Top 100 Fantasy Forwards for 2026-27: How to Attack the Elite Tier

NHL.com’s new top 100 forward rankings for 2026-27 confirm what most fantasy managers expect at the top, but there are a few wrinkles that should change how you build your roster. With Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon headlining, and names like Nikita Kucherov, Macklin Celebrini, and Brady Tkachuk shaping the rest of the elite group, the top of your forward core will define your season. Let’s unpack what’s new in these rankings and how to translate them into winning fantasy decisions.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The rankings reaffirm McDavid as the clear-cut number one forward. His combination of goals, assists, and power-play dominance still gives him the strongest multi-category profile in fantasy. Any format that counts points, power-play production, or overall volume still runs through Edmonton’s top-line center and PP1 quarterback.

Right behind him, MacKinnon is locked in as the primary challenger. Centering Colorado’s top line and first power-play unit, he benefits from a stacked supporting cast and a system built around high-tempo offense. The rankings essentially place him in his own mini-tier: not quite McDavid, but a foundational piece you can confidently build around.

Kucherov remains one of the safest elite wingers. His role on Tampa Bay’s top line and PP1, plus his track record of racking up power-play points, keeps him firmly in the top cluster of forwards. Managers in points-heavy formats should view him as a cornerstone scorer whose floor is as valuable as his ceiling.

The most interesting wrinkle is the inclusion of Celebrini as a notable name inside the top 100. Slotted as a top-six forward with PP1 exposure in San Jose, he’s being treated as a high-upside rookie who could quickly become the focal point of the Sharks’ offense. That kind of opportunity is rare for a first-year player and makes him a priority for upside hunters, especially in deeper or dynasty formats.

Finally, Brady Tkachuk’s ranking underscores just how much weight modern lists put on peripherals. As a top-line winger and PP1 fixture in Florida, he’s not only expected to score but also to continue piling up hits and PIMs. In category leagues, that blend pushes him closer to the true elites than his raw point totals alone might suggest.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In pure scoring formats, McDavid is still in a tier of his own. His role as Edmonton’s offensive engine means you’re getting elite production in both goals and assists, with heavy involvement on every power play. If you’re near the top of your selection order, you simply take him and worry about positional balance later.

MacKinnon is the ideal consolation prize. Colorado’s top-line center thrives in a high-octane environment, and his PP1 role ensures he touches the puck on most of the team’s best chances. In points-only, he’s the kind of anchor who lets you be more aggressive with riskier picks later, because his weekly output is so stable.

Kucherov is the premier wing option for pure offense. Tampa Bay continues to run its attack through him on the man advantage, and his vision and shot volume keep him among the league leaders in scoring. If your format rewards power-play points heavily, his value can rival or even surpass some centers behind McDavid and MacKinnon.

Celebrini is where format and risk tolerance matter. In points-only redraft, he’s more of a mid-to-late forward target: the role suggests big upside, but rookie volatility is real. In deeper leagues, his PP1 opportunity in San Jose makes him worth prioritizing over safer but lower-ceiling veterans. Be prepared for streaks, but the upside is that he can outperform many established names if he hits quickly.

Tkachuk is slightly less valuable in pure points than in multi-cat, but he still profiles as a strong top-100 forward thanks to his top-line and PP1 role. Florida’s offense should give him plenty of chances to contribute, and even if his raw totals lag slightly behind the very top scorers, his consistency and usage keep him firmly in the must-roster group.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-category formats, the gap between McDavid and everyone else shrinks slightly only because other players can close the distance with peripherals. That said, he still brings enough shots, power-play points, and overall volume that he remains the premier asset. You’re not just winning points with him; you’re competitive in several categories every week.

MacKinnon is similarly dominant across categories, with elite shot volume and strong power-play production. Managers in leagues that count shots on goal will particularly appreciate his profile, as he can single-handedly swing that category while still providing elite scoring.

Kucherov’s value spikes in leagues that emphasize power-play points and assists. He may not bring the same physical edge as some other forwards, but his ability to rack up PPP and maintain high shot totals makes him a category anchor. Pairing him with a more physical winger later can help balance your build.

Tkachuk is the poster child for category-league value. His combination of scoring, hits, and PIMs makes him a true multi-cat monster. The rankings reflect that he’s more valuable in these formats than in points-only, and managers should treat him as a priority when building a roster that aims to dominate the physical categories without punting offense.

Celebrini is more speculative in bangers formats. His main appeal is scoring and power-play opportunity; hits and PIMs are secondary. That doesn’t make him a bad target, but it does mean you should pair him with more physical forwards if your league heavily rewards peripherals. Think of him as a swing for offensive upside rather than a category-filler.

Dynasty / Keeper

In long-term formats, the rankings confirm that McDavid and MacKinnon remain foundational pieces with several elite seasons still in front of them. If you already have one of them, you’re not looking to move them unless the return is overwhelming, and even then you should lean on tools like the NHL Trade Analyzer to make sure you’re not selling short.

Kucherov’s dynasty value is slightly more nuanced. He’s still an elite scorer with a prime role in Tampa Bay, but managers should balance his current dominance with long-term planning. In win-now windows, he’s exactly the kind of player you consolidate assets for; in rebuilds, he’s a candidate to move for younger pieces plus picks.

Celebrini is the big dynasty prize from this group. A rookie already projected into San Jose’s top six and PP1 is the kind of asset that can accelerate a rebuild. Even if his immediate production is uneven, the long-term path is clear: top-line usage, heavy offensive responsibility, and the chance to grow with the team’s core. Stash him aggressively and be patient.

Tkachuk is a dynasty cornerstone in category leagues. His physical style and all-situations usage in Florida give him a long runway of elite multi-cat production. Managers building around hits, PIMs, and scoring should view him as a centerpiece, not a complementary piece.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Connor McDavid – Add in all formats: The premier fantasy forward, driving Edmonton’s top line and PP1 with elite production across goals and assists.
Nathan MacKinnon – Add in all formats: An elite center in Colorado’s high-powered offense, offering massive scoring and shot volume.
Nikita Kucherov – Add in all formats: Top-tier winger whose role on Tampa Bay’s first unit makes him a power-play and assist machine.
Macklin Celebrini – Watchlist / upside add: Rookie with top-six and PP1 opportunity in San Jose, offering significant breakout potential.
Brady Tkachuk – Add in category leagues: Top-line winger in Florida who combines strong scoring with elite hits and PIMs.

Fantasy Takeaways

McDavid remains the unquestioned top forward, and you should prioritize securing him whenever possible given his dominance in goals, assists, and power-play production.
MacKinnon is a true franchise anchor, especially in formats that reward shots and overall volume, making him a near-equal consolation to McDavid.
Kucherov’s combination of elite scoring and power-play usage cements him as one of the safest high-end wingers in any scoring system.
Celebrini should be aggressively targeted in dynasty and deeper leagues, where his rookie volatility is outweighed by his long-term upside in San Jose.
Tkachuk’s mix of scoring, hits, and PIMs makes him a premium asset in category formats, often outperforming more purely offensive forwards in overall value.

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