In my humble opinion, there’s no more exciting part of the fantasy hockey season than draft time. You essentially have a blank slate to craft your team for the upcoming campaign, and you get to mold your squad in any form or fashion you want.
It’s easy to go down the wrong path, though, as over-drafting or reaching for players is an easy mistake to make and can really put your team in a tough spot to start the season. These rankings will hopefully help you avoid that and try to set up your team to dominate your league.
Before we get to the rankings, here are a few things to keep in mind:
• The rankings are based on one-year 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 and projections are used to formulate the rankings.
• Positions are based on current eligibility in Yahoo.
Here are the top 250 fantasy player rankings for the 2023-24 season:
1. Connor McDavid, EDM, C: Is there anything he can’t do? If there was even a slight argument McDavid shouldn’t be a consensus top pick in fantasy, it was that he wasn’t an elite goal scorer, but a 64-goal campaign put an end to that chatter.
2. Leon Draisaitl, EDM, C/LW: Draisaitl has averaged 119 points over the past two seasons and missed only four games in the past three years. Playing on a historically good power play doesn’t hurt, either. Draisaitl is money in the bank.
3. Nathan MacKinnon, COL, C: MacKinnon’s points per game were better than anyone not named McDavid or Draisaitl last season. If he can stay healthy, MacKinnon is the best option at third overall.
4. Jack Hughes, NJD, C/LW: Hughes nearly hit 100 points and finished top-five in shots on goal with 336, and it feels like he still has room to grow. The Devils also have a plethora of offensive talent for Hughes to play with, so he’s not going to have to worry about a lack of skill around him for the foreseeable future.
5. David Pastrnak, BOS, RW: After a 61-goal season and over 400 shots, you could make a case for him being even higher on this list. But the departure of key players, including No. 1 centre Patrice Bergeron, will hurt Pastrnak’s numbers.
6. Nikita Kucherov, TBL, RW: Have we reached point where Kucherov has become somewhat underrated? He’s averaged 1.4 points per game over the past five seasons, and as long as he stays healthy, Kucherov should cruise to 100 points. The reward outweighs the injury risk.
7. Matthew Tkachuk, FLA, LW: Back-to-back 100-point seasons, and the ability to give you 300 shots and 100 penalty minutes makes Tkachuk a fantasy unicorn.
8. Auston Matthews, TOR, C: A 40-goal season felt like somewhat of a disappointment for Matthews and will probably push him out of the top five in most formats. He has 60-goal potential if he’s healthy, though, and should be a steal at this point in drafts.
9. Mikko Rantanen, COL, C/RW: All Rantanen did without Gabriel Landeskog and MacKinnon missing nearly a dozen games last season is post a career year in almost every metric, including unheralded categories hits and blocks. He’s becoming a sneaky multi-cat superstar.
10. Jason Robertson, DAL, LW: Robertson is coming off a breakout season if there ever was one, raising his point total by 30 and adding nearly 100 shots to his numbers from 2021-22. I don’t see any reason that won’t continue for Robertson, playing with an emerging star in Roope Hintz and a quality veteran in Joe Pavelski on one of the best lines in hockey.
11. Kirill Kaprizov, MIN, LW: The Wild lack a true top centre to play with Kaprizov, and given their cap constraints, it’s going to be challenging for Minnesota to rectify that problem anytime soon. Ryan Hartman and Mats Zuccarello are also both coming off down years with uncertainty as to whether they can bounce back, which pushes Kaprizov outside the top 10.
12. Cale Makar, COL, D: Defensemen who can score at a 90-point pace are few and far between, so Makar can give you production like an elite forward would — from the blue line. He’d make an excellent selection in a snake draft, which is where you have two picks closer together late in the first and early second round.
13. Brady Tkachuk, OTT, LW: He’s not as big of a point producer as others in the top 15, but Tkachuk makes up for it in other ways. His combination of hits, shots and penalty minutes is unmatched, and there’s not many categories Tkachuk won’t fill for you.
14. Mitch Marner, TOR, RW: Say what you want about Marner’s play in the playoffs, but he’s proven to be a near-100-point player in the regular season. He missed out on the century mark by a single point last year, even with Matthews having a relatively quiet campaign. If Matthews rebounds, Marner could be in for a career year.
15. Tage Thompson, BUF, C: Thompson very well could’ve been a near-60-goal scorer a season ago if not for a quiet March, when he scored only three goals. If Thompson can get more than 300 shots, we could be talking about him as a top-10 pick a year from now.
16. Sidney Crosby, PIT, C: Even though he just turned 36, Crosby doesn’t appear to be showing any signs of slowing down, and his skillset is one that should age very well. No Jake Guentzel to start the season hurts, though Crosby’s production has always been able to overcome key players missing from the lineup. The addition of Erik Karlsson should give Crosby’s numbers a boost, too.
17. Elias Pettersson, VAN, C: Pettersson erupted offensively last season and his fantasy value is rounding out in other areas as well. He averaged nearly a hit per game and finished second among all forwards in blocked shots.
18. Igor Shesterkin, NYR, G: Shesterkin has a .924 save percentage in 158 games and should give you close to 60 starts. That kind of consistency and volume should easily make him the first goalie off the board.
19. Alex Ovechkin, WSH, LW: Ovechkin is still scoring at a great rate, but he failed to reach 300 shots for the first time in his career over a full season. That, and the emergence of other elite players Robertson, Hughes and Thompson, will likely bump Ovechkin down a few spots in this year’s drafts.
20. Mika Zibanejad, NYR, C: As a multi-cat aficionado, there’s very little Zibanejad can’t do and very few categories he can’t fill. He’s a 90-point player who gives you major power-play production and he plays in a loaded top six. What more can you ask for?
21. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, EDM, C: More than half of Nugent-Hopkins’ 104 points last season came with the man advantage, which doesn’t seem sustainable. Unless you’re playing on a historically good power play with arguably the two best players in the world on it, that is. I don’t see McDavid and Draisaitl, as well as the Oilers’ power play, slowing down anytime soon, which should mean another big season for Nugent-Hopkins.
22. Artemi Panarin, NYR, LW: Don’t be fooled by Panarin’s quiet post-season. He’s a 90-point player all day long and the addition of Blake Wheeler should make Panarin’s line even more dangerous.
23. Brayden Point, TBL, C: You won’t see a quieter 50-goal season than what Point delivered last year, which may make him a bit of a steal in your drafts. He set a new career high in shots, and his chemistry with Kucherov, who is one of the best passers in hockey, is off the charts.
24. Rasmus Dahlin, BUF, D: Dahlin has quickly turned into one of the most well-rounded defensemen in the NHL. Whether it’s points, power-play production, hits, blocks or penalty minutes, Dahlin can help you in just about every area. The Sabres are also loaded with talent and should be one of the highest-scoring teams in the league again.
25. Adam Fox, NYR, D: An elite offensive talent, Fox overcomes his lack of shot volume and hits by giving you close to a point per game. You’d like him to provide more category coverage but the potential for 80 points from a defenseman makes him very valuable.
26. Ilya Sorokin, NYI, G: Sorokin’s numbers aren’t that different from Shesterkin’s and he’s going to play a ton as well, so there’s an argument to be made Sorokin should be the first netminder taken. Still, I think the Rangers are a bit stronger than the Isles, so Sorokin probably finishes with about half a dozen or so fewer wins than Shesterkin.
27. Roope Hintz, DAL, C: Back-to-back 70-plus-point seasons from Hintz have made him a valuable commodity and he’s put his durability issues behind him. After missing significant time in his first three seasons, Hintz has missed just 11 games over the past two years.
28. Erik Karlsson, PIT, D: Coming off a 101-point season and a Norris Trophy, you’d think Karlsson would be ranked higher. But even with the move to the Penguins, I’m a little concerned about reaching for a 33-year-old with a long injury history who will have a tough time replicating his production. Let someone else take the risk in the first two rounds.
29. Tim Stutzle, OTT, LW: Stutzle shattered career highs in points, power-play points, shots, penalty minutes and ice time last season. He’s an elite offensive talent with sneaky value in multi-cat leagues. Stutzle has posted well over 100 hits in each of the past two years.
30. Steven Stamkos, TBL, C: Tampa’s forward group is getting thinner and thinner as more players depart for cap reasons. If the Lightning play Stamkos with Point and Kucherov, he’ll continue to flourish, but if they move him to the second unit for more balance, I fear Stamkos’ production could take a hit.
31. Jack Eichel, VGK, C: Eichel had his lowest average time on ice in his career last season, as Vegas likes to roll four lines in a balanced attack. Given that, and the fact Eichel has missed substantial time in all but two of his NHL seasons, it’s tough to count on him for more than 70 games and 70 points.
32. Brad Marchand, BOS, LW: Marchand still produced at a pretty good rate last season, despite coming off a major injury, but he’ll come with significant risk this year. At 35 and with Boston’s top two centres departing, plus a number of other talented players moving on, it’s hard to imagine Marchand’s numbers won’t take a step back.
33. J.T. Miller, VAN, C/RW: Miller takes heat for his effort in the defensive zone, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with him in the fantasy hockey world. He’s averaged better than a point per game in the past four seasons and is coming off a year with a career-high 200 hits.
34. William Nylander, TOR, RW/C: It’s typically a safe bet to count on 40 goals and 80-plus points from Nylander, though this season the Maple Leafs seem set on moving him to centre. That means he likely won’t be playing with Matthews, Marner or John Tavares at even-strength and he’ll have more defensive responsibilities. It wouldn’t shock me if his point totals take a bit of a hit with that deployment.
35. Roman Josi, NSH, D: Josi will be a tough one to forecast. He nearly hit 100 points two seasons ago, but that was aided by inflated shooting percentages by a number of teammates and a ton of secondary assists. In 2022-23, he produced at a more normal rate and I’d project him closer to a 70-point player who can really fill the shot column for you.
36. Jake Oettinger, DAL, G: You could argue Oettinger might be the top goalie in keeper/dynasty formats, but in one-year leagues I have him slotted a little lower. His numbers really started to slide in the playoffs and his 81 total games last season were more than he had played combined in his entire career before that. I’d bet Oettinger sees fewer starts in 2023-24.
37. Dougie Hamilton, NJD, D: Hamilton is a 70-point defenseman who can give you almost 300 shots on a team loaded with talent. I don’t see Hamilton lasting beyond the first four or five rounds in most drafts and you won’t regret grabbing him that early.
38. Zach Hyman, EDM, LW: Hyman has really found a home next to McDavid, and his offensive numbers last season are reflective of that. The massive bump in points was great, but he’s also added high shot volume to his arsenal. Add in nearly averaging almost a hit per game, and Hyman has become a fantasy hockey Swiss Army knife.
39. Aleksander Barkov, FLA, C: Barkov has missed 29 games over the past two seasons, making him somewhat of a concern when it comes to staying in your lineup. Still, he’ll probably fly a little under the radar in drafts and will be a great value pick if he plays close to 80 games.
40. Clayton Keller, ARI, RW: Keller is the poster child for not sleeping on good players on bad teams. Even with one of the bleakest rosters in the league, Keller has still averaged a point per game over the past two seasons.
41. Quinn Hughes, VAN, D: Hughes is no longer a liability when it comes to plus/minus and you never have to worry about his offense. The only thing that is preventing him from climbing higher on this list is his shot total, but there have been signs this pre-season that Hughes is improving in that area. Hughes has 11 shots in just two pre-season games.
42. Alex Tuch, BUF, RW: Tuch had a breakout season in 2022-23, thanks to playing with Thompson and an explosive Sabres power play. All those elements remain in place, which should help Tuch easily push for 80 points again.
43. Dylan Larkin, DET, C: Larkin is as reliable as it gets. He’s essentially a point per game player you can count on for about 250 shots. He’ll come with upside this season as well, as perhaps the arrival of Alex DeBrincat can push Larkin closer to the 90-point threshold.
44. Alexandar Georgiev, COL, G: If you told me a couple of years ago Georgiev would become a top-five fantasy goalie, I would’ve called you crazy, but here we are. Georgiev played more than 60 games last season and kept his numbers strong. With Pavel Francouz failing to challenge him for playing time, Georgiev is now the undisputed No. 1 on a great team.
45. Nico Hischier, NJD, C: Hischier announced himself to the fantasy hockey world last season, substantially raising his point, power-play and shot production. He’s no longer just a solid two-way forward, Hischier is a major fantasy asset.
46. Kevin Fiala, LAK, LW: It remains to be seen how the Kings will deploy their top six with the addition of Pierre-Luc Dubois, but even if Fiala spends less time with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe, it’s not a concern. Fiala has proven he can produce offensively with just about anyone and he should comfortably give you a little more than a point per game.
47. Connor Bedard, CHI, C: The Blackhawks roster is pretty bare, which is not ideal for Bedard to start out his career. Still, he’s an elite talent and I’m projecting him for around 70 points. If anyone can be productive on a weak team to start his career, it would be Bedard.
48. Miro Heiskanen, DAL, D: Last season, Heiskanen finally went from a great player to a great fantasy option. He’s playing on a team full of young talent and should have little trouble posting another 70-point season.
49. Josh Morrissey, WPG, D: Morrissey’s incredible season came out of nowhere in 2022-23, so I’d be a little cautious about reaching too high for him in drafts. The Jets appear to be heading in the wrong direction and there will likely be some regression for Morrissey this season.
50. Juuse Saros, NSH, G: Nobody plays more than Saros, so if you’re looking for volume, he’s always a great option. The Preds are in a bit of a re-tool, though, so expect Saros’ win totals to be fewer than some of other aforementioned netminders on this list.
51. Timo Meier, NJD, RW: Meier will fill the shots and hits columns for you like few others. If there’s one thing to keep an eye on with Meier, though, it’s that his time on ice was was reduced by more than two minutes per night after arriving in New Jersey. The Devils are far more talented than the Sharks and they won’t need to lean on him as much.
52. Kyle Connor, WPG, LW: Many thought Connor had a chance at 50 goals last season after scoring 47 the year prior, but scoring only twice in his first 14 games ended any chances of that. His shooting percentage was down a bit in 2022-23 from his career average, so that should normalize and Connor should be around 40-plus goals again.
53. Evgeni Malkin, PIT, C: Malkin is showing no signs of slowing down at age 36, still averaging better than a point per game over the past two seasons. The only thing to worry about with him, of course, is injuries and last season he played in all 82 games, which is very risky to bank on again.
54. Sebastian Aho, CAR, C: He ranked only 40th in the NHL last year in ice time among forwards and I fear the Canes are too balanced and structured to allow Aho to become an elite fantasy option. His ceiling is probably 80 points or so.
55. John Tavares, TOR, C: The chatter is growing that Tavares is losing a step and that very well may be, but as a fantasy option he’s just fine. He’s never been the type of player who relies on speed to produce, and there’s nothing wrong with a player who can give you a point per game and around 275 shots.
56. Linus Ullmark, BOS, G: Ullmark seems destined to regress, doesn’t he? The Bruins have lost a ton of talent and his ridiculous numbers from last season will be virtually impossible to sustain. He’ll also be splitting time almost right down the middle with Jeremy Swayman, so you might not get more than 45 games or so from Ullmark.
57. Matt Boldy, MIN, LW: Boldy’s strong sophomore season of 31 goals was impressive and it still feels like he has a lot of room to improve. It would be nice if the Wild played him more with Kaprizov, but even if they don’t, Boldy’s talent is still solid enough to get him into the 70-point range for 2023-24.
58. Andrei Svechnikov, CAR, RW: Similar to Aho, there’s probably a limit to what Svechnikov is going to provide offensively based on the way Carolina plays. That said, he has averaged 136 hits per season in his career and is very underrated in that area.
59. Evander Kane, EDM, LW: It was a season to forget for Kane, but his blend of offensive ability and hit production is very rare. The fact that he’s in a loaded Oilers top six and will have a chance at top power-play time should still make Kane worth taking a chance on.
60. Jesper Bratt, NJD, LW: Bratt proved 2021-22 wasn’t a fluke by following it up with another 73-point season. He’s much more effective in points leagues, though, as Bratt isn’t a high-volume shooter and will offer little in the way of hits and penalty minutes.
61. Joe Pavelski, DAL, C: Pavelski is the definition of aging well. Even at 39, he’s still close to a point per game and can provide a lot of value in the hits category. Playing with Robertson and Hintz should help ensure he’ll still be productive for at least another season.
62. Evan Bouchard, EDM, D: Tyson Barrie has departed, so Bouchard no longer has a challenger for the quarterback spot on the league’s best power play. He closed last season with 36 points in 31 games when you include playoffs, so Bouchard seems to be showing signs that he’s an elite fantasy defender.
63. Andrei Vasilevskiy, TBL, G: Vasilevskiy’s injury pushes him down draft boards, but he’s now a good candidate to stash. The early playoff exit and the first couple months of the season off should rejuvenate the Lightning goaltender, something he desperately needs after all the hockey he’s played in the past few years. If Vasilevskiy is back by Christmas, your goaltending is going to get a massive lift.
64. Charlie McAvoy, BOS, D: McAvoy is one of those better-in-real-life players than in fantasy. What really holds him back is his shots on goal. McAvoy barely hit 100 shots last season and he’s averaged only two shots per game in a season once for his career.
65. Carter Verhaeghe, FLA, C: I’m not sure Verhaeghe is going to be a fantasy steal much longer. A 40-goal season and a strong playoff should have him on everyone’s radar this season. Verhaeghe had the good fortune of playing with Matthew Tkachuk in 2022-23, and that should help aid him to another strong year.
66. Martin Necas, CAR, C: Necas bounced back in a major way last season, with 71 points and posting 81 shots more than the year prior. He also averaged a new career high in ice time. That rough 2021-22 might just be an anomaly.
67. Alex DeBrincat, DET, RW: DeBrincat never looked quite comfortable in Ottawa and that, combined with a lower shooting percentage than his career average, resulted in a down year. There’s a good chance he and Larkin will be paired together in Detroit and that might be able to get DeBrincat back into 40-goal territory.
68. Jake Guentzel, PIT, LW: Guentzel might miss the start of the season due to injury, but the fact that he’s already skating, he’ll still be on a line with Crosby and now has Karlsson to work with on the power play, should be enough to keep him from falling too far down draft boards.
69. Brent Burns, CAR, D: Burns looked rejuvenated in Carolina, having his best season from a points and shots perspective since 2018-19. He’s still logging huge minutes despite his age (38) and Burns doesn’t really have anyone to challenge him for power-play time. There aren’t many safer picks on the blue-line than Burns.
70. Mikhail Sergachev, TBL, D: There were stretches last season where Sergachev overtook Victor Hedman on the top power-play unit and that propelled him to a career year in almost every statistical category. If that holds again this year, you’ll want to draft Sergachev ahead of Hedman.
71. Connor Hellebuyck, WPG, G: You’ll still get plenty of volume from Hellebuyck, but it’s fair to question if his other numbers will take a hit if the Jets take a step backward. Hellebuyck is still talented enough to be a fantasy No. 1 on your squad, though, and he’s always great if your league counts total saves. He’s been first in the NHL in that category in four of the past five seasons.
72. Victor Hedman, TBL, D: Hedman will be 33 later this year and is coming off a poor offensive season by his standards. He’s still a great defenseman, but given his age and the emergence of Sergachev, you have to question whether Hedman’s days of being an elite fantasy defender are coming to an end.
73. Jeremy Swayman, BOS, G: Swayman went 24-6-4 with a .920 save percentage last season, but you would hardly know it because he was completely overshadowed by Ullmark. He and Ullmark will likely split starts almost down the middle and Swayman could end up as the better value pick.
74. Cole Caufield, MON, RW: Caufield scored at a 46-goal pace last season before going down with an injury. It’s not unrealistic to think someday he could be a 50-goal, 300-shot player who also provides major power-play production.
75. Brandon Montour, FLA, D: It was a fantasy season for the ages for Montour last year, as he broke out for 73 points, and 33 on the power play. His versatility makes him really valuable, though, as he also posted more than 100 penalty minutes and nearly 100 hits and blocks. The only issue with Montour is he could miss time at the start the year while working his way back from a shoulder injury.
76. Moritz Seider, DET, D: Both Seider’s points and shots totals dropped in his sophomore season, but his hits and blocks took a nice jump. There will be more competition for Seider this season when it comes to power-play time, with Jeff Petry and Shayne Gostisbehere now in town.
77. Jordan Kyrou, STL, C: Kyrou’s offense is almost enough to make you overlook the fact he provides virtually nothing when it comes to hits. Back-to-back 70-plus point seasons to go along with his high-volume shooting should be good enough to earn a coveted roster spot on any fantasy squad.
78. Filip Forsberg, NSH, LW: The Preds seem to be turning over their roster somewhat, but they had a few young players emerge late last season who should be able to help Forsberg. Specifically, Tommy Novak, who could end up centering Forsberg. The only thing that should stop Forsberg from hitting 80 points is injuries.
79. Adrian Kempe, LAK, C: Kempe is quickly becoming a multi-cat stud. He has averaged 38 goals, 248 shots and 115 hits over the past two seasons. There aren’t that many players that can deliver that type of category coverage.
80. John Carlson, WSH, D: It was a mostly forgettable season for Carlson due to injuries, but if he’s healthy, he’s usually a safe bet for 70 points. Carlson’s shot volume holds him back somewhat, though, as he’s broken 200 shots only twice in his career.
81. Anze Kopitar, LAK, C: Kopitar is more valuable in leagues that count faceoff wins, but you can usually rely on him for 70 points or so if he stays healthy, which he’s proven to be good at. He has missed just one game over the past three years, and that’s all more the impressive when you consider he just turned 36.
82. Brock Nelson, NYI, C: Nelson seemed immune to New York’s scoring woes last season, following up his 37-goal year with 36 more in 2022-23. He also dropped a career-high 75 points and is quickly becoming one of the more underrated offensive weapons in fantasy.
83. Andrei Kuzmenko, VAN, LW: Coming off a season where he had an insane 27.3 shooting percentage, it’s likely Kuzmenko’s numbers will regress. Still, there’s plenty of room for Kuzmenko to increase his shot volume, so I don’t think his numbers will plummet. I’d still pencil him in for at least 30 goals and 65 points on the conservative side, playing with Pettersson.
84. Claude Giroux, OTT, RW: After arriving in Ottawa, Giroux had his best statistical season since 2018-19. It’s possible he’ll play more wing this year if Josh Norris can stay healthy, and having Norris back should only benefit Giroux’s offensive numbers.
85. Pavel Buchnevich, STL, LW: Another unheralded offensive option, Buchnevich has quietly posted 143 points in his past 136 games. He’s more valuable in points leagues, though, as Buchnevich will provide only minimal value in the shots and hits department.
86. Joel Eriksson Ek, MIN, C: Few players can offer as much category coverage as Eriksson Ek. He’s a 60-point player who can also give you 250 shots, well over 100 hits and significant power-play production. Not to mention his proficiency in the faceoff circle.
87. Chris Kreider, NYR, LW: Not surprisingly, Kreider’s numbers took a big step back last year; he’s more of a 30-plus goal scorer than a 50-goal guy. Kreider is still an asset that can give you good hit volume to go along with steady scoring.
88. Josh Norris, OTT, C: Norris dropped 55 points in 66 games two years ago before Ottawa loaded up its top six. He missed out last season because of injuries and now he’ll have Giroux and Vladimir Tarasenko to help him expand on those totals.
89. Filip Gustavsson, MIN, G: You’d think a goalie coming off a season with a .931 save percentage would be higher on this list, but it was a small sample size for Gustavsson. He’s played only 66 career games, and Marc-Andre Fleury is still around to potentially steal starts.
90. Jake DeBrusk, BOS, LW: The player most impacted by Bergeron’s retirement could be DeBrusk. He played the majority of his time last season with Bergeron, which equated to over 480 minutes together at even-strength. I can’t see DeBrusk scoring at a 64-point pace again.
91. Vince Dunn, SEA, D: Dunn’s career season came of nowhere, but I actually think he can sustain it. His shooting percentage wasn’t that high and the Kraken were a top-five team in goal scoring. Dunn could be a 60-point defender who delivers solid hits and blocks coverage.
92. Mark Stone, VGK, RW: The only thing holding Stone back in fantasy is health. His numbers are always solid but he just misses so much time due to injuries, and the odds of that improving as he’s now 31 seem slim. Don’t reach too high for him.
93. Jeff Skinner, BUF, LW: Skinner has one of the cushiest line deployments in hockey, playing with Thompson and Tuch. He’s posted very strong back-to-back seasons and Skinner’s scoring struggles of a few years ago appear to be a thing of the past.
94. Johnny Gaudreau, CBJ, LW: A big dropoff in points was to be expected for Gaudreau after joining Columbus, but I think his 74 in 2022-23 were actually quite impressive. The Blue Jackets dealt with a myriad of injuries and simply weren’t a talented squad. If Patrik Laine can stay healthy and the Blue Jackets young talent take another step forward, there’s plenty of reason for optimism around Gaudreau.
95. Dawson Mercer, NJD, C: A decent season from Mercer was punctuated by a 12-game point streak, where he notched 20 points. Now, the Devils have Meier in the top-six full time and also added Tyler Toffoli. I’d look at Mercer as a breakout candidate.
96. Tyler Bertuzzi, TOR, LW: There’s a lot riding on Bertuzzi’s deployment this season. If he plays with Matthews and Marner and can stay healthy, he’ll be in for a big year. We saw what Michael Bunting was able to accomplish with those two and I’d argue Bertuzzi’s skillset is much better than Bunting’s.
97. Pierre-Luc Dubois, LAK, C/LW: Dubois could reach a new career high in points this year if he plays with Fiala, but I think his value is more about category coverage. He’s a 60-point player who is solid for shots and hits. Dubois can be a real difference maker if your league counts penalty minutes, too.
98. Tyler Toffoli, NJD, RW: Toffoli delivered a career year on a mediocre Flames team a season ago and now he’s joining a Devils squad stocked with talent, where he may even play next to Hughes. I see no reason to be concerned that his numbers will take a substantial fall.
99. Hampus Lindholm, BOS, D: I’m a little wary about Lindholm. He finished last year without scoring in his final 12 games, had only three points in his final seven games and didn’t register a point in the playoffs. Plus, the Bruins, overall, figure to be nowhere near as strong with all the talent they’ve lost. I can’t see Lindholm replicating his success from 2022-23.
100. Mark Scheifele, WPG, C: Scheifele’s skillset leaves you wanting more. I don’t see him really ever exceeding 75-80 points in his current situation, and he has broken 200 shots only once in his career. Perhaps a possible trade to a stronger squad could give him a boost in value.
101. Mats Zuccarello, MIN, RW: Zuccarello’s numbers took a hit last season, likely because Kaprizov missed a bunch of time with injury. With Kaprizov healthy, though, Zuccarello still has a chance to be a 75-point player, even at age 36.
102. Vitek Vanecek, NJD, G: Overall, it was a strong season for Vanecek, but he faded down the stretch and lost his job for a few games in the playoffs to Akira Schmid. The Devils will be a very strong team again, so as long as Vanecek can fend off Schmid for playing time, he’ll still have good value.
103. Jared McCann, SEA, LW: McCann posted 40 goals on a 19.0 shooting percentage, so there is concern his totals could normalize if he falls back closer to his career average of 12.1 per cent. Similar to Kuzmenko, McCann has room to increase his shot volume in hopes of preventing his scoring from dropping too much.
104. Alex Pietrangelo, VGK, D: A safe and reliable pick, Pietrangelo checks a lot of boxes. He gives you 50-point potential and fills out the shots and blocks columns fairly well. Don’t expect him to wow you in any one area, but there’s nothing wrong with grabbing someone steady and consistent at this point in your draft.
105. Nikolaj Ehlers, WPG, LW: Ehlers’ usage last season was a mystery. He averaged the lowest ice time of his career and coach Rick Bowness seemed hesitant to lean on him. There’s no denying Ehlers’ talent, but if this deployment continues, it’s hard to see him being a major asset in fantasy.
106. Frederik Andersen, CAR, G: The Canes goaltending situation is muddled, to say the least, but Andersen is probably still the No. 1 if he stays healthy. That’s a big if, though, and it’s unlikely Andersen makes it through the season without missing substantial time.
107. Vincent Trocheck, NYR, C: Back-to-back seasons of over 180 hits for Trocheck and he’s in a Rangers top six stocked with talent. Trocheck’s game is tailored made for multi-cat leagues.
108. Sam Reinhart, FLA, C: Reinhart has found a home in Florida and his offensive numbers are reaping the benefits. If Barkov plays closer to 80 games this season, that’s only going to help Reinhart’s totals.
109. Kris Letang, PIT, D: Karlsson’s arrival likely won’t help Letang’s fantasy value. Letang’s overall ice time should drop and if the Penguins don’t try to utilize both Karlsson and Letang on the first power-play unit, it’s likely going to be Letang who drops to the second unit.
110. Dylan Cozens, BUF, C: It was a breakout season for Cozens, who took advantage of a high-octane Sabres power play. Cozens won’t be on that explosive top line for Buffalo, but his time with the man advantage should be enough to push him north of 60 points again.
111. Travis Konecny, PHI, RW: Don’t shy away from Konecny just because the Flyers are rebuilding. He still has point per game potential, can give you close to a hit per game and is underrated when it comes to penalty minutes, too.
112. Jonathan Marchessault, VGK, RW: Marchessault’s playoffs were incredible, but don’t get fooled into drafting him too high. He’s reached 60 points only once in the past five seasons and I’d bet over a long season linemate Ivan Barbashev comes back down to earth.
113. Drew Doughty, LAK, D: Doughty is in a similar category to Pietrangelo. He won’t carry your fantasy squad, by any means, but you should be able to count on Doughty for around 50 points and steady hit and block production.
114. Bo Horvat, NYI, C: Horvat’s production plummeted after he arrived in New York and it was always going to be tough to sustain the numbers he generated in Bruce Boudreau’s free-flowing system with the Canucks. If Mat Barzal stays healthy, Horvat’s numbers should be better, but I still think he’s closer to a 30-goal, 60-point player than what he accomplished last year.
115. Ilya Samsonov, TOR, G: Samsonov is now the undisputed No. 1 in Toronto, playing behind a very strong regular season team. Still, he’s never played more than 44 games in a season and it’s hard to put full trust in him until we see how he performs with a starter’s workload.
116. Jakob Chychrun, OTT, D: A solid all-around fantasy defenseman, Chychrun made the most of playing on some thin rosters in Arizona. I’d take the chance that Chychrun could deliver a career year finally playing on a team with more talent.
117. Trevor Zegras, ANA, C: Zegras has now delivered back-to-back seasons of 60-plus points and around 180 shots. He has the talent to substantially improve those totals, and he’s still only 21. If newly added Alex Killorn plays with Zegras and Troy Terry, I think they could quietly form one of the more potent lines in hockey.
118. Marc-Andre Fleury, MIN, G: Outside of October, Fleury actually put in another very strong season. I don’t see the Wild completely turning over the net to Gustavsson, given his small sample size, and I bet Fleury gets closer to 50 per cent of the starts, as opposed to shifting to a backup role.
119. Patrik Laine, CBJ, LW: The production is there, but he just can’t stay healthy. Laine has been close to a point per game over the past two seasons, though he never hit 60 games in either year. Playing with Gaudreau and the shot volume Laine will give you should at least make him worth the risk by this point of your draft.
120. Jacob Markstrom, CGY, G: It was a rough season for Markstrom and the Flames, and there is no guarantee Calgary won’t continue to trend in the wrong direction. Markstrom, though, could still see 55-60 starts, and there aren’t that many goalies who can give you that kind of volume.
121. Mathew Barzal, NYI, C: Barzal hasn’t come close to the 85 points he notched as a rookie in the past five seasons, and drafting him with the hopes he’ll get back there is probably wishful thinking at this point. The best he’s managed since is a 72-point pace. Maybe a full season playing with Horvat gives him a bit of a bump.
122. Rasmus Andersson, CGY, D: Even after the Flames lost both Gaudreau and Tkachuk and went from sixth in the league in scoring in 2021-22 to 19th in 2022-23, Andersson’s totals were virtually unchanged. He’s a safe 50-point blueliner who will add 150 shots and around 125 blocks.
123. Nick Schmaltz, ARI, C: You could make an argument that Arizona’s top line of Schmaltz, Keller and Barrett Hayton was one of the most prolific in the league down the stretch last season. Schmaltz won’t give you much outside of offence, but 117 points in his past 126 games is hard to argue with.
124. Blake Wheeler, NYR, RW: It sounds weird for a player going from Winnipeg to New York, but I actually think all the pressure is off Wheeler. He’s on a cheap deal and will be more of a complementary piece for the Rangers, likely playing with Panarin and Trocheck. I don’t think 60-plus points is out of the question for Wheeler.
125. Nick Suzuki, MON, C: Suzuki scored at a 66-point pace both before and after Caufield got injured. He’s a reliable pick here and his ice time continues to go up substantially. Suzuki finished ninth last season among all forwards in total ice time.
126. Vladimir Tarasenko, OTT, RW: Given how late in the summer Tarasenko signed, this is about as good of a landing spot you could’ve asked for. The Sens’ top six is stacked and it would be hard for Tarasenko to not be productive if he’s playing with Tkachuk and Stutzle.
127. Bowen Byram, COL, D: Byram took advantage of Makar being sidelined last season and ended up with an impressive 10 goals in 42 games. The Avs clearly trust him, as they played him almost 22 minutes a night, but there’s a limit to how much value Byram can provide as long as Makar is healthy.
128. Stuart Skinner, EDM, G: Skinner stole the job after a very strong regular season, but his numbers dropped big-time in the playoffs. As with Gustavsson, Skinner is working off a small sample size, so it wouldn’t be crazy to see Jack Campbell work his way back into more starts this season.
129. Sergei Bobrovsky, FLA, G: Despite an incredible playoff performance, you can’t really count on Bobrovsky’s numbers from year to year. Still, he’s a starter who’s probably going to play well over 50 games on a team that just went to the Stanley Cup Final.
130. Elias Lindholm, CGY, C: With Gaudreau, Tkachuk and Toffoli gone, it’s going to take an incredible bounce-back season from Jonathan Huberdeau to get Lindholm back to 80 points. Perhaps there’s a chance he gets dealt to a stronger team at some point during the regular season.
131. Matty Beniers, SEA, C: A 57-point season for a rookie is very impressive and at 20 years old, Beniers is only going to get better. It’s not unreasonable to think Beniers could be a 70-point player this season on the high-scoring Kraken, even if he takes a moderate step forward.
132. Troy Terry, ANA, RW: Terry and Zegras are a productive duo, giving the Ducks fantasy relevance as they’ve been rebuilding. Terry has posted back-to-back seasons of 60-plus points and he’s still only 26. As Zegras continues to develop, I think there’s a chance he could help push Terry to becoming a 70-point player.
133. Brandon Hagel, TBL, LW: It was a huge season for Hagel, playing big minutes with Kucherov and Point. If he stays with those two, he should easily be a 30-goal scorer and a 60-point player, but if Stamkos gets bumped up to the top line, Hagel’s numbers will take a hit on the second unit.
134. Jamie Benn, DAL, LW: Benn seems like a prime candidate for regression. He’s a 34-year-old who just had a 78-point season after failing to exceed 53 points in his previous four years. His shooting percentage was also a very inflated 17.4 in 2022-23. Buyer beware.
135. Thatcher Demko, VAN, G: Which Demko will show up this year? The one who started 4-10-0 in 2022-23 with an .883 save percentage, or the one who finished 10-4-0 with a .920 after returning from injury? I think a lot of Demko’s value will be tied to how much the Canucks have improved.
136. Jonathan Huberdeau, CGY, LW: Huberdeau is coming off a nightmare season, but he could end up being a good value pick if he plunges down draft boards. He’s not getting back to 100 points, but even if he improves from 55 to 70, that’s really good value for a guy you could probably get outside the top 125.
137. Chandler Stephenson, VGK, C: Stephenson’s numbers last year look good overall, but a lot of that production came while playing with Eichel and Stone. He was a lot quieter in the second half, after Stone got hurt, and he wasn’t deployed on the Golden Knights’ top line in the playoffs. I’m not as high on Stephenson if he isn’t reunited with Eichel and Stone.
138. Noah Dobson, NYI, D: Dobson has averaged 50 points in the past two seasons and should also comfortably give you around 200 shots and over 100 blocks. He’s also still young enough (23) that an even bigger breakout season could be coming with the amount of ice time he gets.
139. Shea Theodore, VGK, D: It could have been a career year for Theodore in 2022-23, if not for injuries. He scored at a 61-point pace over 55 games and was only 11 blocks away from his career best. You’d like Theodore to shoot and hit more, but it definitely feels like there’s a 60-point season in him if he can stay healthy and put everything together.
140. Joonas Korpisalo, OTT, G: Korpisalo turned in a strong season, especially when you consider most of that came with the lowly Blue Jackets. He’s going to play a lot more in Ottawa, but he’ll certainly come with risk. Korpisalo has never played 40 games in a season and his career save percentage is just .904. He isn’t exactly consistent and you’ll have to bank on the Sens taking a big leap to help him.
141. Pavel Zacha, BOS, C: Zacha is now the Bruins No. 1 centre by default, after Bergeron and David Krejci retired. He very quietly tallied 57 points last season, which makes you wonder what he could accomplish if he plays between Marchand and Pastrnak all year.
142. Morgan Rielly, TOR, D: You know Rielly will get huge minutes on a thin Leafs blue line and he’s on one of the best power plays in the league. Factor him in for around 60 points if he’s healthy, but John Klingberg could cut into his time on the man advantage this season if that top unit goes quiet for a stretch.
143. Taylor Hall, CHI, LW: Hall is coming off a forgettable season and he joins one of the bleakest rosters in the league. We saw what a disaster it was when he played for the struggling Sabres a few years back, but at least this time he’ll almost certainly get to play with Bedard in Chicago.
144. Tristan Jarry, PIT, G: Jarry should be a good buy-low candidate. His numbers have been fine when healthy, but in 2022-23 he missed so much time with injuries that Jarry became unreliable down the stretch. The Pens are still going all-in to try to maximize Crosby’s and Malkin’s final few years, and there really isn’t anyone to challenge Jarry for starts.
145. Drake Batherson, OTT, RW: Batherson is one of the more overlooked players in fantasy. His shot and hit volume are solid, and he’s scored at a decent rate over the past three seasons. It wouldn’t surprise me if Batherson hit 30 goals this year if Norris stays healthy.
146. Devon Levi, BUF, G: Levi impressed in a cameo at the end of last season, but he’s still a big gamble. There’s no guarantee he gets the bulk of the starts and he would probably be better served to spend time in the AHL. Still, if the Sabres are a playoff team and Levi claims the job, he’ll have big value.
147. Rickard Rakell, PIT, RW: A change of scenery has done Rakell good, as he’s excelled since joining the Pens, playing with Crosby and Guentzel. He also delivered a career-high 141 hits last season and has sneaky value in multi-cat leagues.
148. Nazem Kadri, CGY, C: I fear Kadri’s massive year in Colorado was a once-in-a-lifetime season where all the stars aligned. He simply doesn’t have the talent around him in Calgary to replicate those numbers. On the plus side, his shot volume did increase last season, and Kadri is still reliable for hits.
149. Boone Jenner, CBJ, C: He’s in a perfect spot, centering Gaudreau and Laine, and there’s no category Jenner can’t fill for you. He’s incredible for multi-cat leagues when healthy, but Jenner has a tough time avoiding injury. Expect him to take up one of your IR slots for at least 15-20 games.
150. Tomas Hertl, SJS, C: Meier and Karlsson are gone, so there’s not a lot of talent left for Hertl to play with. He’ll still get big minutes, though, and even on that roster, Hertl should be able to give you 60 points and more than a hit per game.
151. Anders Lee, NYI, LW: Lee has been surprisingly durable given how physical he plays, missing just six games over the past two seasons. Expect close to 30 goals from Lee on an annual basis, with good hit volume.
152. Valeri Nichushkin, COL, RW: A bit of a wild card because he’s missed so much time over the past two years, but when Nichushkin has been in the lineup, he’s been very productive. Nichushkin has 99 points in his past 115 games and he should be a lock for the Avs’ No. 1 power-play unit.
153. Akira Schmid, NJD, G: If you’re a fan of drafting goalies very late, Schmid could be a candidate for you. Vanecek struggled late last season, and Schmid looked good in a small sample size. We know the Devils will again be a strong team, so if Schmid can work himself into close to half the starts or better, he’ll have a lot of value.
154. Tom Wilson, WSH, RW: Wilson was a very durable player early in his career, but there’s been only one year in the past five where he hasn’t missed significant time. His blend of scoring, hits and penalty minutes still make him a must-have in multi-cat leagues, though.
155. Brayden Schenn, STL, C: Schenn has topped well over 100 hits for 12 straight seasons and just recorded more than 60 points for the first time since 2017-18. He should get dual position eligibility again, which makes Schenn a very valuable piece to fill out your roster.
156. Devon Toews, COL, D: Toews is stuck behind Makar for power-play time, and the emergence of Byram could cut into his opportunities as well. He’s still a 50-point blue-liner, but I think Toews is better in real life than fantasy.
157. Pyotr Kochetkov, CAR, G: Kochetkov proved last year he is NHL ready, and he’s making more money than Antti Raanta and has more term than Andersen. He’s not going to be third on the depth chart for long. With Andersen and Raanta’s injury history, expect Kochetkov to get plenty of playing time in 2023-24.
158. Dylan Strome, WSH, C: Strome had a nice first season and was very productive, but that was with Nicklas Backstrom missing half the season. If Backstrom stays healthy, it could cut into Strome’s numbers.
159. Ivan Barbashev, VGK, C: I don’t think Barbashev can score at the same rate over a full season to match what he did after he arrived in Vegas, but even if those numbers slip, his hit volume makes him an important piece. Staying on the top line with Eichel will be key for Barbashev’s value.
160. Darcy Kuemper, WSH, G: The Caps are a team in limbo, so Kuemper might have a tough time tallying wins. His career save percentage and goals-against average have been very solid, though, and Kuemper will still give you plenty of volume. He’ll be a fairly safe pick but without much upside.
161. Artturi Lehkonen, COL, LW: Lehkonen scored at a 65-point pace in 2022-23 and posted nearly 100 hits in only 64 games. If he ends up in the left-wing spot next to MacKinnon and Rantanen, Lehkonen could end up being a huge steal.
162. Robert Thomas, STL, C: If not for shots and hit totals that are essentially non-existent, Thomas would be much higher on this list. Thomas is great for points leagues, but offers little in the way of peripherals.
163. Darnell Nurse, EDM, D: Nurse won’t see much power-play time with Bouchard emerging, but he’s still a 40-plus point defenceman who’s going to give you triple-digit hits and blocks coverage.
164. Evgeny Kuznetsov, WSH, C: Kuznetsov has proven he has the capability and talent to be a point per game player, though he’s lacking consistency. At this point in your draft, he’s probably worth the risk, as Kuznetsov will likely play with Ovechkin again, and there’s major upside to that.
165. Barrett Hayton, ARI, C: Hayton caught lightning in a bottle with Keller and Schmaltz down the stretch last season. He’s a top-five pick who’s still only 23, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility to think Hayton could notch 60 points if he continues to develop and if that line keeps clicking.
166. Logan Thompson, VGK, G: Thompson was an All-Star last season, but has been somewhat forgotten after Adin Hill’s playoff run. Coach Bruce Cassidy loves rotating his goalies and plays a great defensive structure, so I’d imagine Thompson will find himself with plenty of playing time again this year.
167. Sam Bennett, FLA, C: Another valuable option in multi-cat leagues, Bennett provides a nice blend of points, shots and hits. In a best-case scenario, Bennett is a 50-plus point player if he gets the benefit of playing with Tkachuk for most of the season.
168. Jakub Vrana, STL, LW: Vrana has scored at a 42-goal pace over the past three seasons, though he hasn’t played enough games to make him fantasy relevant. He was very productive after joining the Blues, so that could carry over into 2023-24 over a full campaign.
169. Filip Chytil, NYR, C: Chytil nearly doubled his previous career high in points, but there’s a limit to what he can produce with his current deployment. He’ll be behind Trocheck and Zibanejad on the centre depth chart, and power-play time will be tough to come by. Chytil will probably be best used as a streamer off waivers.
170. Viktor Arvidsson, LAK, LW: You can’t go wrong with Arvidsson’s shot volume, but he’s a streaky scorer. He’ll go quiet for stretches and catch fire in others. Arvidsson had 11 games last season where he totaled five shots or more, so that could help carry you through the cold stretches when he’s not scoring.
171. Teuvo Teravainen, CAR, LW: Teravainen never quite got on track last season and he seems to be falling down the depth chart in Carolina. He’s a buy-low candidate, but based on last year’s performance, thinking he’ll get back into the 60-point range seems like a real stretch.
172. Ryan O’Reilly, NSH, C: He’s not the offensive threat he once was and O’Reilly’s ice time was down significantly last season. If he plays with Forsberg, he has a chance at a decent season, but it will be tough to fend off some of Nashville’s talented young players for opportunities.
173. Seth Jones, CHI, D: If nothing else, Jones plays a ton, which helps him fill out volume categories like shots, hits and blocks. Perhaps the arrival for Bedard will help boost his offense.
174. Connor Brown, EDM, RW: Betting on a player who missed nearly the entirety of last season is risky, but Brown could get a cushy deployment with McDavid. Anyone playing in the Oilers top six is worth gambling on late in your drafts.
175. Owen Tippett, PHI, RW: If you grabbed Tippett off waivers last year, you probably had a tough time letting him go. He finished with 27 goals and 231 shots, filling up the hits and blocks categories for good measure. Flyers coach John Tortorella loves him and Tippett should be on the top line and first power-play unit again.
176. Thomas Novak, NSH, C: The reason I’m concerned about O’Reilly holding onto the No. 1 centre job is Novak, who recorded 43 points in 51 games, though he doesn’t offer much in the way of shots and hits. Novak is a better fit for points leagues.
177. Matt Duchene, DAL, C: Duchene came back down to earth last season after notching 86 points in 2021-22 while shooting 18.9 per cent. I don’t see Duchene getting anywhere close to that again in Dallas, as he’ll have a tough time cracking the top six. Duchene is likely headed for 50-plus points this year and nothing more.
178. Andre Burakovsky, SEA, LW: Burakovsky was off to a great start last year before getting injured and he’s now produced at a great rate for four straight seasons. The Kraken really filled the net last year, and Burakovsky will likely benefit from that for another strong season if he can stay healthy.
179. Adin Hill, VGK, G: As good as Hill was in the post-season, I don’t see him taking over the starter’s job in Vegas. He’s never played more than 27 games in a season and Cassidy is notorious for not leaning on one guy. Hill is somewhere in the 40-45 start range in a best-case scenario.
180. Gabriel Vilardi, WPG, C: Leaving the Kings could have some upside for Vilardi. His ice time is likely to increase with the Jets and he’ll probably be more of a focal point of the offence, with more minutes on the top power play.
181. Logan Couture, SJS, C: You know what you’re getting from Couture at this point in his career. Expect about 60 points, 200 shots and decent hit volume. There’s nothing wrong with that, but Couture’s lack of upside and the Sharks’ thin roster prevents him from ranking higher.
182. Owen Power, BUF, D: Only 35 points for Power as a rookie, but he averaged nearly 24 minutes a night. The Sabres clearly trust him and they should be one of the highest-scoring teams in the league again, so I’d expect Power’s totals to rise with another year of development.
183. Wyatt Johnston, DAL, C: A strong rookie season saw Johnston find the back of the net 24 times. He had only minimal power-play production, though, and he needs to get that, and his shot totals up closer to 200, to improve his value.
184. Zach Werenski, CBJ, D: Werenski missed the majority of last season and injuries have been a theme for him, as he’s now missed significant portions of each of the past three seasons. His ice time could also drop as well, since the Blue Jackets have bolstered their defence and won’t have to lean on Werenski as much. He’s a gamble worth taking, but temper your expectations.
185. Thomas Chabot, OTT, D: Chabot does everything well but doesn’t stand out in any particular category in fantasy. Despite his big minutes, Chabot has still hit 50 points only once for his career. I’m also a bit concerned that a full season of Chychrun and the emergence of Jake Sanderson could cut into Chabot’s power-play time.
186. Lucas Raymond, DET, LW: Raymond’s points and shots totals dropped significantly in his sophomore season, but he couldn’t be in a better spot to get back on track. He’ll likely be playing with Larkin and DeBrincat, and that combination should help Raymond boost his numbers back to what they looked like when he was a rookie.
187. K’Andre Miller, NYR, D: Another player much better in real life than fantasy, Miller is respectable for shots and blocks, but little else. He’s not a huge point producer and his shot volume is almost non-existent. Miller is a very good player, but he’s not that effective for fantasy.
188. Antti Raanta, CAR, G: Very quietly, Raanta was 19-3-3 last season. It’s hard to imagine him playing even 30 games this season, but he’s likely going to go on a run and save a fantasy team or two in goalie trouble. Just about anyone the Canes put in the crease has value.
189. Luke Hughes, NJD, D: Hughes is a rookie with a boatload of offensive talent and he should get decent minutes on a high-scoring Devils team. He has four points in five combined games between the regular season and playoffs, which is of course a small sample size, but you can already see the potential.
190. Sean Durzi, ARI, D: Durzi is somewhat of a power-play specialist who should get the first crack at playing on the first unit. That group will feature Keller, Schmaltz and Hayton, who should help boost Durzi’s numbers.
191. Seth Jarvis, CAR, C: All things considered, you’d have to say 2022-23 was a pretty disappointing season for Jarvis. His numbers dropped slightly, despite playing 14 more games as a sophomore, and he managed just two points in March during the heart of the fantasy hockey playoffs. I fear Jarvis is going to become another Canes forward who’s a solid player but not great for fantasy.
192. Tyson Barrie, NSH, D: Barrie’s numbers took a predictable hit after moving from Edmonton to Nashville and losing out on that incredible Oilers power play. Much of that time with the Preds was when Josi was sidelined, so I could see things getting even more challenging for Barrie this season with a healthy Josi in front of him.
193. Cam Talbot, LAK, G: Talbot is in a great spot with the Kings, but he’s 36 and it’s going to be challenging to stay healthy at that position and that age. If all goes well, he’ll be a steal, though I can’t see Talbot playing in more than 40 games or so.
194. Brock Boeser, VAN, RW: It was a disappointing season for Boeser, but he’s still in a decent top six and should be able to give you 50-plus points and push for 200 shots if he stays healthy. There are certainly worse options to fill out your roster.
195. Kirill Marchenko, CBJ, RW: Marchenko scored at a near 30-goal pace as a rookie, though he managed only four assists in 59 games. He could be a part of a second line with Kent Johnson and Adam Fantilli that, if nothing else, should be exciting offensively.
196. Aaron Ekblad, FLA, D: Ekblad is coming off a dreadful year and could miss a big chunk of this season as he recovers from injuries, so his stock isn’t exactly high. He’s only one season removed from scoring at nearly a point per game, though, so Ekblad is worth a late-round pick to stash him on IR with the hopes he returns to form when healthy.
197. Mason McTavish, ANA, C: McTavish should be the No. 2 centre on a team that has added a bit of a talent this offseason in Killorn and Leo Carlsson. If McTavish gets some top power-play time and takes another step forward, I could see him finishing with over 50 points and around 200 shots.
198. Kent Johnson, CBJ, C: Johnson is going to be a great player and an important piece in fantasy, but it’s going to take time. He’s not getting the ice time yet and his shot volume really needs to improve. The Blue Jackets have added a fair bit of talent, so a healthy roster should help Johnson.
199. Ryan Hartman, MIN, C/RW: Hartman is still clinging to the top centre spot between Kaprizov and Zuccarello, and as long as he sticks there, he’ll have value. There aren’t that many players who can give you the blend of offence and penalty minutes that Hartman can when he’s at his best.
200. Jake Sanderson, OTT, D: The Sens trusted Sanderson enough as a rookie to play him nearly 22 minutes a night, and he should only get better in Year 2 with that deployment. He’s competing with Chychrun and Chabot for power-play time, but even if his offence is slow to develop, he should be able to help you in other areas in the meantime. He averaged nearly two blocks a game in 2022-23.
201. Adam Fantilli, CBJ, C: Slipping to third overall might end up benefiting Fantilli, as I think the Blue Jackets are better suited to help his value as a rookie. He had 30 goals and 65 points in just 35 games at Michigan, and while the transition to the NHL won’t be easy, he should still be able to put together a respectable year.
202. Dmitry Orlov, CAR, D: Orlov had uncharacteristically strong offensive season, setting a new career high in points in just 66 games. A lot of that came after joining the high-powered Bruins, so I’d bet his offence normalizes with the Canes and he returns to being more of a hits and blocks specialist.
203. Max Pacioretty, WSH, LW: Grabbing someone coming off a pair of Achilles tears is certainly a risk, but few players can score like Pacioretty. I’d use a very late pick on him and stash him if he doesn’t start the season. Pacioretty could be a season-changer for you if he returns to form.
204. Kevin Hayes, STL, C: Perhaps no player needed a fresh start more than Hayes. It never really clicked for him in Philadelphia and even though the Blues aren’t exactly trending up, their top nine still has a decent amount of offensive talent. Hayes can still be a 50-55 point player with around 200 shots if all goes well.
205. Matias Maccelli, ARI, LW: Maccelli proved his offensive ability last season with 49 points in 64 games, but he didn’t even average a shot per game. If continues to score at that pace, he’s still worth rostering, and the arrival of Logan Cooley and Jason Zucker should help keep his totals high enough, so you can overlook his lack of shot volume.
206. Adam Larsson, SEA, D: Larsson won’t provide you much offence, but he’s a good specialist for leagues with hits and blocks. He’s reached triple digits in both categories in seven seasons, and in each of the past three years. Larsson has also topped 200 hits on four occasions.
207. Sammy Blais, STL, LW: Fifteen of Blais’ 25 points last season came in March, which included five multi-point games that made him a hot waiver-wire pickup during the fantasy playoffs. Don’t expect that offensive pace to continue over 82 games, though, so Blais should be looked at mainly for his hit production, with the occasional bonus of a nice scoring streak.
208. MacKenzie Weegar, CGY, D: Weegar did not become the multi-cat stud in Calgary like many were hoping. He’s still very effective for hits and blocks, but his offence dropped significantly with the Flames. Minimal power-play time for Weegar didn’t help matters either, so that will have to change for him to truly unlock his fantasy potential.
209. Phillip Danault, LAK, C: Danault is coming off a very tidy season of 54 points, as he’s now eclipsed the 50-point mark in back-to-back years. There is reason for concern, though, as Dubois’ arrival could mean a reduction in ice time for Danault and a bump back one spot on the depth chart.
210. Gustav Forsling, FLA, D: Forsling is becoming more and more of a fantasy factor, playing well over 23 minutes a night last season. He likely won’t give you more than 40-45 points, but he could be a nice add early in the year if Montour and Ekblad both miss time. You could use him until he slips down the depth chart when Florida’s top blueliners return.
211. Justin Faulk, STL, D: For a team heading in the wrong direction, the Blues have a bunch of fantasy-relevant players. Faulk should give you double-digit goals and around 50 points, to go along with about 200 shots and great hits and blocks coverage. He’s much more valuable than he gets credit for.
212. Mikael Backlund, CGY, C: I’m always amazed Mikael Backlund isn’t more rostered across leagues. He set a career high with 56 points last season at the age of 34 and also added nearly 100 hits, while displaying solid shot volume. Backlund is great for all-around category coverage.
213. Brady Skjei, CAR, D: Everything about Skjei’s 2022-23 screams regression. He scored a third of his career goals last season thanks to a shooting percentage that nearly doubled his career average. Be cautious about Skjei, as even his hits and blocks totals have dropped over the past two years.
214. Filip Hronek, VAN, D: I’m curious to see what Hronek can do in Vancouver if he plays with Quinn Hughes. Hronek scored at a 50-point pace a year ago with the Red Wings, and one would think he could improve on that with a full season next to Hughes. If he isn’t deployed with Hughes, though, Hronek might not be worth rostering.
215. Kyle Palmieri, NYI, RW: Palmieri dropped 33 points in just 55 games in 2022-23 playing with Lee and Nelson, a line that caught fire at times. However, I’m not sure he can stay healthy enough to be a reliable fantasy option, as Palmieri has missed substantial time in two straight years and is well north of 30.
216. Matthew Knies, TOR, LW: Knies could be in for a strong rookie season if he lands a spot in the top six. He looked more than capable in a brief post-season cameo and he could find a nice comfortable spot next to Tavares in the top six.
217. Bryan Rust, PIT, RW: Rust had a major down year in 2022-23 based on the standard he set in the previous three seasons, and I fear things may only get worse. He’ll likely be the first one bumped off the top power-play unit when Guentzel gets healthy, and Rust may not even get much time there to begin with if the Pens opt to go with Karlsson and Letang on that top group.
218. Lukas Reichel, CHI, LW: Reichel ended up scoring 15 points in 23 games after not making the team out of camp last year. A full season next to Bedard might make Reichel worthy of a late pick in deep leagues.
219. Anthony Beauvillier, VAN, LW: Beauvillier had as many points for the Islanders as he had with the Canucks last season, but that was in only 33 games for after the trade. That was in part to playing on a line with Pettersson. If Beauvillier gets that same deployment, he has a chance at 50 points.
220. Mike Matheson, MTL, D: Incredibly, Matheson put up a new career high in points in 2022-23 in only 48 games. He’ll be the quarterback of Montreal’s top power play and that could end up being a fruitful spot for Matheson if he’s the one feeding Caufield one-timers.
221. Ville Husso, DET, G: Similar to most goalies on rebuilding teams, Husso’s value probably hinges on how much the Wings have improved. His numbers fell last year because the team in front of him wasn’t great, and that has to change to make Husso more than a spot starter off waivers.
222. Carter Hart, PHI, G: Hart’s save percentage was pretty respectable last season, all things considered. Still, the Flyers once again don’t figure to be strong and if your league puts a big emphasis on wins, don’t expect Hart to fill that column for you.
223. Mattias Ekholm, EDM, D: Ekholm’s offence surged after he joined the Oilers last season, not unlike many other players to take advantage of that high-powered attack. I don’t really see that continuing over 82 games, though, and I don’t think Ekholm will be worth rostering other than as a temporary injury replacement for another defenseman on your roster.
224. Jack Campbell, EDM, G: I’m probably higher on Campbell than most heading into this season. Skinner struggled in the playoffs and I wouldn’t say he has the job completely locked up yet. Campbell has the bigger contract and the Oilers will keep giving him chances to wrestle the role away from Skinner.
225. Jordan Eberle, SEA, RW: Eberle’s 63-point 2022-23 came out of the blue, but I think he can replicate it. His shooting percentage was below his career average and he’ll likely be skating with Beniers and McCann again on a very potent offensive team.
226. David Perron, DET, LW: Even though it was a disappointing season for Perron from an offensive standpoint, he still put up 56 points. If that’s his floor with around 200 shots and 100 hits, he will still have some value.
227. Reilly Smith, PIT, LW: There could be a short-term opportunity awaiting Smith if Guentzel is injured to start the season. He’ll likely play with Crosby out of the gate if Guentzel isn’t ready to go and, if nothing else, Smith will probably settle in next to Malkin when everyone is healthy.
228. Alexis Lafreniere, NYR, LW: There’s been very slight improvement for Lafreniere every season, but is this the year the fourth-year breakout comes? A lot of that depends on if Chytil can avoid regressing and continue to make that line somewhat potent. Lafreniere also quietly had 141 hits last season, so if you’re going to make a bet on someone in a multi-cat league to break out, it’s nice to have that additional category coverage if things don’t work out.
229. John Klingberg, TOR, D: His play has really fallen off in the past few seasons, so if you’re hoping for a bounce back, seeing Klingberg on the top power-play unit to start training camp is a good sign. That group ranked second overall last season and it’s going to significantly help Klingberg’s numbers if he can hold onto the role.
230. Morgan Frost, PHI, C: Frost, who might be Philly’s top centre, found some success with Tippett last season. If he gets up around 18 minutes per night, a 55-point, 200-shot year is not an unreasonable expectation for Frost.
231. Logan Cooley, ARI, C: The Coyotes’ top six should be fun to watch next year and Cooley should fit right in as a rookie. He proved to be a tremendous scorer in college and I’d bet he earns time on Arizona’s first power-play unit by the end of the season.
232. Rasmus Sandin, WSH, D: A critical waiver add down the stretch last season, Sandin caught fire and had power-play success when Carlson was sidelined. With a healthy Carlson, though, I don’t think it’s fair to expect as much from Sandin.
233. Cole Perfetti, WPG, C: Perfetti scored at nearly a 50-point pace last season but just couldn’t stay healthy. His ice time should increase with Dubois and Wheeler gone, so perhaps a mini-breakout could be coming if Perfetti can play close to 80 games.
234. Philipp Grubauer, SEA, G: During last year’s postseason, Grubauer looked better than he has in two years, but he still isn’t that trustworthy, given how poorly it’s gone in Seattle for him overall. Still, if the Kraken are a playoff team again and Grubauer gets the bulk of the starts, he could help you in the wins column.
235. Charlie Coyle, BOS, C: With Bergeron and Krejci retired, Coyle is the Bruins No. 2 centre and theoretically an injury away from being their top centre. I don’t think he’s worth drafting, but Coyle is someone to keep an eye early in the season if things don’t work out for Zacha.
236. Lawson Crouse, ARI, LW: Crouse would have a lot more value if he was playing in Arizona’s top six. With that said, he’s still a 20-goal scorer who throws a ton of hits, so he could be a fit at the bottom of your roster in deep multi-cat leagues.
237. Alex Killorn, ANA, LW: A finger injury that’s going to cost Killorn at least the first month of the season hurts his value, but depending on how the Ducks deploy their lines, Anaheim could end up being a good landing spot for him. If he plays with Zegras and Terry, he could have a chance at 60 points again. Adam Henrique has been in that spot but he’s struggled to stay healthy. I’d bet Killorn gets some significant time on that top unit this season.
238. Jason Zucker, ARI, LW: Zucker exploded for 197 hits last season, easily topping his previous best of 87. If he’s anywhere close to that again in Arizona’s top six, he’ll have some real value.
239. Scott Laughton, PHI, C: Besides hits, Laughton doesn’t stand out in any particular category, but his numbers are above average in most of them. He’s a nice fit in leagues with lots of categories because Laughton is steady and reliable, and even if his offense slips, he can still help you in other areas.
240. Casey Mittelstadt, BUF, C: Mittelstadt closed last season with 17 points in his final 11 games and very quietly finished with an impressive 59 points. He’ll likely be in the Sabres’ top six, playing with Cozens, and that could be a recipe for another fruitful year for Mittelstadt.
241. Kirby Dach, MTL, C: Scoring at a 54-point pace last season, Dach was a great streamer for stretches. If he plays a full year next to Caufield and Suzuki, I’d expect him to easily be a 50-point player with around 200 shots.
242. Ryan Johansen, COL, C: Johansen regressed last season when his shooting percentage returned to normal. My expectations aren’t high for him in 2023-24, but he is in the Avs top six that’s loaded with talent. At the very least, Johansen should be playing regularly with capable and productive wingers.
243. Max Domi, TOR, C: Domi’s value this season really comes down to deployment. If the Leafs use him at wing on the second or third line with Tavares or Nylander, he could be a very productive player. However, if Toronto is forced to play Domi at centre on the third line and moves Nylander back to wing on Line 2, his numbers almost certainly won’t be as strong.
244. Jamie Drysdale, ANA, D: Drysdale scored 32 points as a 19-year-old and then essentially missed all of last season with an injury, so he’s a bit of a wild card. He’ll likely be on the first pair and eventually could quarterback the top power play. Drysdale might be a good late-round gamble.
245. Tyler Seguin, DAL, C: Seguin simply isn’t the offensive player he was a few years ago, but he still has value. There’s nothing wrong with a 50-point player who posts about 200 shots and averages over a hit per game.
246. Neal Pionk, WPG, D: Pionk is a triple-digit hit and block guy who hasn’t quite been able to recapture his strong offense output of 2019-20. With his overall category coverage and the potential to get 40-plus points, Pionk can be an asset in deep leagues.
247. Sean Couturier, PHI, C: Couturier last played a game in December 2021, so he’s a bit of a wild card. Still, grabbing a guy who’s scored over 75 points twice is probably a good bet with one of the final picks in your draft.
248. Alex Iafallo, WPG, LW: Going to Winnipeg isn’t ideal for Iafallo, as he likely won’t see the same talent on his line as he did in Los Angeles. On the bright side, Iafallo could see an uptick in minutes. He averaged only 16:18 per night last season after skating well over 18 minutes in each of the previous three years.
249. Patrick Kane, UFA, RW: A video of Kane skating and training last week seemed to show the veteran forward is getting healthy and close to a return. A lot of his value will be tied to where he signs, but given his offensive skillset, Kane is worth stashing to give your squad a lift at some point this season.
250. Joseph Woll, TOR, G: There are a lot of parallels between Woll’s situation and Skinner’s situation last year. Woll has a starter ahead of him who doesn’t have a massive sample size of success and a very strong team in front of him to take advantage of if he gets an opportunity. There are much worse bets to make than Woll with a late-round pick or an early-season waiver claim.
