2026-27 Fantasy Hockey: How to Attack the First Round

The 2026-27 fantasy hockey season starts with one big decision: how you handle the first round. With superstars like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Cale Makar at the top, plus emerging options such as Macklin Celebrini and Evan Bouchard, the board is loaded. Instead of chasing names, you need a clear plan by format and category build. Let’s break down what’s new, how these stars stack up, and how to turn your first pick into a season-long edge.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The top of the fantasy landscape hasn’t changed much in terms of names, but the context around them has shifted in ways that matter for your opening pick.

Connor McDavid, still the safest ceiling in fantasy: McDavid continues to sit in his own tier as a top-line center and PP1 driver for the Edmonton Oilers. He’s coming off yet another season at the very top of the scoring charts, with elite assist totals and overall point production. In any format, he remains the default 1.01.
Nathan MacKinnon’s goal-scoring spike: MacKinnon’s recent Maurice Richard Trophy win underscores how his value is now built as much on goals and shot volume as on assists. As the engine of the Colorado Avalanche top line and PP1, he narrows the gap with McDavid in leagues that reward goals and shots more heavily.
Cale Makar redefining the defense position: Makar isn’t just an elite defenseman; he’s a first-round-level scorer who happens to have a D next to his name. Running Colorado’s top pair and PP1, he gives you forward-like production from the blue line, which dramatically changes how you can build the rest of your roster.
Evan Bouchard’s rise as an offensive anchor: Bouchard has solidified himself as a high-scoring defenseman with heavy power-play usage alongside McDavid in Edmonton. His offensive role and category coverage (especially on the man advantage) make him a legitimate late first or early second in many builds.
Macklin Celebrini entering the elite conversation: The young San Jose center has quickly moved from prospect hype to real fantasy force. As a top-line, PP1 pivot for the San Jose Sharks, his trajectory suggests he can justify aggressive early investment, particularly in dynasty and keeper formats.

The big picture: the first round is no longer just about grabbing any elite forward. You’re now weighing the unmatched floor of McDavid, the category tilt of MacKinnon, and the positional leverage of Makar and Bouchard, with Celebrini offering upside and age-related appeal.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In pure points formats, your priority is raw scoring and power-play exposure.

McDavid vs. MacKinnon at the very top: McDavid’s track record of leading the league in points keeps him as the preferred top pick. His combination of assists, multi-point games, and power-play production is unmatched. MacKinnon, however, is close enough in total output that managers in smaller leagues or ones that slightly favor goals could justify taking him if they prefer his shot-heavy profile.
Cale Makar as a true first-rounder: In points-only leagues, Makar’s value is magnified. Being among the top scorers at his position while also racking up power-play points gives you a structural advantage. Taking Makar in the back half of the first round lets you outscore most of your league at defense while still landing a high-end forward on the way back.
Evan Bouchard’s PP1 role with Edmonton: Bouchard benefits directly from sharing the ice with McDavid and other elite Oilers forwards on PP1. In points-only, that power-play quarterback role pushes him into the conversation near the turn, especially if your league starts multiple defensemen.
Macklin Celebrini’s upside case: Celebrini’s role as a top-line, PP1 center in San Jose gives him a clear path to big point totals. In redraft, he’s more of a late-first swing than a locked-in top-five pick, but if you’re willing to lean into upside and accept some risk, he can pay off in a big way.

Categories / Bangers

Once hits, shots, and special-teams scoring enter the equation, the calculus shifts.

MacKinnon’s goal and shot volume: In multi-cat leagues, MacKinnon closes the gap with McDavid thanks to his elite shot totals and goal scoring. If your league heavily rewards SOG and goals, MacKinnon can be the more optimal build-around piece, especially if you plan to stack safer playmakers later.
McDavid’s across-the-board dominance: Even in categories formats, McDavid remains a foundational piece. He may not always lead in hits or shots, but his points, power-play production, and consistency mean you can build any type of roster around him and still compete in most offensive categories.
Bouchard’s category coverage from the blue line: Bouchard’s offensive numbers and power-play usage give you strong contributions in goals, assists, PPP, and shots from defense. In leagues that count blocks and hits, he may not be a pure banger, but the offensive categories he fills from the back end are so valuable that he can still justify first-round consideration.
Makar’s all-around impact: Makar doesn’t just score; he contributes in shots, special-teams points, and often logs big minutes that can translate into secondary stats. In leagues that give bonuses for defenseman scoring or weight PPP heavily, he can leap ahead of many forwards.

Dynasty / Keeper

In long-term formats, age and trajectory matter as much as current production.

Macklin Celebrini as a cornerstone: Celebrini is the clear dynasty prize among this group. As a young top-line center with PP1 duties and a strong early-career performance, he offers a rare blend of immediate impact and long-term upside. In deep keeper or full dynasty, he can be taken over older stars if your window is more than a year or two out.
Makar’s prime window: Makar is already an elite fantasy defenseman and still in his prime years. In dynasty, locking in a long-term PP1 quarterback on a strong Colorado team is a huge edge, especially if your league emphasizes defensemen.
Bouchard’s growth curve: Bouchard has established himself as a high-scoring defenseman on Edmonton’s top pair and power play. His age and role suggest that his current production is sustainable, making him a strong long-term asset in any league that values offensive defensemen.
McDavid and MacKinnon as win-now anchors: Both superstars remain elite dynasty assets, but their primary appeal is maximizing a current contention window. If you’re in win-now mode, you still take McDavid or MacKinnon early and worry about age later.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Connor McDavid – Add / Build-Around: The safest elite scorer in fantasy; prioritize him with any top pick if you want maximum floor and ceiling.
Nathan MacKinnon – Add / Build-Around: A Maurice Richard-level goal scorer with massive shot volume; ideal for leagues that reward goals and SOG.
Cale Makar – Add (early-to-mid first): Forward-level production from defense with PP1 usage in Colorado; gives you huge positional leverage.
Evan Bouchard – Add (late first / early second): High-scoring PP1 quarterback in Edmonton; excellent in points and PPP-heavy formats.
Macklin Celebrini – Add (dynasty priority, early in redraft if aggressive): Young top-line, PP1 center in San Jose with significant upside and long-term appeal.

Fantasy Takeaways

Connor McDavid remains the premier first overall pick in almost every format thanks to his unmatched scoring consistency and PP1 role in Edmonton.
Nathan MacKinnon’s goal-scoring and shot volume narrow the gap at the top, especially in leagues that reward goals and SOG heavily.
Cale Makar should be treated as a legitimate first-rounder, giving you forward-like scoring from a defense slot and reshaping your roster build.
Evan Bouchard’s offensive breakout and PP1 usage with the Oilers make him a strong early selection in categories and points leagues alike.
Macklin Celebrini is a premium dynasty target and a high-upside early pick in formats where you can afford to lean into long-term growth.

Source: Rotowire. See the original for full details.