As the 2024-25 NHL regular season nears its April 17 conclusion, teams are battling for playoff spots and draft lottery positions. Fantasy hockey playoffs are underway in many leagues, but there`s still time to improve your team over these crucial two weeks.
In addition to the updated weekly power rankings, our experts have identified top fantasy hockey free agent pickups in both the Eastern and Western Conferences to help you win your league.
Ranking Methodology: A panel of ESPN hockey experts provides weekly rankings for all 32 teams based on their performance through Wednesday games. These rankings are compiled to create the overall list.
Note: Previous rankings are from March 14th. Point percentages are current as of Thursday`s games.
1. Washington Capitals
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 72.46%
Fantasy Pick: Pierre-Luc Dubois, F (available in 41.4% of ESPN fantasy leagues): Dubois` move to Washington has revitalized his performance, making him a valuable fantasy asset. He`s performing as a top-40 forward since December 1st and is still available in many leagues.
2. Winnipeg Jets
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 71.43%
Fantasy Pick: Dylan Samberg, D (available in 92%): Samberg has emerged as a strong fantasy option, leading Winnipeg defensemen in blocked shots and shots on goal recently. His pairing with Luke Schenn has boosted his offensive production, making him a worthwhile pickup in deeper leagues.
3. Carolina Hurricanes
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 64.71%
Fantasy Pick: Shayne Gostisbehere, D (available in 51.6%): While Jankowski`s scoring streak is notable, Gostisbehere offers more consistent fantasy value. He plays significant power-play minutes, contributing the majority of his points this season while on the man advantage.
4. Dallas Stars
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 66.18%
Fantasy Pick: Casey DeSmith, G (available in 96.2%): With a busy upcoming schedule, DeSmith is expected to get playing time for the Stars. He has been excellent since mid-January, making him a solid streaming option when starting.
5. Vegas Golden Knights
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 64.71%
Fantasy Pick: Pavel Dorofeyev, F (available in 59.4%): Dorofeyev and Hertl are performing well together, but Dorofeyev is still available in over half of fantasy leagues. Consider adding him for offensive production.
6. Florida Panthers
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 63.04%
Fantasy Pick: Mackie Samoskevich, F (available in 91.6%): With Marchand sidelined, Samoskevich is playing high in the Panthers` lineup and producing fantasy points at an impressive rate, comparable to top players.
7. Colorado Avalanche
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 62.14%
Fantasy Pick: Scott Wedgewood, G (available in 95.3%): Wedgewood has been winning games for Colorado and is a strong streaming goalie option for fantasy playoffs, especially with his recent winning streak.
8. Toronto Maple Leafs
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 63.04%
Fantasy Pick: Matthew Knies, F (available in 35.9%): Despite lower availability, Knies is a high-potential player who should be rostered in more leagues. His fantasy production alongside Matthews is notable.
9. Edmonton Oilers
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 61.59%
Fantasy Pick: Calvin Pickard, G (available in 96.7%): Pickard has been outperforming Skinner recently and could see more starts if Skinner struggles, making him a potential fantasy goalie pickup.
10. Tampa Bay Lightning
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 62.50%
Fantasy Pick: Oliver Bjorkstrand, F (available in 59.3%): While Gourde is getting top-six minutes, Bjorkstrand remains a key part of Tampa Bay`s power play, offering consistent fantasy value in the final month.
11. Los Angeles Kings
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 61.94%
Fantasy Pick: Quinton Byfield, F (available in 52.4%): Byfield is playing significant minutes and scoring consistently, making him a valuable addition as the Kings fight for playoff positioning.
12. Minnesota Wild
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 60.15%
Fantasy Pick: Ryan Hartman, F (available in 77.3%): Hartman is producing since returning from suspension and is now a candidate for the top line due to Rossi`s injury, increasing his fantasy potential.
13. New Jersey Devils
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 57.14%
Fantasy Pick: Luke Hughes, D (available in 56.3%): With injuries creating opportunities, Hughes is taking over for Hamilton on defense and is widely available in fantasy leagues, offering potential value.
14. Ottawa Senators
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 56.62%
Fantasy Pick: Dylan Cozens, F (available in 41%): Cozens is thriving in Ottawa, receiving significant ice time and contributing hits and points, making him an appealing fantasy option after his change of teams.
15. St. Louis Blues
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 55.00%
Fantasy Pick: Jake Neighbours, F (available in 83.9%): Neighbours is performing well on a line with Thomas and Buchnevich, making him a significantly undervalued fantasy asset given his recent production.
16. Vancouver Canucks
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 55.07%
Fantasy Pick: Kevin Lankinen, G (available in 39.8%): With Demko`s status uncertain, Lankinen is Vancouver`s likely No. 1 goalie and could be valuable if Vancouver makes a playoff push.
17. Montreal Canadiens
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 54.41%
Fantasy Pick: Patrik Laine, F (available in 35%): Laine`s fantasy value is tied to his power-play scoring, which has been more consistent recently, making him a worthwhile option as Montreal chases a playoff spot.
18. Calgary Flames
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 55.15%
Fantasy Pick: Dan Vladar, G (available in 98%): With limited fantasy value on Calgary, Vladar is a streaming option in deeper leagues when he starts, as he has shown flashes of strong play.
19. Utah Hockey Club
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 52.90%
Fantasy Pick: Nick Schmaltz, F (available in 68.5%): While Utah has flashier fantasy options, Schmaltz is currently in a productive period and should be considered while he`s performing well.
20. New York Rangers
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 51.43%
Fantasy Pick: Will Cuylle, F (available in 67%): Cuylle has secured a top-six role with the Rangers and provides a rare combination of physicality and scoring, making him a unique fantasy asset.
21. New York Islanders
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 52.94%
Fantasy Pick: Kyle Palmieri, F (available in 51.2%): Palmieri is scoring goals at a high rate since February and is playing on the top line and power play, making him the prime fantasy target on the Islanders.
22. Columbus Blue Jackets
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 52.21%
Fantasy Pick: Adam Fantilli, F (available in 57.3%): Fantilli has excelled in Monahan`s absence and is unlikely to lose his top-line role, making him a valuable fantasy player despite being a second-year player.
23. Detroit Red Wings
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 51.47%
Fantasy Pick: Patrick Kane, F (available in 32.5%): Kane, though not widely available, is the best fantasy option on the Red Wings and still possesses game-breaking potential, highlighted by his recent point surge.
24. Boston Bruins
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 49.29%
Fantasy Pick: Mason Lohrei, D (available in 89%): Lohrei is getting significant power-play time for the Bruins and offers fantasy upside on defense, filling in for McAvoy.
25. Anaheim Ducks
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 49.28%
Fantasy Pick: Leo Carlsson, F (available 64.1%): Carlsson is Anaheim`s top fantasy forward since the break, leading the team in goals and averaging solid fantasy points.
26. Pittsburgh Penguins
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 47.14%
Fantasy Pick: Tristan Jarry, G (available in 87.2%): Jarry is showing signs of resurgence after a stint in the AHL, winning games and providing fantasy value, though he remains a risky option.
27. Seattle Kraken
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 46.43%
Fantasy Pick: Jordan Eberle, F (available in 89.0%): Eberle is producing on a scoring line for the Kraken after returning from injury, making him a potential fantasy pickup for those in need.
28. Philadelphia Flyers
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 45.71%
Fantasy Pick: Matvei Michkov, F (available in 49.5%): Michkov remains one of the few Flyers with potential to get hot offensively, making him a speculative fantasy add.
29. Buffalo Sabres
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 44.78%
Fantasy Pick: Josh Norris, F (available in 48.8%): Norris, now with Buffalo, still possesses fantasy upside when healthy, especially when playing alongside Thompson.
30. Nashville Predators
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 42.65%
Fantasy Pick: Brady Skjei, D (available in 47.5%): Skjei is filling in for Josi on the top power play and top defensive pairing, offering solid fantasy production across multiple categories.
31. Chicago Blackhawks
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 35.51%
Fantasy Pick: Ryan Donato, F (available in 71.1%): Donato provides fantasy value in deeper leagues as a top-six forward and power-play contributor on a team lacking in offensive stars.
32. San Jose Sharks
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 32.61%
Fantasy Pick: Will Smith, F (available in 91.8%): Smith is the Sharks` most productive forward besides Celebrini recently, playing top-six minutes and contributing on the power play, making him a rookie to watch.
