Roman Josi, Jamie Benn and Emerging Fantasy Values for 2025-26

Advanced metrics and usage trends are already reshaping the 2025-26 fantasy hockey landscape. A healthy Roman Josi is back driving offense from the blue line, while forwards like Jamie Benn, Mark Stone and Zack Bolduc are carving out valuable roles. Let’s break down what’s changed, how sustainable it looks, and how to react in different fantasy formats.

What’s New & Why It Matters

Josi has returned from injury and immediately resumed heavy minutes and strong shot generation for the Nashville Predators. He’s back on the top pair and PP1, which historically has translated into elite fantasy production. The key takeaway is that his role and underlying volume look similar to his peak seasons, easing concerns about lingering effects from his absence.

In Dallas, Benn has landed on the top line with Mikko Rantanen and Wyatt Johnston for the Dallas Stars. That deployment alone is a massive boost: more offensive-zone starts, more touches with high-end finishers, and a natural lift in both primary and secondary points. Even if his individual talent is no longer at a superstar level, his environment is doing a lot of the heavy lifting.

Stone continues to be the offensive engine for the Vegas Golden Knights, especially on the first power-play unit. He’s pacing his team in points-per-game and remains a focal point with the man advantage. As long as he’s healthy, his combination of usage and efficiency keeps him in that upper fantasy tier.

The most intriguing development is Bolduc’s promotion in Montreal. Skating on the top line and PP1 for the Montreal Canadiens dramatically changes his outlook. Even if his production is still catching up to the role, the opportunity is exactly what fantasy managers look for when hunting for breakout candidates or speculative adds.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In pure scoring formats, Josi belongs in the top offensive defenseman tier. His heavy power-play usage and shot-first mentality give him both a high floor and elite ceiling. As long as he’s logging big minutes on PP1, he’s closer to a cornerstone skater than just another blueliner.

Stone slots into a high-end forward tier thanks to his team-leading points-per-game and power-play role. He may not carry the name recognition of the absolute elite, but his efficiency and deployment justify treating him like a foundational scoring piece. Managers should be comfortable building around him as a primary source of assists, power-play points and steady production.

Benn is more of a middle-tier points-only option whose value is tied to his linemates. As long as he rides shotgun with Rantanen and Johnston, he can punch above his perceived talent level and flirt with top-six scoring numbers. However, he’s more of a tiered streamer or secondary starter than a must-hold if his role changes.

Bolduc is a classic upside swing. In points-only leagues, his top-line and PP1 usage put him in a speculative tier: he’s not yet a proven producer, but the deployment gives him a path to meaningful scoring. In deeper formats, that’s enough to justify an aggressive stash; in shallower leagues, he’s more of a watchlist or short-term experiment.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-category leagues, Josi’s value climbs even higher. His shot volume, offensive involvement and heavy ice time help across goals, assists, shots and power-play production. Even without leaning on specific numbers, his profile screams across-the-board contributor rather than a one-dimensional points-only piece.

Stone’s power-play dominance and overall efficiency also translate well to categories formats. He may not be a pure banger, but he contributes in the premium scoring categories while chipping in enough peripheral stats to avoid being a drag. Managers who prioritize power-play production should treat him as a priority asset.

Benn’s appeal in categories leagues often hinges on whether he still brings enough physicality alongside his scoring. The article’s focus on his top-line role suggests his primary value is offense-driven right now, but that deployment can still yield strong totals in shots and potentially some secondary categories. He fits nicely in a middle tier of multi-cat forwards who can help without anchoring your physical stats.

Bolduc is more speculative in categories formats. The main draw is his offensive opportunity; if he sticks on PP1, he could add power-play points and shots. Until we see sustained production, though, he belongs in a lower, upside-only tier—best suited for managers who can afford to swing for the fences on their final roster spots.

Dynasty / Keeper

In dynasty, Josi remains a premium asset in the near term, but age and prior injury history mean he fits in a "win-now" tier. Contending teams should happily ride his current level, while rebuilders might explore selling high via tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer if their competitive window is a few years out.

Stone’s situation is similar: elite when healthy, but with enough mileage that long-term risk is real. In keeper formats with limited slots, he’s still worth protecting if you’re contending. In full dynasty, he’s a top-tier veteran whose value is highest to teams chasing a title in the next couple of seasons.

Benn is more of a short- to medium-term piece in dynasty. His current value is heavily tied to line deployment, which can change quickly. He belongs in a mid-tier veteran bucket: useful for contenders, expendable for rebuilders who can flip him if his production spikes while he’s on the top line.

Bolduc is where dynasty managers should get excited. Top-line and PP1 usage at his stage of development is a huge signal. He fits squarely in the "upside prospect with real opportunity" tier. Even if the production is uneven this season, the role alone justifies patience; he’s exactly the type of player you stash on a rebuilding roster and hope to grow into a long-term top-six fixture.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Roman Josi – Add (all formats): Heavy minutes, PP1 usage and strong shot metrics make him a foundational fantasy defenseman again.
Mark Stone – Add (standard and deep): Team-leading points-per-game and a central PP1 role give him high-end scoring and power-play upside.
Jamie Benn – Short-term stream (standard): Riding the top line with elite linemates in Dallas makes him a strong short- to medium-term scoring play.
Zack Bolduc – Watchlist / speculative add (deep and dynasty): Recent promotion to Montreal’s top line and PP1 offers breakout potential if he sticks.

Fantasy Takeaways

Josi’s return to heavy minutes and top power-play usage in Nashville restores him to elite fantasy defenseman status, especially in categories leagues.
Stone’s combination of team-leading points-per-game and PP1 deployment in Vegas makes him a priority add and strong trade target for scoring and special-teams help.
Benn’s fantasy value is tightly linked to his top-line role with high-end teammates in Dallas, making him ideal as a stream or short-term hold rather than a locked-in core piece.
Bolduc’s promotion to Montreal’s top line and power play puts him on the radar as a high-upside stash in dynasty and a watchlist name in shallower formats.
Across formats, prioritize players with secure PP1 roles and strong underlying volume, then use tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer to capitalize on their rising value in trades.

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