Top 200 Fantasy Hockey Rankings: How to Use the Board in 2025-26

The new top 200 fantasy hockey rankings for 2025-26 are out, and the names at the top are familiar — but how you react to them is where you gain an edge. Rather than treating the list as a script, use it as a value map: who to chase aggressively, where to be cautious on injuries, and which emerging talents to stash before your league mates catch on.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The headline is that Nathan MacKinnon sits at the top of the overall board. That confirms what most managers already feel: he’s in the absolute elite tier for pure scoring, with a locked-in top-line, top power-play role in Colorado. In any format that rewards raw points, he’s a cornerstone piece and a player you should be willing to overpay for in trades.

Right behind the big names, the rankings highlight a few important shifts. Macklin Celebrini is already slotted aggressively, reflecting confidence in his ability to step into a top-six role for San Jose with significant upside. That kind of early respect in a top 200 list usually signals a shorter runway to fantasy relevance than most rookies get.

On the blue line, Cale Makar is treated as the clear top defenseman option, reinforcing that elite defense with heavy power-play usage is still a massive differentiator. In net, Connor Hellebuyck is positioned as one of the safest high-volume starters, a reminder that true workhorse goalies remain scarce and valuable in goalie-heavy formats.

The rankings also bake in injury risk. Brayden Point and Bo Horvat are both flagged as injured top-six forwards, and their positions on the list reflect that uncertainty. Managers need to decide whether to lean into that discount or avoid the headache entirely, depending on roster depth and risk tolerance.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In points-only formats, the top of the list is all about ceiling and deployment. MacKinnon’s spot as the top-ranked player underscores that you should treat him as a true franchise asset. If you’re trying to consolidate talent, he’s an ideal target to build around — especially if you can package multiple lesser names and use the NHL Trade Analyzer to make sure you’re not overpaying.

Makar’s status as the premier defenseman means blue line scarcity is real. In points-only, that justifies paying a premium for his combination of heavy minutes and top power-play exposure. You can afford to be more patient with Celebrini in these leagues; even if his early production is streaky, his long-term scoring upside is exactly what points-only managers should chase.

Injuries to Brayden Point and Horvat complicate their profiles. In pure scoring leagues with limited IR spots, missing games hurts more than peripheral categories. That makes Point closer to a luxury than a necessity; if you already have strong scoring depth, you don’t need to force a move for him. Horvat, on the other hand, profiles as a mid-tier scorer whose ranking is depressed by health concerns — a classic buy-low if your league mates are spooked.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-cat formats, the rankings remind us to weigh volume and category coverage, not just points. MacKinnon’s elite shot volume and offensive role keep him near the very top in these leagues as well, but the gap between him and other high-volume forwards can narrow if your format heavily rewards hits, blocks, or PIMs.

Hellebuyck’s strong placement is particularly important in goalie-weighted categories leagues. A true starting goalie who consistently logs heavy workloads can swing wins, save percentage, and shutouts in your favor. Even if the recommendation is to stream him in certain matchups, his ranking suggests he’s closer to an every-week anchor than a fringe option when your league counts multiple goalie stats.

Point’s injury risk is a bigger red flag in categories because he doesn’t bring a ton of peripheral volume to offset missed time. If he’s not filling your hits or shots buckets, you’re relying almost entirely on his scoring — which becomes a problem if he’s in and out of the lineup. Horvat, meanwhile, can chip in across several categories when healthy, making him a more appealing hold-or-buy in deeper multi-cat formats where center depth and faceoff wins (if counted) matter.

Dynasty / Keeper

In dynasty and keeper setups, the rankings are a roadmap for both immediate and future value. MacKinnon and Makar are obvious long-term anchors; their combination of age, role, and elite production means you build around them, not away from them.

Celebrini is the most interesting name here. His aggressive placement in the top 200 signals that he’s not just a long-term project — he’s expected to contribute meaningfully sooner rather than later. In dynasty, that justifies a stash even if your roster is already competitive. You’re paying for a potential future star at a discount before he fully breaks out.

Injured veterans like Point and Horvat are trickier. In long-term formats, you can afford to be more patient with Point if you believe his underlying talent and role in Tampa Bay will remain strong for several years. Horvat’s ranking suggests he’s more of a value play: not a franchise cornerstone, but a useful multi-year piece whose current injury status might make him cheaper to acquire than his true talent level warrants.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Nathan MacKinnon – Add / Trade target (all formats): Ranked at the very top, he’s worth aggressive trade offers as a true lineup-carrying superstar.
Macklin Celebrini – Watchlist / Stash (standard, must-add in dynasty): His high placement for a young forward signals big upside and a shorter path to top-six and power-play relevance.
Connor Hellebuyck – Add / Start (goalie-heavy, categories): A top-ranked starting goalie with strong win potential, ideal as a high-volume anchor rather than just a streamer.
Bo Horvat – Buy-low (categories, deeper points-only): Injury concerns are suppressing his perceived value, making now a good time to acquire a top-six center at a discount.
Brayden Point – Cautious add (shallow leagues) / Value swing (deep): His injury risk makes him a gamble, but in deeper formats he can still be a difference-maker if the price reflects the uncertainty.

Fantasy Takeaways

Nathan MacKinnon’s spot at the top of the rankings confirms he’s a premium trade target in any league that rewards scoring.
Macklin Celebrini’s aggressive placement signals real near-term upside, making him a priority stash in dynasty and a watchlist name in standard leagues.
Brayden Point’s injury risk justifies a more cautious approach, especially in categories formats where he doesn’t dominate peripherals.
Connor Hellebuyck’s ranking underscores the value of a true workhorse goalie, particularly in leagues that count multiple goalie stats.
Bo Horvat’s depressed ranking due to injury creates a window to buy low before he returns to a full top-six role.

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