Fantasy Hockey Forward Rankings: How to Use the Top 100 for 2025-26

NHL.com’s latest top 100 fantasy forward list for 2025-26 is a must-read, but the real edge comes from how you apply it. With elite names at the top and key injury and prospect situations baked in, managers need to separate raw rank from actual roster decisions. Let’s walk through how to use these rankings to value stars like Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, while also navigating injury risks, aging icons and a rising prospect in Macklin Celebrini.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The rankings reaffirm that the top fantasy forward tier is still ruled by superstars like Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. They remain the safest, highest-ceiling anchors for any build thanks to elite production, heavy usage and prime power-play roles. The real intrigue comes further down the list, where context and risk start to diverge from name value.

One of the biggest shifts is the emergence of Macklin Celebrini in the top 100. Slotted into a prominent role for the San Jose Sharks, he’s tagged as a high-upside, top-six forward with clear power-play potential. For fantasy, that means he’s moving from speculative stash to realistic contributor, especially in deeper formats and dynasty leagues.

Injury context is also baked into the list. Matthew Tkachuk is flagged as injured but close to returning for the Florida Panthers, which keeps him firmly in hold territory rather than a panic sell. On the other end of the spectrum, Tyler Seguin is noted as out for the season for the Dallas Stars, making his inclusion more of a reminder to avoid burning a roster spot.

Finally, the rankings still respect what Sidney Crosby brings to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He’s framed as a consistent, top-line center whose name value might lag behind his actual fantasy utility, especially in points-only formats. That creates a potential buying window in trades.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only leagues, the top of the list is straightforward: MacKinnon, McDavid and Draisaitl are the three forwards you build around. Their combination of even-strength dominance and top power-play deployment gives them unmatched ceiling and stability. If you roster one of them, your priority is insulating that core with safe secondary scoring rather than chasing risky boom-or-bust options.

Crosby’s ranking is particularly interesting in this format. The list emphasizes his steady production and top-line role, suggesting his point pace remains more reliable than many flashier names around him. If your league mates are overreacting to age, this is exactly the type of veteran you target as a buy-low, especially if you can move a more volatile winger who’s riding unsustainable percentages.

Celebrini is where format really matters. In shallow points-only leagues, he’s more of a late bench swing or watchlist name, because rookie variance and the Sharks’ overall scoring environment cap his floor. In deeper points-only setups, though, his top-six projection and power-play opportunity make him a viable upside play—someone who can outproduce his early-season perception if he sticks in a prime role.

Tkachuk’s injury note is a reminder not to overreact in points-only. His multi-category profile is a bonus, but even if you only care about points, his track record on the Panthers’ top line and power play justifies patience. Unless your IR rules are extremely restrictive, you keep him stashed and look for short-term streams rather than selling at a discount.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat leagues, the rankings highlight how different player archetypes should be valued. Tkachuk is a prime example: even while injured, his combination of points, shots, hits and power-play production makes him irreplaceable when healthy. The guidance to hold him is even stronger in bangers formats, where his category coverage is nearly impossible to replicate off the wire.

Crosby, while not a pure banger, still carries strong value in categories due to his across-the-board contributions—solid shots, strong plus-minus in many seasons, and reliable power-play output. He’s not going to win you hits or PIM, but his stability in scoring categories lets you lean into more physical, lower-scoring wingers elsewhere on your roster.

Celebrini’s early ranking suggests he could be more than just a points-only play. If he earns meaningful power-play time and doesn’t shy away from shooting, he could chip in enough volume stats (shots, possibly some hits) to be rosterable in deeper bangers leagues. That said, in standard-size category leagues, he’s more of a speculative add or stream until we see how his peripherals translate.

Seguin’s situation is simple in categories: an injured reserve label with an expectation of missing the season means he’s a drop in all but the most unusual formats. Even in leagues with IR+ spots, you’re better off using that flexibility on a player with a realistic return timeline.

Dynasty / Keeper

Dynasty managers should read this top 100 list differently than redraft players. Celebrini’s appearance as a top-six forward with high upside is a clear signal: he’s a priority trade target if his current manager is worried about short-term growing pains or the Sharks’ rebuild. In long-term formats, you’re betting on talent and role more than immediate team context, and he checks both boxes.

Crosby remains a fascinating dynasty asset. The rankings’ respect for his current production suggests he still has multiple productive seasons left. Contending teams should absolutely explore acquiring him, especially if the Crosby manager is rebuilding and focused on age. Use tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer to gauge fair value, but don’t be afraid to pay a premium if you’re in a win-now window.

Tkachuk is a cornerstone in dynasty bangers formats. The recommendation to hold through injury applies even more strongly here: short-term absence is a small price to pay for years of elite multi-cat impact. Only consider moving him if you’re pivoting into a full rebuild and can extract a massive haul of younger assets.

Seguin, unfortunately, is the opposite case. With an expectation of missing the season and no immediate value, he’s a cut in shallow and medium-depth dynasty leagues unless you have extremely deep benches. If you’re in a very deep format with long-term IR, he’s more of a stash-and-hope, but the rankings’ avoid label tells you not to count on him as a core piece anymore.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Macklin Celebrini – Add (deep / dynasty): Top-six role and high-upside profile for the Sharks make him a priority stash with breakout potential.
Matthew Tkachuk – Hold (all leagues): Injured but nearing a return for the Panthers, and his elite multi-cat ceiling is worth the wait.
Sidney Crosby – Trade target (points-only / contenders): Still a top-line driver for the Penguins, and his consistent production makes him an ideal buy-low.
Tyler Seguin – Drop (most formats): With a season-long injury outlook for the Stars, he offers no immediate fantasy value.

Fantasy Takeaways

Macklin Celebrini’s rise into the top 100 forwards makes him a prime dynasty target and a high-upside stash in deeper redraft leagues.
Matthew Tkachuk should be held across formats; his eventual return brings rare, league-winning category coverage.
Sidney Crosby is undervalued in many points-only leagues and should be aggressively targeted in trades while his cost is suppressed.
Tyler Seguin’s long-term injury status means he’s a clear avoid and drop candidate in all but the deepest, stash-heavy formats.
Use the top 100 forward rankings as a guide, not a script—layer in injury context, team roles and your league’s format to find real edges.

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