NHL Power Rankings: One player from each team to add or drop in fantasy
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Sean Allen
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Victoria Matiash
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Victoria Matiash
Fantasy Hockey
- ESPN.com Fantasy Contributor since 2010
- Part-time anchor at NEWSTALK1010
The 2023-24 NHL season turned 1 month old on Thursday (aww…), and it’s been a hot time for reflection upon the trends that may or may not stick for the duration. We’re also coming up on the all-important benchmark of American Thanksgiving; teams in playoff position at that time make the playoffs around 80% of the time.
With all of that in mind, here are our updated 1-32 Power Rankings for this week. As a special gift, we’ve asked ESPN fantasy hockey analysts Sean Allen and Victoria Matiash to suggest a player (or players) from each team to add/drop from your fantasy roster; Sean handled the Eastern teams, while Victoria tackled the West.
And just a reminder: It’s not too late to sign up for ESPN Fantasy Hockey! Create your team and play for free today.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors each send in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday, which generates our master list here.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the preseason edition, published Nov. 3. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 82.14%
Next seven days: vs. SJ (Nov. 10), @ WSH (Nov. 14), @ MTL (Nov. 16)
Remember when William Karlsson (available in 34% of leagues) erupted for 43 goals and 78 points in his first season with the Knights? Well, he’s revisiting that pace six years later. Unlike Vegas’ other heavy fantasy hitters, he might be available in your league. If so, snag him.
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 88.46%
Next seven days: @ MTL (Nov. 11), @ BUF (Nov. 14)
Despite their standing, the fantasy pickings are slim on the Bruins. That said, Pavel Zacha (available in 76% of leagues) has a connection with David Pastrnak that should make him a serviceable pickup. Zacha is cresting 20 minutes per game of average ice time lately.
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 80.77%
Next seven days: vs. CBJ (Nov. 12)
Erik Gustafsson (available in 79% of leagues) will be a fantasy powerhouse until Adam Fox, placed on long-term injured reserve, returns to the Rangers lineup. In the two games since Fox was hurt, Gustafsson picked up four points.
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 80.77%
Next seven days: @ TOR (Nov. 11), @ MTL (Nov. 12), vs. NYI (Nov. 15), @ CGY (Nov. 16)
Defenseman Filip Hronek (available in 32% of leagues) is criminally underappreciated across the fantasy spectrum. Maybe because position-leading point scorer Quinn Hughes is making so much positive noise. Whatever the reason, Hronek is riding a seven-game point streak, so add him if you’re able.
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 66.67%
Next seven days: vs. STL (Nov. 11), @ SEA (Nov. 13), vs. ANA (Nov. 15)
Devon Toews (rostered in 72% of leagues) has served as a fantasy dud, outside of ATOI, since the first week of the season. Bench him, at minimum, until there are tangible signs of a turnaround.
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 73.08%
Next seven days: vs. PHI (Nov. 11), vs. FLA (Nov. 16)
Why is Phillip Danault much more popular in fantasy play than Trevor Moore? It makes little sense. Pick up Moore (available in 70% of leagues) before your league mates catch on to the top-six winger’s point-per-game production.
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 70.83%
Next seven days: @ WPG (Nov. 11), @ MIN (Nov. 12), vs. ARI (Nov. 14)
Center Wyatt Johnston (available in 89% of leagues) serves as a sneaky addition in deeper leagues. With his dreary start to November serving as an exception, the sophomore has been mostly reliable.
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 61.54%
Next seven days: @ FLA (Nov. 10), @ TB (Nov. 11), vs. PHI (Nov. 15)
“Indefinitely” could mean months on the shelf for goaltender Frederik Andersen, out with issues related to blood clots. That’s a wide-open door for Antti Raanta (available in 90% of leagues) or Pyotr Kochetkov (available in 72% of leagues) to take the job and run with it on your fantasy roster.
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 62.50%
Next seven days: vs. WSH (Nov. 10), @ WPG (Nov. 14), @ PIT (Nov. 16)
A handful of leagues are still sleeping on Luke Hughes (available in 14% of leagues). Make no mistake: Hughes, not Dougie Hamilton, is the quarterback of what will be a dangerous power play once his brother Jack is healthy.
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 57.14%
Next seven days: vs. CAR (Nov. 11), @ STL (Nov. 14), @ CHI (Nov. 16)
Check your waiver wire to see Andrei Vasilevskiy is available, as he is in 8% of ESPN leagues. On track to return before the end of November, he’s always a top fantasy goaltender, even if he gets limited usage at the start.
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 57.14%
Next seven days: vs. CBJ (Nov. 11), vs. OTT (Nov. 16)
Lucas Raymond (available in 74% of leagues) is set up to be an everyday fantasy winger thanks to his role alongside Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Larkin. He recently started joining them on the power play, too, so pick him up now before the points start accumulating.
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 53.85%
Next seven days: vs. CGY (Nov. 10), vs. VAN (Nov. 11)
Joseph Woll (available in 49% of leagues) continues to write a hero’s-journey tale for his rookie season, outperforming and outshining Ilya Samsonov in the crease at every turn. Pick him up now before the rostering snowball finds him on someone else’s team.
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 62.50%
Next seven days: vs. CAR (Nov. 10), vs. CHI (Nov. 12), @ SJ (Nov. 14), @ LA (Nov. 16)
Double-check your league’s free agent list for defenseman Brandon Montour (available in 12% of leagues), as he is expected to start travelling with the team and return later this month. The power play will be all his to quarterback after his breakout last season.
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 61.54%
Next seven days: vs. DAL (Nov. 11), vs. NJ (Nov. 14)
You can dump Nikolaj Ehlers (rostered in 32% of leagues) in shallower fantasy competition. The Jets are winning a bit without him playing significant minutes, or contributing much to the scoresheet. Later on, give the forward a fresh look when he gets back in scoring rhythm.
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 58.33%
Next seven days: vs. PHI (Nov. 10), vs. SJ (Nov. 12), @ NSH (Nov. 14), @ COL (Nov. 15)
Impressive production from the Ducks’ second scoring line, centered by sophomore Mason McTavish, is one big reason the club is enjoying so much success. A burgeoning star, McTavish (available in 32% of leagues) should be rostered in all but the shallowest of leagues.
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 54.17%
Next seven days: vs. WSH (Nov. 11), @ EDM (Nov. 13), @ VAN (Nov. 15), @ SEA (Nov. 16)
Goals and assists aren’t the only way to earn fantasy points. When not banged up from blocking shots, Scott Mayfield (available in 89% of leagues) uses those blocks to earn more fantasy points per game than all but four defensemen in the NHL.
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 50.00%
Next seven days: @ NSH (Nov. 11), @ DAL (Nov. 14), @ CBJ (Nov. 16)
Following a slow start, top-six forward Mattias Maccelli (available in 54% of leagues) is proving to be a worthy addition to teams in deeper leagues — and perhaps even in shallower leagues, if he continues to produce at his current pace.
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 50.00%
Next seven days: vs. MIN (Nov. 10), @ PIT (Nov. 11), vs. BOS (Nov. 14)
He won’t hit the next level with Rasmus Dahlin around, but Owen Power (available in 58% of leagues) is doing enough to deserve a spot on most rosters — and would ascend to elite territory if Dahlin misses any time.
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 46.15%
Next seven days: @ BUF (Nov. 10), vs. DAL (Nov. 12)
Defenseman Jared Spurgeon (available in 45% of leagues) is due back any moment now, and goodness knows the Wild could use him. Perhaps your fantasy squad might as well? The Wild captain put up 34 points and blocked 179 shots last season.
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 50.00%
Next seven days: vs. BUF (Nov. 11), @ CBJ (Nov. 14), vs. NJ (Nov. 16)
Reilly Smith (available in 77% of leagues) has pushed past Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell as the choice for fourth forward on the power play. If you add him to your team, you can enjoy games like Saturday’s four-point outburst in the future.
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 54.55%
Next seven days: @ NJ (Nov. 10), @ NYI (Nov. 11), vs. VGK (Nov. 14)
A goal-scoring burst quickly pushed Dylan Strome (available in 83% of leagues) up the depth chart to the top line. Strome is worth a pickup because he’s almost always on the ice whenever Alex Ovechkin is, which is the key to acquiring fantasy points on the Capitals.
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 53.85%
Next seven days: vs. BOS (Nov. 11), vs. VAN (Nov. 12), vs. CGY (Nov. 14), vs. VGK (Nov. 16)
Sean Monahan (available in 69% of leagues) is turning back the clock, thanks in no small part to his locked-in role on the top power-play unit with the youngsters. The pace will surely dip, but it can afford to after his hot start (2.1 fantasy points per game).
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 54.17%
Next seven days: @ COL (Nov. 11), vs. TB (Nov. 14), @ SJ (Nov. 16)
It might be time to drop Jordan Kyrou (rostered in 88% of leagues) in shallow leagues. He can’t score against quality teams, or even against some less quality teams. Browse your waiver wire. Guaranteed there’s a less popular fantasy forward available who’s kicking in greater returns.
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 38.46%
Next seven days: vs. ARI (Nov. 11), vs. ANA (Nov. 14)
Does your league reward blocked shots? Alexandre Carrier (available in 69% of leagues) blocks a lot of them. More than anyone else in the NHL not named Jacob Trouba. The Predators blueliner also pitches in the odd assist as a bonus.
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 42.31%
Next seven days: @ ANA (Nov. 10), @ LA (Nov. 11), @ CAR (Nov. 15)
Peppering shots, time on the top line and opportunities on the power play show that Cam Atkinson (available in 76% of leagues) is all the way back after missing last season. The depth chart is fluid for the Flyers, but Atkinson is a staple so far, and should be added.
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 41.67%
Next seven days: vs. CGY (Nov. 11), vs. DET (Nov. 16)
Note that Jake Sanderson‘s (available in 18% of leagues) outburst of offense started even before Thomas Chabot was injured. Sanderson should be picked up in all leagues as the power-play quarterback for the Sens’ offense.
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 42.31%
Next seven days: @ DET (Nov. 11), @ NYR (Nov. 12), vs. PIT (Nov. 14), vs. ARI (Nov. 16)
In a shallower fantasy league? I could get behind dropping Johnny Gaudreau even though it’s early. Returns have been poor and even last season’s totals were near-replacement level in a 10-team league. Sit tight in deeper leagues, as the offense will change when Patrik Laine returns.
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 46.43%
Next seven days: vs. EDM (Nov. 11), vs. COL (Nov. 13), @ EDM (Nov. 15), vs. NYI (Nov. 16)
Making the most of his limited minutes, defenseman Justin Schultz (available in 98% of leagues) is currently on a tear with a four-game point streak. Anchoring Seattle’s top power play certainly helps. Sub him onto your fantasy roster, if only temporarily, while he’s riding hot.
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 20.83%
Next seven days: @ SEA (Nov. 11), vs. NYI (Nov. 13), vs. SEA (Nov. 15)
Regardless of how the Oilers are faring, Evander Kane (available in 47% of leagues) sports way too much upside to bypass. With his multipoint performances more than making up for the odd worthless outing, it all works out wonderfully in the fantasy wash.
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 37.50%
Next seven days: @ TOR (Nov. 10), @ OTT (Nov. 11), @ MTL (Nov. 14), vs. VAN (Nov. 16)
Add Nazem Kadri (available in 85% of leagues) if you need a scoring boost up front. The former fantasy gem is starting to look his old feisty, productive self, with all-around numbers to match.
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 41.67%
Next seven days: @ FLA (Nov. 12), vs. TB (Nov. 16)
Clear your fantasy roster of any Blackhawk not named Connor Bedard, Taylor Hall or Seth Jones. At least until other players on the depth chart begin to contribute with any sense of consistency.
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 19.23%
Next seven days: @ VGK (Nov. 10), @ ANA (Nov. 12), vs. FLA (Nov. 14), vs. STL (Nov. 16)
Ex-Wild defenseman Calen Addison (available in 97% of leagues) will be afforded every opportunity to make the Sharks better, at even strength and on the power play. He’ll put up points, maybe even more than 40 by season’s end. Consider giving Addison a whirl if you’re in a deep league.
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Chris Low, ESPN Senior Writer
Mack Brown told ESPN on Saturday he’s not resigning after an emotional locker room scene with his players following North Carolina’s embarrassing 70-50 loss to James Madison, which is in only its third season as an FBS school.
Brown, a College Football Hall of Famer, said he told the players that it was his fault and would step away if he couldn’t get things fixed. The 70 points were the most ever given up by the Tar Heels, who fell to 3-1.
“I’m not resigning. I’ll be back at work Monday,” Brown told ESPN.
Brown, 73, is in his sixth season at North Carolina. He told ESPN he was aware of some reports and that messages in emotional locker rooms can be misconstrued, but was adamant that he’s not stepping down.
Brown has led UNC to winning records in four of his five seasons. The Tar Heels won eight games last season and nine the season before when they finished first in the ACC’s Coastal Division. Brown was at Texas for 16 seasons and won a national championship in 2005 and played for another in 2009. He resigned under pressure following the 2013 season, and after taking a break from coaching, returned in 2019 to North Carolina for his second stint in Chapel Hill. Brown was North Carolina’s coach from 1988 to 1997.
The Tar Heels travel to rival Duke next Saturday.
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Jake Trotter, ESPN Senior Writer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan kept pounding the ball and pounding the ball. And when it mattered most, No. 11 USC couldn’t stop it.
Powered by running back Kalel Mullings, who scored the winning touchdown in the final seconds, the defending national champion Wolverines rumbled to a 27-24 victory in their Big Ten opener Saturday.
“That’s a representation of who we are,” Mullings said of Michigan’s run-heavy game plan. “Just grit and grinding up … grinding meat that whole time.”
The Wolverines rushed for 290 yards, including 79 on the final drive. Mullings got all eight carries and broke through a pair of tackles for a 63-yard run that put Michigan in the red zone. He finished off the drive with a 1-yard scoring plunge on fourth-and-goal with 37 seconds remaining.
“A will to not give in,” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said of his senior back. “A will to want it more than them. To want it more than the man who’s trying to tackle him.”
The No. 18 Wolverines (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) prevailed despite passing for only 32 yards, their fewest in a game since 1987, according to ESPN Research. Michigan’s 32 yards through the air were the fewest by any FBS team in a win over a top-15 opponent since 2014, when Florida beat Georgia with 27 rushing yards.
“Love it,” said Moore, a former college offensive lineman at Oklahoma. “You want to throw the ball, but when you can run the ball effectively, you bring [the defense] down.”
Mullings finished with a career-high 159 yards on 17 rushes, scoring another touchdown in the first quarter with a 53-yard dash through the middle of the USC defense.
Donovan Edwards added 74 yards on the ground, including a 41-yard touchdown run. But his fumble in the fourth quarter gave USC (2-1, 0-1) the ball deep in Michigan territory, and Miller Moss‘ 24-yard touchdown toss to Ja’Kobi Lane handed the Trojans their first lead of the game with just over 7 minutes to go.
Michigan turned back to Mullings the rest of the way. And Moore said the Wolverines put the game in the hands of Mullings and the offensive line, especially on fourth-and-goal.
“The game’s on the line,” Moore said, “whatcha gonna do?”
Mullings followed fullback Max Bredeson, who delivered the kickout block, clearing the way for Mullings to barrel in for the winning score.
“We knew we were going to get it,” quarterback Alex Orji said. “That was just confidence. Do or die, backs against the wall.”
The Wolverines changed starting quarterbacks this week, moving from Davis Warren to Orji. Warren had thrown six interceptions in three games, including three last weekend against Arkansas State. Orji had only seven career passing attempts coming into the game, and attempted only 12 passes against USC, completing seven of them. But Orji rushed for 43 yards, giving the Wolverines an offensive identity they had been lacking, especially in a 31-12 loss to Texas in their second game.
Michigan rushed for 199 yards in the first half alone, the most USC had surrendered in a first half since Lincoln Riley became its coach in 2022.
“Schematically, we knew they were going to run the ball,” USC linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold said, “and it was just mano a mano who could win — and they just did.”
With an inexperienced quarterback, Moore said he challenged his team to be more physical against the Trojans. The Wolverines didn’t have All-America tight end Colston Loveland, who missed the game with an undisclosed injury. That put even more onus on the running game.
“The guys responded,” Moore said. “So proud of what they did and how they played.”
ESPN’s Paolo Uggetti contributed to this report.
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Eli Lederman, ESPN Staff Writer
STILLWATER, Ok. — With veteran quarterback Cam Rising sidelined for a second straight week, No. 12 Utah turned to backup quarterback Isaac Wilson at Boone Pickens Stadium Saturday, then leaned on the true freshman passer to land a statement victory in the program’s inaugural Big 12 game.
In his second career start, Wilson went 17-of-29 for 207 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, delivering a series of key moments and lifting the Utes in a 22-19 win over No. 14 Oklahoma State to become the first true freshman quarterback starter to beat an AP Top 25 opponent in program history.
“I like that he just kept hanging in there and never got down on himself,” said Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham. “Threw a couple of picks. Didn’t flinch. You saw his ability to run. He ripped off that 40- or 50-yard run. That was huge at that point in time. Dipped his shoulder and made another tough run down in the red zone that got us a first down. He’s just a competitor.”
Ahead of one of the most anticipated games on the 2024 Big 12 schedule, ESPN reported Saturday that Rising would be a game-time decision against Oklahoma State. The seventh-year passer has not played since injuring his throwing hand against Baylor on Sept. 7. Wilson made his first career start against Utah State in Week 3, completing 20 of his 33 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns in Rising’s place during a 38-21 road victory.
Whittingham told reporters that the two quarterbacks split practice reps during Utah’s Week 3 preparation for Oklahoma State. On Saturday, Rising wore a protective glove on his throwing hand and took starter’s reps in pregame warmups before the Utes made the decision to go with Wilson on the road in a top-15 matchup of Big 12 College Football Playoff hopefuls.
“When he’s ready, he’ll be ready,” Whittingham said of Rising’s status. “That’s all I can say. We were hoping he’d be ready this week.”
“It was literally a game-time decision,” Whittingham continued. “Not gameday; It was game-time. We came into the locker room after all the warmups, had a little conference and decided that the guy who gave us the best chance to win was Isaac. Cam agreed. That’s what we did and that’s the direction we went.”
Whittingham said Utah was “without question” the more physical team Saturday after the Utes outgained Oklahoma State 249-48 on the ground and held onto the football for 42:26 of game time. Sixth-year running back Micah Bernad led the rushing attack, totaling a career-high 182 rushing yards to become the first Utah rusher to eclipse 150 yards rushing since Zack Moss gained 160 yards against Stanford in 2018.
But the play of Wilson, the brother of former BYU and current Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson, was integral to a win that further cemented Utah as early Big 12 favorites this fall.
A high school state champion and ESPN’s 13th-ranked pocket passer in the 2024 class, Wilson began his second career start with a pair of incompletions before Oklahoma State safety Trey Rucker intercepted Wilson’s first downfield throw of the day to end Utah’s second offensive series.
The shaky start offered a window into Wilson’s poise and maturity. The 6-foot-2, 202-pound quarterback followed the interception with completions on 11 of his next 14 passes, including five throws of 15-plus yards. Later in the game, Wilson’s confident read was the difference on a 45-yard touchdown throw to tight end Brant Kuithe on what proved to be the decisive score before the Utes fended off a late Oklahoma State comeback bid.
But Wilson’s best moments Saturday came when the young passer used his legs. Facing fourth-and-short in the second quarter, Wilson barreled through Cowboys cornerback Korie Black, keeping alive an 11-play, 62-yard touchdown drive that ate 6:28 of game clock.
Wilson showed off his speed minutes after halftime when he left the pocket and burst beyond the Oklahoma State defense for a 48-yard run. He turned to his legs again for a fourth-down conversion in the fourth quarter, another in a series of decisive plays Wilson executed on a day Utah converted on four of its five fourth-down attempts to topple its first top-15 opponent since 2018.
“The team’s trusting me so I have to go make a play,” Wilson said when asked where he drew his confidence in pressure situations. “They were giving us zero-coverage pretty much the whole game. No one was man up on me. So when I broke that pocket I knew it was going to be there.”
Utah’s smooth transition at quarterback was a stark contrast to the quarterbacking debacle that unfolded on the opposite sideline Saturday.
Seventh-year Oklahoma State quarterback Alan Bowman opened with completions on four of his first 10 throws, then completed just two of his next 12 attempts before halftime, finishing the first half 8-of-22 for 89 yards and an interception. With the Cowboys trailing 10-3 at the break, Mike Gundy opened the second half with redshirt sophomore quarterback Garet Rangel under center.
Across the four series Rangel oversaw, the Cowboys gained 32 yards and one first down across 15 plays while Utah built a 22-3 advantage during the early stages of the fourth quarter. Bowman later re-entered the game with 9:26 remaining and was intercepted on his second series before completing his final eight passes with a pair of touchdowns as Oklahoma State mounted a late comeback, gaining 127 yards on their final two offensive drives.
The Cowboys offense that exploded in the closing stages only made the unit that struggled so mightily for the initial 55 minutes all the more perplexing. Despite Bowman’s inconsistent performance and temporary benching, Gundy committed to the veteran passer as Oklahoma State’s starter moving forward as the Cowboys stare down a Week 5 trip to No. 13 Kansas State.
“Sometimes you got to get a guy out and calm him down a little bit,” Gundy said. “…I just felt like we weren’t getting good play and we needed a relief pitcher. Get somebody else in there. And Garret had a tough day. So you switch back.”
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