NHL Power Rankings: Fantasy hockey pickups for all 32 teams

• Sean Allen

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  Sean Allen

  Special to ESPN.com

  Sean Allen is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. He was the 2008 and 2009 FSWA Hockey Writer of the Year.
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• Victoria Matiash

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  Victoria Matiash

  Special to ESPN.com

  Victoria Matiash is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. Victoria has been a part of the fantasy team since 2010.

Oct 23, 2026, 08:00 AM ET

Another week, another No. 1 spot in our poll for the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. But while there was no change at the top, there were substantial changes from Nos. 2 to 32 this week.

Plus, do you need help maximizing your fantasy hockey team's chances?

You're in luck, because Sean Allen (Eastern Conference) and Victoria Matiash (Western Conference) are here to identify one worthwhile pickup for all 32 clubs.

And a reminder: It's not too late to play ESPN Fantasy Hockey, with new leagues starting every Monday.

How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday. Those ballots are combined to come up with the rankings you see below.

Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published on Oct. 16. Points percentages are through Thursday's games.

1. Carolina Hurricanes

Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 75%

Jaccob Slavin, D, (1.67 fantasy points per game, 67.3% available in ESPN leagues): Slavin has 18 fantasy points without a goal or any real power-play time. That's a floor built on peripherals and a 10-6 edge at 5-on-5 for a Carolina team allowing just 22.4 shots a game. Long a real-hockey darling, he's finally paying off in fantasy, too.

Next seven days: @ STL (Oct. 24), vs. BOS (Oct. 27), vs. CBJ (Oct. 29)

2. Edmonton Oilers

Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 85%

Devon Levi, G (2.72 FPPG, 61.5% available): Toss out the first two games of the season under new coach Mike Babcock, and the Oilers are icing the second-best defense in the NHL. For which Levi deserves some personal credit through six appearances, as made evident by his 4.82 goals saved above expected (GSAx) metric, according to Evolving Hockey.

Next seven days: vs. TOR (Oct. 24), vs. DET (Oct. 26), vs. CGY (Oct. 28)

3. Vegas Golden Knights

Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 66.67%

Adin Hill, G (3.91 FPPG, 78.6% available): After stumbling through 2025-26, the Vegas netminder looks back to his old solid self. Carrying a 4-0 record and 2.21 GAA into Thursday, Hill has been better than Carter Hart to date. It might not be too long before he gets more opportunities to backstop one of the best teams in the West.

Next seven days: @ CBJ (Oct. 24), vs. OTT (Oct. 27)

4. Tampa Bay Lightning

Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 77.78%

Charle-Edouard D'Astous, D (1.54 FPPG, 96.8% available): D'Astous just earned a promotion worth noticing, as he has been on the ice for most of the Lightning's power-play time over the past two games. A defender with top-unit access on a contender is worth a speculative add, especially at barely 3% rostered.

Next seven days: @ COL (Oct. 23), @ UTA (Oct. 24), vs. WPG (Oct. 29)

5. Boston Bruins

Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 77.27%

James Hagens, C (1.94 FPPG, 86.8% available): Hagens is doing a lot with a little. The rookie is averaging under 13 minutes a night, yet he has three goals in 10 games while skating with Elias Lindholm and Casey Mittelstadt lately, and Boston has outscored opponents 7-3 at 5-on-5 with him on the ice. More ice time is the only thing missing.

Next seven days: vs. SJ (Oct. 24), @ CAR (Oct. 27), @ STL (Oct. 29)

6. Utah Mammoth

Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 63.64%

Kailer Yamamoto, RW (2.32 FPPG, 95.1% available): The winger is off to a hot start with two goals and three assists in five games. Will this sizzling trend last? Absolutely not. But there's still fantasy value to mine from Yamamoto in the meanwhile, as long as he's seeing valuable minutes alongside Barrett Hayton and Anders Lee 5-on-5 and with the extra skater.

Next seven days: vs. TB (Oct. 24), vs. MIN (Oct. 27), @ PIT (Oct. 29)

7. New York Rangers

Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 62.5%

Gabe Perreault, RW (1.75 FPPG, 65.9% available): Perreault has settled in with Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafreniere, and the trio has yet to be scored on at 5-on-5 (4-0 in 96 minutes together). He's at 1.88 FPPG over his past 10 games and is still available in about two-thirds of leagues.

Next seven days: @ OTT (Oct. 24), vs. LA (Oct. 26)

8. Minnesota Wild

Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 63.64%

Jared Spurgeon, D (2.40 FPPG lately, 72.8% available): Expected to make his return soon, Spurgeon once again projects to fill a prominent role on a blue line that's missing Brock Faber for the foreseeable future. Before suffering an upper-body injury, the veteran defender punched out five points, seven shots, and 14 blocked shots in six contests.

Next seven days: @ SEA (Oct. 24), @ VAN (Oct. 25), @ UTA (Oct. 27), vs. NYI (Oct. 29)

9. Ottawa Senators

Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 63.64%

Tyler Kleven, D (2.03 FPPG, 75.5% available): Kleven is producing like a top fantasy defender without a whiff of power-play time, logging more than 21 minutes a night and lately pairing with Jordan Spence. Expect some cooling, but peripheral-driven production tends to hold better than a hot shooting streak.

Next seven days: vs. NYR (Oct. 24), @ VGK (Oct. 27), @ LA (Oct. 29)

10. Dallas Stars

Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 65%

David Perron, RW (N/A FPPG, 99.8% available): A true fantasy wild card, the veteran winger signed with the Stars only days ago. If he eventually carves out a spot in the top six and secures a role on the power play, Perron could prove productive enough to deserve a spot on deeper fantasy rosters. Since Dallas ranks in the bottom quarter in league scoring, coach Glen Gulutzan is guaranteed to at least give the 38-year-old opportunities.

Next seven days: vs. NYI (Oct. 25), vs. NJ (Oct. 27), vs. MTL (Oct. 29)

11. Florida Panthers

Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 54.55%

Eetu Luostarinen, LW (1.21 FPPG, 97.6% available): Slim pickings in Florida. Luostarinen's selling point is the role: nearly 16 minutes a night alongside Anton Lundell and Sandis Vilmanis, plus second-unit power-play time. He's a deep-league play, but he's available almost everywhere.

Next seven days: @ CHI (Oct. 25), @ WPG (Oct. 27)

12. Colorado Avalanche

Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 55%

Gabriel Landeskog, LW (1.77 FPPG, 70.8% available): Skating on a second line and secondary power play, Colorado's captain boasts a rather quiet haul of three goals in his most recent string of four games. It might not be long before coach Jared Bednar has Landeskog back on his top unit with the extra skater in lieu of rookie T.J. Hughes.

Next seven days: vs. TB (Oct. 23), @ NSH (Oct. 25), vs. NJ (Oct. 28)

13. Seattle Kraken

Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 68.18%

Jordan Eberle, RW (2.11 FPPG, 41.9% available): On a Kraken team that scores by committee, Eberle is kicking in his fair share at even strength and with the extra skater. Competing on a top unit and No. 1 power play with Jared McCann, Eberle provides bonus fantasy points with shots on goal and blocked shots. It all adds up.

Next seven days: vs. MIN (Oct. 24), vs. TOR (Oct. 28)

14. New York Islanders

Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 60%

Logan Stanley, D (1.58 FPPG, 86.7% available): Riding shotgun with Matthew Schaefer has its perks. Stanley is logging 20:45 a night next to the rookie, and the Islanders have outscored opponents 4-1 at 5-on-5 with the pair together. His job is to keep the puck out, which drives a steady source of plus-minus for fantasy managers.

Next seven days: @ DAL (Oct. 25), @ NSH (Oct. 27), @ MIN (Oct. 29)

15. Washington Capitals

Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 55.56%

Ryan Leonard, RW (1.97 FPPG, 64.9% available): Leonard's even-strength role is modest -- barely 14 minutes a night -- but Washington has him on the ice for 57% of its power-play time. Four goals in nine games with limited ice shows what he can do, and the ceiling rises with every minute added.

Next seven days: vs. BUF (Oct. 24), vs. PHI (Oct. 28), @ NSH (Oct. 29)

16. Toronto Maple Leafs

Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 58.33%

Easton Cowan, LW/RW (1.94 FPPG, 61.3% available): Toronto kept shuffling Cowan through the lineup, and he kept producing anyway, with four goals in 11 games and just over 2.0 FPPG across his last 10. Now he has landed alongside Auston Matthews, which is when the floor really starts to rise.

Next seven days: @ EDM (Oct. 24), @ CGY (Oct. 26), @ SEA (Oct. 28)

17. New Jersey Devils

Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 60%

Arseny Gritsyuk, LW/RW (1.93 FPPG, 96.1% available): Gritsyuk has landed the best seat in New Jersey, flanking Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes for most of his even-strength minutes. He has four goals in nine games, and he's still unclaimed in 96% of leagues. That won't last if he keeps that seat.

Next seven days: vs. LA (Oct. 24), @ DAL (Oct. 27), @ COL (Oct. 28)

18. Winnipeg Jets

Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 55%

Neal Pionk, D (2.01 FPPG, 57.0% available): While Josh Morrissey remains sidelined week-to-week, Pionk is saddled with the task of anchoring the Jets' No. 1 power play. Skating on the top pair, he also answers the initial call on the penalty kill. It all adds up to a lot of minutes and opportunities to rack up valuable fantasy points. The Winnipeg defender warrants rostering in all but the shallowest of leagues.

Next seven days: vs. MTL (Oct. 25), vs. FLA (Oct. 27), @ TB (Oct. 29)

19. Montreal Canadiens

Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 55.56%

Jacob Fowler, G (3.35 FPPG lately, 75.0% available): Fowler has started three of Montreal's past five games and is averaging 3.35 fantasy points in that stretch. A .901 save percentage says it isn't all smooth, but a young goalie pushing for the crease is worth stashing, and he's still on the wire in three out of four leagues.

Next seven days: @ CHI (Oct. 23), @ WPG (Oct. 25), @ STL (Oct. 27), @ DAL (Oct. 29)

20. Nashville Predators

Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 50%

Adam Edstrom, LW (2.44 FPPG, 76.7% available): Never mind the limited ice time, Edstrom ranks in the top five in hits per game and top 10 in blocked shots by forwards. Toss in a healthy number of shots and goals, as well as his proclivity for short-handed points, and the new Predator is well worth acquiring in leagues that reward physical play.

Next seven days: @ PIT (Oct. 24), vs. COL (Oct. 25), vs. NYI (Oct. 27), vs. WSH (Oct. 29)

21. St. Louis Blues

Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 55%

Jimmy Snuggerud, RW (1.83 FPPG, 70.1% available): After amassing 36 points in his final 31 games of his rookie campaign, the 22-year-old projects to flirt with the 40-goal mark this season. Competing on a top line and power play with Robert Thomas and Dylan Holloway, Snuggerud is off to a good start with five goals in nine.

Next seven days: vs. CAR (Oct. 24), vs. MTL (Oct. 27), vs. BOS (Oct. 29)

22. San Jose Sharks

Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 59.09%

Ivar Stenberg, LW (1.57 FPPG, 61.1% available): Fantasy managers are quickly becoming smitten with this year's No. 2 draft pick. After a slightly quieter start, the (just-turned) 19-year-old rookie is finding his rhythm, averaging 2.32 fantasy points per game in five recent contests. Skating on a top power play with Macklin Celebrini is also a promising assignment.

Next seven days: @ BOS (Oct. 24), vs. BUF (Oct. 27), vs. VAN (Oct. 29)

23. Buffalo Sabres

Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 50%

Jack Quinn, RW (2.20 FPPG, 44.7% available): Quinn just crossed the 50% rostered mark, so if he's still out there in your league, move now. He's skating nearly 20 minutes a night on a line that has been dominant at 5-on-5 and soaking up most of Buffalo's power-play time. Too late? Linemate Zach Benson is available almost everywhere.

Next seven days: @ WSH (Oct. 24), @ SJ (Oct. 27), @ ANA (Oct. 29)

24. Anaheim Ducks

Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 40%

Mikael Granlund, C/LW (2.10 FPPG, 31.1% available): More offense from the Ducks needs to come from somewhere. After Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson, and Beckett Sennecke -- all widely rostered -- that responsibility must largely fall to the club's veteran center. Before missing a game with a minor upper-body injury, Granlund collected two goals and six assists, including four points on the power play, through six contests. The 34-year-old also blocks more shots than your average forward.

Next seven days: @ PHI (Oct. 24), vs. VAN (Oct. 27), vs. BUF (Oct. 29)

25. Detroit Red Wings

Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 55%

Viktor Arvidsson, RW (1.96 FPPG, 74.4% available): Arvidsson's value runs through the power play: 4:00 a night and 63% of Detroit's time with the advantage. Even strength has been rough, but he's spending most of those shifts with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond lately, and four goals in nine games says the chances are coming.

Next seven days: @ CGY (Oct. 24), @ EDM (Oct. 26), vs. CHI (Oct. 29)

26. Pittsburgh Penguins

Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 40.91%

Declan Carlile, D (2.03 FPPG, 57.0% available): Three goals from a defender with no power-play time is rare, and Carlile has 20 fantasy points in 10 games playing almost 19 minutes a night. The goals will slow, and he has been on the ice for plenty of action at both ends, but the minutes make him a solid floor play.

Next seven days: vs. NSH (Oct. 24), vs. UTA (Oct. 29)

27. Columbus Blue Jackets

Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 37.5%

Cole Sillinger, LW/RW (1.77 FPPG, 93.7% available): Columbus is sputtering, but Sillinger isn't. He has three goals in eight games while skating alongside Charlie Coyle and Mathieu Olivier, and he's doing it with barely any power-play time. Available in nearly every league, adding him is a cheap bet on a forward who's producing without the perks.

Next seven days: vs. VGK (Oct. 24), @ PHI (Oct. 27), @ CAR (Oct. 29)

28. Philadelphia Flyers

Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 37.5%

Nick Seeler, D (1.75 FPPG, 83.8% available): Someone has to deal with all those shots. The Flyers get outshot most nights, and Seeler, at nearly 20 minutes a night beside Jamie Drysdale, has turned the chaos into steady fantasy value almost entirely through peripherals. Ugly team, useful floor.

Next seven days: vs. ANA (Oct. 24), vs. CBJ (Oct. 27), @ WSH (Oct. 28)

29. Chicago Blackhawks

Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 33.33%

Frank Nazar, C (1.53 FPPG, 85.4% available): There's so much scoring potential with this young skater. After collecting 41 points through 66 games last season, Nazar is expected to take another step forward. Three goals in the span of four contests -- interrupted by a short suspension -- suggests the 22-year-old is already on track for an improving Blackhawks squad.

Next seven days: vs. MTL (Oct. 23), vs. FLA (Oct. 25), vs. LA (Oct. 27), @ DET (Oct. 29)

30. Los Angeles Kings

Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 37.5%

Darcy Kuemper, G (-1.3 FPPG, 52.9% available): Under new coach Peter Laviolette, the Kings are better than their early-season record suggests. Now that Mats Zuccarello is back in the lineup, and Kevin Fiala is eyeing a return in early November, more wins will start to pile up shortly. Plus, after his atrocious opener in Colorado, Kuemper has been altogether solid for Los Angeles.

Next seven days: @ NJ (Oct. 24), @ NYR (Oct. 26), @ CHI (Oct. 27), vs. OTT (Oct. 29)

31. Calgary Flames

Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 33.33%

Matt Coronato, RW (1.40 FPPG, 74.1% available): There's a lot of pressure on the Flames' highest-paid active forward (while Jonathan Huberdeau lingers on IR) to help his squad remain competitive in games on a nightly basis. Following a sluggish start, Coronato has upped his production with a goal and three helpers in four matches leading into Thursday. His enduring roles on Calgary's top line and power play hint at more productive days ahead. On a roster bereft of fantasy talent, the 23-year-old at least merits monitoring.

Next seven days: vs. DET (Oct. 24), vs. TOR (Oct. 26), @ EDM (Oct. 28)

32. Vancouver Canucks

Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 20.83%

Elias N. Pettersson, D (1.88 FPPG, 72.4% available): He blocks a lot of pucks and throws a lot of hits. The odd goal is nice, too. While the club's other Elias Pettersson leads the (limited) fantasy parade in Vancouver, the same-named blueliner ranks third among skaters with 20.7 points through 11 contests.

Next seven days: vs. MIN (Oct. 25), @ ANA (Oct. 27), @ SJ (Oct. 29)