Playoff Pool Draft Rankings: Stock up on Oilers as McDavid poised for another deep run

We now know the 16 teams that will be competing for the Stanley Cup, so let the playoff pool prep commence.

Playoff pools are a little different than regular-season leagues and there are other factors to consider when drafting. Mainly, you have to balance a player’s talent with how long you think they’ll be around in the playoffs. You could draft the most talented player available but if they’re only going to last four games, that doesn’t really help you.

For these rankings, we are basing them on goals, assists, power-play points and shots for skaters, and for goalies, wins and shutouts. Some factors that went into the rankings were:

- regular season performance

- past playoff history

- line combinations and deployment

- paths and probability of a long playoff run

- injury concerns

- competition for goalie starts

Here are the top-75 player rankings for the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs:

1. Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers: Even in a worst-case scenario where the Oilers don’t advance past the first round, McDavid could still easily pick up 15 or 16 points in one series.

2. Leon Draisaitl, C/LW, Oilers: Draisaitl had 32 points in 16 playoff games last year, essentially on one leg. Imagine what he could do for an encore if healthy this post-season.

3. David Pastrnak, RW, Boston Bruins: A 60-goal scorer on a team that’s the Cup favourite is a no-brainer selection at third overall.

4. Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche: MacKinnon is averaging 1.3 points per game in the playoffs for his career. Expect that pace to continue.

5. Mitch Marner, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews is Toronto’s most dominant player, but Marner was more productive this season. He should be the first Leaf off the board.

6. Mikko Rantanen, C/RW, Colorado Avalanche: Rantanen has yet to hit double-digit goals in a post-season, but after a 55-goal campaign with one game left, I expect that to change this spring.

7. Auston Matthews, C, Maple Leafs: Matthews had a somewhat quiet year for his standards, but his game has been rounding into form over the past month or so. Maybe he saved some of those goals for the playoffs.

8. Kirill Kaprizov, LW, Minnesota Wild: A goal and eight shots in his last outing sure makes it seem like Kaprizov is ready to deliver in the playoffs.

9. Jason Robertson, LW, Dallas Stars: Robertson reached superstar status this season and the Stars are going to be a tough out.

10. Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning: The Lighting appear to be more vulnerable to an early playoff exit than they have in quite some time, which hurts Kucherov’s value somewhat. Don’t let him fall out of the top 10, though.

11. Artemi Panarin, LW, New York Rangers: Panarin is as consistent as it gets and if the Rangers duplicate last year’s playoff run, he’ll pile up the points.

12. Jack Hughes, C/LW, New Jersey Devils: I’d have Hughes higher on this list, but the Devils have a really tough road to make a deep run. Hopefully Hughes’ playoff debut isn’t a short one.

13. Cale Makar, D, Avalanche: Makar is having a tough time staying healthy this year and even though it sounds like he’ll be ready for the start of the playoffs, the injury uncertainty pushes him outside the top 10 for me.

14. Mika Zibanejad, C, Rangers: Last year proved Zibanejad is an elite playoff performer and I see no reason why it won’t continue.

15. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C/LW, Oilers: Nugent-Hopkins took advantage of one of the all-time best power plays to reach 100 points this year and the Oilers offence should continue to light up the scoreboard in the post-season.

16. Linus Ullmark, G, Bruins: Ullmark lost just six times in regulation all season. It’s going to be tough for a team to beat him four times in just seven games.

17. Matthew Tkachuk, RW, Florida Panthers: If this was regular-season rankings Tkachuk would easily be in the top 10, but the Panthers will be in tough to get past the first round.

18. Brad Marchand, LW, Bruins: I’m not overly concerned Marchand had just one goal in his final 17 games. He plays his best when the games matter most.

19. Adam Fox, D, Rangers: Fox had 23 points in 20 playoff games a year ago. There’s not many defencemen in the league capable of that.

20. William Nylander, RW, Maple Leafs: Nylander has averaged a little over a point per game in his past two playoffs and he had seven points in seven games against the Lightning last year.

21. Brayden Point, C, Lightning: After having his playoffs cut short due to injury a season ago, expect Point, who had a career-high 51 goals this year, to make up for lost time.

22. Zach Hyman, LW/RW, Oilers: Whether it’s Matthews and Marner or McDavid and Draisaitl, Hyman has mastered the craft of maximizing his talents and value when playing with great players.

23. Sebastian Aho, C, Carolina Hurricanes: Aho’s career points per game in the playoffs are actually higher than in the regular season. You’ll want him around if the Hurricanes make a long run.

24. Jack Eichel, C, Vegas Golden Knights: Eichel had points in as many games before a late-season injury. That ailment might push him down draft boards a bit and you could be able to come away with a steal.

25. Igor Shesterkin, G, Rangers: Shesterkin proved last year his play doesn’t dip in the playoffs and he’ll likely play every minute for the Rangers this spring.

26. Roope Hintz, C, Stars: Dallas’ top line is one of the best in hockey and Hintz should be a very safe point-per-game option.

27. Matt Boldy, LW/RW, Wild: Boldy exploded for the final month and a half and was scoring at a torrid pace. If that continues in the playoffs, you’ll be thankful you snagged Boldy.

28. Anze Kopitar, C, Los Angeles Kings: Kopitar is so reliable and consistent that he can sometimes be taken for granted and he has the experience of a few deep playoff runs on his side.

29. Charlie McAvoy, D, Bruins: Boston’s best defenceman has picked up his offence over the past two seasons and McAvoy has 17 points in his past 17 playoff games.

30. Jesper Bratt, RW, Devils: Bratt has only played in one post-season game, but he’s become a tremendous offensive talent on a potent Devils squad. He’ll be very valuable if New Jersey can make it out of the opening round.

31. Andrei Vasilevskiy, G, Lightning: Vasilevskiy has backstopped the Lightning to three straight Cup appearances and two championships. It’s tough to bet against him.

32. John Tavares, C, Maple Leafs: Any thought about Tavares starting to decline appears to be premature after another 80-point season.

33. Jake Oettinger, G, Stars: Oettinger is one of the few goalies in these playoffs who has no one to challenge him for the net and the Stars seem deeper than they have been in years.

34. Kevin Fiala, LW/RW, Kings: Fiala is trying to get back from another injury, but if he’s healthy, he could be a difference maker in a playoff pool.

35. Steven Stamkos, C/LW, Lightning: Stamkos has 19 goals over his past two playoffs and if the Lightning can go on another long run, he should easily be able to continue that level of production.

36. Alexandar Georgiev, G, Avalanche: A huge workload in the regular season didn’t hurt Georgiev’s numbers at all and he seems ready to carry the Avs deep into the spring.

37. Evander Kane, LW, Oilers: Most playoff pools don’t have hits, which hurts Kane’s value, but he did have 13 goals in 15 playoff games a year ago. Just about anyone in Edmonton’s top six is worth grabbing.

38. Frederik Andersen, G, Hurricanes: The Canes are missing some key scorers due to injuries and Andersen has a lengthy injury history, so this is a high-risk, high-reward pick.

39. Nico Hischier, C, Devils: If you believe the Devils are capable of a long run, believe in Hischier. He should easily be a point-per-game player.

40. Miro Heiskanen, D, Stars: Heiskanen finally delivered a major breakout season, thanks to some huge production on the power play. He should be one of the first few defencemen taken in your draft.

41. Patrice Bergeron, C, Bruins: Bergeron isn’t a huge points guy and his true value is his two-way game, but unless there’s a shocking upset of the Bruins, 15-20 playoff points should be in reach.

42. Brent Burns, D, Hurricanes: Burns has helped greatly in picking up the offensive slack after Max Pacioretty and Andrei Svechnikov were lost with injuries.

43. Stuart Skinner, G, Oilers: McDavid seems to be on a mission to carry the Oilers on another lengthy run and expect Skinner to benefit in the win department if that happens.

44. Timo Meier, LW/RW, Devils: Meier’s game is built for the playoffs and he should be hungry to put his talents on display after missing out for the past three post-seasons.

45. Valeri Nichushkin, LW/RW, Avalanche: Nichushkin’s breakout came during last year’s Cup run and he’ll be counted on for major contributions again with Gabriel Landeskog sidelined.

46. Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, Rangers: After all their deadline moves, the Rangers might boast the most potent top six in the Eastern Conference and arguably the best goalie in the league. That’s a good recipe for Tarasenko to end up with a long post-season run.

47. Joe Pavelski, C/RW, Stars: Pavelski just seems to get better with age and has a ton of playoff experience. Playing on one of the best lines in hockey doesn’t hurt either.

48. Ilya Samsonov, G, Maple Leafs: Samsonov is unproven in the playoffs but he sure has had a spectacular season. If his game holds up this spring and the Leafs finally get out of the first round, Samsonov will have major value.

49. Dougie Hamilton, D, Devils: Hamilton obliterated his career high in points this season and has established himself as one of the top offensive defenders in the NHL.

50. Martin Necas, RW, Hurricanes: Necas quietly finished first in scoring on the Canes and should be able to rack up the points in the post-season as well.

51. Victor Hedman, D, Lightning: There’s not many defencemen I’d rather have than Hedman in a playoff series, but given his down offensive year, it’s hard to rank him higher than this.

52. Joonas Korpisalo, G, Kings: It feels like the Kings are leaning towards Korpisalo to get the net in the playoffs, but his grasp of the job is far from secure. So, he’s somewhat of a risky pick.

53. Patrick Kane, RW, Rangers: Kane’s been fairly quiet since arriving in New York, though using a late pick on a player with three Cups and who’s been a clutch playoff performer certainly couldn’t hurt.

54. Josh Morrissey, D, Winnipeg Jets: Morrissey is coming off a huge season, but can the Jets survive long enough to make him fantasy relevant in the playoffs?

55. Hampus Lindholm, D, Bruins: Lindholm just completed a career year in points and has the benefit of skating on the Bruins' top power-play unit.

56. Adrian Kempe, C/LW/RW, Kings: Kempe hit 40 goals this year and is one of the most underrated scorers in the NHL.

57. Connor Hellebuyck, G, Jets: If the Jets are going to pull off a first-round upset, Hellebuyck is going to have to play almost perfect. Much like he did down the stretch to get Winnipeg into the playoffs.

58. Aleksander Barkov, C, Panthers: Barkov’s longevity in these playoffs will determine his value, but his upside is too high to pass up at this point of drafts.

59. Chris Kreider, LW/RW, Rangers: Kreider didn’t come close to reaching 50 goals again and he doesn’t get many assists, so you’ll have to hope he gets on a hot scoring streak in the post-season if you’re thinking of taking him.

60. Jamie Benn, C/LW, Stars: Benn has turned back the clock this season and the Stars are now more than just a one-line team.

61. Jake DeBrusk, LW/RW, Bruins: Having a top-six Bruin outside of Marchand, Pastrnak or Bergeron could be hugely important if the Bruins go all the way.

62. Mark Scheifele, C, Jets: If Scheifele gets hot in a series, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility for him to notch four or five goals, even if the Jets make an early exit.

63. Vincent Trocheck, C, Rangers: Trocheck is more valuable in regular season multi-category leagues, but he’s still part of a Rangers' top six that should be a threat to score on every shift.

64. Jonathan Marchessault, LW/RW, Golden Knights: Every fantasy team needs a safe, reliable and consistent player, and Marchessault checks all those boxes.

65. Evan Bouchard, D, Edmonton Oilers: Bouchard’s value has skyrocketed since Tyson Barrie got traded and he took over the quarterbacking duties on the Oilers' top power play.

66. Vince Dunn, D, Seattle Kraken: I don’t know how long the Kraken are going to last, but grabbing a 60-plus point defeceman this late is worth a shot.

67. Filip Gustavsson, G, Wild: Gustavsson had the far better season but Marc-Andre Fleury has the playoff experience. Can Gustavsson hold the net for the Wild in the post-season?

68. Arturri Lehkonen, LW/RW, Avalanche: There’s a huge opportunity for Lehkonen if he can stay healthy with Landeskog out for the playoffs.

69. Carter Verhaeghe, LW, Panthers: Verhaeghe is proving to be a very competent scorer and you’ll have to hope he goes off in round one.

70. Kyle Connor, LW, Jets: Connor could make up for a bit of an underwhelming season with a strong playoffs.

71. Alex Pietrangelo, D, Golden Knights: Pietrangelo has been a No. 1 defenceman on a Cup-winning team, so I’d bet on him again with a late-round pick.

72. Vitek Vanecek, G, Devils: The net is unquestionably Vanecek’s in New Jersey, but can he outduel Shesterkin in Round 1? That’s a tall order.

73. Morgan Rielly, D, Maple Leafs: Rielly only had four goals this season but scored three times in the playoffs against the Lightning last year. He brings his best in the post-season.

74. Mats Zuccarello, LW, Wild: Zuccarello struggled when Kaprizov went down, but they could create magic again in the playoffs now that the Wild superstar is healthy.

75. Ilya Sorokin, G, New York Islanders: If the Isles are going to go anywhere in the playoffs it’s going to be on the back of Sorokin.