Fantasy Forward Tiers: How to Handle McDavid, Suzuki, Marner and More

Forward tiers are the backbone of any smart fantasy hockey plan. Instead of obsessing over tiny ranking gaps, grouping similar players lets you stay calm when the room gets chaotic. Using ESPN’s latest tier breakdown as a guide, let’s zoom in on how to approach elite options like Connor McDavid, mid-tier anchors such as Nick Suzuki, upside swings like Dylan Guenther, and rebound bets including Mitch Marner and Mika Zibanejad.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The latest forward tiers highlight a few key shifts that should change how you manage your roster. McDavid sits alone at the very top as an unmatched category driver, but the more interesting decisions come later, where names like Suzuki and Guenther emerge as pivotal inflection points. Suzuki is framed as a reliable Tier 2 center with room to climb, while Guenther is slotted as a higher-risk, higher-reward depth option in the middle tiers.

Further down, Marner is placed in a rebound tier, suggesting the market is baking in some concern after a dip in performance, but still respecting his ceiling. Zibanejad lands in a veteran value tier, where age and minor decline risk are acknowledged, yet his track record keeps him firmly in the mix as a core fantasy piece. Understanding how these players cluster lets you decide when to be aggressive, when to pivot to a similar name, and when to wait for value.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only formats, your focus is almost entirely on raw scoring and power-play opportunity. McDavid remains the gold standard here: a Tier 1 forward whose combination of ice time, offensive role, and track record makes him the safest bet for elite totals. If you build around him, you can afford more balance later because he single-handedly raises your team’s scoring ceiling.

Suzuki’s Tier 2 placement signals that he’s viewed as a legitimate offensive centerpiece. As a top-six center for the Montreal Canadiens, he should continue to drive play and see premium power-play usage. In points-only, that makes him an excellent foundational piece if you miss on the absolute elite. He might not match McDavid’s ceiling, but he can anchor your scoring while you chase upside on the wings.

Guenther, now with the Utah Mammoth, is more of a swing. His Tier 3 status reflects both the opportunity in a prominent top-six role and the uncertainty that comes with a less-established profile. In points-only, he’s ideal as a mid-tier scorer who could significantly outperform his slot if his development and deployment line up.

Marner’s rebound tier is particularly interesting in points-only leagues. Even with a recent dip, he still carries the profile of a high-end playmaker who can pile up assists and power-play points when things are clicking. If the room is nervous and he slides relative to his historical standing, you’re getting a potential top-line producer at a discount.

Zibanejad’s value in points-only stems from his role with the New York Rangers. As a top-six center with a long record of strong production, he’s the type of player who can quietly give you bankable totals while flashier names draw more attention. Even if his absolute peak is behind him, his floor remains very attractive.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-category formats, the tiers take on a slightly different flavor. McDavid is still Tier 1 royalty, but the gap between him and the field can narrow if your league heavily weights hits, blocks, or penalty minutes. His scoring dominance still makes him a cornerstone, but you’ll want to pair him with more physical wingers later to balance your build.

Suzuki’s Tier 2 status is a reminder that he’s more of a finesse, all-situations center than a pure banger. He’ll help you in goals, assists, and power-play points, but you’ll likely need to supplement hits and shots elsewhere. Think of him as a stabilizer in the scoring categories who frees you to chase peripherals with other picks.

Guenther’s upside is especially appealing in categories leagues. A top-six winger with room to grow can bring a blend of goals, shots, and some physicality, depending on how his game evolves. His tier placement suggests he’s not yet a fully formed multi-cat monster, but he’s the type of mid-tier pick who can swing a league if he takes a step forward.

Marner is more of a finesse contributor, but his value in assists, power-play points, and potentially shots on goal remains high. In bangers formats, his rebound tier status means you should be mindful of surrounding him with heavier players, yet his elite playmaking can still be a difference-maker if you construct your roster properly.

Zibanejad’s veteran tier fits nicely in categories leagues: he offers a solid mix of goals, shots, and special-teams production, even if he’s not a huge hitter. His consistency makes him a strong anchor in mid-to-late core spots, letting you take more risks on younger, more volatile profiles elsewhere.

Dynasty / Keeper

In dynasty and keeper formats, tiers help you weigh present value against future upside. McDavid is a foundational asset in any long-term league; his Tier 1 status is as much about sustained excellence as it is about immediate dominance. Building around him gives you a long runway of elite production.

Suzuki’s Tier 2 label is encouraging for long-term formats. As a relatively young top-six center locked into a key role in Montreal, he offers both current stability and the potential to inch closer to true elite status. He’s an ideal centerpiece if you’re trying to stay competitive now while still thinking about your roster three to five years out.

Guenther is arguably the most intriguing dynasty piece in this group. His Tier 3 placement reflects that he’s not yet fully proven, but the combination of a top-six role in Utah and clear offensive upside makes him a prime target for rebuilding or retooling teams. If he hits his ceiling, his current tier will look conservative in hindsight.

Marner’s rebound tier is a buying opportunity in dynasty if your league mates are spooked by recent struggles. His age and skill set suggest there’s still plenty of high-end production left, especially if he settles into a stable top-six role with strong linemates. He’s the kind of player who can swing a multi-year window if you acquire him at a discount.

Zibanejad, on the other hand, is more of a win-now piece in long-term formats. His veteran tier acknowledges that his best seasons may be behind him, but his current role with New York still makes him highly useful for teams pushing for a title. Just be realistic about his aging curve and avoid overcommitting future assets for him if you’re not in contention.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Connor McDavid – Add in all leagues: Tier 1 centerpiece whose elite production can single-handedly elevate your forward group.
Nick Suzuki – Core add in standard and deep leagues: Tier 2 top-six center in Montreal with a strong floor and room to grow into true star territory.
Dylan Guenther – Upside add / watchlist: Tier 3 winger in Utah who offers enticing breakout potential if his top-six role and usage solidify.
Mitch Marner – Buy-low add / trade target: Slotted in a rebound tier, he still carries high-end scoring and playmaking upside if he bounces back.
Mika Zibanejad – Reliable add for contenders: Veteran Tier 6 center for New York who remains a steady multi-category contributor despite some age-related risk.

Fantasy Takeaways

Connor McDavid’s Tier 1 status reinforces him as a foundational piece in every format, with unmatched scoring upside.
Nick Suzuki’s Tier 2 placement signals a strong blend of safety and breakout potential as a top-six center in Montreal.
Dylan Guenther’s Tier 3 role in Utah makes him an ideal upside swing in the middle of your forward group.
Mitch Marner’s rebound tier suggests there’s profit to be made if you’re willing to bet on his high-end ceiling returning.
Mika Zibanejad remains a valuable veteran option, offering steady production even as he moves into a later-career tier.

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