Top Fantasy Hockey Players to Watch This Week
As the fantasy hockey season heats up, finding an edge can make all the difference. Drawing on NHL EDGE analytics, we spotlight several unexpected contributors—players whose recent deployment and production trends stand out, offering the savvy manager a chance to strike while others are sleeping. Here’s what you need to know about these fantasy risers and precisely how to act in each format.
What’s New & Why It Matters
This week, the focus turns toward forwards seeing new roles or surges in production—especially critical as injuries, cold streaks, and midseason trades shuffle lineups. Jake Neighbours is now entrenched on the top line for the St. Louis Blues, making the most of extra ice time and first-unit opportunities. Meanwhile, Shane Pinto of the Ottawa Senators is leading his team in goals and lighting up underlying metrics with heavy shot volume. Evgeni Malkin has found his groove for the Pittsburgh Penguins, boasting a lengthy point streak. Rounding out the notable risers, Pavel Zacha is taking advantage of top power-play deployment for the Boston Bruins and exploiting soft upcoming matchups.
Managers need to reassess their rosters, especially in deeper leagues, where the difference between scraping by and running up the standings can mean targeting those benefiting from new deployment or sustainable underlying metrics.
Fantasy Implications
Points-Only
Jake Neighbours is the kind of midseason breakout who often decides close leagues—his top-line usage and recent spike in shooting percentage mark him as a must-roster in all points formats. The risk for chillier weeks exists, but his deployment insulates that downside. Shane Pinto delivers not only on raw goals, but his penchant for getting pucks on net helps mitigate scoring slumps. Malkin’s return to form stabilizes his fantasy profile—managers rostering him can ride the streak with confidence. Pavel Zacha, while less flashy, has cemented PP1 minutes; his ability to pick up assists and the odd goal on the man advantage makes him a solid streaming option against weaker competition.
Categories / Bangers
Neighbours stands out for goal-heavy stat lines, but temper expectations in non-hits, non-blocks setups—he won’t offer much physicality. Pinto, on the other hand, brings strong shot volume and occasional peripheral stats; in multi-cat leagues, his value spikes as he can pad shots and, at times, faceoff wins if your format counts them. Malkin is a classic multi-category contributor: reliable for both power-play production and some supporting stats like shots and PIMs. Zacha is most valuable in leagues counting power-play points and could push value into deeper categories (like faceoff wins or SHP) if his ice time trends upward.
Dynasty / Keeper
If you’re looking through a dynasty lens, Neighbours and Pinto are compelling targets. Both are on the right side of 25, locked into prominent roles, and should see their ice time and opportunities remain strong for at least the next couple of seasons. For contenders, Malkin offers immediate dividends, though age and durability are risks long-term. Zacha’s fantasy peak may be now—consider flipping him if you’re not in the running, but don’t hesitate to ride the wave if you need a depth upgrade.
Who to Add / Stream / Watch
- Jake Neighbours – Thriving on the Blues’ top line, Neighbours brings goal-scoring pop for all league types.
- Shane Pinto – Ottawa’s leading goal-getter with high shot rates; excellent for points and categories alike.
- Evgeni Malkin – Veteran on a heater with top deployment; ride his point streak and all-around production.
- Pavel Zacha – Making hay on Boston’s first power play; great streamer with favorable schedule.
- Mason McTavish – Pick up if available; increased TOI and a shot at PP1 boosts his appeal.
- Anton Lundell – Gaining traction in Florida’s top six, could be next week’s hot add if ice time holds.
- Brandon Hagel – Just outside the headlines but logging top-line and PP1 minutes in Tampa Bay with upside against weaker teams.
Fantasy Takeaways
- Deployment is king: prioritizing recent risers like Neighbours and Pinto pays both in the short- and longer-term.
- Veterans on streaks (Malkin) offer predictable returns; don’t overthink recent production if the role stays stable.
- Look beyond traditional stars—streaming power-play specialists like Zacha or breakout candidates (McTavish, Lundell) can swing categories or provide clutch point boosts.
- Monitor usage rates closely: if ice time dips or a player slides down the lineup, be prepared to move quickly.
Source: NHL.com (2025-10-27). See the original for full details.