NHL Fantasy Rankings: Top Players, Sleepers, Goalies & Draft Tips for 2026-27

NHL fantasy hockey is a fun way to follow the sport while building your own team of stars. Every draft can be different, and knowing the right players to target can give you a big advantage. NHL fantasy rankings help managers decide which players should be drafted early, which players offer strong value, and which sleepers could become important later in the season.

For the 2026-27 season, several familiar stars remain near the top of fantasy boards. Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Nikita Kucherov, Macklin Celebrini, and Leon Draisaitl are among the players receiving strong early rankings. NHL.com’s current top 250 also places Cale Makar, David Pastrnak, Kirill Kaprizov, and Jason Robertson among the elite fantasy options.

What Are NHL Fantasy Rankings?

NHL fantasy rankings are lists that place hockey players in order based on their expected fantasy value. These rankings help you understand which players are likely to produce the most useful numbers during a season.

A ranking is not based only on goals. Depending on your league, fantasy value can come from goals, assists, power-play points, shots, hits, blocked shots, plus-minus, and other categories. Goalies may be judged by wins, goals-against average, save percentage, and shutouts.

This means a player who does not score the most goals can still be a great fantasy pick if he contributes in several categories.

Top NHL Fantasy Players for 2026-27

The top of the fantasy rankings is filled with elite players who can carry a team.

1. Connor McDavid remains one of the safest first picks in fantasy hockey. His scoring ability, speed, and power-play production make him extremely valuable.

2. Nathan MacKinnon is another excellent first-round option. He combines goals, assists, and strong overall offensive production.

3. Nikita Kucherov continues to be one of the best fantasy scorers in the NHL. His ability to create points and produce on the power play makes him a premium selection.

4. Macklin Celebrini has quickly moved into the elite fantasy discussion. NHL.com’s current rankings place him fourth overall, while his 2025-26 season included 115 points in 82 games.

5. Leon Draisaitl is another player who should be considered near the top of most standard fantasy drafts.

Current rankings from NHL.com place these players among the first five overall, although different fantasy analysts can order them differently.

Best Defensemen in NHL Fantasy Rankings

Defensemen are very important in fantasy hockey because the best ones can provide points while also helping in categories such as shots and power-play points.

Cale Makar is one of the biggest names to watch. NHL.com’s current top 250 ranks him eighth overall, making him the highest-ranked defenseman on that list.

Other defensemen worth watching include Quinn Hughes, Zach Werenski, Evan Bouchard, and Rasmus Dahlin. Their value can change depending on league scoring, power-play roles, and category settings.

In a league that rewards blocked shots and hits, a defenseman with strong physical numbers can sometimes be more useful than a pure offensive defenseman.

Best NHL Fantasy Goalies

Goalies are harder to rank because their fantasy success depends partly on the team in front of them. A talented goalie on a strong team can have more chances to earn wins and good ratios.

Andrei Vasilevskiy is currently ranked highly by NHL.com, appearing at No. 13 overall in its 2026-27 top 250.

When choosing a goalie, do not look only at past save percentage. Consider expected starts, team defense, scoring support, and competition from another goalie.

It can also be risky to spend too early on a goalie when several reliable options may still be available in later rounds.

Why NHL Fantasy Rankings Can Change

Fantasy rankings are not fixed. They can change before and during the season because of injuries, trades, line combinations, and power-play roles.

For example, a player moving to a team with a better offensive system could receive more fantasy value. A player losing his place on the first power-play unit could become less attractive.

Recent rankings also show how much expert opinions can differ. NHL.com, ESPN, and Daily Faceoff all publish fantasy boards, but their exact player order is not always the same.

This is why fantasy managers should use rankings as a guide rather than treating one list as the final answer.

How to Use NHL Fantasy Rankings in Your Draft

The best way to use rankings is to combine them with your league settings.

First, check which categories your league uses. A points league may place greater value on pure scoring, while a category league can reward players who contribute across several areas.

Next, look at player positions. If you already have several centers, you may want to focus on a strong winger or defenseman.

You should also watch your draft position. If you pick near the end of a round, it can be useful to identify players who may not make it back to you.

Finally, do not draft only by name. A famous player is not always the best value at his average draft position.

Fantasy Hockey Sleepers to Watch

Sleepers can help separate a good fantasy team from a great one. A sleeper is a player who is being drafted later than his expected production suggests.

Young players are often interesting sleeper choices because their roles can grow quickly. NHL.com’s 2026-27 coverage, for example, highlights young Sharks players such as Will Smith and Ivar Stenberg as players worth watching.

There are also bounce-back candidates. These are established players who struggled because of injuries, poor shooting luck, or a temporary change in role.

The key is to look for players with a realistic path to more ice time, better teammates, or more power-play opportunities.

Common Mistakes in Fantasy Hockey Drafts

One common mistake is focusing too much on last season’s numbers. Past performance matters, but a player’s situation can change.

Another mistake is ignoring league categories. A player who is excellent in one format may be less valuable in another.

Some managers also wait too long to think about goalies. Others make the opposite mistake and draft several goalies too early.

Finally, avoid filling your roster with too many players from one NHL team. When a team has a bad night, several fantasy players on your roster could struggle at the same time.

Final Thoughts on NHL Fantasy Rankings

NHL fantasy rankings are one of the most useful tools for preparing for a fantasy hockey draft. They can help you identify elite stars, valuable defensemen, goalies, sleepers, and potential breakout players.

For the 2026-27 season, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Nikita Kucherov, Macklin Celebrini, and Leon Draisaitl are among the biggest names at the top of current rankings.

Still, the best fantasy managers do more than follow a ranking list. They study their league settings, watch player roles, compare rankings with average draft position, and stay alert for injuries and roster changes.

A strong draft is about finding the right player at the right time. Use rankings as your starting point, stay flexible, and keep looking for value throughout the season.

FAQs

What are NHL fantasy rankings?

NHL fantasy rankings are lists that rank players based on their expected fantasy value for the season.

Who is the No. 1 fantasy hockey player?

Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon are among the top choices. NHL.com’s current 2026-27 rankings place McDavid first and MacKinnon second.

Is Macklin Celebrini a good fantasy pick?

Yes. Celebrini is considered an elite fantasy option after producing 115 points in 82 games during the 2025-26 season.

Should I draft a goalie early?

It depends on your league. If goalies are highly valuable in your scoring system, an elite goalie can be worth an early selection. Otherwise, waiting for good value can be a smart strategy.

Are fantasy rankings the same for every league?

No. Rankings can change based on scoring rules, roster size, and categories. Always adjust rankings to match your league.

How often should I check fantasy rankings?

Check them before your draft and continue monitoring them during the season. Injuries, trades, and changes in player roles can quickly affect fantasy value.