Fantasy hockey team previews: Outlooks, picks for all 32 teams

Sean Allen

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Sean Allen

Special to ESPN.com
Victoria Matiash

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Victoria Matiash

Fantasy Hockey
- ESPN.com Fantasy Contributor since 2010
- Part-time anchor at NEWSTALK1010

Oct 7, 2024, 06:00 AM ET

As the puck drops on another NHL season, the Florida Panthers look to defend their first Stanley Cup against a field of hungry teams, including the Carolina Hurricanes, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers.

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Our experts have scouted every team in the league and have put together the details you need to know before you draft. Sean Allen has the Eastern Conference and Victoria Matiash has the Western Conference.

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Lacking top-tier fantasy stars, the Ducks still include several solid performers in deeper fantasy competition. Rookie Cutter Gauthier boasts 50- to 60-point potential on Leo Carlsson‘s wing, top-line skater Trevor Zegras is looking to bounce back following last year’s injury-riddled campaign, while Frank Vatrano will be hard pressed to score 37 once more. Especially from the third line. As young defender Pavel Mintyukov projects to see increased time with the extra skater, new captain Radko Gudas sports noteworthy value in leagues that reward hits and blocked shots. Goalie Lukas Dostal is expected to start most nights to launch 2024-25 while John Gibson recovers from an emergency appendectomy.

David Pastrnak is a first-round fantasy superstar, while Charlie McAvoy ranks in the top 20 for defenders. Jeremy Swayman should be one of the top goalies on your draft board after he takes over the reins in net. If Elias Lindholm builds chemistry with Pastrnak, the rewards could be substantial. Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha provide low upside but reliable fantasy output.

Will new fantasy contributors emerge from the young forwards stepping up? JJ Peterka is the best bet, with Jack Quinn also having potential on the second line with Dylan Cozens. Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch are reliable but could improve on last season. Rasmus Dahlin leads the defense, while Bowen Byram and Owen Power could emerge as starters. Hopes are high for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen after finishing top 12 among fantasy goaltenders last season.

With Jacob Markstrom settled in New Jersey, rookie Dustin Wolf is set to battle Dan Vladar for the bulk of starts in Calgary’s net. Fantasy managers shouldn’t expect a surplus of victories from either, as the club is in the midst of a minor rebuild. Up front, Nazem Kadri remains an underappreciated performer with point/game potential, while winger Yegor Sharangovich could bust through the 60 mark after coming oh-so-close in his first turn as a Flame. Defender MacKenzie Weegar probably won’t score 50-plus again, but 10 goals and 30 assists, along with an exceptionally large number of hits and blocked-shots, are likely in the cards.

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Does Frederik Andersen have another big season, or does Pyotr Kochetkov steal enough minutes to be the fantasy choice? More likely, do they limit each other’s potential? Sebastian Aho is reliable with Seth Jarvis as his partner in crime, but the Canes need big campaigns from Andrei Svechnikov and Martin Necas. Newly signed defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere offers sleeper value on the power play if Brent Burns continues his twilight career decline.

On Connor Bedard’s wing, new Blackhawk Tyler Bertuzzi should enjoy his most productive season since punching out 62 points in 68 games with Detroit back in 2021-22. Bedard is expected to take another leap forward after collecting 61 points in 68 games in his Calder-winning season. Fantasy managers should anticipate a point-per-game pace from the center, at minimum. Seth Jones serves as a well-rounded fantasy defender in conventional leagues, while Alec Martinez provides good value in competition that compensates blocked shots.

Up front, the Avalanche could look significantly different a couple of months into the season, pending the respective returns of Gabriel Landeskog (knee), Artturi Lehkonen (shoulder), and Valeri Nichushkin (suspension). Particularly since all three wingers appear pegged to slide into the Avs’ top six, joining fantasy superstar Nathan MacKinnon, top-10 forward Mikko Rantanen, and second-line center Casey Mittelstadt. When available, Nichushkin serves as a fantasy contributor right across the board. If not the NHL’s No. 1 defender, Cale Makar is right there, while goalie Alexandar Georgiev benefits his managers by playing often, and well enough, for one of the better teams in the West. Unless young Justus Annunen steals more starts than anticipated, Georgiev endures as a top-10 fantasy goaltender.

While potential scoring stars are scattered throughout the lineup, defenseman Zach Werenski is the primary fantasy focus. Boone Jenner, Kirill Marchenko, Ivan Provorov, Kent Johnson, Adam Fantilli, Sean Monahan and Yegor Chinakhov all have potential to reward this season, but likely only two or three will shine – especially those on the top power-play unit. Fantilli and Marchenko stand out, but drafting anyone aside from Werenski carries risk.

Wyatt Johnston is expected to take another leap forward once settled in alongside center Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson at even strength and with the extra skater. A point/game pace is hardly out of the question after the 21-year-old scored 32 goals and 33 assists in only his second season. High-ceiling rookie Logan Stankoven deserves inclusion in deeper fantasy leagues, while young defender Thomas Harley merits grabbing once Miro Heiskanen is off the draft board. After a mediocre first few months, Jake Oettinger wrapped up the regular season 10-1-0, with a .941 SV% and a 1.54 GAA.

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The Red Wings are poised to surprise, either positively or negatively. Wide ranges of outcomes exist for Alex DeBrincat, Patrick Kane, Vladimir Tarasenko and Lucas Raymond. Dylan Larkin brings stability, making DeBrincat and Raymond solid bets for value. On defense, Moritz Seider stands out as a star, Simon Edvinsson has significant fantasy potential and Erik Gustafsson could be a power-play specialist. Goalie Cam Talbot may be worth drafting initially, but remember he struggled in the second half last season.

If Jeff Skinner secures a spot on Leon Draisaitl’s wing, as expected, the veteran should enjoy a campaign similar to when he put up 35 goals and 47 assists with the Sabres only two years ago. A staple on a unit with Connor McDavid, forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is eyeing a bounce-back year after falling to 67 points from the previous season’s exorbitant tally (104). Another 54 goals from Zach Hyman is a big ask, but 40-plus feels reasonable. Evan Bouchard endures as a top-10 defenseman in scoring leagues, and Stuart Skinner likely merits a little more fantasy love after a successful showing in the postseason. Once the very best are off the board, Edmonton’s No. 1 should be snatched up quickly.

With seven players finishing among the top 200 in fantasy points last season, the Stanley Cup champs remain a fantasy force. It’s reasonable to expect more of the same from Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart as elite players. Carter Verhaeghe and Sergei Bobrovsky are also everyday starters on fantasy rosters. Additionally, there’s value in Sam Bennett, with potential upside from Gustav Forsling and Aaron Ekblad on defense. Adam Boqvist could be a sleeper if he secures power-play time.

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With Drew Doughty sidelined months with a fractured ankle, rookie Brandt Clarke climbs the fantasy rankings as substitute on the Kings’ top power play. After collecting 46 points in 50 games with the AHL Ontario Reign this past year, the 21-year-old is finally set to play his first full NHL season. A healthy Adrian Kempe is good for 35 to 40 goals, while captain Anze Kopitar remains one of the game’s more well-rounded fantasy performers. Cemented in the top-six, Quinton Byfield should build on last year’s 20 goal, 35 assist total, and goalie Darcy Kuemper has sleeper potential behind a better defensive system than he had in Washington.

Forward Kirill Kaprizov is a fantasy star nearly on par with the NHL’s best. Averaging 2.9 points/game in ESPN standard competition, the Wild winger trailed only MacKinnon, Auston Matthews, McDavid and Nikita Kucherov in offering managers the most bang for their fantasy buck. Perennially underappreciated, Kaprizov’s linemate Mats Zuccarello potted 51 assists and 33 power-play goals in 69 games last year. In addition to scoring, second-line center Joel Eriksson Ek throws his body around and wins plenty of faceoffs alongside linemate Matt Boldy, who projects to flirt with a point/game rate. Sophomore defender Brock Faber is tasked with anchoring the club’s top power play after collecting 47 points in his first full NHL campaign.

The stars align for big seasons from Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky, possibly making them one of the league’s top lines. Mike Matheson‘s value could be at risk if Lane Hutson or another prospect emerges, but Kaiden Guhle‘s fantasy value remains secure. Don’t overlook Kirby Dach‘s potential after missing almost all of last season.

Does Steven Stamkos score another 40 in his new Nashville digs? How does Vegas export Jonathan Marchessault fare after potting 42 in 2023-24? Perhaps a tiny dip in those impressive totals from both is to be anticipated. Center Tommy Novak can’t be disregarded as a promising fantasy performer should he end up cemented between the two on what would be a dynamic second scoring line. Elite fantasy defender Roman Josi, top-five goalie Juuse Saros, and Filip Forsberg — coming off 48 goals and 46 assists — round out a select gaggle of fantasy characters to launch a fresh offensive age in Tennessee.

If all goes well for the Devils, they could have four players in the top 50 and six in the top 100 for fantasy points, showcasing the potential for new coach Sheldon Keefe to unlock. Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier and Timo Meier will drive the offense, with Dougie Hamilton healthy on the blue line. Jacob Markstrom provides the reliable goaltending needed for more wins. We’ll see whether Luke Hughes can carve out a fantasy role alongside Hamilton once he’s fully healed.

While Noah Dobson stood out, finishing 17th in fantasy points last season, the Islanders return 10 players who finished among the top 250; only the Dallas Stars have more. Brock Nelson, Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal provide reliable value, while Kyle Palmieri, Anders Lee, Alexander Romanov, Ryan Pulock and Jean-Gabriel Pageau often fluctuate in lineups. The real test is whether you can overlook Ilya Sorokin‘s down season. Is he still a top-five goalie, or are you concerned about last season and his offseason back surgery?

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The Rangers’ identity was their dominant power play last season, making Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck, Chris Kreider and Adam Fox locked-in fantasy superstars. Igor Shesterkin is a top-tier goaltender capable of being a top-10 fantasy play. There’s no concern with Jacob Trouba‘s “down” season since his counting stats remain valuable. Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller both broke out last season and aim to build on that in 2024-25. Watch for reclamation winger Reilly Smith if he succeeds in the top six.

Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle are fantasy superstars, while Drake Batherson is reliable, but then questions arise. Jake Sanderson is poised to standout on defense, but can he seize the opportunity with Thomas Chabot lurking? Linus Ullmark won’t have the Bruins in front of him, but are the Sens good enough? What are expectations for Josh Norris and Shane Pinto after fewer than 50 games last year? Will Claude Giroux continue his decline as he approaches 37? Among these uncertainties, Sanderson and Ullmark are the prime targets due to high ceilings.

Four Flyers finished last season ranked between 80th and 100th in fantasy points. With top rookie Matvei Michkov joining, can any of them break into the fantasy elite? Expect lineup changes to position Michkov for success, which could benefit Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett, Tyson Foerster, Morgan Frost or Sean Couturier, but not all of them. Draft your favorites. Cam York, and to a lesser extent Jamie Drysdale, offer fantasy upside on defense, while Travis Sanheim has stable value.

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Sidney Crosby was the only fantasy player in the top 50 last season, but there’s potential for more. Improved power-play performance could elevate Erik Karlsson back to elite status, and make Bryan Rust and Evgeni Malkin reliable starters. Kris Letang remained fantasy relevant with solid counting stats despite a reduced role. Newcomers Anthony Beauvillier, Kevin Hayes, and Rutger McGroarty offer sleeper potential. The goaltending situation is uncertain, as both Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic might find value.

A top target in dynasty and keeper leagues, Macklin Celebrini boasts a 60-plus-point ceiling in his first NHL season. This year’s first-overall NHL draft selection deserves a roster spot in all redraft leagues of larger size. Same applies to fellow rookie, and second-line center, Will Smith, along with new Shark Tyler Toffoli, who’s forecast to compete on a No. 1 line and power play with Celebrini. As a fantasy sleeper, defenseman Jake Walman shouldn’t be forgotten in deeper leagues where production with the extra skater counts.

While his 200-foot game was superb, Matty Beniers is due to rebound in the points department after a dud-like sophomore turn following his Calder Trophy-winning run in 2022-23. The 21-year-old should reach 60 points with ease. Jared McCann is positioned to knock in 30-plus goals again after scoring 40 the previous season, and Brandon Montour takes over running the top power play with his new squad. The Florida export presents as the most promising fantasy performer with a team that otherwise likes to get it done by committee.

Enjoying a renaissance after a three-year slide, Jordan Binnington rewarded his managers with a top-10 fantasy total in conventional ESPN Fantasy leagues this past season. The question is, can he again win more often than not in a fiercely competitive Central Division? Otherwise, the Blues’ top line – Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, and an emerging Jake Neighbours – boast value in diminishing order, while Pavel Buchnevich and Brayden Schenn provide enough production to matter in deeper competition. No one blocked more shots than Colton Parayko (218) last year. The physical defender contributes to the scoresheet too.

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If Andrei Vasilevskiy returns to form after his surgery, the Bolts could have three top-25 fantasy players in Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point and Vasilevskiy himself. Victor Hedman, who will quarterback the dangerous power play, and Jake Guentzel are just outside that range. Beyond them, there’s potential upside in Brandon Hagel and Cam Atkinson, along with lower-tier reliability from Anthony Cirelli and Nicholas Paul.

The Leafs are one of the few teams that could have five skaters reach 200 fantasy points, making them top heavy. Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and Morgan Rielly are the only players assured of early draft consideration. However, there’s potential value beyond them: Matthew Knies aims for top-line minutes, Chris Tanev and Jake McCabe boost their totals with physical play, and either Joseph Woll or Anthony Stolarz could seize their moment in net.

Tucked away in the desert, Clayton Keller has quietly averaged nearly a point/game these past three seasons, a good number of them counting with the extra skater. The team’s top fantasy performer also likes to rack up shots on goal. Entering his second season, Logan Cooley is endeavoring to kick it up another notch after scoring 20 goals and 24 assists his rookie year. Ex-Lightning Mikhail Sergachev is the club’s new No. 1 fantasy defenseman, bumping Sean Durzi from that spot and the top power play. Connor Ingram could prove a solid No. 3 netminder in deeper leagues if Utah wins more games than many anticipate.

With Thatcher Demko working through a complicated knee injury to start 2024-25, Arturs Silovs is now the guy between the pipes for one of the more competitive teams in the West. A fantasy wild card, the largely untested 23-year-old could either shine or fall flat straight away. If Silovs struggles, new backup Kevin Lankinen could see a lot more early action. Former Bruin Jake DeBrusk projects to enjoy a career year on a scoring line with fantasy heavyweight Elias Pettersson, while multi-dimensional forward J.T. Miller and defender Quinn Hughes bring exceptional fantasy value to any roster in ESPN standard leagues.

Remember when Victor Olofsson used to score for the Sabres? It’s been a bit. But the 29-year-old is about to enjoy a fresh opportunity to produce on Jack Eichel’s wing. After a brief taste last spring in which he collected four points in six contests, and only one playoff goal, Tomas Hertl is ready to settle in full-time as a scoring threat five-on-five and on the top power play. While Noah Hanifin is expected to see valuable minutes with the extra skater, veteran Alex Pietrangelo shines in fantasy competition that rewards blocked shots in addition to scoring categories. Goaltending tandem Adin Hill and Ilya Samsonov hope to steal as many possible starts from the other. A battle worth watching through the fantasy lens.

The Capitals’ retooling around Alex Ovechkin is full of fantasy potential. John Carlson and Jakob Chychrun provide offense from the point, while Matt Roy was a top-100 fantasy player last season. Dylan Strome has found success as Ovechkin’s pivot, and Tom Wilson remains a reliable producer. Pierre-Luc Dubois, Andrew Mangiapane and (maybe) Jakub Vrana aim to rediscover their past form. If the team jells, Charlie Lindgren and Logan Thompson could be solid in net, though they may limit each other’s value in a tandem.

Kyle Connor is a 40-goal scorer when healthy, while Mark Scheifele is a second-tier fantasy center behind the league’s best. The third member of that Jets’ top line, Gabriel Vilardi could break out with 70 points for the first time in his career if he stays fully fit. Cole Perfetti also appears ready to crank it up a productive notch on Winnipeg’s second line and power play. The 22-year-old deserves a roster spot in deeper fantasy leagues. Blueliner Josh Morrissey remains a top-10 defender in front of legit fantasy royalty, Connor Hellebuyck.

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