2025-26 Fantasy Hockey Projections: Boldy’s Rise, MacKinnon at the Top

The latest 2025-26 fantasy hockey projections shake up the elite tier. Nathan MacKinnon sits at the top of the board, but the big story is Matt Boldy crashing the first page of rankings and even slotting ahead of Kirill Kaprizov. With Connor Bedard already graded as a front-line option and Logan Thompson emerging among the better fantasy goalies, managers need to recalibrate how they value these names across formats.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The projections highlight several notable shifts in fantasy value. Boldy’s surge into the single digits overall, on the strength of strong goal-scoring and peripherals, signals that he’s no longer just a breakout candidate on the Minnesota Wild—he’s a centerpiece. Being ranked ahead of Kaprizov isn’t just a hot streak; it reflects confidence in his role as a top-line winger with heavy usage and strong category coverage.

MacKinnon’s placement at the very top of the list for the Colorado Avalanche reinforces what we already know: he’s one of the few skaters who can anchor any build in any scoring system. High-end goals and assists, plus elite shot volume, make him the safest high-end investment on the board.

In goal, Thompson’s projection as one of the better options for the Washington Capitals is a major development. He’s treated as a starting workhorse who can rack up wins and chip in shutouts, which pushes him into the conversation as a priority goalie in categories leagues, even if you don’t want to overpay for the position.

Kaprizov’s slide behind Boldy is more about Boldy’s rise than a collapse in Kaprizov’s skill set. The rankings still see him as a high-end winger with strong scoring and power-play exposure. Meanwhile, Bedard’s lofty placement for the Chicago Blackhawks as a rookie center underscores how quickly he’s expected to become a franchise-level fantasy piece, especially in long-term formats.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In pure scoring leagues, MacKinnon is the gold standard. His projection at the top of the rankings suggests a blend of elite goals, assists, and power-play production that few can match. If you’re building around one skater, he’s the safest foundation for maximizing total points.

Boldy’s climb into the top 10 overall radically changes his profile. He’s no longer a mid-tier winger you hope breaks out; he’s treated as an offensive driver with the potential to match or even surpass Kaprizov in raw scoring. In points-only formats, that makes him a premium asset worth aggressive trade offers, especially if your league-mates still think of him as a tier below the usual superstars.

Kaprizov remains a must-hold. Even with Boldy ranked higher, the projections still see him as a consistent point-per-game threat with top-line and top power-play deployment. If another manager is spooked by the relative ranking, this is an opportunity to buy a proven scorer at a discount.

Bedard’s high placement as a rookie is a clear signal: the model expects him to be a front-line scorer immediately, not a slow-burn project. In points-only, that justifies treating him as a core piece rather than a speculative stash. You can build a scoring core around him, especially in leagues that reward goals heavily.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-category formats, the nuances in these projections matter even more. MacKinnon’s profile—goals, assists, shots, and power-play production—anchors multiple categories at once. He fits both balanced and punt strategies because he doesn’t leave obvious holes in your stat line.

Boldy’s rise is particularly impactful in categories leagues. The notes around his strong peripheral stats suggest he contributes beyond just goals and assists. If he’s piling up shots and chipping in on the power play, he becomes a multi-cat monster who can carry you in scoring while also supporting volume categories. That makes him a prime target in trades where you’re consolidating talent.

Kaprizov still profiles as a high-end winger with strong goal scoring and power-play exposure. Even if he’s ranked slightly lower than Boldy, he remains a cornerstone in leagues that reward goals, power-play points, and shots. The takeaway: don’t panic-sell; instead, treat him as a stable high-floor, high-ceiling asset.

Thompson’s projection as one of the better goalies is a green light to lean on him for wins and shutouts. In categories leagues, that makes him an ideal complement if you prefer to roster two strong starters rather than chasing volume with risky tandems. He’s especially valuable in formats that heavily weight goaltending categories, where a reliable starter can swing weekly matchups.

Dynasty / Keeper

In long-term formats, Bedard is the headline. A rookie center already projected inside the top tier of skaters is the exact profile you want to build around for the next decade. His ranking implies immediate impact with room to grow, making him a foundational piece in any rebuild or retool.

Boldy’s surge into elite territory also has major dynasty implications. He’s still in his prime growth window, and the projections now see him as a true franchise winger rather than just a promising young scorer. If you can acquire him before your league fully adjusts to this new valuation, you’re buying multiple years of top-tier production.

MacKinnon remains a blue-chip cornerstone in keeper formats. Even if he’s a bit older than some emerging stars, his current projection at the very top of the rankings means his short- and medium-term outlook is as strong as anyone’s. Contending teams should be comfortable paying full freight to secure him.

Kaprizov is a classic hold in dynasty: still in his prime, still projected as a high-end scorer, and now possibly a slight value if managers overreact to Boldy’s rise. Bedard and Boldy might be the flashier long-term upside plays, but Kaprizov offers a blend of age and production that fits both win-now and win-later timelines.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Matt Boldy – Add / Trade target (all formats): Treat his new elite projection as a buying signal; he offers top-tier scoring with strong peripherals.
Nathan MacKinnon – Trade target (all formats): Ranked at the very top, he’s the ultimate centerpiece if you can consolidate assets to acquire him.
Logan Thompson – Short-term stream / depth add (categories): Projected as one of the better goalies, he’s ideal for bolstering wins and shutouts.
Kirill Kaprizov – Hold (points-only and categories): Even with a slightly lower ranking, he remains a reliable high-end winger you shouldn’t move at a discount.
Connor Bedard – Watchlist to Add (dynasty/keeper): A rookie already projected as a front-line scorer, he’s a priority long-term building block.

Fantasy Takeaways

Boldy’s leap into the elite tier makes him a prime trade target before your league fully prices in his new projection.
MacKinnon’s status at the top of the rankings confirms him as the safest high-end anchor in any scoring format.
Thompson’s strong goalie projection supports streaming or adding him for wins and shutouts in categories leagues.
Kaprizov remains a must-hold; use any perceived downgrade as a chance to buy, not a reason to sell low.
Bedard’s aggressive rookie ranking signals immediate impact and long-term star potential, especially in dynasty and keeper setups.

Source: ESPN.com. See the original for full details.