Ranking the Top Under-25 Fantasy Hockey Building Blocks

Keeper and dynasty managers win by getting tomorrow’s superstars a year or two before everyone else. With NHL.com spotlighting the best players aged 25 and under, it’s a perfect time to reassess who you should be building around, who to trade for, and which prospects to stash. Let’s break down what this under-25 hierarchy means for your long-term fantasy strategy.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The NHL.com list focuses exclusively on players 25 and under, emphasizing age, pedigree, and projected roles. At the top sits Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks, a rare prospect ranked ahead of already-established young NHLers. That kind of placement signals sky-high offensive expectations and heavy future usage.

Right behind him is Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks, already viewed as a franchise cornerstone with elite long-term fantasy upside. The list also pushes emerging forwards like Wyatt Johnston of the Dallas Stars and prospect center Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks into prominent positions, highlighting them as core dynasty assets rather than just speculative fliers.

On defense, Lane Hutson of the Montreal Canadiens stands out as one of the most intriguing young blueliners. His high placement among under-25 defensemen suggests he’s viewed as a future power-play driver and offensive catalyst from the back end.

For fantasy managers, this reshuffling of young talent clarifies who deserves premium keeper slots, who to aggressively pursue via trade, and which names belong on your long-term watchlist.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In pure scoring formats, the under-25 rankings essentially outline your long-term core. Celebrini being slotted at the very top tells you he’s projected as a multi-category offensive engine once he settles into the NHL. In points-only leagues, that makes him worth a protected spot even before he plays a full season, especially if your league rewards patience with prospects.

Bedard already carries elite scoring expectations, and his placement near the top of the list confirms he should be treated as a foundational piece in any points-focused keeper setup. You don’t move a player like Bedard unless you’re getting multiple top-10 under-25 assets in return. Use your NHL Trade Analyzer to sanity-check any blockbuster offers involving him.

Johnston’s strong ranking among young forwards is a green light to treat him as more than a secondary scorer. He projects as a long-term top-six fixture with the potential to grow into a reliable 60+ point threat in his prime. In points-only, that bumps him from fringe-keeper territory into a player you actively try to consolidate for in 2-for-1 trades.

Hutson’s high standing among defensemen is especially important in leagues that struggle to find offensive blueliners. Even if his early NHL production is modest, his long-term projection as a power-play quarterback gives him outsized value in points-only formats where defense scoring is scarce.

Carlsson’s inclusion as a notable under-25 forward signals that his long-term scoring ceiling is significant. In points-only leagues with deep benches, he’s exactly the kind of prospect you want to stash before a breakout season pushes his acquisition cost through the roof.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat leagues, the under-25 list still matters, but you need to filter it through your scoring settings. Celebrini and Bedard project as volume shooters and primary offensive options, which should translate into strong goals, assists, power-play points, and shots on goal. If either ends up as a top-unit power-play staple, their value jumps even higher—review our guide on how to value PP1 time when weighing trade offers.

Johnston’s long-term role in Dallas hints at a well-rounded profile: solid goal scoring, decent shot volume, and the potential to chip in on the power play. While he may not be a pure hits or PIM specialist, his all-around contributions make him a strong hold in categories leagues where you want players who don’t leave you empty in any column.

Hutson’s fantasy appeal in bangers leagues will depend heavily on whether your format rewards offensive defensemen or emphasizes blocks and hits. His ranking implies offense-first deployment, likely with top power-play exposure down the line. That’s gold in leagues where power-play points and shots from the blue line matter, but you may need to supplement him with more physical defensemen if your league heavily weights hits and blocks.

Carlsson’s long-term value in categories formats will hinge on how his real-life game develops—whether he becomes more of a playmaker, shooter, or two-way center. The ranking suggests enough offensive upside to justify patience, but in shallow bangers leagues you can afford to wait on him via the watchlist rather than burning a roster spot too early.

Dynasty / Keeper

This ranking is most impactful for dynasty and deep keeper formats. Celebrini’s placement at the top of the under-25 pool makes him a premium dynasty asset even before he’s fully established. If your league allows prospect slots, he’s the type of player you prioritize over older, safer mid-tier producers.

Bedard is already a no-brainer keeper; the list simply reinforces that you should be building around him, not shopping him, unless you’re getting a king’s ransom. Think in terms of multiple high-end under-25 pieces coming back if you even consider moving him.

Johnston being tagged as a strong future impact player makes him an ideal dynasty trade target. Managers in win-now mode might undervalue him compared to older, more established names. Use that to your advantage and see if you can flip aging stars for Johnston plus a smaller asset.

Hutson’s status as a top young defenseman means he should be rostered in almost every dynasty league, even if he’s still developing. Offensive defensemen with PP1 potential are scarce; once he locks into that role, his acquisition cost will spike.

Carlsson is the archetype of a long-term stash: high enough on the under-25 list to be worth patience, but not yet expensive enough to cost you a core piece. In rebuilding situations, he’s exactly the kind of player you target as a secondary piece in bigger trades.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Macklin Celebrini – Add (dynasty/keeper): Treat him as a franchise cornerstone prospect; worth a roster spot or prospect slot wherever possible.
Connor Bedard – Trade target / Hold (all formats): Already a foundational asset; only move him if you’re getting multiple elite young pieces back.
Lane Hutson – Add / Watchlist (dynasty, deep keeper): High-end offensive defenseman upside with future PP1 potential makes him a priority stash.
Wyatt Johnston – Trade target (dynasty): Ranked as a rising forward with strong future impact; ideal to acquire from managers focused solely on the present.
Leo Carlsson – Watchlist / Stash (dynasty): Long-term upside as a top-six center; stash in deeper formats before his breakout raises the price.

Fantasy Takeaways

Macklin Celebrini’s spot atop the under-25 rankings makes him a priority building block in any dynasty or deep keeper format.
Connor Bedard should be treated as an untouchable core piece unless you’re offered multiple elite young assets in return.
Lane Hutson’s profile as a top young offensive defenseman justifies an aggressive stash, especially in leagues that reward power-play production.
Wyatt Johnston is a prime dynasty trade target, with his future role suggesting significant upside beyond his current perception.
Leo Carlsson belongs on every dynasty watchlist as a developing forward who could quickly become a valuable long-term fantasy asset.

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