Rest-of-Season Fantasy Hockey Top 200: How to Use the Rankings
NHL.com’s updated top 200 list gives us a clear snapshot of rest-of-season fantasy value. But the edge isn’t in memorizing ranks; it’s in understanding how to act on them. Let’s translate those numbers into concrete moves on Nathan MacKinnon, Jack Eichel, Connor Hellebuyck, Macklin Celebrini and more across different league types.
What’s New & Why It Matters
The headline change is Nathan MacKinnon sitting at the very top of the overall board. That confirms what most managers already feel: he’s a legitimate league-winner with elite deployment as a top-line center and PP1 engine in Colorado. Being ranked first overall also signals that any early-season lull or minor slump should be treated as a buy window, not a reason to panic.
Behind him, the elite tier is rounded out by names like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but the article specifically flags MacKinnon as the premier asset. On defense, Cale Makar is highlighted as the top blueliner, reinforcing the idea that true difference-makers on the back end are scarce and worth paying for in trades if your league counts power-play production heavily.
Injuries play a big role in how the rankings shake out. Jack Eichel is dinged by his current absence, but the experts still treat him as a long-term building block. That’s a clear signal to dynasty and keeper managers: don’t sell low. On the other hand, Tyler Seguin is flagged as likely out for the season, effectively removing him from redraft consideration and making him a pure IR stash only in the deepest of keeper setups.
In goal, Connor Hellebuyck emerges as the top-ranked netminder, landing inside the top 20 overall. That combination of workload and win equity is rare, and the ranking confirms he should be treated as a high-end anchor in categories leagues. Finally, the presence of Macklin Celebrini inside the top 200 already, with a top-six and PP1 projection for San Jose, underlines his massive upside in dynasty formats and even makes him relevant in deeper redraft leagues.
Fantasy Implications
Points-Only
In points-only formats, the rankings are essentially a roadmap to pure scoring ceiling. MacKinnon’s spot at number one overall tells you he should be treated as the most valuable skater in the game right now. If you can flip a slightly lower-ranked superstar plus a secondary piece to acquire him, it’s worth exploring, especially if your league doesn’t heavily weight peripherals.
Eichel’s placement—despite his injury—signals that the long-term scoring outlook remains strong. In points-only keeper leagues, that means you should be aggressively resisting discount offers. If someone is trying to pry him away at a mid-tier price because he’s on IR, use the rankings as justification to hold firm or even ask for a premium.
Celebrini’s inclusion in the top 200 is particularly important for points-only managers. A top-six, PP1 role in San Jose means he doesn’t need elite team context to be fantasy-viable; heavy usage alone can drive 5-on-5 and power-play points. In deeper points-only leagues, that makes him a priority add or stash before his breakout becomes obvious.
On defense, Makar’s status as the premier blueliner underscores how valuable a true PP1 quarterback is in points-only. If you’re thin on the back end, consolidating two mid-tier forwards for a Makar-level defenseman can be a net gain because of positional scarcity and the gap between him and replacement-level D.
Categories / Bangers
In multi-cat leagues, the rankings still lean heavily on scoring, but they also implicitly reward volume shooters, high-usage players, and workhorse goalies. MacKinnon’s top rank reflects not just points, but also his shot volume and heavy usage in all situations. That combination makes him a cornerstone in leagues counting SOG and PPP.
Hellebuyck’s top-goalie status and top-20 overall rank are especially crucial in categories formats. Wins, saves, and strong rate stats from a true workhorse can swing weekly matchups. If you waited on goalies and are cobbling together a tandem, this is your cue to consider overpaying for Hellebuyck; the stability he brings can justify sending a high-end skater the other way.
Seguin, by contrast, is essentially off the board for this season. In categories leagues with limited IR spots, that means you should be ruthless: if he’s clogging a bench or IR-plus slot and you’re fighting for playoff positioning, the rankings are telling you he’s a drop in redraft. Only in very deep formats with generous IR rules does it make sense to stash him.
Celebrini’s projected top-six and PP1 role hints at decent shot volume and power-play exposure, even if his plus-minus or physical stats lag early on a rebuilding San Jose squad. In bangers leagues, he’s more of a high-upside swing than a safe floor play, but the ranking suggests the upside is worth chasing in deeper categories formats.
Dynasty / Keeper
Dynasty is where the rankings’ long-term lens really shines. Eichel being treated as a hold despite his current injury tells you his underlying talent and role in Vegas remain elite. Selling him now almost certainly means locking in a loss of value. Instead, use your IR to weather the absence and focus on short-term streaming to cover his production.
Celebrini is the big dynasty winner. Being ranked among established NHLers before he’s fully proven at this level is a loud endorsement of his ceiling. If he’s somehow still available, he’s a must-add. If he’s already rostered, he becomes a fascinating trade target: you can justify paying a premium in futures or aging stars to acquire a potential franchise cornerstone.
MacKinnon and Makar remain foundational pieces in any long-term build. Their combination of age, role, and elite production means you only move them in blockbuster deals that dramatically improve your depth. The rankings simply reinforce that they’re the type of players you build around, not shop actively.
Seguin, with a likely season-ending outlook, is more complicated in dynasty. In shallow keepers, he’s probably expendable. In deeper true dynasty leagues, he’s a hold if your IR rules allow it, but his ranking slide is a reminder that aging, injured stars carry real downside and should not be valued like their peak selves.
Who to Add / Stream / Watch
- Nathan MacKinnon – Trade target (all formats): Ranked first overall; if there’s any discount due to team context or a brief slump, use the rankings as leverage to buy.
- Jack Eichel – Hold / trade target (points-only, dynasty): Injury has pushed his rank down, but his long-term scoring profile remains elite; don’t sell low, and consider buying from a frustrated manager.
- Connor Hellebuyck – Anchor goalie (categories): Top-ranked goalie and top-20 overall; worth paying up for if your crease is unstable.
- Macklin Celebrini – Add / stash (dynasty, deep redraft): Already top-200 with a projected top-six, PP1 role in San Jose; stash now before his production spikes.
- Tyler Seguin – Drop in redraft (all formats): Likely out for the season; only stash in deep dynasty with ample IR.
Fantasy Takeaways
- MacKinnon’s number-one overall rank makes him a justifiable overpay target in trades, especially in points-only leagues.
- Seguin’s season-long injury outlook means he should be dropped in most redraft formats, freeing up a valuable roster or IR spot.
- Eichel’s ranking confirms his long-term star status; dynasty managers should hold, not panic-sell, while he’s injured.
- Hellebuyck’s top-goalie status and top-20 overall rank justify treating him as a true fantasy anchor in categories leagues.
- Celebrini’s presence in the top 200 highlights his massive upside, making him a priority add or stash in all dynasty formats.
Source: NHL.com. See the original for full details.