Fantasy Hockey Projections: Ehlers, Bertuzzi and Early Award Races

The early part of the season is when sharp fantasy managers separate from the pack. Usage trends, matchup edges, and emerging award races can all hint at who’s about to spike in value. With Nikolaj Ehlers thriving in a new home, Tyler Bertuzzi returning hot from injury, and stars like Cale Makar anchoring awards talk, there are clear angles to attack. Let’s break down what’s new and how to turn it into fantasy points across formats.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The biggest immediate storyline is Nikolaj Ehlers landing with the Carolina Hurricanes and immediately carving out a prime role. He’s not just along for the ride; he’s a featured piece on the power play and now draws a narrative matchup against his former team, the Winnipeg Jets, who are weakened defensively without their usual backbone in net. That combination of revenge angle, soft goaltending matchup, and PP usage makes him a short-term priority start.

Tyler Bertuzzi, now with Chicago, is another key mover. He’s just back from injury but already flashing the efficient scoring touch that shows up in his strong points-per-game profile. When a player with his multi-category toolkit steps right back into a prominent role, it’s a signal to get him into lineups before your league-mates fully trust the health.

On the blue line, Cale Makar continues to sit at the center of Norris Trophy conversations for the Colorado Avalanche. Award buzz doesn’t earn fantasy points by itself, but it reflects elite deployment: heavy minutes, top power-play quarterback duties, and freedom to drive offense. That’s exactly the profile you want to consolidate in both categories and dynasty formats.

Looking a bit further out, Macklin Celebrini is already surfacing in early Hart Trophy chatter. Even if your league doesn’t reward future awards directly, that kind of upside projection matters in dynasty and keeper setups. Managers who get ahead of the curve on elite young talent often lock in multi-year advantages.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only formats, you’re chasing raw scoring and power-play exposure above all else. Nikolaj Ehlers checks both boxes: he’s in a strong offensive environment in Carolina, he’s featured with the man advantage, and he has a juicy short-term matchup against a Jets team missing its usual last line of defense. That’s the kind of spot where you lean into the ceiling and accept some volatility.

Tyler Bertuzzi is more of a mid-tier scorer but stands out because of his efficiency when healthy. A high points-per-game rate in a top-six role is exactly what you want to plug into a points-only lineup, especially if your league doesn’t penalize for peripheral stats. As long as he’s skating with skilled linemates and seeing meaningful power-play time, he’s a lineup lock when active.

At the top of the league, Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid remain the headline names in the Art Ross and Rocket Richard discussions. You don’t need to be told they’re elite; what matters is that their continued dominance keeps the rising tide effect in place for their linemates and power-play units. Any winger or defenseman consistently attached to them on PP1 inherits elevated scoring potential.

On defense, Cale Makar is the prototype points-only blueliner: heavy involvement in his team’s offense, elite PP1 role, and constant Norris buzz that reflects both production and reputation. In leagues that count defense scoring separately or reward defensemen bonuses, his gap over replacement-level options becomes even more valuable.

For long-view points-only managers, Macklin Celebrini’s early Hart chatter is a reminder to prioritize him as a future offensive centerpiece. Even if the immediate production is uneven, the long-term scoring upside is the kind that can anchor a roster for years.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat leagues, the picture shifts slightly. Tyler Bertuzzi gains even more appeal because his game naturally blends scoring with physical play. When healthy and engaged, he can chip in across goals, assists, shots, hits, and power-play production. That profile makes him a glue piece in standard categories formats, especially when he’s slotted into a top-six role in Chicago.

Nikolaj Ehlers is more of a finesse scorer, but his value spikes when he’s firing the puck and living on the power play. In categories leagues that count shots and power-play points, his current deployment in Carolina is exactly what you want. The upcoming matchup against a depleted Jets defense is a perfect time to lean into his offensive strengths.

At the high end, Cale Makar is a cheat code in categories. He brings elite scoring for a defenseman, strong power-play production, and enough shot volume to separate him from most blueliners. Even without heavy hits or penalty minutes, his contributions in goals, assists, PPP, and SOG make him a cornerstone in any build.

For managers who like to buy low and sell high, early award narratives can be a tool. If a player like Makar is being talked up as a Norris favorite, that can increase perceived value in your league. Use tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer to sanity-check offers before you overpay or sell short on that narrative premium.

Dynasty / Keeper

Dynasty and keeper leagues are where the award-race discussion really shines. Macklin Celebrini being mentioned as a potential Hart Trophy candidate this early tells you the upside tier he belongs in. Even if his current production is inconsistent, this is the type of player you stash aggressively, build around, and remain patient with through normal development swings.

Cale Makar is already a proven superstar, but his continued Norris candidacy reinforces his status as a long-term anchor. In dynasty, he’s the kind of asset you rarely move unless the return is overwhelming: think multiple premium pieces, not just one hot forward. His combination of age, role, and production gives you a multi-year edge at a scarce position.

Nikolaj Ehlers is more of a mid-career asset, but the move to Carolina and current power-play usage are encouraging for his medium-term outlook. If he sticks in a featured role, he can be a reliable secondary scorer on a contending dynasty roster, especially in leagues that reward power-play points.

Tyler Bertuzzi carries a bit more risk in dynasty due to his injury history, but his multi-category skill set keeps him relevant. In deeper keeper formats, he’s the type of player you hold through short absences if your roster can absorb it, because his per-game impact when healthy is hard to replace off the wire.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Nikolaj Ehlers – Add/Start (standard leagues): Thriving on Carolina’s power play and facing a weakened Winnipeg defense, he’s a high-upside scoring play right now.
Tyler Bertuzzi – Add (standard/deep): Back from injury with strong points-per-game potential and multi-cat contributions in Chicago’s top six.
Cale Makar – Trade target (all formats): Norris-level deployment and elite offensive role make him worth paying a premium for on defense.
Macklin Celebrini – Watchlist/Add (dynasty/keeper): Early Hart buzz signals true superstar upside; stash wherever your bench rules allow.
Nathan MacKinnon – Hold/Build-around (all formats): Locked into Art Ross conversations, he remains a franchise cornerstone you structure trades and lineups around.
Connor McDavid – Untouchable core (all formats): Rocket Richard and Art Ross contention keeps his ceiling unmatched; only move him for a massive, league-shifting haul.

Fantasy Takeaways

Nikolaj Ehlers should be in your lineup while he rides prime power-play usage in Carolina and a favorable matchup against a weakened Jets defense.
Tyler Bertuzzi is a strong start in both points-only and categories formats as he returns from injury with efficient scoring and multi-cat upside.
Macklin Celebrini belongs on dynasty and keeper watchlists, with early Hart Trophy chatter hinting at long-term superstar potential.
Cale Makar is a premium trade target in categories and dynasty leagues thanks to his sustained Norris-level role and offensive impact.
Use award narratives and tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer to time buy-low and sell-high windows on elite talent rather than reacting only to short-term box scores.

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