Fantasy Hockey Tiers: Early Standouts and Projections for 2025-26
The 2025-26 season is already surfacing a few clear fantasy winners and some intriguing upside plays. Using the latest projections and role data, we can start to separate true difference-makers from short-term heaters. This tiered look focuses on four forwards in very different spots: a breakout rookie, a surprise top-line winger, a power-play specialist, and an established superstar. The goal is simple: translate their real-world usage into clear, actionable fantasy decisions across all formats.
What’s New & Why It Matters
The headline development is rookie winger Beckett Sennecke emerging as a key offensive driver for the Anaheim Ducks. He’s operating as a second-line winger with top power-play exposure and is leading NHL rookies in even-strength production. That combination of deployment and efficiency is exactly what turns a prospect into a fantasy asset.
In Seattle, Bobby McMann has stepped into a first-line role for the Seattle Kraken and immediately produced. First-line minutes alongside the team’s best playmakers give him a strong floor in volume categories and a path to sustained scoring if he holds the job.
Back in Anaheim, Cutter Gauthier is carving out a niche as a power-play specialist. He may not drive a line at even strength yet, but his man-advantage role and favorable matchups make him a targeted streaming option, especially in leagues that reward shots and physical play.
Finally, Kirill Kaprizov remains the centerpiece of the Minnesota Wild attack. Nothing flashy has changed in his role—that’s the point. Stable top-line, top power-play usage and consistent scoring keep him firmly in the elite tier and a prime target in any trade talks.
Fantasy Implications
Points-Only
Tier 1 – Elite cornerstone
Kirill Kaprizov sits alone here among this group. As the Wild’s top-line winger and offensive engine, he offers both a high floor and ceiling in pure scoring formats. His consistent goal and assist output, plus heavy power-play usage, make him the type of player you can build an entire points-only roster around. If another manager is even slightly undervaluing him, you should be exploring a trade package.
Tier 2 – High-upside breakout
Beckett Sennecke is the classic upside swing in points-only. Leading rookies in even-strength points while skating on the second line and PP1 suggests his production isn’t just a small-sample fluke. The key question is sustainability: can he maintain this pace once teams start game-planning for him? In shallower leagues he’s a high-priority watchlist name; in deeper formats he’s already worth a speculative add if he’s somehow still available.
Tier 3 – Volume-dependent scorer
Bobby McMann projects as a solid mid-tier option whose value is heavily tied to his first-line role in Seattle. As long as he’s riding shotgun with top playmakers, he can chip in steady goals and assists. If he slides down the lineup, his points-only value drops quickly, so be ready to move on if his deployment changes.
Tier 4 – Specialist streamer
Cutter Gauthier is more of a situational play in points-only leagues. His power-play usage gives him a path to multi-point nights, but if he’s not contributing at even strength, his week-to-week floor is shaky. Use him as a matchup-based streamer when the Ducks have a favorable schedule or soft defensive opponents.
Categories / Bangers
Tier 1 – Multi-cat star
Kirill Kaprizov retains elite value in categories formats because his scoring comes with strong shot volume and consistent power-play production. Even if he’s not a heavy hitter, his contributions in goals, assists, shots, and power-play points are enough to anchor multiple categories every week.
Tier 2 – Emerging multi-cat winger
Bobby McMann is particularly interesting in categories leagues. First-line minutes on Seattle mean more opportunities for shots, hits, and potentially some penalty minutes, depending on how he plays his role. If he maintains his current usage, he can be a sneaky source of across-the-board production, not just points.
Tier 3 – Power-play and peripherals
Cutter Gauthier fits the mold of a bangers-friendly streamer. As a power-play specialist with favorable matchups, he can help in power-play points, shots, and potentially hits, even if his even-strength scoring lags. In leagues that count a wide range of peripherals, he’s a strong short-term add when Anaheim has a heavy game slate.
Tier 4 – Rookies with upside
Beckett Sennecke is primarily a scoring asset right now, but as he gains confidence and ice time, he could start contributing more in secondary categories like shots and power-play points. In deeper bangers leagues, he’s a smart stash or early add if you can afford to wait on the peripheral growth.
Dynasty / Keeper
Tier 1 – Established franchise piece
Kirill Kaprizov is a foundational dynasty asset. His age, role, and track record of consistent scoring make him one of the safest long-term bets at wing. If you’re contending, he’s the type of player you overpay for; if you’re rebuilding, he’s the bar you measure your trade returns against. Use tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer to sanity-check any big offers involving him.
Tier 2 – High-ceiling rookie
Beckett Sennecke is a premium dynasty chip. Leading rookies in even-strength points while already earning PP1 time for Anaheim suggests a long-term top-six trajectory. His current label as a “watchlist” player in redraft leagues understates his dynasty value; in keeper formats you should be aggressive in acquiring him before the rest of your league fully buys in.
Tier 3 – Medium-term upside plays
Cutter Gauthier and Bobby McMann both fall into the upside-but-uncertain bucket. Gauthier’s power-play role hints at a future where he becomes a go-to scoring option, but he still needs to round out his even-strength game. McMann’s long-term value hinges on whether he can lock down a permanent top-six role in Seattle. In dynasty, they’re strong holds if you already roster them; as trade targets, focus on acquiring them at a discount rather than paying full breakout prices.
Who to Add / Stream / Watch
- Beckett Sennecke – Watchlist/Add (standard to deep): Leading rookies in even-strength points with PP1 time in Anaheim makes him a prime upside stash before his value spikes.
- Bobby McMann – Add (standard): First-line deployment in Seattle alongside top playmakers gives him immediate scoring and category appeal while the role holds.
- Cutter Gauthier – Short-term stream (categories/bangers): Power-play specialist with favorable matchups who can boost shots, hits, and man-advantage production during busy weeks.
- Kirill Kaprizov – Trade target (all formats): Consistent top-line, top power-play usage and elite scoring make him worth aggressive trade offers if there’s any buy-low window.
Fantasy Takeaways
- Prioritize Beckett Sennecke as a high-upside rookie—his even-strength production and PP1 role in Anaheim justify a proactive add in deeper leagues and a top watchlist spot everywhere else.
- Ride Bobby McMann while he’s on Seattle’s first line; his value is heavily role-driven, so be ready to pivot if his minutes or linemates change.
- Use Cutter Gauthier as a schedule-based streamer, especially in categories and bangers formats where his power-play usage and peripherals can swing weekly matchups.
- Target Kirill Kaprizov in trades—his stable elite role and consistent scoring make him a safe centerpiece for both contending and retooling fantasy rosters.
- Match format to player profile: Sennecke and Kaprizov shine in points-only and dynasty, while McMann and Gauthier gain extra value in categories setups that reward volume and physical play.
Source: NHL.com. See the original for full details.