NHL Power Rankings: Each team’s fantasy hockey surprise of 2024-25
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Sean Allen
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Sean Allen
Special to ESPN.com
- Sean Allen is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. He was the 2008 and 2009 FSWA Hockey Writer of the Year.
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Victoria Matiash
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Victoria Matiash
Special to ESPN.com
- Victoria Matiash is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. Victoria has been a part of the fantasy team since 2010.
Now that the 4 Nations Face-Off is in the rearview mirror, the NHL has resumed the regular season — which means its time for another round of power rankings!
Along with the updated voting totals, it’s time for another fantasy hockey takeover. Sean Allen (Eastern Conference) and Victoria Matiash (Western Conference) have identified each team’s biggest surprise this season in fantasy hockey — for positive or negative reasons.
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.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Feb. 7. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 72.50%
Mark Scheifele, F: Just weeks before he turns 32, the Jets center is threatening to hit the 45-goal mark for the first time in his career. Toss in another 40-something assists and Scheifele could wrap 2024-25 as a top-10 forward in ESPN fantasy leagues.
Next seven days: vs. PHI (March 1), @ NYI (March 4), @ PHI (March 6)
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 71.19%
Logan Thompson, G: He has only a 55.8% crease share on the season, yet the surprising Thompson ranks a comfortable third in fantasy points among all goaltenders. Honorable mentions go to Pierre-Luc Dubois, who has finally found a productive home, and Alex Ovechkin, whose 0.71 goals per game ties the second-best rate of his career as he closes in on Wayne Gretzky’s goals scored record.
Next seven days: vs. TB (March 1), vs. OTT (March 3), @ NYR (March 5)
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 65.52%
Logan Stankoven, F: Remember when Stankoven exploded for four goals and 10 assists in his first 15 games, wedging himself well into the Calder Trophy conversation? No? That’s probably because he’s kicked in only 12 points in 40 contests since. A surprising drop-off, following an equally remarkable fantasy start to 2024-25.
Next seven days: vs. LA (Feb. 28), vs. STL (March 2), vs. NJ (March 4), vs. CGY (March 6)
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 63.79%
Anthony Stolarz, G: Dishonorable mention to the defense, which is producing fantasy value from physical play only — only the Sharks and Ducks have fewer power-play points from the blue line. Honorable mention to Stolarz’s goalie partner, Joseph Woll. The goaltending has been simply fantastic for the Leafs this season.
Next seven days: @ NYR (Feb. 28), @ PIT (March 2), vs. SJ (March 3), @ VGK (March 5)
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 64.41%
William Karlsson, F: Recently placed on IR, the center hadn’t exactly been lighting it up even before suffering this latest lower-body injury. Seven goals in 38 games? After potting 30, along with another 30 assists, in 70 contests this past season, that serves as a surprisingly disappointing dip in production and fantasy value.
Next seven days: vs. NJ (March 2), vs. TOR (March 5)
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 62.50%
Carter Verhaeghe, F: Maybe it shouldn’t be a surprise, but after scoring 42 goals in 2022-23, the 34 scored by Verhaeghe this past season felt appropriate and repeatable. It’s an unpleasant shock, but he’ll be lucky to get 21 goals this season in what’s been a healthy campaign.
Next seven days: vs. CGY (March 1), vs. TB (March 3), vs. CBJ (March 6)
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 61.02%
Zach Hyman, F: For another player, 19 goals in 53 contests would serve as an impressive haul. Except Hyman scored 54 this past season. So his fantasy managers can feel excused — especially those who blew an early draft selection on the winger — for feeling less impressed with the surprise drop.
Next seven days: @ CAR (March 1), vs. ANA (March 4), vs. MTL (March 6)
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 62.07%
Anthony Cirelli, C: Sure, Cirelli flirted with fantasy value on and off this past season. This season, he is a roster mainstay, and he’s doing it with minimal power-play access and infrequent ice time with the superstars on the Lightning. Cirelli was a very worthy addition to Canada at the 4 Nations.
Next seven days: @ WSH (March 1), @ FLA (March 3), vs. CBJ (March 4), vs. BUF (March 6)
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 62.50%
Darcy Kuemper, G: While some of us (ahem) were a little more optimistic about how Kuemper would fare in this second tour in L.A., his current eighth ranking among goalies in total fantasy points still qualifies as a pleasant surprise. Between the experienced netminder’s solid play and the Kings’ stingy defense, his managers certainly aren’t complaining.
Next seven days: @ DAL (March 28), @ STL (March 1), @ CHI (March 3), vs. STL (March 5)
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 61.02%
Marco Rossi, F: The 23-year-old sophomore is already comfortably ahead of his points total from this past season. Barring injury, Rossi should break through with 70 in his second full campaign. Not too shabby for a player projected for 10-15 fewer than that. Centering the top line definitely doesn’t hurt.
Next seven days: @ COL (Feb. 28), vs. BOS (March 2), @ SEA (March 4)
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 61.02%
Seth Jarvis, F: He was fantastic this past season, but it’s still a bit of a surprise that he is repeating the results like clockwork. Not all 23-year-old wingers bring the kind of consistency we’re getting from Jarvis, as he’s on pace to finish with 33 goals for the second consecutive season — this time in seven fewer games.
Next seven days: vs. EDM (March 1), vs. CGY (March 2), @ DET (March 4), vs. BOS (March 6)
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 58.33%
Stefan Noesen, F: The production has been slowing down as teams got wise to the Devils’ strategy on the man advantage, but raise your hands if you had Noesen down to be in the top 10 league-wide for power-play goals at this stage of the season.
Next seven days: @ UTA (March 1), @ VGK (March 2), @ DAL (March 4)
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 58.33%
Mackenzie Blackwood, G: Forgive the considerable and obvious understatement, but the trade from San Jose helps big time. Blackwood is now competing often and well. Only three other goalies have logged a greater points total in standard leagues: Connor Hellebuyck, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and Logan Thompson.
Next seven days: vs. MIN (Feb. 28), vs. PIT (March 4), vs. SJ (March 6)
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 55.93%
Lucas Raymond, F: With 31 goals and 72 points this past season, it looked like Raymond had finally broken out in his third NHL season. Surprise! He has another level. Raymond is on pace for a 90-point campaign as the Red Wings look to make their first playoff appearance since 2016.
Next seven days: @ CBJ (March 1), vs. CAR (March 4), vs. UTA (March 6)
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 55.17%
Yegor Sharangovich, F: Perhaps a second-straight 30-plus goal season in Calgary was too big an ask? Obviously, since he has all of 11 goals to show for 50 contests. Lately, Sharangovich is seeing limited minutes, and in the Flames’ bottom six.
Next seven days: @ FLA (March 1), @ CAR (March 2), @ PHI (March 4), @ DAL (March 6)
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 55.93%
Zach Werenski, D: It’s not a surprise that a healthy Werenski is having a great fantasy season, but it is pleasant that he’s keeping pace with none other than Cale Makar. They both round off to 2.9 fantasy points per game to lead the league for defensemen.
Next seven days: vs. DET (March 1), @ TB (March 4), @ FLA (March 6)
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 53.45%
Jake Sanderson, D: It usually plays out that the old guard slowly cedes the role to the new guy and there is some back-and-forth. Thomas Chabot had better per-game stats than Sanderson in 2023-24, so it wasn’t clear the torch had fully passed. This blue line is now all Sanderson all the time, and it’s not close.
Next seven days: vs. SJ (March 1), @ WSH (March 3), @ CHI (March 5)
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 55.08%
Elias Pettersson, F: He isn’t shooting. He certainly isn’t scoring. Seven other Vancouver skaters have more goals than the 102-point performer from two years ago. As far as fantasy surprises go, the Canucks center ranks right up there as one of this season’s most frustrating showings.
Next seven days: @ SEA (March 1), vs. ANA (March 5)
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 53.45%
Chris Kreider, F: Twenty-two games into the season, Kreider didn’t have a single assist when, surprise, he finally got one on Dec. 6. The next assist would come in January and he’s now up to four on the season. Kreider was always more of a goal scorer, but the overall lack of points really has been a shocker.
Next seven days: vs. TOR (Feb. 28), vs. NSH (March 2), vs. NYI (March 3), vs. WSH (March 5)
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 52.50%
Dylan Guenther, F: The 21-year-old is blossoming into a top skater and fantasy star in real time. Although projected to serve as a near point-per-game player at some point in his career, this feels a bit (pleasantly) premature. Through the fantasy lens, Guenther is now equal to fellow Utah forward Clayton Keller as a must-roster in fantasy leagues of any size.
Next seven days: vs. NJ (March 1), @ DET (March 6)
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 51.67%
Jeremy Swayman, G: As surprises go, we might have seen this coming. Contract negotiations that threaten training camps rarely have a positive impact on a player’s offseason regimen. We hoped Swayman would be a difference-maker in the crease as one of the top goalie picks, but, surprise: He’s allowed the most goals in the league this season.
Next seven days: @ PIT (March 1), @ MIN (March 2), vs. NSH (March 4), @ CAR (March 6)
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 51.67%
Pavel Buchnevich, F: The good news is that production appears to be improving for the Blues’ winger. After a mostly quiet January — and dry spell-littered season altogether — Buchnevich has a goal and four assists in three games since the break. This makes a lot more sense for someone who erupted for 76 points, including 30 goals, in his first season in St. Louis only three years ago.
Next seven days: vs. LA (March 1), @ DAL (March 2), @ LA (March 5)
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 51.69%
Lane Hutson, D: Before the season, there was the hope that one or more of the Habs’ young defenders would get some game action this season. It became quite the surprise when Hutson took over the depth chart early in the campaign. He’s not just excelling, he’s threatening to win the rookie scoring race.
Next seven days: @ BUF (March 1), vs. BUF (March 3), @ EDM (March 6)
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 50.00%
Travis Sanheim, D: Inside the top 20 for total fantasy points, Sanheim has asserted himself as a must-roster player in fantasy hockey. He was on our radar before the season but has been a pleasant surprise in lineups since the opening faceoff.
Next seven days: @ WPG (March 1), vs. CGY (March 4), vs. WPG (March 6)
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 50.86%
Bo Horvat, F: This surprise can be shared with other members of the Isles’ offense, which has failed to produce a single forward with a rate of at least 2.0 fantasy points per game. Even Mathew Barzal‘s per-game rates aren’t that close to the threshold.
Next seven days: vs. NSH (March 1), @ NYR (March 3), vs. WPG (March 4)
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 50.86%
Jackson LaCombe, D: One of several positive surprises to emerge out of Anaheim — goalie Lukas Dostal is another — the sophomore defenseman is comfortably on pace for his first 40-point campaign. In fact, LaCombe leads all Ducks’ skaters in averaging 2.0 fantasy points per game in 2024-25. He won’t be under the radar much longer.
Next seven days: vs. CHI (March 1), @ EDM (March 4), @ VAN (March 5)
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 46.49%
Dylan Cozens, F: Two seasons ago, Cozens finished with 31 goals and 68 points as a central pillar of the team’s power play. This past season, he dipped to 47 points but was still a big part of the man advantage. This season, he’ll be lucky to get 37 points and is off the top unit.
Next seven days: vs. MTL (March 1), @ MTL (March 3), vs. SJ (March 4), @ TB (March 6)
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 46.72%
Rickard Rakell, F: Easily outpacing all other Penguins in fantasy scoring and hot on the heels of players like David Pastrnak and Mikko Rantanen among all skaters in FPPG, Rakell has been the most pleasant of surprises in a season of troubled waters for the Pens.
Next seven days: vs. BOS (March 1), vs. TOR (March 2), @ COL (March 4)
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 45.00%
Matty Beniers, F: So much for rebounding off this past season’s sophomore slump. After rifling off 57 points in his Calder-winning rookie campaign, Beniers is putting up disappointingly pedestrian numbers, translating into equally mediocre fantasy points, ever since.
Next seven days: vs. VAN (March 1), vs. MIN (March 4), @ NSH (March 6)
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 42.24%
Steven Stamkos, F: What else is there to say? It’s been a sheer disaster in Nashville since the start. Stamkos earned fewer than 50 points in a full NHL campaign back in his 2008-09 rookie season (47), and it’s only growing more dire. Ahead of Thursday’s tilt with Winnipeg, the former Lightning captain hadn’t collected a single point since Jan. 23.
Next seven days: @ NYI (March 1), @ NYR (March 2), @ BOS (March 4)
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 34.75%
Philipp Kurashev, F: It’s difficult to believe that Kurashev potted 54 points in 75 games with the Blackhawks only a year ago. Or that the 25-year-old was supposed to take another step forward within Chicago’s top six this season. But nine points in 41 games definitely serves as the stark opposite of forward.
Next seven days: @ ANA (March 1), vs. LA (March 3), vs. OTT (March 5)
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 32.50%
Jake Walman, D: It speaks volumes that Red Wings fans continue to bemoan the deal that sent the defender westward in exchange for future considerations. Settling in nicely with the Sharks, the surprising Walman leads San Jose’s blue line in scoring, power-play production, shots and blocked shots. If it wasn’t for losing several games to injury, the unanticipated fantasy gem might have totaled 50 points this season.
Next seven days: @ OTT (March 1), @ TOR (March 3), @ BUF (March 4), @ COL (March 6)
Hard-throwing rookie Jacob Misiorowski is a National League All-Star replacement, giving the Milwaukee Brewers right-hander a chance to break Paul Skenes‘ record for the fewest big league appearances before playing in the Midsummer Classic.
Misiorowski was named Friday night to replace Chicago Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd, who will be unavailable for the All-Star Game on Tuesday night in Atlanta because he is scheduled to start Saturday at the New York Yankees.
The 23-year-old Misiorowski has made just five starts for the Brewers, going 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA while averaging 99.3 mph on his fastball, with 89 pitches that have reached 100 mph.
If he pitches at Truist Park, Misiorowski will make it consecutive years for a player to set the mark for fewest big league games before an All-Star showing.
Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander getting ready for his second All-Star appearance, had made 11 starts in the majors when he was chosen as the NL starter for last year’s All-Star Game at Texas. He pitched a scoreless inning.
“I’m speechless,” said a teary-eyed Misiorowski, who said he was given the news a few minutes before the Brewers’ 8-3 victory over Washington. “It’s awesome. It’s very unexpected and it’s an honor.”
Misiorowski is the 30th first-time All-Star and 16th replacement this year. There are now 80 total All-Stars.
“He’s impressive. He’s got some of the best stuff in the game right now, even though he’s a young pitcher,” said Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who is a starting AL outfielder for his seventh All-Star nod. “He’s going to be a special pitcher in this game for a long time so I think he deserved it and it’s going be pretty cool for him and his family.”
Carlos Rodón, Carlos Estévez and Casey Mize were named replacement pitchers on the AL roster.
The New York Yankees‘ Rodón, an All-Star for the third time in five seasons, will replace teammate Max Fried for Tuesday’s game in Atlanta. Fried will be unavailable because he is scheduled to start Saturday against the Chicago Cubs.
In his final start before the All-Star game, Rodón allowed four hits and struck out eight in eight innings in an 11-0 victory over the Cubs.
“This one’s a little special for me,” said Rodón, an All-Star in 2021 and ’22 who was 3-8 in his first season with the Yankees two years ago before rebounding. “I wasn’t good when I first got here, and I just wanted to prove that I wasn’t to going to give up and just put my best foot forward and try to win as many games as I can.”
The Kansas City Royals‘ Estévez replaces Texas’ Jacob deGrom, who is scheduled to start at Houston on Saturday night. Estévez was a 2023 All-Star when he was with the Los Angeles Angels.
Mize takes the spot held by Boston‘s Garrett Crochet, who is scheduled to start Saturday against Tampa Bay. Mize gives the Tigers six All-Stars, most of any team and tied for the franchise record.
Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia will replace Tampa Bay‘s Brandon Lowe, who went on the injured list with left oblique tightness. The additions of Estévez and Garcia give the Royals four All-Stars, matching their 2024 total.
The Seattle Mariners announced center fielder Julio Rodríguez will not participate, and he was replaced by teammate Randy Arozarena. Rodríguez had been voted onto the AL roster via the players’ ballot. The Mariners, who have five All-Stars, said Rodríguez will use the break to “recuperate, rest and prepare for the second half.”
Arozarena is an All-Star for the second time. He started in left field for the AL two years ago, when he was with Tampa Bay. Arozarena was the runner-up to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the 2023 Home Run Derby.
Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen, a first-time All-Star, is replacing Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, who is scheduled to start Saturday night at Arizona. Rasmussen is 7-5 with a 2.82 ERA in 18 starts.
San Diego added a third NL All-Star reliever in lefty Adrián Morejón, who replaces Philadelphia starter Zack Wheeler. The Phillies’ right-hander is scheduled to start at San Diego on Saturday night. Morejón entered the weekend with a 1.71 ERA in 45 appearances.
DETROIT — Cal Raleigh hit his 37th and 38th home runs in Seattle‘s 12-3 victory over Detroit on Friday night to move within one of Barry Bonds’ 2001 major league record for homers before the All-Star break.
Raleigh hit a solo homer off former teammate Tyler Holton in the eighth to tie the American League record of 37 before the All-Star break set by Reggie Jackson in 1969 and matched by Chris Davis in 2013.
“[Holton] and I are really good friends, and I’ve caught a lot of his pitches,” said Raleigh, who was in the lineup as the designated hitter instead of at catcher. “I don’t think that helped much, but I’m sure he’s not very happy with me.”
Raleigh hit a grand slam off Brant Hurter in the ninth.
“I didn’t even know it was a record until just now,” Raleigh said. “I don’t have words for it, I guess. I’m just very grateful and thankful.”
It was Raleigh’s eighth multihomer game this season, tying Jackson (also in 1969) for the most such games before the All-Star break in MLB history, according to ESPN Research. He also tied Ken Griffey Jr. for the most multihomer games in Mariners franchise history.
Seattle has two games left in Detroit before the break.
“Cal Raleigh … this is just unbelievable,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “He’s already set the AL record and now he’s only one short of Barry. There are two games, so who knows?”
Raleigh hit 10 homers in March and April, 12 in May, 11 in June and has five in July.
“This is a very boring comment, but baseball is all about consistency,” Wilson said. “This hasn’t been one hot streak, he’s doing this month after month. That says everything.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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