Top 200 Fantasy Hockey Rankings for 2025-26: How to Play the Board

NHL.com’s new top-200 list for 2025-26 gives us a clear roadmap for how the fantasy landscape is shifting at the very top. Instead of memorizing every slot, your edge comes from understanding how to use these rankings in different formats. Let’s break down what the list is really saying about superstars like Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, top prospect Macklin Celebrini, and injury wild cards like Leon Draisaitl and Kirill Kaprizov.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The most obvious headline is MacKinnon sitting at the very top of the rankings. That’s a strong signal that his combination of elite scoring, heavy usage, and top power-play role in Colorado nudges him ahead of even McDavid in standard formats. McDavid remains right behind him, reinforcing that the true debate is 1A vs. 1B rather than a big gap.

Another major shift is how aggressively the list pushes Celebrini. Being slotted among the absolute elite as a rookie forward for San Jose tells you the expectation is immediate top-line, heavy-minute deployment with power-play work, even if it’s initially on PP2. That’s a rare level of confidence for a first-year player.

On the blue line, Cale Makar is clearly treated as the premier defenseman. His spot inside the top 10 overall reflects the scarcity of true PP1 workhorses on defense who can keep pace with top forwards in points-only while also helping in multi-cat formats.

In goal, Andrei Vasilevskiy is ranked as the top netminder, signaling that managers looking for stability in categories leagues can still build around him as an anchor. The rankings are effectively telling you that, despite any recent bumps, his workload and track record remain elite.

The downside news centers on injuries. Draisaitl is flagged as out for the regular season, which crushes his value in redraft leagues. Kaprizov carries more uncertainty: he’s still a high-end talent, but his ranking is shaded by health concerns, making him more of a risk/reward play than a set-and-forget superstar.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only formats, the top of the board is all about maximizing pure scoring and power-play exposure. MacKinnon’s placement at No. 1 overall underscores that he’s viewed as the safest bet for massive point totals given his role as Colorado’s top-line center and PP1 driver. McDavid, still ranked second, remains an automatic foundational piece for any roster; the rankings simply suggest the gap between them is razor thin rather than obvious.

Celebrini’s lofty ranking in the top tier of forwards is the biggest swing point for points-only managers. The list is effectively projecting him to step into a starring role for San Jose right away. That means you should treat him less like a typical rookie and more like an established top-line scorer, especially if you’re willing to embrace some early-season volatility.

Makar’s placement inside the top 10 overall is a reminder that elite PP1 defensemen can rival forwards in raw scoring. In points-only, you can justify taking him ahead of many high-end wingers because his edge over replacement-level defensemen is so large.

Draisaitl’s season-long injury removes him from consideration in standard points-only redraft leagues; you simply can’t afford to burn a premium spot on a player who won’t contribute. Kaprizov, on the other hand, still holds significant upside. His ranking suggests a discount relative to his healthy ceiling, so in formats where you can absorb some risk, he becomes a potential value if he slides.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-category leagues, the rankings emphasize players who combine scoring with volume and opportunity. MacKinnon and McDavid both check every box: elite point production, heavy shot totals, and top power-play roles. Their high rankings confirm that they remain the gold standard in leagues counting goals, assists, shots, and power-play points.

Makar’s status as the top defenseman is even more valuable in categories. He contributes across the board from the back end, and his PP1 deployment on Colorado’s loaded unit amplifies his power-play production. In leagues with positional requirements and limited high-end defensemen, his ranking tells you he’s worth prioritizing aggressively.

Vasilevskiy’s position as the top goalie is especially important in categories formats where wins, save percentage, and goals-against average are in play. The rankings indicate that he’s still the preferred workhorse if you want to lock down your crease with one elite option rather than piecing together a tandem.

Kaprizov’s injury risk is more complicated in categories. When healthy, he’s a multi-category force with goals, shots, and power-play production. The rankings’ cautious stance suggests you should balance his upside against your league’s IR rules and waiver depth. If your format allows easy stashing, he’s still worth the gamble; if not, you may need to pivot to safer options in his range.

Dynasty / Keeper

Dynasty managers should read these rankings differently. Celebrini’s placement near the very top of the board is a flashing neon sign that he’s viewed as a franchise cornerstone. As a rookie forward with PP2 usage projected and likely growth into heavier roles, he’s exactly the kind of long-term asset you build around in keeper formats.

MacKinnon and McDavid remain elite dynasty anchors, and their positions at the top of the rankings simply reaffirm that nothing has changed about their long-term outlook. Both still project as multi-year, top-of-the-league producers.

Makar’s status as the premier defenseman is particularly important in dynasty. True PP1 workhorses who can live in the top 10 overall are incredibly rare; his ranking suggests he should be valued on par with top forwards in long-term planning.

Draisaitl’s season-long injury is a major hit in redraft, but in dynasty and deeper keeper leagues, it’s more of a temporary setback. His underlying talent and role in Edmonton remain unchanged, so the rankings’ negative redraft signal shouldn’t push you into selling low. Kaprizov’s injury-tinged ranking similarly suggests patience: in long-term formats, you’re betting on his skill outlasting short-term health concerns.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Nathan MacKinnon – Add / Build Around (all formats): Ranked first overall, he’s the premier cornerstone thanks to elite scoring and locked-in PP1 usage in Colorado.
Connor McDavid – Add / Build Around (all formats): Still an automatic top-tier superstar and offensive engine for Edmonton, with unmatched ceiling in any scoring setup.
Macklin Celebrini – Add in standard, Priority in dynasty: A rookie forward already ranked among the elite, signaling immediate top-line opportunity and long-term star potential in San Jose.
Cale Makar – Add as top defense anchor: The clear No. 1 defenseman, offering rare PP1 production and overall impact that rivals top forwards.
Andrei Vasilevskiy – Add as goalie anchor: Ranked as the top goalie, he provides the workhorse stability and category coverage you want when investing heavily in net.
Kirill Kaprizov – Watchlist / Value target: Injury concerns push him down, but his upside remains massive if his health trends positively before the season.
Leon Draisaitl – IR stash only (deep dynasty): Out for the regular season in standard leagues, but still worth holding in deeper keeper formats where you can wait out the lost year.

Fantasy Takeaways

MacKinnon’s spot at the very top confirms him as a justifiable first overall pick in standard formats, even over other generational stars.
Draisaitl’s season-long injury removes him from redraft consideration; only stash him where long-term roster spots exist.
Vasilevskiy’s status as the top goalie makes him the preferred workhorse if you want to secure elite goaltending rather than streaming.
Celebrini’s aggressive ranking signals immediate impact and huge upside, making him a priority in dynasty and a high-upside swing in standard leagues.
Kaprizov remains a high-end talent, but his injury risk means you should closely monitor news and be ready to adjust your valuation.

For more on how to weigh power-play roles when comparing similarly ranked players, check out our guide on how to value PP1 time. And if you’re weighing a big-name trade built around these stars, our NHL Trade Analyzer can help you evaluate the offer in your specific league context.

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