, D: Even with Jamie Drysdale gone, Anaheim’s blueline is still congested, making it tough to forecast how much power-play time Mintyukov might get. Cam Fowler and Olen Zellweger will be good competition for Mintyukov, who looked impressive for stretches as a rookie a year ago. In an ideal world, Mintyukov is netting you well over 100 blocks and hits, and any offence of around 40-50 points would be gravy on top.
248. Cole Perfetti, WPG, RW: Coach Rick Bowness was hesitant to put much on Perfetti’s plate so early in his career, playing the 22-year-old just 13:35 per night last season. Perhaps a new head coach will open the door for Perfetti to gain more trust and more playing time, as well as a consistent spot in Winnipeg’s top six. If it happens, there’s upside to taking a chance on someone with Perfetti’s skillset.
249. Matthew Knies, TOR, C: Knies looked much more confident in last season’s playoffs, but the consistent offensive production still isn’t there. If you’re rostering him, it should be for hits and PIMs, with the hope that he can secure a spot next to Matthews and Marner, and see an uptick in points.
250. Arturs Silovs, VAN, G: Silovs was very impressive during last year’s post-season and, with injury concerns around Demko, he could end up being a sneaky good Zero-G candidate. The Canucks should be a strong team once again, so if Silovs stumbles into some extra playing time, he’ll have decent value. If Silovs can get around 35 starts or so, he’ll likely be worth holding as a third goalie on fantasy squads.
Just missed the cut:
Kyle Palmieri, NYI, RW
Seth Jones, CHI, D
Rickard Rakell, PIT, RW
Joel Farabee, PHI, LW
Samuel Montembeault, MON, G
Nick Paul, TBL, C
Conor Garland, VAN, RW
Colton Parayko, STL, D
Cutter Gauthier, ANA, LW
Josh Doan, UTAH, RW
Connor McMichael, WAS, LW
Neal Pionk, WPG, D
Travis Sanheim, PHI, D
Cam Talbot, DET, G
Daniel Sprong, VAN, RW
Philipp Grubauer, SEA, G
Joey Daccord, SEA, G
Dustin Wolf, CGY, G
Tanner Jeannot, LAK, LW:
Lukas Dostal, ANA, G:
