Fantasy Hockey Building Blocks: Celebrini, Schaefer and 2026-27 Targets

The 2026-27 fantasy hockey season is shaping up around a new wave of centerpieces. From elite scorers like Macklin Celebrini to emerging multi-cat defensemen like Matthew Schaefer, the key is understanding roles and usage, not just name value. Let’s break down how these core options fit different league types and how aggressively you should pursue them in trades or as foundational keepers.

What’s New & Why It Matters

Celebrini has established himself as the offensive engine for the San Jose Sharks, locked in as a top-line center with prime power-play deployment. With expectations that he can build on an already massive scoring season, he’s firmly in the conversation as a franchise-level fantasy piece.

On the blue line, Schaefer has stepped into a top-pair, PP1 role for the New York Islanders, offering a rare blend of goals and shot-blocking. That dual profile makes him especially valuable in leagues that reward both offense and defensive peripherals.

Filip Forsberg remains the steady heartbeat of the Nashville Predators attack, still in a top-six, PP1 role with room to nudge his production higher. Meanwhile, Brady Tkachuk landing on the Florida Panthers is a major shakeup: he keeps his trademark physical edge but now plugs into one of the league’s most dangerous offenses.

On defense, John Carlson joins the Tampa Bay Lightning as their power-play quarterback, a role that has historically driven big fantasy totals from the blue line. In net, Jet Greaves is positioned as the starting goalie for the Columbus Blue Jackets, giving him a clear path to breakout value if he can convert volume into wins and solid ratios.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In pure scoring formats, Celebrini is the headline. As San Jose’s top-line center with PP1 duties, his ceiling is built on sheer volume: heavy minutes, primary puck touches, and first crack at every offensive situation. In points-only leagues, he belongs in the very top tier of forwards, and managers should be willing to pay a premium in trades to secure him.

Forsberg slots into the next tier as a reliable, high-floor winger. His established role in Nashville’s top six and on the first power play gives him a stable base of goals and assists. He may not match Celebrini’s raw ceiling, but his consistency makes him a strong anchor for your forward group, especially if your roster already carries more volatile, boom-or-bust pieces.

Carlson is a priority on defense in points-only formats. Running the Tampa Bay PP1 means exposure to elite finishers and a steady stream of primary assists. Even if his even-strength impact fluctuates, that power-play role alone keeps him in the upper tier of offensive defensemen. Schaefer belongs a tier below Carlson in pure offense, but his PP1 usage on Long Island still gives him meaningful scoring upside from the back end.

Greaves is more of a secondary consideration in points-only leagues where goalies are de-emphasized, but as a clear starter he still has value. If your format rewards wins and shutouts heavily, his workload in Columbus makes him a viable mid-tier option with breakout potential.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat setups, Schaefer’s profile jumps. As a top-pair, PP1 defenseman who both scores and blocks shots, he fits into a premium tier of blueliners who can help you in goals, points, and the gritty categories simultaneously. That combination is hard to find, making him a strong trade target if your defense lacks balance.

Tkachuk is the centerpiece in bangers formats. His move to Florida pairs his already elite physical output with a more potent offensive environment. In leagues counting hits, PIM, and shots alongside standard scoring, he belongs in the top tier of multi-cat forwards. The Panthers’ offensive depth should give him more chances to convert his volume into points without sacrificing his trademark edge.

Forsberg retains strong value here as well. While he doesn’t bring the same raw physicality as Tkachuk, he offers a blend of goals, shots, and some peripheral contributions that stabilizes your categories. Think of him as a high-floor, multi-cat winger who can quietly keep you competitive across several columns.

Carlson’s value in categories leagues hinges on special-teams production and shot volume from the blue line. Tampa’s PP1 can drive power-play points, and his tendency to shoot from the point adds SOG from a scarce position. Schaefer’s blocks and potential for double-digit goals make him a rare two-way asset, while Greaves becomes more appealing in formats that count saves and volume, even if Columbus doesn’t dominate in the standings.

Dynasty / Keeper

In long-term formats, Celebrini is a foundational piece. A top-line, PP1 center on a rebuilding Sharks team means the entire offense is being built around him. His age and trajectory make him a cornerstone you can build around for years, and he should be nearly untouchable in most dynasty trade talks unless you’re getting multiple elite assets back.

Schaefer is one of the more intriguing dynasty defensemen. Top-pair usage, power-play time, and strong peripherals suggest a long runway of fantasy relevance. Even if his offensive peak takes another season to fully arrive, his floor is high enough to justify aggressive stashing and patience.

Tkachuk’s move to Florida doesn’t just help now; it also stabilizes his long-term outlook. Being attached to a strong offensive core for multiple seasons keeps his ceiling high in both scoring and bangers categories. Forsberg, while slightly more of a win-now piece, still offers several productive seasons as a top-six, PP1 winger in Nashville.

Carlson’s value in dynasty depends on your contention window. As Tampa’s power-play quarterback, he remains a high-impact option for teams pushing to win immediately, but his long-term horizon is shorter than Celebrini’s or Schaefer’s. Greaves is a classic dynasty goalie stash: a projected long-term starter whose value could spike quickly if Columbus takes a step forward or he outperforms expectations. He’s exactly the type of goalie to target cheaply before a breakout, using tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer to gauge market value.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Macklin Celebrini – Add (all leagues): Elite top-line, PP1 usage in San Jose with room to grow makes him a true franchise fantasy piece.
Matthew Schaefer – Add (standard & deep): Top-pair, PP1 role plus goals and blocks give him rare two-way value from the blue line.
Filip Forsberg – Add (standard): Steady top-six, PP1 production in Nashville provides a high floor for goals and points.
Brady Tkachuk – Add (bangers-heavy): Florida’s high-powered offense plus his physical game create elite multi-cat upside.
John Carlson – Add (points & categories): Running Tampa Bay’s top power play keeps him in the upper tier of offensive defensemen.
Jet Greaves – Watchlist / Stream (standard, Add in deep): Locked-in starter for Columbus with breakout potential if the team takes a step forward.

Fantasy Takeaways

Treat Celebrini as a top-tier fantasy centerpiece in any format, with San Jose’s offense flowing through him.
Schaefer’s mix of PP1 offense and blocks makes him a priority target on defense, especially in categories leagues.
Forsberg remains a reliable, high-floor scorer who stabilizes your forward group across formats.
Tkachuk’s move to Florida elevates his already elite bangers profile into true multi-category dominance.
Carlson’s role as Tampa’s power-play quarterback and Greaves’ starter status in Columbus both offer strong pathways to value at their positions.

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