Fantasy Hockey Tiers: Savoie, Tkachuk, Graf and McMann Outlooks
Usage changes and underlying performance trends can swing fantasy leagues long before box scores fully catch up. With NHL EDGE-style metrics shining a light on who is driving play and who is just along for the ride, managers need to react quickly when a player jumps into a premium role or returns from injury. Below, we break four key forwards into fantasy tiers and translate their current situations into clear add, stream, and trade decisions for the rest of the season.
What’s New & Why It Matters
The biggest development is Matt Savoie landing on the top line for the Edmonton Oilers alongside Connor McDavid, with power-play one exposure. That kind of deployment can instantly turn a fringe roster piece into a must-roster scorer in most formats. Savoie’s promotion means more offensive-zone starts, elite linemates, and frequent touches in high-danger areas.
In San Jose, Collin Graf has pushed his way into a first-line role for the San Jose Sharks, riding a scoring streak backed by strong high-danger chance generation. On a rebuilding team that needs offense from anywhere it can find it, Graf’s ability to create quality looks rather than just volume makes him a prime streaming candidate whenever the schedule lines up.
Matthew Tkachuk has re-established himself as the heartbeat of the Florida Panthers attack since returning from injury. He’s back in his usual spot on the top line and power play one, bringing his trademark mix of scoring, physicality, and net-front presence that powers both points-only and bangers formats.
Finally, Bobby McMann is an intriguing new face on the Seattle Kraken after a trade from Toronto. Early returns show him thriving in a prominent role, including top-line and power-play usage. His underlying performance metrics suggest the production isn’t a fluke, but we still need a larger sample before fully trusting him in shallower leagues.
Fantasy Implications
Points-Only
Tier 1 – Core lineup lock: Matthew Tkachuk
Tkachuk belongs in the highest tier for points-only leagues. Top-line minutes and steady power-play one deployment in Florida give him a high floor and elite ceiling. His game revolves around creating and finishing chances in the slot and around the crease, which tends to translate into consistent multi-point upside. As long as he’s healthy, he should be locked into your active lineup regardless of opponent or schedule density, and he’s the kind of player you target in trades using tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer to balance value.
Tier 2 – Strong every-night starter: Matt Savoie
Savoie’s promotion to the Oilers’ top line and power-play unit rockets him into must-roster territory in points-only formats. Skating with McDavid dramatically increases the quality of his looks and his assist potential, even if he isn’t the primary shooter. As long as he holds this role, he should be started in all but the shallowest leagues. The main risk is role security; if he slips off the top line, his value falls a tier, so be ready to reassess quickly.
Tier 3 – Schedule-based starter / strong stream: Collin Graf
Graf’s first-line role in San Jose and his high-danger chance profile make him an ideal points-only streamer. On heavy off-nights or during soft stretches in the Sharks’ schedule, he can be slotted into your lineup for a short burst of production. Because San Jose’s overall offense is limited, his ceiling is more matchup-dependent than Savoie’s, but the underlying process suggests his current scoring run isn’t just luck.
Tier 4 – Deep-league upside play: Bobby McMann
McMann’s strong start with Seattle and top-line, power-play usage push him into the deep-league conversation. In standard points-only formats, he’s more of a watchlist or short-term add if you have an open spot. However, managers in deeper leagues can justify holding him as a speculative upside play, especially if his role stabilizes and the Kraken offense continues to lean on him.
Categories / Bangers
Tier 1 – Multi-cat stud: Matthew Tkachuk
Tkachuk is a premier asset in bangers formats. Beyond points and power-play production, he reliably contributes hits, shots, and penalty minutes, all while playing heavy minutes in all offensive situations. His ability to stuff multiple categories on any given night makes him a cornerstone piece; you build your category strategy around players like him.
Tier 2 – Scoring-focused category help: Matt Savoie
Savoie’s primary value in categories leagues comes from goals, assists, and power-play points. Skating with McDavid should also boost his shot volume, but he’s not expected to be a major contributor in hits or PIM. Treat him as a scoring specialist who can tilt offensive categories in your favor, especially in leagues that heavily reward power-play production.
Tier 3 – Volume shooter / opportunistic streamer: Collin Graf
Graf’s high-danger chance generation implies he’s getting into prime scoring areas, which often correlates with useful shot totals. On a team like San Jose that leans on its top line, he can pile up minutes and opportunities even if the team doesn’t score a ton. In categories leagues, he’s a classic streamer: plug him in when you need a push in goals, shots, or power-play points, then move on if the schedule turns.
Tier 4 – Hits and depth scoring flier: Bobby McMann
While the summary emphasizes McMann’s performance metrics and offensive role, his profile also suggests potential for peripheral contributions, especially if he plays a direct, north-south style. In deeper bangers leagues, that combination of depth scoring, shots, and some physical play can be valuable. For now, consider him a speculative add when you need a mix of categories and can afford some volatility.
Dynasty / Keeper
Tier 1 – Long-term cornerstone: Matt Savoie
In dynasty formats, Savoie is the most exciting name of this group. Earning a top-line and power-play one role with Edmonton at this stage of his career signals strong organizational belief and a high long-term ceiling. Even if he has short-term growing pains, the combination of skill, deployment, and elite teammates makes him a potential foundational piece for years.
Tier 2 – Established elite with secure role: Matthew Tkachuk
Tkachuk is already a proven star, and his game should age well in dynasty. His value doesn’t rely solely on speed; he thrives on hockey sense, net-front positioning, and physical play. As long as he remains in Florida’s top offensive roles, he should continue to produce at a high level across formats, making him a safe anchor in keeper builds.
Tier 3 – Emerging middle-six scorer with upside: Collin Graf
Graf’s current first-line role and strong chance generation hint at a player who could settle into a long-term top-six job. On a rebuilding Sharks squad, he’ll get every opportunity to prove he can be part of the core. In dynasty, he’s a smart stash in deeper leagues: the path to meaningful minutes is clear, and his underlying metrics suggest he can capitalize.
Tier 4 – Dynasty watchlist / speculative stash: Bobby McMann
McMann’s impressive start with Seattle and advanced metrics make him a name to circle in dynasty formats, especially in leagues with large benches or farm slots. If he locks in as a long-term top-six winger with power-play time, his value could spike quickly. For now, he’s best treated as a watchlist priority or speculative add if your roster can absorb the risk.
Who to Add / Stream / Watch
- Matt Savoie – Add (standard and deep leagues): Top-line and PP1 deployment in Edmonton give him immediate scoring and power-play upside.
- Matthew Tkachuk – Start / Trade target (all leagues): Elite multi-category producer back in a full-featured role for Florida.
- Collin Graf – Short-term stream (standard) / Add (deep): Riding a scoring streak with strong high-danger metrics on San Jose’s first line.
- Bobby McMann – Watchlist (standard) / Speculative add (deep, dynasty): Early success and prime usage in Seattle hint at breakout potential.
Fantasy Takeaways
- Prioritize adding Matt Savoie while he’s locked into a top-line, power-play one role in Edmonton; that deployment rarely stays on the wire.
- Keep Matthew Tkachuk active in all formats and consider buying high if another manager is worried about his recent injury history.
- Use Collin Graf as a schedule-based streamer, especially when you need a short-term boost in goals, shots, and power-play production.
- Monitor Bobby McMann closely in Seattle; if his top-line and PP1 usage holds, be ready to move him from your watchlist to your roster.
- Lean on underlying metrics like high-danger chances and performance trends, not just point totals, to stay ahead of your league on emerging talent.
Source: NHL.com. See the original for full details.