Connect with us

Published

3 months ago

on

  • David SchoenfieldAug 26, 2025, 07:00 AM ET

    Close

    • Covers MLB for ESPN.com
    • Former deputy editor of Page 2
    • Been with ESPN.com since 1995

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh blasted his 48th and 49th home runs on Sunday in back-to-back at-bats in the first two innings against the Athletics, breaking Salvador Perez‘s record for most home runs in a season by a catcher. The next night, he became the second switch-hitter with 50 home runs in a season, joining Mickey Mantle in the exclusive club.

While Raleigh’s season hasn’t exactly come out of nowhere — he reached 30 home runs the previous two years — the fact that we’re not even in September yet certainly makes his power exploits even more impressive.

In honor of his record-breaking season, let’s dig into some of the numbers around his 2025 campaign. And with Raleigh now at 50 home runs, we’ll also break down where his season ranks among the most surprising 50-homer seasons in MLB history.

So, is this the greatest power-hitting season ever from a catcher?

If you want to get technical about it, this is open for discussion. Like Perez with the Kansas City Royals in 2021, Raleigh has benefited from some DH time, with nine of his home runs coming as a DH. Perez’s figures were even more extreme, with 15 of his 48 home runs coming as a DH.

The record for home runs while only playing catcher belongs to Javy Lopez, who hit 42 for the Atlanta Braves in 2003 in just 117 games (he hit one more as a pinch-hitter). That was an impressive season for Lopez, who hit .328/.378/.687 with a 1.065 OPS. He fell seven plate appearances short of the 502 needed for official qualification, otherwise his OPS would rank as the second-highest ever for a catcher (behind Mike Piazza’s 1.070 in 1997) and his .687 slugging as the highest ever (Piazza slugged .638 in ’97). (And we would be remiss not to mention Josh Gibson’s hitting heroics in the Negro Leagues, as he topped both those figures multiple times.)

Raleigh leads the majors in home runs, which would put him alongside Johnny Bench as the only catcher to lead the majors if he maintains his lead over Kyle Schwarber and Shohei Ohtani. Bench, who topped the majors with 45 home runs in 1970 and 40 in 1972, played 158 games in 1970 and 147 in 1972, occasionally playing other positions when he wasn’t catching in lieu of the option to DH.

Could any other catcher in history have hit this many?

Lopez would have been the obvious candidate. Raleigh will soar past 600 plate appearances; Lopez’s home run rate prorated to 625 plate appearances gets him to 54 home runs. Piazza hit 40 home runs in 1997, but did bat 633 times while playing in 152 games, so you can’t really fudge more than a few extra home runs, even if he had more DH opportunities. Roy Campanella hit 41 for Brooklyn in 1953, batting 590 times while playing 144 games (although starting just 130). Give him the 162-game schedule and some DH starts and maybe he gets close to 50. Todd Hundley is the only other catcher with a 40-homer season, hitting 41 for the 1996 New York Mets in 624 plate appearances.

While Raleigh has slowed down since the All-Star break, especially in the batting average department, his season is also particularly impressive because he’s doing this in a very pitcher-friendly home park. He’s hitting .223/.317/.572 with 24 home runs at home and .269/.385/.614 with 25 home runs on the road. His home run rate is similar, but no doubt he has lost a few home runs to the marine layer in Seattle. To hit 50 home runs in a tough home run park as a catcher playing almost every game is a stunning accomplishment.

Are there any other records Raleigh can break?

Glad you asked. It feels like the record for home runs by a switch-hitter isn’t getting enough publicity. Mickey Mantle — now that’s a big name — holds the mark with 54 in 1961. Indeed, he is the only other switch-hitter with a 50-homer season, also hitting 52 in 1956. Raleigh is now third on the all-time list, having soared past Lance Berkman and Chipper Jones, who had 45 in their best seasons. He’s projected to surpass that 54 mark, so this could be the next record to fall.

Then there’s the Mariners team record: Ken Griffey Jr. had back-to-back 56-homer seasons in 1997 and ’98. With 31 games left on the Mariners’ schedule, Raleigh has certainly put that total in play as well.

What were the most surprising 50-homer seasons?

Once he hits No. 50, Raleigh will have the 51st season in MLB history with 50 home runs — by 33 different players.

Which of those were most surprising? Obviously, there were a lot of goofy home run totals from the steroid eras, and a couple of those seasons crack our top seven list:

7. Luis Gonzalez, Arizona Diamondbacks, 2001 (57)

Gonzalez topped 30 home runs just one other time in his career (31 in 2000) but hit .325/.429/.688 with 57 home runs and 142 RBIs in the D-backs’ World Series-winning season. The offensive numbers were so extreme in the NL in 2001, however, that Gonzalez finished just third in home runs (behind Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa) and third in the MVP voting.

6. Roger Maris, New York Yankees, 1961 (61)

Maris’ historic season obviously can’t be considered a complete fluke considering he hit 39 home runs and won the AL MVP Award in 1960, but breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record of 60 set in 1927 is one of the great achievements in MLB history. That was the year that MLB expanded, and Maris’ teammate Mickey Mantle also hit 54 home runs, while three other American Leaguers hit at least 45.

5. George Foster, Cincinnati Reds, 1977 (52)

Foster had hit 29 home runs in 1976 and would follow up his 1977 MVP season with 40 home runs in 1978, but he hit 30 home runs just one other time (30 in 1979). His ’77 season also stands out because it was the only 50-homer season between Willie Mays in 1965 and Cecil Fielder in 1990. Foster did benefit from a new, livelier ball, after MLB switched its manufacturer from Spalding to Rawlings. The NL batting average increased from .255 to .262 in 1977 and home runs per game increased 47%, from .057 to 0.84.

4. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees, 2017 (52)

3. Pete Alonso, New York Mets, 2019 (53)

These seasons don’t look so surprising in retrospect, but both were shocking at the time since they occurred in their rookie seasons, with Judge setting a record in 2017 and then Alonso breaking it just two years later. Both were regarded as good prospects — but not great ones. Judge was No. 44 on ESPN’s preseason Top 100 list in 2017 while Alonso was No. 90 in 2019. Judge had hit just 19 home runs in the minors in 2016 (in 93 games), although his raw power was obvious; Alonso had hit 36 in the minors, so at least looked like your more prototypical hitting prospect.

Alonso’s year, in particular, is fascinating because he wasn’t even guaranteed a roster spot entering the season — the Mets had publicly mentioned his defense as a reason he hadn’t been called up in 2018. They also had a crowded field contending for first base in spring training: former top prospect Dominic Smith, Todd Frazier and J.D. Davis (both couldn’t play third base), as well as Jed Lowrie, who the Mets had signed as a free agent but couldn’t play at second base because they had traded for Robinson Cano. Lowrie hurt his left knee in spring training and Frazier was also injured at the start of the season while Alonso had a strong spring, earning the starting job over Smith.

2. Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays, 2010 (54)

Bautista was a 29-year-old journeyman coming off a 13-homer season, so he stunned everyone with this 54-homer season. He had overhauled his swing and started not only hitting the ball in the air more but pulling it much more often (his pull rate improved from 34% to 49%). He would prove it wasn’t a fluke, hitting 43 home runs in 2011 and 40 in 2015.

1. Brady Anderson, Baltimore Orioles, 1996 (50)

Anderson’s season still stands out as one of the fluke home run seasons of all time — his second-highest total was 24 home runs in 1999. Considering he was 32 years old at the time and coming off a 16-homer season, conspiracy theorists attribute his power spike to performance-enhancing drugs, which Anderson has consistently denied he used. Like Bautista, he pulled the ball more than ever that year while also hitting more fly balls. He played through a broken rib the following season and then he played through neck and back issues in 1998, both of which might have affected his power output. But that 50-homer season will live forever.

So where does Raleigh rank?

Probably along the lines of Gonzalez and Foster — a good power hitter having a career season, except Raleigh gets a little extra surprise credit for doing it as a catcher. Of course, we don’t know what he’ll do in the future, although you do wonder if he can keep playing this many games season after season. He has missed just three games all season, including just one since the All-Star break, but with the Mariners battling for both the division title and a wild-card spot, it’s going to be exceedingly difficult for manager Dan Wilson to rest Raleigh. The strikeouts have really piled up in August, including one five-strikeout game and three three-strikeout games, so it feels like he could use a day off or two. For now, the Mariners will hope he can keep grinding and keep hitting home runs.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Sports

Leafs’ Matthews (lower-body) could miss week

Published

2 hours ago

on

November 14, 2025

By

Leafs' Matthews (lower-body) could miss week

  • Kristen ShiltonNov 13, 2025, 11:55 AM ET

    Close

      Kristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN.

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews could miss up to a week of action with a lower-body injury, coach Craig Berube confirmed on Thursday.

The forward’s status was up in the air after he exited in the second period of Tuesday’s game against Boston following a hit from behind by Bruins’ defenseman Nikita Zadorov. Toronto hosts the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night.

“[Matthews] may be back sooner [than a week],” said Berube. “One of those things [where] he could come in a couple days from now feeling a lot better and [we’re] hopefully he’s good to go. But we’ll see. Could be as long as a week.”

It was midway through the second period on Tuesday when Matthews was knocked into the boards, and he immediately sought to retaliate on Zadorov with a hit of his own against the blue liner. Matthews didn’t take another shift and left the Leafs’ bench at the next TV timeout. He did not return for the third period.

There was no penalty called on the play, something Berube didn’t agree with.

“I think it’s a penalty, personally,” he said on Tuesday. “I don’t like it; I don’t like the hit [from Zadorov]. [Matthews] was in a vulnerable position.”

This will be Matthews’ first injury-related absence of the season after he was sidelined for 15 games last year. The three-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner has nine goals and 14 points in 17 games this season.

“We played last year without [Matthews] for a while, and it’s just next-man-up mentality [again],” said Berube. “Guys get a bigger bite here, a bigger role. We need a better team game.”

Matthews wasn’t the only one who was forced out of Tuesday’s contest. Goaltender Anthony Stolarz also left after the first period, during which he allowed three goals on 10 shots. Berube said on Tuesday he didn’t think Stolarz’s issue was serious and declared on Thursday he was day-to-day. The netminder is 6-5-1 this season with an .884 SV% and 3.51 GAA.

Dennis Hildeby is expected to start for Toronto against the Kings. The Leafs recalled goaltender Artur Akhtyamov from the American Hockey League on Thursday to back up Hildeby. They also placed forward Scott Laughton on injured reserve with an upper-body injury.

Continue Reading

Sports

Marchand reaches 1,000-point milestone in win

Published

2 hours ago

on

November 14, 2025

By

Marchand reaches 1,000-point milestone in win

  • Associated Press

Nov 13, 2025, 10:05 PM ET

SUNRISE, Fla. — Brad Marchand remembers a conversation he had with the Boston Bruins early in his days as a pro, and how some scouts there told him that getting to 400 games would signify having a pretty good career.

He’s done far better than that.

Marchand became the 102nd player in NHL history to reach 1,000 career points, reaching that milestone on Thursday night with a pair of assists in the Florida Panthers‘ 6-3 win over the Washington Capitals.

“It’s something I’m definitely proud of,” Marchand said. “And I hope there’s many more.”

Marchand came into the game with 998 points. Point No. 999 was an assist on a goal by Seth Jones midway through the third period, and the 1,000th came on an empty-netter by Eetu Luostarinen with 1:30 left.

The Panthers swarmed the ice after the milestone, surrounding Marchand in celebration.

“It was awesome. It was special,” Jones said. “You know, we’re a tight group in here, and he’s had an amazing career so far – and it feels like he’s got a lot left in the tank the way he’s playing for us this year, so that was pretty cool.”

Marchand got the first 976 points of his career with the Boston Bruins. He joined Florida in a trade that shocked many – especially given how the Bruins and Panthers had developed a playoff rivalry in recent years – late last season. The Panthers went on to win their second consecutive Stanley Cup, which was the second Cup of Marchand’s career as well.

“He’s unstoppable,” Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe said earlier Thursday. “I mean, I don’t know how he does it. Every game, he’s to have that kind of motor and be going every night. I mean, it seems like everything he shoots, it’s amazing. He’s such a great player and you can the energy he brings every night to us. He’s a huge reason why we are where we are.”

Marchand was the 71st pick in the 2006 draft, taken by Boston. A total of 29 teams all passed on drafting Marchand at least once that year – and in a bit of irony, Washington, the Panthers’ opponent for the milestone game, passed on drafting him five times that year. The Capitals had five picks in the top 70 of that draft.

Marchand becomes the third player from that class to reach 1,000 points, joining Claude Giroux (taken by Philadelphia at No. 22) and Nicklas Backstrom (taken by Washington at No. 4). And no player in that draft class has more goals than Marchand’s 435; Phil Kessel, who was taken at No. 5 by Boston that year, is second on that list with 413 goals.

“He’s been so prolific over his career,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “And it’s good for him to kind of have an experience at home. I think that’s really nice that he gets to have the fans appreciate it, celebrate it with him. It’s great.”

The Panthers will further commemorate it at a pregame ceremony that has yet to be scheduled.

This season, at 37, Marchand has been the leading scorer so far for a Florida team that is playing without captain Aleksander Barkov and star forward Matthew Tkachuk, among others. But the Panthers clearly believe Marchand still has plenty left to contribute, as evidenced by them giving him a six-year contract this past summer.

“I’ve always loved hockey,” Marchand said recently during an in-game interview with Scripps Sports, the team’s broadcast partner. “It’s been my biggest passion. And when you’re at the rink, when you play this game, you just feel like a kid.”

His leadership has been valued as well – maybe as much as the scoring.

Panthers defenseman Donovan Sebrango – basically a rookie, since he appeared in only two NHL games before this season – told a story of how Marchand took him out for dinner on a recent road trip. Sebrango has been one of Florida’s most consistent players since.

“I believe that’s where the mentorship is so important,” Maurice said. “Donovan’s going to take somebody out for dinner 15, 20 years from now, right? And that’s how it gets paid forward. He’ll do something nice for a kid because it was done so well for him.”

Continue Reading

Sports

NHL Power Rankings: 1-32 poll, one fantasy add for each team

Published

2 hours ago

on

November 14, 2025

By

NHL Power Rankings: 1-32 poll, one fantasy add for each team

  • Sean Allen

    Close

    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.

  • Victoria Matiash

    Close

    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.

Nov 14, 2025, 07:00 AM ET

Another week of the 2025-26 NHL season, another Power Rankings top spot for the Colorado Avalanche according to ESPN’s panel of voters.

But beyond sorting out which are the best (and worst) teams in the league, let’s help out all of the fantasy hockey managers out there. This week, in addition to our 1-32 ranking, we’ve enlisted ESPN fantasy analysts Victoria Matiash (Western Conference) and Sean Allen (Eastern) to identify one player from each team that managers should consider adding to their roster.

Don’t worry if you haven’t signed up yet; it’s not too late to play ESPN Fantasy Hockey. Sign up and play for free today.

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.

Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Nov. 7. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.

Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 80.6%

At minimum, Victor Olofsson serves as a viable streaming option if selected to jostle in for Valeri Nichushkin (injured) on an Avalanche scoring line, in addition to his spot on Colorado’s top power play. As it stands, while inconsistent, the 30-year-old is producing enough with the extra skater to make up for his fantasy-related shortcomings otherwise.

Next seven days: vs. NYI (Nov. 16), vs. NYR (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 73.5%

Dawson Mercer has gone from third-line depth to top-six mainstay. He is pushing for the team lead in goals and delivering more across-the-board stats than most mid-tier forwards. Mercer grades as a top-50 fantasy skater this season.

Next seven days: @ WSH (Nov. 15), @ TB (Nov. 18), @ FLA (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 67.6%

The Ducks are having fun. None more so than Beckett Sennecke, competing on a scoring line with Cutter Gauthier and Mason McTavish. Best suited to deep-league managers with a bit of patience, the 19-year-old tends to score sporadically. But it all works out in the long run.

Next seven days: @ MIN (Nov. 15), vs. UTA (Nov. 17), vs. BOS (Nov. 19), vs. OTT (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 68.8%

Many managers bailed on Nikolaj Ehlers early. Don’t be one of them. After a slow start, he has posted points in five straight games. He didn’t score a goal in October, but he’s producing now and remains available in far too many leagues.

Next seven days: vs. VAN (Nov. 14), vs. EDM (Nov. 15), @ BOS (Nov. 17), @ MIN (Nov. 19)

Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 69.4%

This unproductive start is out of character for Tyler Seguin. It was only last season the experienced center scored 21 points in an injury-shortened 20-game campaign. At least keep Seguin on your fantasy radar in anticipation of more productive days ahead.

Next seven days: vs. PHI (Nov. 15), vs. NYI (Nov. 18), @ VAN (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 64.7%

Rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes is still on the waiver wire in a third of leagues, which seems like a mistake. He has been a force in limited starts and is clearly separating from Sam Montembeault in fantasy value. Even if playing time isn’t steady yet, stash him now before it is.

Next seven days: vs. BOS (Nov. 15), @ CBJ (Nov. 17), vs. WSH (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 58.8%

Recovered from his ankle injury, Cole Perfetti is finally settling in on the second scoring line and No. 1 power play in Winnipeg. The perceived lineup replacement for a departed Nikolaj Ehlers will have his name on the scoresheet soon enough.

Next seven days: @ CGY (Nov. 15), vs. CBJ (Nov. 18)

Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 57.9%

Morgan Geekie deserves the spotlight, but a recovering Elias Lindholm has been just as impactful when healthy. Still week-to-week, he should soon rejoin Geekie and David Pastrnak at even strength and on the power play. Lindholm’s early-season production hinted at a bounce-back season.

Next seven days: @ MTL (Nov. 15), vs. CAR (Nov. 17), @ ANA (Nov. 19)

Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 61.8%

Anthony Mantha‘s resurgence predates the team’s rash of injuries. He has scored eight goals and looks like the early-career version who flirted with 30. Injuries have shuffled roles, but Mantha’s form should keep him fantasy relevant even when the lineup stabilizes.

Next seven days: vs. NSH (Nov. 14), vs. NSH (Nov. 16)

Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 59.4%

Riding shotgun to Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner, winger Ivan Barbashev is putting up even-strength points with aplomb. And unlike his prodigious linemates, Barbashev is largely available in ESPN fantasy competition. Grab him before competing managers become the wiser.

Next seven days: @ STL (Nov. 15), @ MIN (Nov. 16), vs. NYR (Nov. 18), @ UTA (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 61.1%

Turning back the clock in southern California, Corey Perry is clearly in a scoring mood. While the 40-year-old is unlikely to maintain a point-per-game pace all season, he certainly deserves a spot on your deeper fantasy roster at the moment.

Next seven days: @ OTT (Nov. 15), @ WSH (Nov. 17), @ SJ (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 56.3%

Trade target alert: Brayden Point. His scoring has been oddly cold, but the long-term numbers say it’s just variance. He ranks 19th among skaters in total fantasy production over the past seven seasons and 11th over the past three — this ideal trade window won’t last.

Next seven days: @ FLA (Nov. 15), vs. VAN (Nov. 16), vs. NJ (Nov. 18), vs. EDM (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 58.8%

Slump over! After a dry start to November, JJ Peterka is back to producing with his new squad in Utah. The second-line winger remains available in around third of ESPN fantasy leagues.

Next seven days: vs. NYI (Nov. 14), @ ANA (Nov. 17), @ SJ (Nov. 18), vs. VGK (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 58.8%

Playing with Connor Bedard provides its perks. Just ask forward Andre Burakovsky, who has 14 points in 15 games, including five with the extra skater. Yet, he somehow remains available in nearly three-quarters of ESPN fantasy leagues.

Next seven days: vs. TOR (Nov. 15), vs. CGY (Nov. 18), vs. SEA (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 61.1%

Shane Pinto hasn’t cooled off — he has just shifted from goals to assists. His line with Michael Amadio and Claude Giroux is driving play, outscoring opponents 9-3 so far. Pinto remains a steady fantasy contributor, even if the production looks a little different.

Next seven days: vs. LA (Nov. 15), @ ANA (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 59.4%

Dan Vladar has earned matchup-stream consideration after winning six of nine starts. The pace might slow, but he has been steady behind a more competitive Flyers squad. He’s not a set-and-forget starter, but he’s a worthwhile spot play in daily formats.

Next seven days: @ STL (Nov. 14), @ DAL (Nov. 15), vs. STL (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 61.8%

In one of this season’s feel-good stories, Matt Murray is proving he can still perform, with three solid-to-great starts for the Kraken. The veteran could be a viable streaming option if he is able to muscle appearances away from Philipp Grubauer, even once starter Joey Daccord is healed up.

Next seven days: vs. SJ (Nov. 15), @ DET (Nov. 18), @ CHI (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 58.8%

Simon Edvinsson is a quietly useful depth defenseman. His mix of blocks, hits and modest offense keeps him fantasy relevant, and his pairing with Moritz Seider owns the NHL’s best shot-attempts percentage. He’s a sleeper pick for deeper formats.

Next seven days: vs. BUF (Nov. 15), @ NYR (Nov. 16), vs. SEA (Nov. 18), vs. NYI (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 50%

This is when Ovechkin heats up; he had seven goals in five games around this time last season. If history repeats, his slow start makes him a trade target. He’s 40, but the motor still revs.

Next seven days: vs. NJ (Nov. 15), vs. LA (Nov. 17), vs. EDM (Nov. 19), @ MTL (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 52.6%

Forward Zach Hyman is back this week. Scoop him up before he starts scoring as a member of the Oilers’ top six and No. 1 power play. The 33-year-old winger won’t be available in more than half of ESPN leagues for long.

Next seven days: @ CAR (Nov. 15), @ BUF (Nov. 17), @ WSH (Nov. 19), @ TB (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 55.6%

Gabe Perreault debuted Monday on a scoring line and tallied an assist. After 10 points in nine AHL games, he could be the offensive spark New York needs. In deeper formats, he’s a solid speculative add while the Rangers search for secondary — or maybe just primary — scoring.

Next seven days: @ CBJ (Nov. 15), vs. DET (Nov. 16), @ VGK (Nov. 18), @ COL (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 58.8%

Mathew Barzal, Kyle Palmieri and Emil Heineman are all viable adds from an offense that has been quietly consistent. Barzal is available in fewer than half of leagues, Palmieri in just more than and Heineman almost everywhere — all three offer scoring depth if you need it.

Next seven days: @ UTA (Nov. 14), @ COL (Nov. 16), @ DAL (Nov. 18), @ DET (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 52.8%

While we all “oooh” and “ahhh” (justly so) over what Macklin Celebrini is accomplishing in his second NHL season, know that a healthy-again William Eklund is also pitching in at a valuable pace. And, unlike with Celebrini, you might be able to snag Eklund off the waiver wire in your league.

Next seven days: @ SEA (Nov. 15), vs. UTA (Nov. 18), vs. LA (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 55.9%

The Stanley Cup-winning line is back together, and that’s great news for Eetu Luostarinen. He’s widely available, produces when flanking Brad Marchand and Anton Lundell, and adds extra value in hits.

Next seven days: vs. TB (Nov. 15), vs. VAN (Nov. 17), vs. NJ (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 50%

Oliver Ekman-Larsson is getting an extended look on the top power play. With the first unit still underperforming, he’s worth streaming in hopes that opportunity converts to points. Ride the role while it lasts.

Next seven days: @ CHI (Nov. 15), vs. STL (Nov. 18), vs. CBJ (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 55.9%

Adam Fantilli is an ideal trade target. His slow start hid his upside, but he’s heating up after moving alongside Kirill Marchenko. While the line with Sean Monahan had strong numbers and might tempt another shuffle, Fantilli is currently the top dog and trending up.

Next seven days: vs. NYR (Nov. 15), vs. MTL (Nov. 17), @ WPG (Nov. 18), @ TOR (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 50%

Back on Minnesota’s top line and power play after missing the start of 2025-26, Mats Zuccarello is already back to the business of regularly registering points. While the diminutive veteran isn’t all that flashy in the shallow-league fantasy sphere, he gets the job done in deeper leagues. Skating alongside Kirill Kaprizov helps.

Next seven days: vs. ANA (Nov. 15), vs. VGK (Nov. 16), vs. CAR (Nov. 19)

Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 47.2%

All Kiefer Sherwood does is score goals, ranking among the league leaders thus far. The Canucks’ secret net-finding playmaker is also the league leader in hits, making the left wing a must-start in leagues that reward both categories.

Next seven days: @ CAR (Nov. 14), @ TB (Nov. 16), @ FLA (Nov. 17), vs. DAL (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 44.1%

The Blues don’t have to win another game for Justin Faulk to remain useful in fantasy competition that rewards production and defensive play; the veteran defender ranks second in St. Louis in points and blocked shots. That might partly explain why the Blues are ranked where they are.

Next seven days: vs. PHI (Nov. 14), vs. VGK (Nov. 15), @ TOR (Nov. 18), @ PHI (Nov. 20)

Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 41.2%

Don’t overlook Mattias Samuelsson‘s value. He has only six points, but his blocked shots and peripheral stats make him worth rostering. That kind of depth allows you to explore D-for-D trades knowing you have reliable replacement value sitting on your bench.

Next seven days: @ DET (Nov. 15), vs. EDM (Nov. 17), vs. CGY (Nov. 19)

Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 38.9%

Even before earning his first NHL hat trick, forward Matthew Wood was on a roll with three goals and three assists in six games. Considering how the season is unfolding (again) in Tennessee, it’s only a matter of time before the rookie earns more quality minutes. Add him before the next multigoal contest.

Next seven days: vs. PIT (Nov. 14), vs. PIT (Nov. 16)

Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 31.6%

It was only a few days ago that Jonathan Huberdeau was enjoying a six-game point streak prior to his current three-game pointless one. On the bright side, he’s still steadily shooting on net. If another productive run is just around the corner, the top-line winger might be worth a gamble in extra-deep fantasy leagues.

Next seven days: vs. WPG (Nov. 15), @ CHI (Nov. 18), @ BUF (Nov. 19)

Continue Reading

Trending