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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.

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Florida freshman WR Wilson to debut vs. Texas

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Florida freshman WR Wilson to debut vs. Texas

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida has offensive help on the way with a freshman receiver who just might make a difference against No. 9 Texas on Saturday.

Dallas Wilson is practicing for the first time since injuring his left foot in training camp and is scheduled to make his collegiate debut against the Longhorns, coach Billy Napier said Monday.

Napier called Wilson’s availability “a big deal.”

“Three good days of work last week, and I thought he handled the load well,” Napier said. “He feels really good. So far, so good.”

Wilson, a 6-foot-3, 213-pound newcomer from Tampa, was the star of Florida’s spring game in April. He caught 10 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns, and all indications in fall practice pointed to it not being a fluke.

But Wilson injured his foot late in camp, spent weeks in a protective boot and watched from afar as the Gators (1-3, 0-1 SEC) struggled to move the ball and find the end zone. Florida scored 16, 10 and 7 points, respectively, in consecutive losses to South Florida, LSU and Miami, raising speculation about Napier’s future in Gainesville.

Quarterback DJ Lagway has been the focus of the team’s offensive woes. The sophomore who went 6-1 as a starter last season missed most of the year dealing with injuries and looked rusty when the season began.

Although Lagway’s mechanics seemed improved in the team’s 26-7 setback at Miami on Sept. 20, his offensive line got manhandled and allowed way too much pressure for anyone to notice. Lagway completed 12 of 23 passes for 61 yards against the Hurricanes.

Napier used the off week to get Lagway more live-action reps in hopes of getting him “caught up.” But he also reiterated the need to “play better around him.”

“Each position group needs to step up,” Napier said. “More detail, eliminate errors, eliminate penalties, whatever the case may be. I just think more detail and better overall play around him. And, obviously, he needs to continue to get back closer to being himself.”

Adding Wilson to the mix should help.

The Gators haven’t shown much depth at receiver. Freshman Vernell Brown III has been Lagway’s go-to guy, catching 18 passes for 219 yards. But Eugene Wilson III, J. Michael Sturdivant and Aidan Mizell have been mostly underwhelming.

Dallas Wilson has been unable to help — until now. The Gators are confident he will change the narrative against the No. 1 scoring defense in the SEC.

“Just having him out is going to be amazing for us,” Lagway said. “His ability to go deep, his ability to make plays underneath and be able to make miraculous plays with the ball in his hands, it’s going to be great to have him back.”

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Finebaum mulls leaving ESPN for U.S. Senate run

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Finebaum mulls leaving ESPN for U.S. Senate run

SEC Network host Paul Finebaum said Monday that he would consider leaving ESPN to run for the U.S. Senate, representing Alabama.

The 70-year-old Finebaum said during a recent interview with Outkick that he’d run as a Republican to fill the seat vacated by former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville, who has said he’ll run for Alabama governor in the 2026 elections. Tuberville’s current Senate term ends in 2027.

The qualifying deadline to run for Senate is Jan. 26, 2026. Finebaum said he would likely have to leave his hosting and analyst duties if he decided to run. He told Outkick he’d make a decision within the next 30-45 days.

Finebaum said he hadn’t seriously considered politics, but the assassination of Charlie Kirk was the impetus to give a run at politics further thought. He noted that he had received a “text” from “one or two people in Washington” gauging his interest in politics.

“[It was] something I never thought about before,” Finebaum told Outkick.

Finebaum is currently registered as a Republican in North Carolina, where he works for the SEC Network. He told Outkick he recently moved to Alabama, where he hosted a radio show for years, and would re-register there.

Finebaum hosted radio shows in Alabama for almost 30 years before joining ESPN and the SEC Network. He started his media career as a newspaper writer and columnist.

“Alabama has always been the place I’ve felt the most welcome, that I’ve cared the most about the people,” he said. “I’ve spoken to people from Alabama for 35 years, and I feel there is a connection that is hard to explain.”

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Petrino overhauls staff, fires defensive assistants

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Petrino overhauls staff, fires defensive assistants

Bobby Petrino has fired three defensive assistants just one day after being named interim head coach at Arkansas as part of an overhaul of the Razorbacks’ coaching staff.

Petrino dismissed defensive coordinator Travis Williams, defensive line coach Deke Adams and defensive assistant Marcus Woodson in the latest moves after being appointed interim coach for the rest of the season to replace Sam Pittman, who was fired Sunday following five-plus seasons as Arkansas’ head coach.

“I just felt like how we performed on Saturday gave me an indication that maybe Sam had lost the team a little bit because they generally had played really hard for him throughout his tenure,” Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek said of the move, which came on the heels of a 56-13 home loss to Notre Dame.

Petrino, 64, returned to Arkansas in 2023 as offensive coordinator after serving in a number of jobs. In four years as the Razorbacks’ head coach, he went 34-17, including consecutive seasons with double-digit victories in 2010 and 2011.

“Coach Petrino, as we met yesterday, he accepted this opportunity with the understanding that he also wanted an opportunity to formally be a candidate for our head coaching position, and he will have that opportunity, but we’ll also subsequently run a search for our next head coach at the same time,” Yurachek said.

Pittman’s dismissal, Petrino’s temporary promotion and the defensive assistant dismissals weren’t the only changes. Chris Wilson was named the team’s interim defensive coordinator.

Petrino had high praise for Wilson, who was in his first year with the Razorbacks as an assistant defensive line coach.

“My experience [with Wilson] goes way back to having to battle against him when he had all the great defensive linemen at Mississippi State,” Petrino said. “Very, very impressed with what he’s done throughout his career. Guy’s got a Super Bowl ring. He brings a lot of credibility into the room.”

Several defensive players posted cryptic messages on social media following the firing of Williams, who had served as the team’s defensive coordinator since 2023. Yurachek and Petrino encouraged players to welcome change amid a 2-3 start to the season.

“The No. 1 thing is, you have to get used to change. You know, your whole life there’s going to be change. So how we handle that, our attitude on how we handle that, will determine how quickly we improve,” Petrino said.

Petrino was involved in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in April 2012 that left him with four broken ribs. At first, he said he was riding alone, but a police report revealed a woman was riding with him. The woman turned out to be a former Arkansas athlete who was in a romantic relationship with the married Petrino. The coach had given her a job in the football program and a $20,000 gift.

Petrino was fired by then-athletic director Jeff Long for misleading his bosses about what happened with the accident and his relationship with the football staffer.

Pittman, 63, went 32-34 with the Razorbacks.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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