Whats up everybody and welcome to the newest Prime 10! I am Eli Feldman.
For fantasy hockey managers, drafting gamers on new groups is at all times a problem. On one hand, the pure pleasure of seeing a participant don completely different colors for the primary time boosts their enchantment. Nevertheless, however, managers are susceptible to overreaching/overpaying for newcomers in drafts, which may result in disappointment down the highway.
Finally, when drafting gamers on new groups, distinguishing between enhanced alternatives and mere change-of-scenery hype is essential. With this in thoughts, listed here are the Prime 10 gamers on new groups this yr.
(Statistics courtesy of Frozen Instruments and MoneyPuck.com)
10. Matias Maccelli, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Following the departure of star winger Mitch Marner this offseason, the Leafs swiftly introduced in Matias Maccelli by way of a commerce with Utah. Maccelli struggled immensely final season, recording a meagre 18 factors (eight targets, 10 assists) in 55 video games whereas averaging lower than 14 minutes of ice time per sport. Earlier than his down yr, nevertheless, Maccelli strung collectively consecutive productive campaigns, throughout which he registered 78 assists in 146 video games whereas showcasing flashes of elite playmaking. With a chance to affix the Leafs’ loaded prime energy play unit this season, Maccelli is primed to rediscover his sport.
9. Andrew Mangiapane, LW/RW, Edmonton Oilers
After a fast cease in Washington, Andrew Mangiapane inked a two-year, $7.2M contract with the Edmonton Oilers this offseason. Like Matias Maccelli, Mangiapane joins a squad in want of a dependable five-on-five participant to enhance the staff’s superstars. Additionally like Maccelli, Mangiapane struggled final season, posting his lowest level whole (28) since his rookie marketing campaign. Whereas Mangiapane initiatives to start the 2025-2026 marketing campaign in a middle-six function, he’ll possible get a shot to play alongside Connor McDavid and/or Leon Draisaitl in some unspecified time in the future, making him an intriguing fantasy possibility for the yr forward.
8. Trevor Zegras, C, Philadelphia Flyers
After parting methods with former head coach and infamous traditionalist John Tortorella this offseason, the Flyers emphatically signaled the graduation of a brand new period by buying one of many sport’s flashiest forwards: Trevor Zegras. Zegras has battled the harm bug over the previous two years, recording a complete of simply 47 factors in his final 88 video games. Regardless of his latest struggles, Z’s transfer to Philadelphia improves the staff’s prime six and powerplay, which might assist him reclaim his nightly spot on the spotlight reel this season.
7. Mikael Granlund, C/LW/RW, Anaheim Geese
The Geese defied typical knowledge this offseason by bringing in a number of veterans, together with versatile playmaker Mikael Granlund. Granlund might not be the flashiest ahead, however his distribution and veteran savvy model make him a really perfect stabilizer for Anaheim’s younger roster. He averaged a powerful 2.45 factors per 60 minutes final season (T-89 total) on an extremely deep Stars staff, demonstrating that he can nonetheless dish the puck with the league’s finest, even at 33 years previous. If Granlund finds his means into the Geese’ prime six, he might eclipse the 60-point threshold for the fourth time prior to now 5 years.
6. John Gibson, G, Detroit Crimson Wings
Following three-straight underwhelming campaigns, John Gibson ranked T-13th in targets saved above anticipated in 2024-2025, albeit, in simply 29 video games performed. Gibson’s stellar efficiency final season was sufficient to entice the Crimson Wings, who acquired the veteran netminder in alternate for Petr Mrazek and two picks this offseason. Behind a Crimson Wings defence led by one of many league’s finest rearguards in Moritz Seider, Gibson has an opportunity to duplicate final season’s stellar play and, in flip, engrain himself because the Wings’ No. 1 goalie.
5. Chris Kreider, LW, Anaheim Geese
After spending the primary 13 seasons of his profession on Broadway, Chris Kreider traded in blue for orange this offseason, becoming a member of the Anaheim Geese by way of commerce. Though he is 34 years previous, Kreider stays one of many league’s premier net-front scorers, registering 58 PPGs over his final 4 seasons with the Rangers. With velocity, management, and elite ending, Anaheim’s younger core will profit from Kreider’s presence this season, each on and off the ice.
4. Noah Dobson, D, Montreal Canadiens
This offseason, Montreal paid a premium for a real top-pair proper defenceman, buying standout rearguard Noah Dobson from the Islanders in alternate for ahead Emil Heineman and the No. 16 and 17 picks within the 2025 NHL Draft. Regardless of underperforming final season, Dobson was a pressure in 2023-2024, registering a fair 70 factors (10 targets, 60 assists) in 79 video games whereas averaging over 24 (!) minutes of ice time an evening. Dobson’s potential to quarterback a powerplay provides the Canadiens a viable insurance coverage possibility behind Lane Hutson, and his two-way sport ought to assist the Habs soar to new heights in 2025-2026.
3. J.J. Peterka, LW/RW, Utah Mammoth
Following consecutive 25+ purpose seasons with the Sabres, J.J. Peterka was shipped to Utah this offseason in alternate for ahead Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring. Peterka posted a career-high 68 factors (27 targets, 41 assists) final yr and brings straight-line velocity and a fast launch to the Mammoth’s younger lineup. Set to play a key function on a rising staff, a giant yr is brewing for J.J.P.
2. Nikolaj Ehlers, LW/RW, Carolina Hurricanes
After posting 124 factors (49 targets and 75 assists) in his last 151 video games with the Winnipeg Jets, Nikolaj Ehlers signed a six-year, $51M contract with the Hurricanes this offseason. A dynamic winger who scores, creates, and drives play by the impartial zone, Ehlers is predicted to step right into a top-six and first-power-play-unit function with the Canes from the get-go. As such, alternative knocks for Swift Nik to cement himself as one other elite offensive weapon on a staff with Stanley Cup ambitions this season.
1. Mitch Marner, RW, Vegas Golden Knights
The marquee transfer of the 2025 offseason was Mitch Marner‘s sign-and-trade from Toronto to Vegas. Regardless of his disenchanting playoff monitor file, Marner is a gifted playmaker who topped the 100-point mark for the primary time throughout his last season in Toronto. In Vegas, Marner’s even-strength spot remains to be to be decided, he might skate alongside Jack Eichel on the highest line or be part of Tomas Hertl and Pavel Dorofeyev to stability the staff’s prime two scoring items. Nevertheless, Marner will undoubtably anchor Vegas’ prime powerplay unit from the bounce, the place his elite imaginative and prescient and passing ought to elevate an already harmful assault.
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That is it for this week! Keep tuned for the subsequent Prime 10 on Monday, September 22. Have an incredible week everybody!
