Fantasy Hockey Tiers: EDGE-Driven Forwards to Target for 2025-26
Advanced tracking and EDGE-style data make it easier than ever to separate real fantasy value from noise. For 2025-26, a handful of forwards stand out thanks to usage, shot volume and matchup-driven upside. Instead of obsessing over exact projections, we’ll group these skaters into tiers so you can quickly see how Connor Bedard, Dylan Guenther, Tyler Bertuzzi, Clayton Keller and Robert Thomas fit into your roster build.
What’s New & Why It Matters
The key shift in this analysis is leaning on usage and EDGE-style trends rather than just boxscore totals. We’re focusing on forwards in prime roles: top-six deployment, heavy power-play usage, and favorable matchups against vulnerable penalty kills or loose defensive systems.
Utah features two intriguing wings in Dylan Guenther and Clayton Keller, both benefiting from top-six minutes and strong power-play exposure. Guenther’s recent scoring surge and a soft matchup against Seattle’s penalty kill make him a high-upside streaming play. Keller’s consistent shot volume gives him a safer floor and more stable rest-of-season value.
In Chicago, Tyler Bertuzzi’s role as a net-front presence on the top power play keeps him relevant as a matchup-based stream, while Connor Bedard’s elite talent and top-line usage make him a long-term building block, especially in dynasty formats. On the other side, St. Louis center Robert Thomas continues to drive offense as a primary distributor, particularly in games where Chicago’s defensive structure can be exploited.
Fantasy Implications
Points-Only
Tier 1 – Elite Ceiling, Long-Term Anchor
Connor Bedard sits alone in the top tier for pure scoring formats. As Chicago’s top-line center and offensive focal point, every shift runs through him. Even when the supporting cast is inconsistent, Bedard’s individual skill and usage create multi-point upside on any given night. In points-only leagues, he’s a player you build around, not someone you cycle in and out.
Tier 2 – High-End, Volume-Driven Scorers
Clayton Keller headlines this group. Slotted as a top-six winger in Utah, Keller’s value is driven by steady shot volume and consistent involvement in scoring chances. He may not always have Bedard’s highlight-reel peaks, but the reliability of his production makes him a strong add in standard and deeper points-only formats.
Tier 3 – Matchup-Dependent Upside
Dylan Guenther and Robert Thomas fall into a tier where deployment and opponent matter a bit more. Guenther’s recent scoring run and power-play role against a weak Seattle penalty kill make him an excellent short-term play; in softer spots like this, he can spike big games. Thomas, meanwhile, brings strong assist potential as St. Louis’s top-six center, especially when facing a Chicago team that can give up quality chances. In points-only leagues, Thomas is a strong complementary piece if you need playmaking more than goals.
Tier 4 – Streaming Specialists
Tyler Bertuzzi is primarily a streaming option in points-only formats. His value hinges on power-play exposure and specific matchups, like facing St. Louis’s shaky penalty kill. When Chicago’s top unit is humming and the schedule lines up, he’s worth a short-term add; otherwise, he’s more of a watchlist name than a must-hold.
Categories / Bangers
In multi-cat leagues, the tiers shuffle slightly because hits, shots, and power-play production matter as much as raw points.
Tier 1 – Category Stuffers with Scoring Upside
Bedard remains a top option due to his shot volume and scoring ceiling, but Keller closes the gap here. Keller’s steady shot generation and involvement on Utah’s power play give him strong contributions in goals, shots and power-play points, making him a foundational piece in many builds.
Tier 2 – Power-Play and Peripheral Boosters
Bertuzzi jumps up in categories formats. As a top-six winger and PP1 fixture in Chicago, he can deliver power-play points while contributing in the gritty categories that often decide weekly matchups. When Chicago faces teams like St. Louis with penalty-kill issues, Bertuzzi becomes a priority stream, especially if you’re chasing power-play production late in the week.
Tier 3 – Assist Engines and Streaky Goal Threats
Thomas is especially valuable in leagues that reward assists and power-play points. His playmaking role in St. Louis makes him a strong add if you’re light on helpers. Guenther, meanwhile, is more of a streaky scorer who can help in goals, shots and power-play production when the matchup is right. In categories leagues, both are strong mid-tier options, with Thomas leaning assists and Guenther leaning goals and shots.
Dynasty / Keeper
Tier 1 – Franchise Cornerstone
In dynasty, Bedard is the clear centerpiece. His combination of age, role, and offensive ceiling makes him the kind of asset you rarely move unless you’re getting multiple elite pieces back. If you’re considering a blockbuster, use tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer to make sure you’re not underselling his long-term value.
Tier 2 – Prime-Age Core Pieces
Keller fits as a prime-age winger who should remain a top option in Utah’s offense for years. His shot volume and consistent involvement in scoring chances translate well to long-term formats, making him a strong hold or trade target if a manager is undervaluing him.
Tier 3 – High-Upside Support and Playmaking Centers
Guenther and Thomas are excellent secondary pieces in dynasty. Guenther’s recent surge hints at a higher ceiling if he locks in a permanent top-six and PP1 role. Thomas’s playmaking ensures he remains fantasy-relevant even if his goal totals fluctuate; in assist-heavy dynasty formats, he’s a stable long-term center.
Tier 4 – Short-Term Value, Situational Keeper
Bertuzzi is more of a win-now piece. His value is tied to power-play usage and physical play, which can age faster than pure skill. In dynasty, he’s best viewed as a complementary asset for contenders rather than a cornerstone.
Who to Add / Stream / Watch
- Clayton Keller – Add (standard/deep): Top-six role in Utah with strong shot volume makes him a reliable scoring add.
- Robert Thomas – Add (standard/deep): Primary playmaker in St. Louis, especially valuable for assists against teams like Chicago.
- Dylan Guenther – Short-term stream: Riding a scoring surge with a favorable matchup against Seattle’s weak penalty kill.
- Tyler Bertuzzi – Short-term stream: PP1 usage in Chicago gives him power-play upside versus St. Louis’s penalty-kill issues.
- Connor Bedard – Watchlist / Build-around (dynasty): Elite offensive ceiling and top-line role make him a long-term franchise piece.
Fantasy Takeaways
- Dylan Guenther is a high-upside stream when Utah faces vulnerable defenses or weak penalty kills like Seattle’s.
- Tyler Bertuzzi should be streamed in categories leagues when Chicago draws opponents with shaky penalty kills, such as St. Louis.
- Connor Bedard is a cornerstone in dynasty formats thanks to his multi-point potential and top-line usage.
- Clayton Keller is a priority add in points-only leagues due to his steady shot volume and consistent scoring chances.
- Robert Thomas is a strong add if you need assists, particularly in matchups where Chicago’s defense can be exploited.
Source: NHL.com. See the original for full details.