NHL Power Rankings: Fantasy standouts for each team in 2024
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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
We’re more than a month into 2024, so there’s no better time for ESPN Fantasy analysts Sean Allen and Victoria Matiash to spotlight each team’s hottest player since Jan. 1, in terms of most fantasy points per game. Note that Sean handled the Eastern teams, while Victoria tackled the West.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends 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 previous edition, published Jan. 26. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 71.57%
Next seven days: @ DET (Feb. 10), @ WSH (Feb. 11), @ CHI (Feb. 13), vs. DET (Feb. 15)
Thatcher Demko, G (5.42 FPPG since Jan. 1): No one — not even Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner — accrued more total fantasy points in the past month. With only two back-to-back sets dotting the Canucks’ schedule from now until early April (and zero in March), Vancouver’s Vezina candidate should remain plenty busy down the stretch.
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 71.57%
Next seven days: vs. WSH (Feb. 10), vs. TB (Feb. 13), vs. SEA (Feb. 15)
David Pastrnak, RW (3.31 FPPG since Jan. 1): Any surprise here? Put your hand down, we all know Pasta is the best — fantasy or otherwise — that the Bruins have to offer. And it’s not that close, especially with the goaltenders splitting time.
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 65.38%
Next seven days: FLA (Feb. 10), @ WSH (Feb. 13), @ TB (Feb. 15)
Nathan MacKinnon, C (4.65 FPPG since Jan. 1): What else is there to say about MacKinnon, a skater who’s averaging numbers near equivalent to the two best goalies (Demko, Skinner) each game. His linemate, Jonathan Drouin, is racking up the assists and, unlike MacKinnon, is available in most ESPN Fantasy leagues.
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 66.67%
Next seven days: @ MTL (Feb. 10), vs. CAR (Feb. 13), @ NSH (Feb. 15)
Miro Heiskanen, D (2.2 FPPG since Jan. 1): Appearing fully recovered after losing most of January to injury, Heiskanen is banging out a point per game while averaging 25 minutes of ice time in his return. A resurgence that once again boosts him past young Thomas Harley in the Stars’ fantasy pecking order.
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 66.67%
Next seven days: vs. COL (Feb. 10), @ PIT (Feb. 14), @ BUF (Feb. 15)
Matthew Tkachuk, RW (3.66 FPPG since Jan. 1): It’s about time Tkachuk took his rightful place at the top of the Panthers achievement rankings. Sam Reinhart remains hot on his heels — and will have the better overall campaign — but I’d take a back-on-track Tkachuk for my fantasy squad given the choice.
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 66.33%
Next seven days: vs. PIT (Feb. 10), vs. SJ (Feb. 14)
Laurent Brossoit, G (6.73 FPPG since Jan. 1): No question, Winnipeg’s backup has been a capital T, as in Terrific when offered the chance to spell Connor Hellebuyck for a contest, dating to early December. Unfortunately, the sum of those opportunities add up to only seven starts (and just three in January). Nonetheless, Brossoit certainly merits streaming where possible, when tossed out there as a substitute. Which could happen more frequently to spare Hellebuyck’s energy down the stretch.
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 65.38%
Next seven days: vs. MIN (Feb. 12)
Alec Martinez, D (2.54 FPPG since Jan. 1): While Martinez serves as a valuable asset in leagues that reward blocked shots, a healthy again Adin Hill is once more anticipated to pile up fantasy points as Vegas’s go-to netminder. It’s worth noting that Jack Eichel, after undergoing a knee procedure, is expected back later this month.
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 64.13%
Next seven days: @ LA (Feb. 10), vs. DET (Feb. 13), @ STL (Feb. 15)
Stuart Skinner, G (6.71 FPPG since Jan. 1): Connor McDavid? Sure, he’s great. But what about Edmonton’s starting netminder, who’s performing as an elite fantasy asset between the pipes? While the near record-tying win streak was halted, a fresh run of victories remains attainable as the Oilers schedule features a slew of winnable matchups through February.
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 65.69%
Next seven days: @ CHI (Feb. 9), vs. CGY (Feb. 12), vs. MTL (Feb. 15)
Vincent Trocheck, C (2.34 FPPG since Jan. 1): This feels like a temporary crown thanks only to a slight pumping of the brakes by the true Rangers fantasy hero this season: Artemi Panarin. But there is no denying that Trocheck has outplayed expectations and should be a fantasy lineup lock.
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 63.0%
Next seven days: vs. NJ (Feb. 10), @ DAL (Feb. 13)
Andrei Svechnikov, LW (2.94 FPPG since Jan. 1): Unfortunately for fantasy players and the Hurricanes, we haven’t seen Svechnikov in action since Jan. 19. Despite this, he is still only 4.3 fantasy points off the team lead, which shows the Canes are struggling without him. Thankfully, he’s back practicing.
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 61.22%
Next seven days: @ OTT (Feb. 10), vs. STL (Feb. 13), vs. PHI (Feb. 15)
Ilya Samsonov, G (5.35 FPPG since Jan. 1): It’s encouraging to see Samsonov take the reins for now, but would you be confident the rest of the way with him in your fantasy crease? I’d explore a diversified portfolio as opposed to putting too many chips here.
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 57.69%
Next seven days: vs. SEA (Feb. 10), vs. ARI (Feb. 12), @ TOR (Feb. 15)
Owen Tippett, RW (2.28 FPPG since Jan. 1): Tippett is neck and neck with Joel Farabee for the lead, which should come as no surprise to Flyers fans who have enjoyed the youth movement taking control of the offense. Both players could be available in standard fantasy leagues.
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 56.73%
Next seven days: @ CBJ (Feb. 10), @ BOS (Feb. 13), vs. COL (Feb. 15)
Nikita Kucherov, RW (3.48 FPPG since Jan. 1): There is no lack of effort on the part of the Lightning catalyst in the fantasy realm. He’s a half-point per game better than his next closest teammate in 2024 and has this squad on his back most games.
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 58.0%
Next seven days: vs. VAN (Feb. 10), @ EDM (Feb. 13), @ VAN (Feb. 15)
Alex Lyon, G (4.12 FPPG since Jan. 1): Thriving in the absence of Ville Husso, who last played Dec. 18, Lyon will have to contend with Husso’s return soon as well as a tougher schedule the rest of the month that includes a Western Conference road swing.
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 58.33%
Next seven days: vs. EDM (Feb. 10), @ BUF (Feb. 13), @ NJ (Feb. 15)
Drew Doughty, D (2.41 FPPG since Jan. 1): Through the earlier highs and current lows, no other fantasy asset in L.A. contributes as consistently as the Kings’ veteran defender. As well-rounded as they come, Doughty checks off most category boxes, scoring and otherwise, night in and out.
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 56.38%
Next seven days: @ MIN (Feb. 9), @ WPG (Feb. 10), vs. FLA (Feb. 14), @ CHI (Feb. 15)
Sidney Crosby, C (2.8 FPPG since Jan. 1): The 36-year-old is scoring at a pace we haven’t seen from him since 2009-10. His fantasy pace has even ticked up since Jan. 1. Can we begin to imagine how gaudy Crosby’s stats would be if Pittsburgh’s power play worked better?
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 52.94%
Next seven days: vs. ARI (Feb. 10), vs. NJ (Feb. 13), vs. DAL (Feb. 15)
Roman Josi, D (2.81 FPPG since Jan. 1): After a more pedestrian start to the season, one of the league’s best blueliners is back to his usual business of posting serious fantasy points — to the tune of 3.0 per game since the second week of January.
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 54.08%
Next seven days: @ CAR (Feb. 10), vs. SEA (Feb. 12), @ NSH (Feb. 13), vs. LA (Feb. 15)
Jesper Bratt, RW (2.01 FPPG since Jan. 1): Obviously, anyone we put here is just a placeholder as Jack Hughes returns after his injury absence. Bratt and Nico Hischier have done what they can to hold down the fort, but the Devils’ playoff push gets a boost with Hughes back.
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 54.90%
Next seven days: vs. CGY (Feb. 10), vs. SEA (Feb. 13)
Noah Dobson, D (3.14 FPPG since Jan. 1): Patrick Roy or Lane Lambert; 2023 or 2024 … Dobson cares not for the details of who’s behind the bench. He turned the corner as a dynamic, top fantasy defender this season by adding minutes and shot-blocking to his game.
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 55.10%
Next seven days: @ BUF (Feb. 10), @ MTL (Feb. 11), @ TOR (Feb. 13), vs. EDM (Feb. 15)
Jordan Binnington, G (4.44 FPPG since Jan. 1): Having done his duty in helping keep the Blues in the playoff race this past month, Binnington boasts a nice haul of fantasy points. However, managers concerned that the wheels might eventually fall off for a club that doesn’t score a whole bunch might consider goalie help elsewhere.
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 52.0%
Next seven days: @ PHI (Feb. 10), @ NJ (Feb. 12), @ NYI (Feb. 13), @ BOS (Feb. 15)
Joey Daccord, G (3.82 FPPG since Jan. 1): While the eight-game win streak ended a while ago, Daccord gives his Kraken a chance most games, which helps explain why he posts positive fantasy points even when Seattle loses. His .934 SV% and 1.96 GAA since Dec. 1 further supports the call to roster the skilled netminder.
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 51.96%
Next seven days: @ NYI (Feb. 10), @ NYR (Feb. 12), vs. SJ (Feb. 15)
Jacob Markstrom, G (4.4 FPPG since Jan. 1): Markstrom continues to win games despite his team’s lower spot in the standings. If it soon falls apart, there’s also a chance Markstrom could be traded. But Calgary doesn’t fancy itself completely out of it yet, with recent Vancouver export Andrei Kuzmenko settling in on the top line.
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 50.0%
Next seven days: @ NSH (Feb. 10), @ PHI (Feb. 12), vs. MIN (Feb. 14)
Sean Durzi, D (2.18 FPPG since Jan. 1): That he’s averaging more fantasy points per game this season than (underrated) fantasy star Clayton Keller speaks loudly to how well the L.A. export has blossomed in his new desert digs. And the third-year blueliner is just getting going.
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 54.35%
Next seven days: @ BOS (Feb. 10), vs. VAN (Feb. 11), vs. COL (Feb. 13)
T.J. Oshie, RW (2.84 FPPG since Jan. 1): He’s done enough in 10 of 14 Capitals games in 2024 to earn this spot, but Oshie’s stats are padded here with a recent hat trick. He’s a hot hand who should be in fantasy lineups, but dropped when he cools.
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 48.0%
Next seven days: vs. STL (Feb. 10), vs. LA (Feb. 13), vs. FLA (Feb. 15)
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G (5.3 FPPG since Jan. 1): As noted in my fantasy column this week, it’s likely no coincidence that the Sabres had the best schedule for fantasy goaltenders in January and Luukkonen turned into a brick wall. That said, the Sabres have the sixth-worst schedule for fantasy goaltending going forward.
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 50.0%
Next seven days: vs. DAL (Feb. 10), vs. STL (Feb. 11), vs. ANA (Feb. 13), @ NYR (Feb. 15)
Mike Matheson, D (2.3 FPPG since Jan. 1): Matheson has been steady all season and is still undervalued in most leagues. The loss of Sean Monahan via trade shouldn’t slow down the power play — the Canadiens went 1-for-2 on Tuesday — and will have no impact on the blocks that are Matheson’s signature.
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 49.0%
Next seven days: vs. PIT (Feb. 9), @ VGK (Feb. 12), @ ARI (Feb. 14)
Kirill Kaprizov, LW (3.28 FPPG since Jan. 1): The “Thrill” has been delighting fantasy managers by returning to his scoring ways since coming back from injury. Healthy and registering more than 21 minutes a game, there’s no ebb in sight. Also, don’t sleep on rookie Brock Faber, who’s averaging 2.98 FPPG since Jan. 1.
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 44.68%
Next seven days: vs. TOR (Feb. 10), vs. CBJ (Feb. 13), vs. ANA (Feb. 15)
Brady Tkachuk, LW (2.25 FPPG since Jan. 1): He doesn’t quite have the elevated points per game shown by Matthew, but Brady is holding his own for the Senators. Ottawa has some games in hand on the rest of the league and short-term schedule that is in their favor.
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 42.0%
Next seven days: vs. TB (Feb. 10), @ OTT (Feb. 13)
Zach Werenski, D (2.2 FPPG since Jan. 1): Imagine a vast, gray landscape that goes on as far as the eye can see. In the midst of this harsh environment stands a single, vibrant flower; its petals a lone bright spot in the unforgiving environment. This is Werenski in the fantasy landscape that is the Blue Jackets this season.
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 38.0%
Next seven days: vs. EDM (Feb. 9), @ MTL (Feb. 13), @ OTT (Feb. 15)
Radko Gudas, D (2.45 FPPG since Jan. 1): A tough shot-blocker, Gudas throws his body around while occasionally potting the odd goal or assist. Consistently valuable when only left to his own formidable physical play, the Ducks defender serves as a fantasy gem when accomplishing all three.
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 32.35%
Next seven days: @ WPG (Feb. 14), @ CGY (Feb. 15)
Mackenzie Blackwood, G (3.22 FPPG since Jan. 1): Another good goaltender on a team that isn’t good, Blackwood is riding a three-game win streak. Still, the Sharks are going to lose more often than win between now and April, which blunts the netminder’s fantasy value. Unless he’s moved before the trade deadline.
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 29.41%
Next seven days: vs. NYR (Feb. 9), vs. VAN (Feb. 13), vs. PIT (Feb. 15)
Petr Mrazek, G (2.26 FPPG since Jan. 1): The Blackhawks netminder often gains positive fantasy points even when his team loses, which is often. Mrazek hasn’t dipped into negative numbers since Jan. 9, despite winning only two of eight games over that span.
SEWELL, N.J. — A few days after brothers John and Matthew Gaudreau died when they were struck by a driver while riding bicycles on the eve of their sister Katie’s wedding, family friends were visiting parents Guy and Jane at their home during a rainstorm. Looking outside after the skies cleared, they saw a double rainbow that brought them some momentary peace.
Since then, Jane Gaudreau had not gotten any signs she attributed to her sons, so she sat in their room Friday and asked them for some divine intervention to clear out bad weather in time for an event to honor their legacies. After a brief scare of a tornado watch the night before, a rainbow appeared Saturday morning about an hour before the sun came out for the inaugural Gaudreau Family 5K Walk/Run and Family Day.
“I was so relieved,” Jane said. “I was like, ‘Well, there’s my sign.'”
Thousands attended the event at Washington Lake Park in southern New Jersey, a place John and Matthew went hundreds of times as kids and around the corner from Hollydell Ice Arena, where they started playing hockey. Roughly 1,100 people took part in a walk or run in person, along with more than 1,300 virtually in the U.S., Canada and around the world.
“I think it speaks to them as a family, how close they were and how everybody loved being around them,” said Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, one of a handful of NHL players who were close to the Gaudreaus and made a point to be there. “You just see the support from this community and from other players as well that are here and traveled in. It just says a lot about Johnny, Matty, their legacy and this family as a whole, how much support they have because they’re such amazing people.”
Along with honoring the NHL star known as “Johnny Hockey” and his younger brother who family and friends called Matty, the goal of the event was to raise money for an accessible playground at Archbishop Damiano School where Jane and her daughter Kristen work. It was a cause John and Matthew had begun to champion in honor of their grandmother Marie, who spent 44 years at the school and died in 2023.
It became their mother’s project after their deaths.
“Jane works every day with children with disabilities, and she knew how important it was for the playground to be built,” said family friend Deb Vasutoro, who came up with the idea for a 5K. “The playground has been a project for, I think, four or five years, and there just never was enough funding. When the boys passed and Jane needed a purpose, she thought, ‘Let’s build the playground.’ It was the perfect marriage of doing something good to honor the boys and seeing children laugh and smile.”
The Rev. Allain Caparas from Gloucester Catholic High School, which the brothers attended and played hockey for while growing up in Carneys Point, said raising funds for the playground is an extension of the impact they had on the community.
“They’re continuing to make a difference in the lives of so many others,” Caparas said. “Johnny and Matthew lived their lives with purpose, and now we’re celebrating that.”
Social media filled with mentions from folks in Columbus and Calgary, the NHL cities in which John Gaudreau played, and as far away as Ireland and Sweden. Paul O’Connor, who has been tight with the Gaudreau family from son Dalton being childhood best friends with Matthew, couldn’t empty out his inbox because he kept getting notifications about signups and donations.
“It just keeps growing,” O’Connor said. “And people that couldn’t be here, they’re doing a virtual [5K]. If they can’t do either, they’re just throwing money at the cause.”
Tears welled up in the eyes of Guy and Jane as they talked about the event. His speech to the crowd was brief and poignant at the same time.
“I’d like to thank everybody for coming,” Guy said after running the 5K. “It really means a lot to Jane and the girls and the family. We miss the boys, and it really means a lot for us to have you here to honor my boys. Thank you.”
The sea of people first in the rain and then the sunshine included folks in gear from all across hockey. Tkachuk wore a “Johnny Hockey” hoodie with Gaudreau’s name and No. 13 on the back.
He handed sticks, collected from various vigils in late August and early September, to race winners along with fellow players Erik Gudbranson, Zach Aston-Reese, Tony DeAngelo and Buddy Robinson.
“Our family wouldn’t have missed this,” Gudbranson said after flying in Friday night following a trip to Walt Disney World. “Hockey’s a very tight community. It’s still a tragedy. We miss the boys.”
The aim is to hold the event annually moving forward, potentially in Calgary and Columbus.
“We thought this was such a good thing to honor the boys we want to keep it up,” Jane said. “I just think each year it’ll just get better and better.”
Florida Panthers forwards Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell will be ready for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday night in Edmonton, coach Paul Maurice said Saturday.
Both players were injured in Wednesday’s series-clinching Game 5 win against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Panthers forward A.J. Greer‘s status for the series opener against the Oilers remains uncertain. He missed Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals and was on the ice for only 4:22 in Game 5 due to a lower-body injury.
All three players did not participate in Saturday’s practice, the first team skate since the defending champions booked their spot in the Final rematch.
“I think the only question mark is Greer,” Maurice said. “We will list him as day to day. The other guys are fine. They will be back on the ice tomorrow when we do a little bit of an optional.”
Luostarinen, 26, recorded 24 points (9 goals, 15 assists) in 80 games during the regular season and 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists) in 17 games this postseason.
Lundell, 23, tallied 45 points (17 goals, 28 assists) in 79 games in the regular season and 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) in 17 playoff games.
Greer, 28, posted 17 points (6 goals, 11 assists) in 81 games in the regular season and three points (2 goals, 1 assist) in 12 playoff contests.
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