EDGE Stats Tiers: Fantasy Hockey Building Blocks for 2025-26
Advanced EDGE data is a powerful shortcut for separating true fantasy difference-makers from short-term heaters. For 2025-26, a handful of forwards stand out for elite scoring upside, while others profile as sneaky value plays thanks to deployment and chance generation. Using the latest projections and usage trends, let’s sort key names into tiers and translate their real-world impact into fantasy decisions across formats.
What’s New & Why It Matters
The latest EDGE-driven projections highlight a few clear storylines. Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon remain at the center of the Art Ross and Hart conversations, reaffirming their status as the safest high-end fantasy anchors. Their combination of massive ice time, top power-play roles, and constant involvement in their teams’ offense keeps their floors sky-high.
Behind the superstars, the model flags emerging value. Matty Beniers is on a scoring run for the Seattle Kraken, with strong power-play usage that hints at sustainable production rather than a fluke. Meanwhile, Anthony Cirelli is popping in the underlying numbers for the Tampa Bay Lightning, generating quality chances at even strength and from dangerous scoring areas.
For fantasy managers, the key is understanding how these trends translate across formats. EDGE stats don’t just tell you who is hot; they show who is driving play in ways that tend to hold up over a full season, helping you decide who to build around, who to buy, and who to stash on a watchlist.
Fantasy Implications
Points-Only
In pure scoring leagues, McDavid and MacKinnon sit in their own tier. McDavid’s role as the offensive engine for the Edmonton Oilers keeps him at the top of any projection set: everything runs through him at even strength and on the first power-play unit. MacKinnon is right there with him, driving the attack for the Colorado Avalanche and projecting as a leading candidate for both points and goals. In points-only formats, these two are Tier 1 all by themselves.
Tier 2 in this context is where Beniers enters the conversation. As a top-six forward with PP1 deployment in Seattle, his current point streak is backed by strong power-play involvement. That combination of role and recent production makes him a high-upside swing for managers looking to add another 60+ point threat with room for more if the Kraken offense continues to evolve. He’s not at the McDavid/MacKinnon level, but he’s a realistic breakout candidate whose profile fits as a mid-tier scoring asset.
Cirelli belongs in a different kind of Tier 3 for points-only: useful depth who may be more valuable in reality than in raw scoring totals. His strength at even strength and in high-danger areas gives him a solid base, but without the same top power-play exposure or pure volume as the elite names, his ceiling is more modest. In points-only leagues, he’s more of a streaming or depth option than a cornerstone.
Categories / Bangers
In multi-cat formats, the tiers shift slightly. McDavid and MacKinnon still headline Tier 1 because their scoring volume drives goals, assists, power-play points, and shots. Even if they don’t contribute as much in hits or blocks as some grinders, their offensive dominance more than compensates, especially when paired with category specialists later on.
Tier 2 in categories is where Cirelli becomes more interesting. His even-strength production and activity in high-danger areas often translate into strong shot volume and a healthy mix of secondary stats. While the summary doesn’t spell out hits or blocks, his two-way usage for Tampa Bay suggests he can chip in beyond the scoresheet. In standard categories leagues, that makes him a viable middle-tier option who can quietly help in goals, shots, and potentially plus-minus on a strong team.
Beniers, by contrast, is more of a scoring-focused Tier 2/3 hybrid in categories. His value is driven primarily by points and power-play production rather than traditional banger stats. If your league heavily rewards power-play goals and assists, he moves up; if it leans more on hits, PIM, or blocks, he’s more of a complementary piece. Think of him as a scoring specialist you surround with heavier multi-cat contributors.
Dynasty / Keeper
In long-term formats, the tiers are about age, trajectory, and staying power. McDavid is the clear Tier 1 dynasty asset: a perennial awards candidate with a track record of elite performance and no signs of slowing down. MacKinnon is also in that top tier, with his continued dominance and goal-scoring upside making him a foundational piece for any contender.
Beniers slots into a very appealing Tier 2 for dynasty. His current scoring streak, top-six role, and PP1 time in Seattle point toward a player still on the rise. The fact that EDGE stats highlight his power-play impact is especially encouraging; young forwards who are already trusted in prime offensive situations often grow into consistent point-per-game threats. In keeper and dynasty leagues, he’s the kind of asset you can justify overpaying for if you’re building for the next several seasons.
Cirelli is more of a Tier 3 dynasty piece: valuable, stable, and likely to hold a strong real-life role for years, but with a fantasy ceiling that may lag behind more offensively tilted peers. He’s an excellent supporting player for a deep roster, especially in leagues that reward two-way contributions, but he’s not the centerpiece you build around.
Who to Add / Stream / Watch
- Matty Beniers – Watchlist / Add in deeper leagues: Top-six and PP1 deployment in Seattle plus a current scoring streak make him a prime breakout candidate with strong points and power-play upside.
- Anthony Cirelli – Watchlist / Short-term stream: Even-strength production and high-danger shot generation for Tampa Bay give him sneaky value in categories and as depth scoring in standard leagues.
- Connor McDavid – Trade target in all formats: A perennial awards frontrunner whose elite usage and production justify aggressive trade offers; use the NHL Trade Analyzer if you’re weighing blockbuster deals.
- Nathan MacKinnon – Trade target / cornerstone hold: A dominant offensive force for Colorado with league-winning upside in both goals and assists; only move him if you’re clearly upgrading your overall roster balance.
Fantasy Takeaways
- McDavid and MacKinnon form a clear top tier of fantasy anchors thanks to unmatched usage and award-level production.
- Beniers’ combination of top-six role, PP1 time, and current scoring surge makes him a high-upside add or stash, especially in points-heavy formats.
- Cirelli’s strong even-strength and high-danger profile gives him sneaky value in categories leagues as a depth scorer and potential streamer.
- In dynasty and keeper formats, prioritize long-term offensive engines like McDavid, MacKinnon, and Beniers over more limited ceiling options.
- Use EDGE-driven trends to act early on emerging roles and power-play usage before your league-mates catch up.
Source: NHL.com. See the original for full details.