Updated Fantasy Rankings: Hellebuyck’s Slide, Bedard’s Risk, Celebrini’s Rise

Midseason rankings built on projected fantasy points from Jan. 9 forward are reshaping how managers should value elite names. A slump from the Winnipeg Jets has dragged down Connor Hellebuyck, while Connor Bedard’s day-to-day status adds volatility at the top. At the same time, Macklin Celebrini is charging up the board and Nathan MacKinnon remains a rock. Here’s how to react in every format.

What’s New & Why It Matters

The updated rankings are driven by expected fantasy points for the rest of the season, not name value. That’s why Hellebuyck is sliding: the Jets’ recent struggles are hurting his projected wins and ratios, even though his track record remains elite. This disconnect between projection and perception creates a classic buy-low window in trades.

Bedard’s situation is different. He’s still graded as a top-end forward, but his day-to-day tag introduces uncertainty in total games played and short-term production. In points-heavy formats, missing even a handful of games can be the difference between tiers at the very top, so his risk profile rises even if his per-game ceiling doesn’t change.

On the positive side, Celebrini’s projection signals that his role with the San Jose Sharks is translating into real fantasy value. A high ranking for a young forward on a rebuilding team suggests strong usage, prime scoring opportunities, and a green light to be aggressive in adding him wherever he’s still available.

On defense, Moritz Seider grades out as one of the better options thanks to his all-situations deployment with the Detroit Red Wings. His ranking is less about raw points and more about how many different category boxes he can tick from the blue line.

Fantasy Implications

Points-Only

In pure scoring leagues, the top of the board is a tight race between Connor McDavid, Bedard, Celebrini and MacKinnon. McDavid remains the safest bet for league-winning production given his established dominance and the offensive environment with the Edmonton Oilers. MacKinnon is right there with him, and the rankings reinforce that you should treat him as an untouchable core piece rather than someone to move just because others are surging.

Bedard’s day-to-day status complicates things. In points-only formats, you care most about total points from this date forward. If he misses time, his seasonal total may lag behind similarly ranked stars even if his per-game numbers stay elite. That makes him a hold if your team can absorb short-term risk, but potentially a sell-high if another manager values him as fully healthy and you need stability.

Celebrini’s rise is especially important for points-only managers in competitive leagues. A high rest-of-season projection for a top-six forward on San Jose implies strong power-play usage and top offensive deployment. If he’s on the wire, he’s the type of midseason add who can push you up the standings, and in trades he should be valued closer to established top-six producers than a typical rookie or breakout candidate.

On defense, Seider’s ranking suggests he can hang with many bigger-name blueliners in total fantasy points. Even if his raw goal and assist totals don’t match the very top offensive defensemen, his heavy minutes and opportunity across situations keep his floor high in points-only formats.

Categories / Bangers

In multi-category leagues, the story shifts. Hellebuyck’s slide in the rankings is largely tied to team context, not a collapse in his individual talent. For categories like wins, goals-against average and save percentage, that matters—but it also means there’s room for rebound if the Jets stabilize. This is exactly the kind of profile you want to target through the NHL Trade Analyzer to see what a fair buy-low offer looks like.

Seider is a major winner in bangers formats. As a top-pair defenseman for Detroit, he can contribute across hits, blocks, and special-teams categories while still chipping in enough points to avoid being a drag. His strong ranking among defensemen is a reminder that a multi-cat workhorse on the blue line can be as valuable as a mid-tier scoring forward.

Bedard’s category profile remains elite in shots and power-play potential, but his short-term injury risk makes roster construction more delicate. If you’re already thin in games played or dealing with other injuries, relying on him as your primary source of scoring volume is risky. If you’re deep and can stash him, the upside remains worth it.

Celebrini’s rise is more format-dependent in categories. On a weaker Sharks team, he may not bring strong plus-minus, but his ranking implies enough scoring and shot volume to offset that in most builds. Managers who punt plus-minus or are comfortable absorbing a small hit there should be especially aggressive.

Dynasty / Keeper

For long-term formats, these rankings are a goldmine. Celebrini’s high placement confirms what many already suspected: he’s a cornerstone piece. If he’s somehow still available, he should be your top add priority, and in trades you should be willing to pay a premium consistent with a future franchise forward.

Bedard’s day-to-day tag barely moves the needle in dynasty. Short-term absences matter far less than multi-year upside, and nothing in these rankings suggests his long-term outlook has changed. If anything, a manager spooked by his current status might open a rare buy window in deep keeper leagues.

Seider’s strong ranking among defensemen reinforces him as a foundational dynasty blueliner. Heavy minutes, all-situations usage, and multi-cat production tend to age well, making him a priority hold and a worthwhile trade target if your blue line is thin.

Hellebuyck is a trickier dynasty case because goaltenders are more volatile and team context can swing quickly. The current slide in his ranking is a reminder not to overpay for goalies long-term, but also not to sell low on a proven starter just because of a rough stretch.

Who to Add / Stream / Watch

Connor Hellebuyck – Trade target (standard/categories): Buy low on a proven starter whose ranking has dipped mainly due to team struggles, not talent.
Connor Bedard – Watchlist / hold (points-only and all formats): Monitor his day-to-day status closely; hold if you can weather short-term risk.
Macklin Celebrini – Add (all leagues, priority in dynasty): His elevated ranking signals top-six usage and strong rest-of-season scoring upside.
Nathan MacKinnon – Hold (all formats): Still firmly in the elite tier; there’s no reason to move him unless you’re getting multiple top assets back.
Moritz Seider – Short-term stream / hold (categories): A high-ranking, all-situations defenseman who piles up peripheral stats while contributing enough offense.

Fantasy Takeaways

Hellebuyck’s ranking dip is driven by team performance, making him a prime buy-low candidate in categories leagues.
Bedard’s day-to-day status raises short-term risk at the top, so track his health and adjust your tolerance for volatility accordingly.
Celebrini’s surge up the rankings confirms him as a must-add in all formats and a cornerstone in dynasty.
MacKinnon remains a set-and-forget superstar; treat him as a core piece, not a trade chip, unless you’re clearly upgrading overall.
Seider’s strong defensive ranking underlines the value of multi-category blueliners who can anchor hits, blocks, and special-teams production.

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