Tiered Fantasy Outlook for Kopitar, Compher, Keller and Guenther
Advanced EDGE metrics and role-based projections point to a handful of forwards who can swing fantasy leagues in 2025-26. Rather than focusing on exact rankings, it’s more useful to group players into tiers based on role, ceiling and risk. Here’s how to value Anze Kopitar, J.T. Compher, Clayton Keller and Dylan Guenther across different formats, and what that means for adds, trades and watchlists.
What’s New & Why It Matters
The core shift driving these projections is usage. Kopitar remains locked into a top-line, top power-play role for the Los Angeles Kings, which keeps his floor extremely high even as the roster around him evolves. His consistent deployment with skilled wingers and on PP1 makes him a stabilizing fantasy piece rather than a volatile one.
In Detroit, Compher’s promotion into a first-line center role dramatically changes his fantasy profile. Increased ice time, better linemates and top-unit opportunities mean more chances to accumulate counting stats. Even if his individual talent doesn’t spike, sheer volume can push him into relevance in standard leagues.
For the Utah Mammoth, Keller is the offensive engine. He’s projected to drive their top line and PP1, with EDGE metrics highlighting his shot volume and play-driving. That combination points to strong multi-category upside, especially in formats that reward shots and power-play production.
Guenther is the wild card. Also projected in a top-line, PP1 role for Utah, he brings goal-scoring pop but with more uncertainty. His trajectory suggests upside that could outstrip his current fantasy cost, particularly in dynasty and deeper formats where managers can be patient with short-term inconsistency.
Fantasy Implications
Points-Only
Tier 1 – Reliable point producers: Anze Kopitar, Clayton Keller
In pure scoring leagues, Kopitar and Keller sit in the same functional tier, even if they get there in different ways. Kopitar’s value comes from reliability: entrenched as a top-line center and PP1 fixture, he benefits from strong teammates and a system that runs through him in key situations. You’re buying bankable assists, steady goal totals and a low risk of role erosion.
Keller, by contrast, is more of a ceiling play. As Utah’s go-to offensive threat, he’s projected to lead the Mammoth in points and drive their power play. High shot volume and strong offensive metrics suggest he can carry stretches of your scoring categories almost by himself. In points-only, he profiles as a primary scoring option you build around, especially if your league rewards power-play production.
Tier 2 – Solid but role-dependent scorers: J.T. Compher
Compher’s points-only value is tightly tied to his first-line role in Detroit. With elevated minutes and exposure to the team’s best wingers, he can ride the wave to respectable totals. However, his ceiling isn’t quite on Kopitar or Keller’s level; think of him as a complementary scorer who’s very useful while the deployment holds, but more replaceable if he slips down the lineup.
Tier 3 – Upside stash: Dylan Guenther
Guenther’s scoring profile is more speculative but intriguing. Projections highlight his goal-scoring ability and top-unit power-play role, which is exactly what you want from a breakout candidate. In points-only, he’s best slotted as a bench or flex scorer who could climb tiers quickly if he converts opportunity into sustained production.
Categories / Bangers
Tier 1 – Multi-cat anchors: Anze Kopitar, Clayton Keller
In category leagues, both Kopitar and Keller are strong foundational pieces. Kopitar contributes across goals, assists, plus-minus and power-play points, with steady shot volume and strong ice time. He may not dominate any single category, but he rarely leaves you exposed anywhere.
Keller offers a bit more category punch. His high shot volume and central role on Utah’s PP1 give him a better chance to spike in goals, shots and power-play production. If your league counts shots on goal or heavily weights power-play points, Keller can jump ahead of Kopitar in relative value.
Tier 2 – Volume-driven contributors: J.T. Compher
Compher’s category value is driven by opportunity. First-line usage and heavy minutes should translate into more shots, better chances at goals and assists, and a path to meaningful power-play exposure. He’s the type of player who becomes especially valuable in deeper leagues where ice time and peripheral stats are at a premium.
Tier 3 – Goal-heavy swing piece: Dylan Guenther
Guenther projects as a goals-and-power-play specialist. His EDGE profile points to strong finishing and a key PP1 role, which can translate into spikes in goals, shots and power-play points even if his assist totals lag behind. In leagues that reward goals more than assists, he’s a high-upside swing that can help you win specific categories.
Dynasty / Keeper
Tier 1 – Prime or near-prime core pieces: Clayton Keller
In long-term formats, Keller is the most attractive asset of this group. As Utah’s offensive centerpiece with strong underlying metrics, he offers both current production and a multi-year runway of elite usage. He’s the type of player you can comfortably build a forward core around in dynasty.
Tier 2 – Short-to-mid term anchors: Anze Kopitar
Kopitar remains a strong dynasty piece in the near term thanks to his stable role and consistent production. However, age and potential future role changes mean he’s more of a win-now asset than a long-horizon cornerstone. Contending teams should value him highly; rebuilding teams might consider exploring his value in the NHL Trade Analyzer if they can convert him into younger pieces.
Tier 3 – Emerging core with upside: Dylan Guenther
Guenther is the key dynasty swing. Projected as a top-line, PP1 winger with goal-scoring chops, he has the profile of a future core asset if development continues. His current watchlist label undersells his long-term potential; patient managers could be rewarded with a multi-year, high-goal winger at a discount.
Tier 4 – Useful but replaceable: J.T. Compher
Compher’s dynasty value is more modest. While his current first-line role in Detroit boosts his short-term outlook, his long-term ceiling is closer to a solid complementary forward than a franchise cornerstone. He’s useful for contending teams that need depth scoring but is less of a priority stash for rebuilds.
Who to Add / Stream / Watch
- Anze Kopitar – Add (standard & deep): Locked into a top-line, PP1 role for Los Angeles with consistent scoring and multi-cat stability.
- Clayton Keller – Add (all formats): Utah’s offensive driver with high shot volume and strong power-play usage, ideal as a scoring centerpiece.
- J.T. Compher – Add / Short-term stream (standard, must-add in deep): Elevated to Detroit’s first line, gaining ice time and exposure to the team’s best offensive situations.
- Dylan Guenther – Watchlist / Upside add (deep & dynasty): Top-line, PP1 deployment in Utah with goal-scoring upside makes him a prime breakout candidate.
Fantasy Takeaways
- Kopitar belongs in your core tier of forwards thanks to his secure top-line, PP1 role and reliable production across formats.
- Compher’s fantasy relevance is driven by his first-line deployment in Detroit; ride the usage while it lasts, especially in deeper leagues.
- Keller should be treated as a high-end scoring asset, with EDGE metrics and team context supporting strong points and shot volume.
- Guenther is a priority watchlist and dynasty target, with top-line, PP1 usage and goal-scoring ability that could quickly boost his tier.
- Contending dynasty teams can lean on Kopitar and Keller now, while rebuilding managers should focus on acquiring Keller and Guenther for their long-term upside.
Source: NHL.com. See the original for full details.