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Special to ESPN.com- Sean Allen is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. He was the 2008 and 2009 FSWA Hockey Writer of the Year.
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Special to ESPN.com- Victoria Matiash is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. Victoria has been a part of the fantasy team since 2010.
The 2026-27 NHL season is nearly upon us and that brings an exciting new season of ESPN Fantasy hockey drafts, leagues and all the lineup decisions that come with them. There is fantasy value to be had on each of the NHL's 32 squads, from the obvious superstars to budding talents. It's never too late to catch up on an offseason's worth of information before your draft with a cheat sheet or draft guide, but it's the right time to take a closer look at who to look at who to draft from every team.
The NHL season starts on Tuesday, Sept. 29, but new fantasy hockey leagues start every Monday.
ESPN Fantasy analysts Sean Allen and Victoria Matiash give you a look at each team's core fantasy player picks and sleepers, with Sean writing about the Eastern Conference, and Victoria the Western Conference.
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Anaheim Ducks
Cutter Gauthier -- who's ready to flirt with the 50-goal mark -- Leo Carlsson, and Beckett Sennecke are the Ducks' top fantasy forwards, in order. After that there's a considerable drop off, at least before the regular season gets underway. As Anaheim's top defenseman, Jackson LaCombe could average 2.0 fantasy points per game in ESPN Fantasy leagues. In net, Lukas Dostal is a risky play behind Anaheim's refurbished, and largely inexperienced, defense.
Boston Bruins
David Pastrnak carries this offense almost alone, and he makes linemates: Morgan Geekie and Pavel Zacha last year, maybe JJ Peterka next. Zacha's the value nobody drafts -- a center going late in drafts despite finishing a top-80 fantasy forward.
Buffalo Sabres
Two true stars up top, and a deep, ascending forward group behind Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin. Jack Quinn, Josh Doan and Zach Benson all flashed, and Jiri Kulich has a chance to, and they all sit available at the end of drafts. Bet on the wave, with Doan the best of them.
Calgary Flames
A key piece of the Flames' future, Zayne Parekh is in position to make significant fantasy noise right now in anchoring the top power play. A must-roster in dynasty competition, the 20-year-old defenseman is also worth targeting in deeper redraft leagues. Tending the net for a rebuilding team, Wolf is a riskier pick in leagues that deal in negative integers for goalies. Matvei Gridin sports sneaky 65-point fantasy potential as a winger on the top line and power play.
Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina's relentless system floats everyone's floor, with Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Nikolaj Ehlers as the weapons. A healthy Shayne Gostisbehere is the power-play bet, as he was 22nd in assists per minute in just 55 games, so the helpers spike if he stays on the ice.
Chicago Blackhawks
Patrick Kane and Roman Kantserov (fresh from the KHL) are set to pile up points in flanking Connor Bedard at even-strength and with the extra skater, once the star center returns from injury. No one will be shocked to see the Kane hit the 70-mark in his return to Chicago. Anton Frondell is expected to break-out as the second-line center after scoring nine points in 12 games this past spring. Top dog on Chicago's blue line, Bowen Byram could rank as a top-20 defenseman once all is said and done.
Colorado Avalanche
Martin Necas accumulated 100 points riding shotgun to Nathan MacKinnon in 2025-26. No reason to expect any different this round. Lower down the fantasy ranks, Gabriel Landeskog sports greater potential, now that the captain feels good and up to speed. Especially in competing on a No. 1 power play with MacKinnon, Necas, and Cale Makar. Between the pipes, Scott Wedgewood should see fewer starts now that Mackenzie Blackwood is back to full health.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Zach Werenski's a set-and-forget anchor and Adam Fantili is ready to pop in his age-22 season. Valeri Nichushkin's the bounce-back dart -- a proven scorer whose value cratered on availability, not ability -- while Jet Greaves owns a crease that's worth your attention if Columbus banks him wins.
Dallas Stars
Even though there's some debate about whether Jason Robertson or Wyatt Johnston will eventually emerge as the Stars' ultimate fantasy performer by April, truth is that both project as top-12 forwards. Slipping through the fantasy cracks a bit, Miro Heiskanen remains a top-10 defenseman with such a solid group of dynamite skaters. If healthy, Oettinger is going to play, and win, enough to merit rostering as a No. 1 goalie.
Detroit Red Wings
Moritz Seider anchors an elite peripheral profile, but the forward core carries questions after Patrick Kane's departure and Dylan Larkin's ugly offseason. Fade Alex DeBrincat: he was fourth in the league in shots per minute last season, but that chemistry with Kane is off the table now.
Edmonton Oilers
Beyond the club's pair of bona fide superstars, Zach Hyman forecasts to bounce back after two mediocre/injury-riddled seasons. The veteran winger likes playing for Mike Babcock and seems fully fit after missing 24 games this past campaign. Evan Bouchard could eventually eclipse all fantasy blueliners if he ends up hitting the 100-point mark, as some optimistically anticipate. But managers best steer clear of Edmonton's goaltending until a clearer picture -- and a positive one -- develops.
Florida Panthers
A down fantasy year sets up a roaring return, with both Brady and Matthew Tkachuk now up front and a healthy Aleksander Barkov back. Brad Marchand is the ageless draft pick -- fourth in the entire league in goals per minute at age 38, available at a discount because he played only 52 games.
Los Angeles Kings
One of this year's more popular breakout candidates, Brandt Clarke is expected to take another step forward after amassing eight goals and 32 assists in his sophomore season. No one should feel surprised if the 23-year-old collects 25 points on the power play alone. After Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe are off the board, Kevin Fiala is valuable enough to draft late and start on IR. The winger is loosely due back in early November.
Minnesota Wild
The Wild are one of the few squads with two top-20 forwards. Any manager who secures Kirill Kaprizov as a No. 1 and/or Matt Boldy as a No. 2 should count themselves fortunate. While Brock Faber won't put up as many points as Quinn Hughes, the 24-year-old blueliner provides his own value by blocking shots. Often overshadowed by the former Canuck, Faber serves as a mid-round steal. After an astounding rookie campaign, and with Filip Gustavsson hurt, Jesper Wallstedt is the No. 1 goalie in Minny, at least to start.
Montreal Canadiens
A rising young team with one of the league's most dangerous power plays. Juraj Slafkovsky is the target. The former No. 1overall pick came on strong (eighth overall in fantasy points from Dec. 1 onward) and is going a full round or two behind Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.
Nashville Predators
Steven Stamkos is expected to take a step back after potting 42 goals (20.4% shooting percentage) in 2025-26. Making a sparkling impression in preseason competition, Matthew Wood is worth monitoring. On the blue line, perhaps because of Nashville's underwhelming showing and recent injuries, Roman Josi isn't garnering the fantasy attention of yesterday. However, if healthy -- as he is right now -- the 2020 Norris Trophy winner remains a fringe top-10 defender.
New Jersey Devils
Health is the whole story here. A healthy Jack Hughes is a first-rounder, and the top forwards are dangerous when whole. Watch the new additions, as Anthony Mantha and Luke Evangelista are near-free late fliers who could spark real value if they stick in the top six.
New York Islanders
Rookie Matthew Schaefer is the real deal, an every-week anchor from Day 1 in top-pairing, power-play minutes. He has a real shot at being the top fantasy defenseman already, if the Islanders' underwhelming power play can find its form under coach Peter DeBoer.
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New York Rangers
Loaded with established talent at the key positions: Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox and an elite Igor Shesterkin in net. Alexis Lafreniere is the sleeper worth a late shout, as he found another gear late once the offense reshuffled post-Panarin, finishing top-50 in fantasy points after March 1 last season.
Ottawa Senators
A young core arriving all at once, now without Brady Tkachuk. It's a wealth of talent with Tim Stutzle driving the bus. Linus Ullmark is worth a look to bounce back to his Vezina Trophy-winning form. After a lost regular season, he was not to blame for the Sens being swept in the first round (.932 save percentage).
Philadelphia Flyers
A rebuild with real pockets of value, led by volume-shooter Owen Tippett and the Matvei Michkov / Porter Martone ceiling. Martone, in particular, is an appealing target based on his powerhouse 10-game sample at the end of last season. Add Jamie Drysdale, if healthy, as he has a clear path to quarterback the top power play.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The veterans still deliver. Sidney Crosby's a lock until we see otherwise, Erik Karlsson still earns value and Evgeni Malkin remains quietly elite by the minute. Egor Chinakhov is the sleeper pick with deceptive averages from 2025-26, as his half-season Penguins sample (1.88 FPPG) is obscured by his Blue Jackets tenure (0.67 FPPG).
San Jose Sharks
Slated to skate with Macklin Celebrini -- who shares company with MacKinnon, Kucherov, and McDavid's in this year's ultra-elite fantasy quartet -- Will Smith is expected to burst forth with a 70-75 points in his third NHL go-around. Rookie Luca Cagnoni could open many eyes as a super-sleeper by contributing regularly on the top power play. Neither Yaroslav Askarov or Alex Nedeljkovic deserve immediate fantasy attention at the moment.
Seattle Kraken
A fiddle-fit Jared McCann has the potential to reward managers as a late selection in the deepest leagues. Otherwise, Seattle doesn't offer much more than timely streaming options.
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St. Louis Blues
On a top line and power play with Robert Thomas, Jimmy Snuggerud is estimated to shoot up a storm and score near 45 goals in his second full campaign. Aside from the club's top center, Snuggerud boasts the most fantasy appeal up front. The Blues' net now undisputedly belongs to Hofer, while Binnington's future in St. Louis remains uncertain at best.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Elite and safe at the top, with Nikita Kucherov the league's most productive forward minute-for-minute. Watch the power-play battle: John Carlson's arrival threatens Hedman's return to key minutes, and with Victor Hedman now 35 and coming off a ton of missed time, that's the quarterback job to monitor.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The season hinges on a healthy Auston Matthews, with William Nylander the steadier cornerstone alongside him. Rookie Gavin McKenna is the upside name to watch, Darryn Raddysh is a quiet bet to repeat his top-11 fantasy-D finish, and the crease is a timeshare between Anthony Stolarz and Sergei Bobrovsky that deserves a watch, not a draft-day reach.
Utah Mammoth
Dylan Guenther is a legit 40-goal threat, ex-Islander Anders Lee is one to watch as a depth threat in a plum lineup spot, while Clayton Keller is expected to go about his usual business of scoring near 90 points. The busiest goalie in 2025-26, Karel Vejmelka could lose a few more starts to Sebastian Cossa, who's ready to prove himself after four solid seasons in the minors, but not enough to sweat about.
Vancouver Canucks
As frustrated as Canucks fans are with their former star, Elias Pettersson is still worth rostering in fantasy leagues that treasure more than production. No forward blocked more shots this past season and those points add up. Brock Boeser and Jake DeBrusk could be worth a whirl in exceptionally deep fantasy competition. On the blue line, Zeev Buium is worth monitoring.
Vegas Golden Knights
What should fantasy managers make of Carter Hart's potential this year? After a whole year off, the netminder was more than just reliable for a Golden Knights team that made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. But he played only 40 games total between the regular and postseason. There are other starting netminders, for other good squads, who carry less uncertainty. Otherwise, Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner rank one and two up front, respectively, while Mark Stone -- the most valuable of the three when healthy -- best suits rosters with plenty of IR spots.
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Washington Capitals
New faces Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou reshape a lineup still leaning on Alex Ovechkin's shot volume. It's a huge forward upgrade - and rookie Cole Hutson is a solid gamble, having generated power-play points at the best per-minute rate in the league in a small sample; the Protas brothers add homegrown upside.
Winnipeg Jets
As of this very minute, Stuart Skinner is the clear-cut No. 1 in Winnipeg while Connor Hellebuyck remains on the outs. If that situation holds, the two-time Stanley Cup Finalist could reward his managers handsomely as a third or fourth fantasy goaltender. As for the inactive former Hart/Vezina Trophy-winner, he's bound to be traded at some point (right?) and worth a fantasy gamble in mid rounds of most drafts. A healthy Cole Perfetti is poised to take it to the next level on a top line and power play with Mark Scheifele, who scored a rather quiet 103 points this past year.