Fantasy Hockey Tiers: Snuggerud, Kempe and Emerging 2025-26 Difference-Makers
The NHL schedule is rolling and a few names are forcing their way into fantasy relevance. Hot streaks, new roles and rookie breakouts can swing leagues if you react quickly. Let’s sort key options like Jimmy Snuggerud, Adrian Kempe, Dylan Holloway and Matthew Schaefer into actionable tiers so you know who to add, who to stream and who to stash for later.
What’s New & Why It Matters
The biggest development is Snuggerud’s surge on the St. Louis Blues top line and first power play. He’s riding a run of multi-point efforts while clicking with Robert Thomas and Dylan Holloway, giving him both elite deployment and confidence. That combination turns him from a fringe streamer into a priority short-term add in most formats.
Kempe continues to drive offense for the Los Angeles Kings, leading them in goals and points while firing plenty of pucks on net. His role hasn’t changed, but his steady production and shot volume keep him firmly in the reliable scoring tier, especially for points-heavy leagues.
Holloway is emerging as a legitimate top-six piece in St. Louis. Skating in an offensive role and riding a recent point streak, he’s pushing beyond pure prospect status and into real fantasy consideration, particularly for managers thinking beyond this season.
On the back end, Schaefer is quietly tied for the rookie scoring lead with the New York Islanders. Any rookie defenseman producing at that level deserves attention in deeper formats and keeper setups, even if he’s not yet a must-add in shallow leagues.
Fantasy Implications
Points-Only
Tier 1: High-impact forwards to ride while hot
Snuggerud belongs in the top streaming tier for points-only leagues right now. Top-line minutes with a skilled center, plus PP1 exposure, give him a strong floor and a real ceiling while the hot streak lasts. As long as he’s stapled to the Blues’ primary scoring line, he should be in starting lineups rather than on waivers.
Kempe sits in a slightly different but still valuable tier: a steady, season-long scorer. He’s not just a streamer; he’s a player you can plug in and forget, especially in leagues that reward goals and shots. If your roster is thin on wing scoring, he’s the kind of stable producer you can target via trade, using tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer to gauge fair value.
Tier 2: Upside forwards with growing roles
Holloway is more of a medium-term play. His top-six role and recent offensive growth suggest he can be a secondary scorer this season, with room to climb. In points-only formats with deeper benches, he’s worth a speculative add if you can afford to be patient through the inevitable cold spells that come with young players.
Tier 3: Watchlist defenseman
Schaefer’s rookie scoring pace is impressive for a defenseman, but blue-liners often take longer to become consistent fantasy contributors. In points-only leagues with limited D slots, he’s more of a watchlist name unless you’re in a deep format where any offensive defenseman with PP upside is worth rostering.
Categories / Bangers
Tier 1: Volume shooters and multi-category forwards
Kempe’s high shot volume is gold in categories leagues. Goals, shots and likely power-play points make him a multi-cat asset even if he’s not a big hitter. On a Kings team that leans on him offensively, he should be rostered almost everywhere and treated as a core piece in your scoring categories.
Snuggerud’s value in categories hinges on more than just points. If his usage on the top line and PP1 holds, he should contribute in goals, assists, power-play points and shots. Even if he’s not a banger in the traditional sense, the offensive categories alone justify a roster spot while he’s this hot.
Tier 2: Developing category contributors
Holloway’s appeal in categories leagues is tied to his all-around game. As a top-six forward, he can chip in across multiple offensive categories, and if he brings any physical edge, that only boosts his profile. In standard-size leagues, he’s a depth piece or streamer; in deeper multi-cat setups, he’s a more appealing hold.
Tier 3: Deep-league blue-line help
Schaefer’s rookie scoring pace puts him on the radar for hits/blocks plus points formats, but without clear evidence of heavy peripherals, he’s better suited to deep leagues. Managers in bangers formats should track his usage—especially any power-play time—before committing a roster spot.
Dynasty / Keeper
Tier 1: Priority long-term assets
Holloway is the clear dynasty riser here. A top-six role on a team that’s leaning into his offense is exactly what you want from a young forward. His current point streak signals that the production is starting to match the opportunity. In dynasty and keeper leagues, he’s a strong add if available, and a reasonable trade target if the acquisition cost isn’t prohibitive.
Snuggerud also carries significant long-term intrigue. Any young winger who can already handle top-line and PP1 duties for the Blues has a strong developmental path. Even if his current scoring pace cools, the role and chemistry with high-skill teammates suggest he can be a long-term top-six fixture.
Tier 2: High-upside rookie defenseman
Schaefer’s place near the top of the rookie scoring race makes him a classic dynasty stash. Offensive defensemen are scarce, and anyone who can drive points from the back end at a young age is worth investing in. In keeper formats with farm spots or deep benches, he should already be rostered; in shallower keeper leagues, he’s at least a priority watchlist name.
Tier 3: Established scoring with stable value
Kempe is less about untapped upside and more about bankable production. In dynasty, that still matters—having a winger you can pencil in for strong goal and shot totals for several seasons is valuable. He’s not a breakout candidate in the same way as the younger names here, but he’s a strong piece for contenders looking to win now.
Who to Add / Stream / Watch
- Jimmy Snuggerud – Add/Short-term stream (all leagues): Riding a multi-game, multi-point heater on the Blues’ top line and PP1, he should be scooped up wherever available.
- Adrian Kempe – Add/Trade target (standard and deeper): Leading the Kings in goals and points with strong shot volume, he’s a stable scoring winger you can build around.
- Dylan Holloway – Add (dynasty/keeper, deep redraft): Emerging as a top-six forward with a growing offensive role, he’s an excellent long-term piece and a speculative add in deeper formats.
- Matthew Schaefer – Watchlist/Add (deep and keeper): Tied for the rookie scoring lead among defensemen, he’s a prime stash candidate in keeper and deep leagues.
Fantasy Takeaways
- Snuggerud’s combination of top-line deployment, PP1 time and a blazing hot streak makes him a must-add short-term play with potential to stick long term.
- Kempe’s team-leading scoring and shot volume cement him as a reliable multi-category winger and a strong trade target if your roster lacks goals.
- Holloway’s recent point streak and top-six role in St. Louis make him a priority add in dynasty and a worthwhile speculative grab in deeper redraft formats.
- Schaefer’s rookie scoring pace from the blue line puts him firmly on the keeper-league radar and on the watchlist for deep redraft leagues.
- In all formats, react quickly to changing roles—top-line and PP1 deployment can turn fringe names into league-winning contributors almost overnight.
Source: NHL.com. See the original for full details.