Rest-of-Season Fantasy Hockey Rankings Shake-Up After Draisaitl, Matthews Injuries

Season-ending injuries to Leon Draisaitl and Auston Matthews blow a hole in the top of every fantasy roster. With two elite centers gone, the rest-of-season landscape shifts dramatically: true superstars gain even more leverage, while emerging names can suddenly swing leagues. Let’s walk through how the updated rankings affect your decisions and which players you should be adding, streaming, or shopping on the trade market right now.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The biggest change is at the very top. With Draisaitl and Matthews sidelined, Nathan MacKinnon becomes arguably the single most valuable skater in fantasy. His combination of elite usage, all-situations deployment, and consistency makes him the premier trade target for managers trying to replace lost superstar production.

On the wing, Nikita Kucherov remains a cornerstone. In updated rankings, his elite scoring profile and power-play role keep him firmly in the top tier of forwards. If you already roster him, you’re not just holding—you’re building around him.

Injuries also open the door for opportunistic adds. Jimmy Snuggerud is highlighted as a potential pickup for the St. Louis Blues, with room to grow into a more prominent role. In competitive leagues, these emerging forwards can help patch the scoring gap left by injured stars.

On defense, Cale Makar solidifies his status as the top fantasy blueliner. With more pressure on elite skaters to carry rosters, high-end defensemen who produce like forwards become even more valuable in rest-of-season rankings.

In net, Jake Oettinger is flagged as a potential sell-high. He’s performing at a high level, but the rankings suggest his perceived value may be outpacing his true rest-of-season outlook. That creates a window to trade him for an elite skater or to shore up multiple roster spots.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only formats, raw scoring and power-play exposure are everything. MacKinnon’s rest-of-season profile is exactly what you want: heavy minutes, top-line center role, and prime power-play usage on a stacked Colorado Avalanche unit. If you can consolidate depth pieces to acquire him, the rankings support being aggressive.

Kucherov remains a set-and-forget elite winger. His power-play impact is especially critical in leagues that weigh special-teams production heavily. The updated list reinforces that he’s not someone you move unless you’re getting another top-three overall asset back.

Snuggerud is where points-only managers can get creative. He’s labeled as an emerging talent with potential for an increased role in St. Louis. That suggests he’s worth a speculative add in deeper points leagues, especially if you have an open bench spot and need upside. If he sticks in a top-six or power-play role, he can outproduce typical waiver-level options.

On the back end, Makar’s offensive contributions keep him at the top of any defense rankings. In points-only, he’s closer to a high-end forward than a typical defenseman, which justifies paying a premium in trades. If you lost Draisaitl or Matthews, flipping a hot but unsustainable forward for Makar can stabilize your scoring from the blue line.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-category leagues, the ripple effects are a bit different. MacKinnon’s shot volume and across-the-board production (goals, assists, power-play points, and volume-based stats) make him even more of a unicorn. The rankings positioning him at the top underscores that he’s worth overpaying for if your league rewards volume.

Kucherov’s elite scoring still plays, but in bangers formats you’ll want to ensure the rest of your roster covers hits and peripheral categories. Treat him as your offensive anchor and build around him with more physical depth pieces.

Snuggerud’s value in categories leagues will depend on how his role evolves. If he earns regular power-play time and maintains decent shot volume, he can be more than just a points-only streamer. Keep an eye on whether he’s trusted in offensive situations; that’s where the category juice will come from.

For defensemen, Makar’s value is obvious: he drives offense, logs big minutes, and contributes in most counting stats. In leagues that count shots and power-play points, he’s a cheat code at a scarce position.

Oettinger is where category managers need to think strategically. The rankings’ “sell high” label suggests his current win and save totals may be near the top of his range. If your goalie categories are solid, you can flip him for a high-end skater to replace lost center production. Use tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer to gauge whether you’re getting enough back in multi-player deals.

Dynasty / Keeper

Dynasty and keeper formats require a different lens. MacKinnon and Kucherov remain foundational pieces, and nothing about the updated rankings changes that. If anything, the shake-up at the top reinforces how valuable stable, elite producers are in long-term builds.

The most interesting dynasty note is Macklin Celebrini being tagged as a watchlist name. He’s described as a promising talent with an increasing role, which is exactly what you target in deeper keeper leagues. You don’t necessarily need to rush an add in shallow formats, but he should be rostered or at least closely monitored in any league with farm spots.

Snuggerud also gains dynasty relevance. An emerging winger with a path to more minutes in St. Louis is worth stashing if your league rewards patience. Even if his short-term production is streaky, the rankings’ attention signals that his long-term arrow is pointing up.

For goalies, Oettinger’s sell-high tag doesn’t mean he’s a bad long-term asset; it just indicates that his market value might currently exceed his realistic projection. In dynasty, that’s often the best time to move a netminder—when other managers are paying for peak performance rather than median outcomes.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Nathan MacKinnon – Trade target (all leagues): Top-ranked skater with elite, stable usage; consolidate depth to acquire if you lost a superstar center.
Nikita Kucherov – Hold (all leagues): Elite winger whose power-play dominance and consistent scoring make him an untouchable core piece.
Jimmy Snuggerud – Add (standard and deep): Emerging St. Louis winger with room for an expanded role, offering upside to replace some lost scoring.
Cale Makar – Trade target (all leagues): Premier offensive defenseman who can offset injuries up front by providing forward-like production from the blue line.
Jake Oettinger – Sell high (categories): Performing at a level that may not be sustainable; explore trading him for a top skater or multi-piece upgrade.
Macklin Celebrini – Watchlist/Stash (dynasty): Rising talent with an increasing role; ideal for prospect benches and long-term builds.
Alexis Lafreniere – Short-term stream (points-only): Highlighted as a streaming option who can help plug scoring gaps while you navigate injuries.

Fantasy Takeaways

Target Nathan MacKinnon aggressively in trades; updated rankings elevate him as the premier rest-of-season asset.
Hold firm on Nikita Kucherov and Cale Makar, who remain elite anchors at scarce positions.
Add Jimmy Snuggerud where available, especially in deeper formats, to capture his emerging opportunity in St. Louis.
In categories leagues, consider selling high on Jake Oettinger if you can turn his peak value into a skater upgrade.
In dynasty, keep Macklin Celebrini on your radar—or stashed—before his role and cost both climb.

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