In the world of fantasy hockey, victory often hinges on the ability to unearth undervalued players capable of exceeding all expectations – both in later draft rounds and among free agents. Equally crucial is avoiding those who fail to deliver on anticipated potential. The key to successfully identifying such talents lies in a meticulous analysis of their skills, playing opportunities, physical condition, and overall career trajectory, to ascertain who is poised for an unexpected breakthrough.
This year, we`re adopting a somewhat different approach, not solely focusing on players` fantasy potential relative to their preseason rankings. In addition to juxtaposing with these rankings, we also consider approximated Average Draft Position (ADP), as well as less tangible factors like reputation and name recognition. It goes without saying that players like Mitch Marner are valued far more than their current 52nd forward ranking suggests. Instead, our aim is to highlight `sleeper` candidates who might otherwise go unnoticed.
An important clarification: rookies are not included here. While some first-year players, such as Jimmy Snuggerud, Rutger McGroarty, Sam Rinzel, and others, undoubtedly warrant attention, they receive ample coverage in other fantasy reviews. The twelve players presented below have at least one full season under their belt, alongside a small list of those likely to disappoint relative to their expected draft positions.
Sleepers
Lukas Dostal, G, Anaheim Ducks (No. 23 goaltender)
With John Gibson`s departure to Detroit, the 25-year-old Dostal emerges as the undisputed number one goalie for the Ducks – a team on the rise. The acquisitions of Chris Kreider and Mikael Granlund, along with rising stars Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier, bolster the club. The arrival of successful coach Joel Quenneville behind the bench, and new assistant Ryan McGill, who boasts 25 years of experience and a reputation for improving defensive play, create ideal conditions for a goaltender. Dostal is expected to post his best personal numbers yet, starting at least 55 games in the 2025-26 season. Grab this emerging gem as your third netminder and reap the fantasy rewards.
Andrei Kuzmenko, F, Los Angeles Kings (No. 230 forward)
Skating on a scoring line and the top power play with a center like future Hall-of-Famer Anze Kopitar is hardly the worst gig. Just ask the former Flyer/Flame/Canuck, who contributed five goals and 12 assists in 22 games after being traded to the Kings last winter. We`re not suggesting this enigmatic forward will ever amass 74 points again, including 39 goals, as he did in Vancouver in his first NHL season. But 65-plus points alongside Kopitar and Adrian Kempe is not too great an ask, with a hearty portion of them coming on the power play. Just ensure Kuzmenko is situated there to start the season.
Cole Perfetti, F, Winnipeg Jets (No. 155 forward)
A favorite sleeper candidate heading into the 2025-26 season, 23-year-old Perfetti will be afforded a prime opportunity for a significant breakout. Entering his fourth full campaign, and with Nikolaj Ehlers gone to Carolina, Perfetti is again slated to compete on a second scoring line and, even more promisingly, be a full-time member of the top power play with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. Anticipate more than 65 points this season.
Matias Maccelli, F, Toronto Maple Leafs (No. 138 forward)
If – and this is a Scotiabank Arena-sized if – the former Utah skater can stick on a top Leafs line in Marner`s old spot, as projected early on, he`ll be in for a career year. Anyone who gets the chance to compete with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies on a regular basis is going to put up points, period. Substantially more than the 17 goals and 40 assists Maccelli collected two years ago with the Coyotes. If not, a gig on a second unit with John Tavares and William Nylander wouldn`t be too shabby either. All told, the 24-year-old should feel fairly pumped about his ceiling in Toronto.
Mathew Barzal, F, New York Islanders (No. 117 forward)
Following last year`s injury-riddled campaign, Barzal feels good again, mentally and physically. Good and charged up to make an impact after logging only 20 points in 30 contests. At full health, and in his prime, Barzal boasts point-per-game potential. Like when he scored 80 in 80 only two seasons ago.
Will Cuylle, F, New York Rangers (No. 87 forward)
Rumored to be in the mix for the Rangers` captaincy until J.T. Miller captured the honor, the third-year skater is being saddled with extra lofty hopes – specifically, 30 goals and 30 assists. Toss in a good sum of shots and an exceptional number of hits – he had 300 this past season – and the 23-year-old is poised to make a whole lot of fantasy noise in deeper, balanced leagues. A full-time gig on a scoring line with Miller and Mika Zibanejad, along with secondary power-play minutes, bolsters such promise. Cuylle isn`t yet a household name outside of New York. He will be soon enough.
Trevor Zegras, F, Philadelphia Flyers (No. 106 forward)
Some fresh starts feel more needed than others. This is the case with Zegras and what seems like a rather necessary move from Anaheim to Philadelphia. While a slot on the second scoring line and top power play appears the worst-case scenario, a gig on the No. 1 unit with Matvei Michkov and Travis Konecny might also be in the cards. More so than with other teams, how new coach Rick Tocchet massages his lineup in camp should be monitored closely. Particularly how Zegras is utilized. Still only 24 years old, this is a player with 70-point potential. In fresh digs, he`s positioned to provide a spark in deeper leagues.
Morgan Geekie, F, Boston Bruins (No. 136 forward)
Somewhat quietly, the 27-year-old winger contributed 57 points in 77 games with the Bruins last season. Not coincidentally, an overwhelming fraction of them – 22 in the last 14 contests – came after Brad Marchand departed for Florida. A full campaign on a top forward unit and power play with center Elias Lindholm and, more significantly, David Pastrnak, should easily boost Geekie near the 70-point plateau.
JJ Peterka, Utah Mammoth (No. 79 forward)
Out of Buffalo, a spot on a scoring line with Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley, and power play alongside Clayton Keller, should see Peterka notch 70 points, minimum, for the first time in his young career. This young skater also likes to shoot on net. After his breakup with the Sabres, the 23-year-old is now the highest-paid forward with his new club. Time to earn that money.
Ivan Barbashev, F, Vegas Golden Knights (No. 148 forward)
Mostly on a top line with Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, Barbashev averaged 0.73 points per game last season. Sub in newbie Marner for Mark Stone – if that`s how it indeed unfolds in Vegas – and Barbashev could be in for a slight boost in production. The solid forward also likes to throw his body around, to the benefit of fantasy managers in leagues that reward hits.
Shayne Gostisbehere, D, Carolina Hurricanes (No. 51 defenseman)
All he did was score more power-play points (27) than anyone not named Cale Makar, Jake Sanderson, and Quinn Hughes, plus another 18 at even-strength, in only 70 games. Projected to replicate that showing as Carolina`s top unit anchor once more, Gostisbehere merits much greater appreciation in leagues that prize production with the extra skater.
Cam Fowler, D, St. Louis Blues (No. 74 defenseman)
Perennially underrated as a fantasy performer, the former Duck pounded out 36 points in only 51 contests after joining the Blues in December. Nearing 500 career points, the top power-play anchor will bang out another 45 in his first full season with St. Louis. For those who appreciate extra-incentivized skaters, know that Fowler is also in the final year of his current contract.
Also worth noting:
- William Eklund, F, San Jose Sharks
- Jackson Blake, F, Hurricanes
- Connor Zary, F, Calgary Flames
- Jiri Kulich, F, Buffalo Sabres
- Shea Theodore, D, Golden Knights
- Jet Greaves, G, Columbus Blue Jackets
Busts
Connor Bedard, F, Chicago Blackhawks (No. 38 forward)
Chicago`s franchise player needs a stronger supporting cast. Until then, the 2024 Calder winner won`t break the point-per-game barrier. With Bedard entering the final year of his entry-level deal, Blackhawks management should start making tangible improvements to this roster ASAP.
Steven Stamkos, F, Nashville Predators (No. 24 forward)
The former Lightning legend scored just 53 points in Nashville last year. While we don`t anticipate a repeat of that uncharacteristically lousy performance from a career-better-than-point-per-game player, he isn`t likely to pitch in upwards of 75 either. So the No. 20 ranking feels off-base.
Mike Matheson, D, Montreal Canadiens (No. 18 defenseman)
In Lane Hutson`s Calder-winning shadow, Matheson saw his production drop from 62 points in 2023-24 to 31 this past season. Now Noah Dobson is aboard, so how many power-play points can we now expect from the 31-year-old? Answer: Not nearly enough to merit this high ranking.
Brent Burns, D, Colorado Avalanche (No. 53 defenseman)
Joining his fourth NHL team in 22 years, the veteran defender will enjoy another legitimate shot at winning his first Stanley Cup. So we don`t expect the 40-year-old to complain much about taking a blue-line backseat to the likes of Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Samuel Girard, etc. After potting 61 points in Carolina in 2022-23, Burns eked out only 29 this past season. As a projection, that sum feels like his ceiling with the Avalanche.
Logan Thompson, G, Washington Capitals (No. 12 goaltender)
Making his way over from Vegas, Thompson served as a happy fantasy surprise for many in 2024-25. The concern now is whether he can come close to repeating his sparkling 31-6-6 record (most likely no) for a Capitals team endeavoring to replicate their 111-point campaign? (Also probably not happening.) Thompson`s .910 SV% suggests a lot else went right in securing such an impressive winning percentage. He`s a good fantasy goalie, no question, but not our first choice for a No. 2 in reasonably-sized leagues.
