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    2025-26 Fantasy Hockey: Forwards and Defensemen Point Projections

    1080 words · 6 min read

    With draft season in full swing, fantasy managers are hungry for every edge they can find. NHL.com’s latest projections for forwards and defensemen offer a crucial roadmap for assembling a championship roster. From established superstars to rising phenoms, understanding point ceilings, power-play usage, and risk factors is essential to maximizing value in every format. Let’s break down what’s new, what it means for your draft, and which players are poised to shape the 2025-26 fantasy landscape.

    What’s New & Why It Matters

    This year’s projections spotlight a familiar hierarchy at the top, but with some intriguing wrinkles. Connor McDavid leads the forwards with a projected 135 points, reaffirming his status as the safest first overall pick. Meanwhile, Cale Makar sits atop the blue line with a staggering 95-point forecast, putting him in a tier of his own among defensemen. The model also highlights breakout potential for young talents like Lane Hutson and Macklin Celebrini, while confirming the continued dominance of stalwarts such as Nathan MacKinnon, Nikita Kucherov, Quinn Hughes, and Evan Bouchard.

    These projections blend recent production, likely line combinations, power-play deployment, and injury history. The result? A nuanced look at not just who will score, but why — and where value may lie beyond the obvious names.

    Fantasy Implications

    Points-Only

    In pure scoring leagues, targeting the top of the projection board is rarely a mistake. McDavid’s 135 points, MacKinnon’s high-120s, and Kucherov’s perennial consistency make them foundational picks. For defense, Makar’s 95-point projection is so far ahead of the pack that he warrants early-round consideration, while Quinn Hughes and Evan Bouchard offer strong upside with their own 80-plus point outlooks. Don’t ignore rookies like Macklin Celebrini, whose 83-point projection could make him the rare first-year player worth an immediate roster spot.

    Categories / Bangers

    Managers in multi-cat leagues know that points only tell part of the story. Still, players with elite point projections who also contribute in shots, power-play points, and even hits/blocks (in the case of some defensemen) are invaluable. Evan Bouchard’s heavy usage on Edmonton’s top power play, for example, makes him a trade target even in leagues counting secondary stats. Similarly, Makar’s all-situations ice time ensures robust totals across the board, though his physical peripherals are more modest.

    Dynasty / Keeper

    Long-term formats demand a blend of immediate impact and future upside. Lane Hutson’s 70-point projection as a young defenseman signals potential for a true breakout, while Macklin Celebrini’s 83-point rookie estimate makes him a must-add in all dynasty settings. Keep an eye on usage trends and deployment changes, as young players often see their roles grow as the season progresses, unlocking even more value down the line.

    Who to Add / Stream / Watch

    • Lane Hutson (MTL) – Projected for 70 points; breakout candidate on Montreal’s blue line.
    • Macklin Celebrini (SJS) – High-upside rookie with an 83-point projection; potential franchise cornerstone.
    • Evan Bouchard (EDM) – 86-point projection and PP1 lock; trade for him if you can.
    • Quinn Hughes (VAN) – Elite offensive defenseman; strong multi-cat contributor with high assist upside.
    • Nikita Kucherov (TBL) – Consistent top-five scorer; safe anchor for any points build.
    • Nathan MacKinnon (COL) – Reliable multi-category star with a sky-high points ceiling.
    • Moritz Seider (DET) – Not in the top five, but trending up in usage and offensive involvement; worth a watch in deeper leagues.

    Fantasy Takeaways

    • Connor McDavid should be the first name off the board in points-only leagues, with a gap over the field.
    • Cale Makar is in a tier of his own among defensemen; don’t hesitate to take him early.
    • Monitor Lane Hutson’s early-season role; his upside is immense, especially in dynasty formats.
    • Evan Bouchard’s power-play exposure makes him a premium trade target, especially in leagues that reward special teams production.
    • Macklin Celebrini’s rookie projection signals rare immediate value; add in all keeper and dynasty setups.
    • Don’t overlook the impact of line stability and PP1 time—refer to our guide on valuing power-play roles for deeper insights.

    Source: NHL.com (2025-10-03). See the original for full details.

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