Dynasty Building Blocks: Ranking the Top Young Fantasy Hockey Assets
Keeper and dynasty fantasy hockey is all about getting ahead of the curve on young talent. NHL.com’s latest under-25 rankings spotlight which emerging stars should anchor long-term builds and which prospects are better treated as stashes or trade chips. Using that framework, let’s sort out how to value Macklin Celebrini, Connor Bedard, Jack Hughes, Matthew Schaefer, and Leo Carlsson in your keeper and dynasty leagues.
What’s New & Why It Matters
The NHL.com list focuses on players under 25, weighing age, draft pedigree, organizational commitment, and projected roles. That means some of the NHL’s very best fantasy options, like Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon, are intentionally excluded because they’re older, not because they’ve lost value. Instead, the spotlight is on the next wave of franchise pieces.
At the top of that wave is Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks, ranked as the premier dynasty asset in this age group. He’s viewed as a future top-line, top power-play centerpiece, which gives him a rare combination of ceiling and runway. Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks remains an elite long-term piece despite dealing with injury, and should be treated as a cornerstone rather than a sell-high candidate.
On the blue line, Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders is highlighted as a potential long-term impact defenseman, the type who could eventually run a top power-play unit. Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils is framed as a franchise center whose development curve still points up, making him a prime trade target in dynasty formats. Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks rounds out the key names as a high-upside forward whose full breakout is likely still ahead.
Fantasy Implications
Points-Only
In points-only keeper and dynasty leagues, you’re chasing raw scoring upside and long-term role security.
Macklin Celebrini profiles as a future offensive engine in San Jose. Being ranked as the top under-25 option underscores expectations of heavy usage at even strength and on PP1 once he’s established. In points-only formats, that combination of talent and projected deployment makes him the ideal long-horizon asset: you can live with early growing pains because the payoff window is so long.
Connor Bedard remains a must-hold. The injury note in the analysis is important for short-term expectations but almost irrelevant in a multi-year window. His scoring ceiling is among the highest of any young player in the league, and Chicago will build its entire attack around him. In points-only, you should be extremely reluctant to move him unless you’re getting an overwhelming package of similarly elite youth.
Jack Hughes is already a proven NHL scorer with room to grow. In points-only dynasty, he’s one of the safest bets among young centers: established production, a prime-age trajectory, and a team context that should keep his linemates and power-play support strong. If your league undervalues him relative to the very top tier of names, this is a window to buy.
Leo Carlsson is more of a patience play. The upside is clearly there, and Anaheim has every incentive to give him prime offensive opportunities as the roster matures. In points-only keepers with limited protection slots, he’s more of a bubble keeper or stash; in deeper dynasties, he’s exactly the type of player you want to sit on for two or three seasons.
Matthew Schaefer is less about immediate point volume and more about eventual role. If he grows into a top-pair, top-unit power-play defenseman for the Islanders, his points-only value will spike. For now, he’s a speculative hold in deeper formats rather than a must-start option.
Categories / Bangers
In multi-category leagues, the picture shifts slightly because volume stats and peripheral categories matter.
Celebrini and Bedard both project as high-volume shooters who will drive their teams’ offenses. That’s a strong base for goals, shots on goal, and power-play points. Even if their plus-minus suffers early on weaker rosters, their counting stats should eventually overwhelm the negatives in most formats.
Hughes brings elite scoring with strong shot volume and heavy power-play involvement. He may not be a banger in hits or PIM, but his contributions in goals, assists, PPP, and shots make him a category anchor. In leagues that reward offensive volume over grit, he’s a top-tier asset.
Carlsson could develop into a well-rounded category contributor if he leans into his size and two-way game, but that’s more projection than certainty at this stage. In bangers leagues, he’s a longer-term bet: you’re hoping he becomes a multi-cat contributor rather than just a scorer.
Schaefer has the potential to be particularly valuable in categories formats if he grows into a heavy-minutes defenseman. Even if his point totals lag early, defensemen who can supply blocks, some hits, and modest offense from a stable role are extremely useful in deeper leagues. If he ever secures top power-play time, his category profile jumps significantly.
Dynasty / Keeper
For pure dynasty and deep keeper formats, the key is balancing immediate production with long-term upside and risk.
Macklin Celebrini should be treated as a foundational piece. His ranking as the top under-25 player speaks to both ceiling and security: high draft pedigree, organizational commitment from San Jose, and a clear path to first-line, PP1 deployment. In any rebuild, he’s the kind of asset you structure your timeline around.
Connor Bedard is in the same tier of long-term value. Injury risk is part of any player’s profile, but his upside is so immense that it barely dents his dynasty ranking. If anything, short-term dips in production or availability can create rare buy-low windows; use tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer to sanity-check any big offers involving him.
Jack Hughes is the ideal target for contenders who still care about age. He’s young enough to fit a long-term window but already productive enough to drive a title run. NHL.com’s framing of him as a franchise center reinforces that he’s not a player you move lightly in dynasty; if you’re acquiring him, be prepared to pay a premium.
Leo Carlsson fits best on teams that can afford patience. His upside with Anaheim is high, but he’s not as far along as Hughes or Bedard. In shallow keepers, he’s more of a luxury; in deep dynasties, he’s exactly the type of player you stash and protect even through early inconsistency.
Matthew Schaefer is a classic long-term defense stash. Blue-liners often take longer to reach their fantasy peak, and the Islanders’ blue line context could eventually give him a significant role. In leagues that separate defensemen from forwards or require multiple D slots, he’s a smart speculative hold.
Who to Add / Stream / Watch
- Macklin Celebrini – Add (dynasty/keeper): Ranked as the top under-25 asset, he’s a must-roster building block wherever long-term value matters.
- Connor Bedard – Hold / Trade target: Injury aside, his ceiling is so high that you should either hold tight or try to pry him away from a frustrated manager.
- Jack Hughes – Trade target: Already producing like a star with room to grow, he’s worth paying up for in any competitive dynasty build.
- Matthew Schaefer – Add in deep leagues: A promising Islanders defenseman who could grow into a PP1 role, making him a valuable stash on the blue line.
- Leo Carlsson – Watchlist / Stash: High-upside Ducks forward whose breakout may take time, ideal for patient managers in deep keeper and dynasty formats.
- Wyatt Johnston – Watch as a rising forward: Highlighted as a rising young forward in Dallas, he’s the type of emerging scorer who can quickly become keeper-worthy.
Fantasy Takeaways
- Macklin Celebrini should be treated as a top-tier dynasty cornerstone, worth aggressive moves to acquire or protect.
- Connor Bedard’s injury does not change his long-term outlook; avoid selling low and consider buying if his manager is impatient.
- Matthew Schaefer is a smart speculative add on defense in deeper keeper and dynasty formats, especially where PP1 upside is prized.
- Jack Hughes remains an excellent trade target, combining current elite production with a strong long-term trajectory.
- Leo Carlsson belongs on watchlists or benches in deeper leagues as a high-upside project for patient fantasy managers.
Source: NHL.com. See the original for full details.