Fantasy Hockey: Key Players and “Busts” for Your NHL Draft

Key Players for Your Fantasy Hockey Team: The “Sleepers” You Need to Draft

In the world of ice hockey, finding undervalued players who can make a difference on your fantasy team is crucial. These “sleepers” can be the key to winning the championship. At Alofoke Deportes, we present you with a list of players who could exceed expectations in the upcoming season. This year, we will focus on the potential of the players, considering their preseason ranking position, average draft position (ADP), reputation, and name value. Although Mitch Marner is a valuable player, there are others who might surprise you. It is important to note that we will not include rookies, as they usually receive attention elsewhere. Here we present a dozen players with at least one full season in the NHL, along with some who could disappoint relative to their draft position.

Sleepers

Lukas Dostal, G, Anaheim Ducks (No. 23 in goalies)With John Gibson in Detroit, 25-year-old Dostal is shaping up to be the primary goaltender for a rising Ducks team. The additions of Chris Kreider and Mikael Granlund, along with rising stars Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier, make this team even better. Furthermore, having a successful coach like Joel Quenneville and the arrival of assistant Ryan McGill, with his defensive experience, are positive factors. Dostal could have his best personal numbers, playing at least 55 games in the 2025-26 season. Draft him as your number 3 goaltender and reap the rewards.Andrei Kuzmenko, F, Los Angeles Kings (No. 230 in forwards)Playing on a scoring line and on the power play with a center like Anze Kopitar is a great opportunity. Although Kuzmenko is not expected to repeat his 74 points from his first NHL season, surpassing 65 points alongside Kopitar and Adrian Kempe is realistic, especially if he plays on the power play.Cole Perfetti, F, Winnipeg Jets (No. 155 in Forwards)Perfetti, 23, is a candidate to stand out in the 2025-26 season. With the departure of Nikolaj Ehlers, he is expected to play on the second scoring line and on the power play with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. More than 65 points are anticipated for this season.Matias Maccelli, F, Toronto Maple Leafs (No. 138 in forwards)If Maccelli manages to play on the first line for the Leafs in place of Marner, he could have an exceptional season. Playing with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies would secure him points. If not, playing on the second line with John Tavares and William Nylander would also be a good option. The 24-year-old player is expected to perform well in Toronto.Mathew Barzal, F, New York Islanders (No. 117 in forwards)After a season full of injuries, Barzal feels good physically and mentally. With health and at his best, Barzal has the potential to score a point per game, as he demonstrated two seasons ago with 80 points in 80 games.Will Cuylle, F, New York Rangers (No. 87 in forwards)With high expectations, Cuylle is expected to score 30 goals and 30 assists. If we add to this a good amount of shots and hits, the 23-year-old player could stand out in deeper leagues. Playing full-time on a scoring line with J.T. Miller and Mika Zibanejad, along with minutes on the power play, increases his chances. Cuylle could become a household name outside of New York very soon.Trevor Zegras, F, Philadelphia Flyers (No. 106 in forwards)A move to Philadelphia could be what Zegras needs. Although he could play on the second line and on the power play, he could also do so on the first line with Matvei Michkov and Travis Konecny. It will be important to see how coach Rick Tocchet uses Zegras. At 24 years old, he has the potential to reach 70 points. On a new team, he could be a great addition in deeper leagues.Morgan Geekie, F, Boston Bruins (No. 136 in forwards)Geekie, 27, scored 57 points in 77 games with the Bruins last season. After Brad Marchand’s departure, many of his points (22 in the last 14 games) came. Playing the entire season on an attacking line and on the power play with Elias Lindholm and David Pastrnak could lead Geekie to 70 points.

JJ Peterka, F, Utah Mammoth (No. 79 in forwards)

Playing on a scoring line with Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley, and on the power play with Clayton Keller, could lead Peterka to score at least 70 points for the first time in his career. This young player also tends to shoot a lot at the goal. After his time with the Sabres, the 23-year-old player is now the highest-paid forward on his new club. It’s time to prove his worth.

Ivan Barbashev, F, Vegas Golden Knights (No. 148 in forwards)

Playing primarily on the first line with Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, Barbashev averaged 0.73 points per game last season. If Marner replaces Mark Stone in Vegas, Barbashev could improve his production. This solid forward also contributes with hits, which is beneficial in leagues that value them.Shayne Gostisbehere, D, Carolina Hurricanes (No. 51 in defense)Gostisbehere scored more power play points (27) than any other player except Cale Makar, Jake Sanderson, and Quinn Hughes, in addition to 18 points in regular play in just 70 games. He is expected to repeat his performance as the anchor of Carolina’s first unit, so he deserves greater recognition in leagues that value power play production.Cam Fowler, D, St. Louis Blues (No. 74 on defense)Fowler, underrated in fantasy, scored 36 points in just 51 games after joining the Blues in December. Nearing 500 career points, the power play anchor could add another 45 in his first full season with St. Louis. Furthermore, he is in the final year of his contract.

Busts (Players Who Could Disappoint)

Connor Bedard, F, Chicago Blackhawks (No. 38 in Forwards)Chicago’s star needs a stronger supporting cast. Until then, the 2024 Calder winner won’t surpass the one-point-per-game barrier. Blackhawks management should improve the roster as soon as possible, as Bedard is in the final year of his entry-level contract.Steven Stamkos, F, Nashville Predators (No. 24 in forwards)The Lightning’s legend scored only 53 points in Nashville last year. Although they are not expected to repeat that low performance, they are also unlikely to exceed 75 points. Therefore, their number 20 ranking seems out of place.Mike Matheson, D, Montreal Canadiens (No. 18 in defense)Under the shadow of Lane Hutson, Matheson saw his production decrease from 62 points in 2023-24 to 31 last season. With the arrival of Noah Dobson, how many power play points can we expect from the 31-year-old player? The answer: not enough to justify his high ranking.Brent Burns, D, Colorado Avalanche (No. 53 on defense)Joining his fourth team in the NHL at 22 years old, the veteran defenseman will have another chance to win his first Stanley Cup. The 40-year-old player is not expected to complain about playing behind Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Samuel Girard, and others. After scoring 61 points in Carolina in 2022-23, Burns only managed 29 last season. That figure seems to be his ceiling with the Avalanche.Logan Thompson, G, Washington Capitals (No. 12 in goalies)Thompson, who arrived from Vegas, was a positive surprise in fantasy in 2024-25. The concern now is whether he can repeat his impressive 31-6-6 record (most likely not) for a Capitals team trying to replicate their 111-point campaign (also unlikely to happen). Thompson’s .910 SV% suggests that many other things went well to secure that winning percentage. He’s a good fantasy goalie, no doubt, but not our first choice for a number 2 in reasonably sized leagues.