7 Finest Fantasy Hockey Grinders to Draft in 2025

Sport: NHL

Loads of fantasy hockey leagues embrace hits and penalty minutes, whether or not they rely for factors or classes. A few of the finest gamers can hit, go to the field so much, and do a minimum of one different factor properly. There are additionally those that play bodily very properly and could be a welcome boost to your group. Relying in your fantasy hockey league, these gamers can go within the center rounds, late rounds, and even in no way, however are efficient nonetheless. Right here’s a have a look at seven fantasy hockey grinders to contemplate in your upcoming drafts.

7 Nice Fantasy Hockey Grinders

Will Cuylle, New York Rangers

I’d be stunned if Will Cuylle doesn’t get loads of top-6 time this season after Chris Kreider was traded to the Anaheim Geese and a spot opened up. There will probably be gamers examined within the top-6, however Cuylle is extra seasoned and completed final season with 20 objectives and 45 factors to associate with 301 hits and 42 penalty minutes. He isn’t an incredible offensive expertise, however the high of the lineup for the New York Rangers goes to be extra steady and higher this season. He’ll profit from that and never change his fashion of play.

Jack McBain, Utah Mammoth

The Utah Mammoth are going to be higher, and with that, Jack McBain goes to have some higher linemates to play with this season. He simply signed a five-year deal and is predicted to get higher at 25 years outdated because the third-line heart. He scored 13 objectives and 27 factors, however completed sixth in hits final season with 291 and likewise had 78 penalty minutes. McBain may put up just a little higher offensive numbers, however the different areas ought to usually keep the identical, so you realize what you’re getting with him.

Mathieu Olivier, Columbus Blue Jackets

Mathieu Oliver had a breakout season in 2024-25 and acquired himself a pleasant extension due to it. Not solely is he thought of the heavyweight champion of the fighters across the league, which will get him a lot of penalty minutes, however he additionally completed second within the league in hits with 306 final season. His penalty minute totals had been second within the NHL at 139. You might need to anticipate rather less offensive manufacturing by Olivier, however he did rating 18 objectives and 32 factors as a bottom-6 participant.

Radko Gudas, Anaheim Geese

Radko Gudas is your common, constant grinder who’s drafted yearly. He makes big hits and is a tricky participant. The Anaheim Geese are additionally one of many few groups that will have him taking part in as a lot as he does, so there are many alternatives to proceed getting penalties and delivering hits. The veteran completed final season with 281 hits and 86 penalty minutes, however in case you have blocks in your league, his worth rises even additional.

Kiefer Sherwood, Vancouver Canucks

Kiefer Sherwood broke out as a particularly precious participant for hits final season, placing up 462, 156 greater than the following closest participant. He will probably be within the bottom-6 for the Vancouver Canucks this season, however he additionally averaged nearly quarter-hour per sport final season, so he might be moved up and performed extra on the drop of a hat. There will probably be no stopping Sherwood from delivering loads of hits once more this season. His penalty minutes are a bit decrease, however his hitting makes up for that. What provides to his worth past hits is the 19 objectives and 40 factors final season, though I don’t suppose that’ll be matched.

Lian Bichsel, Dallas Stars

Lian Bichsel goes to have just a little larger position this season now that Matt Dumba and Cody Ceci are gone. They performed the other aspect as him, and so does Nils Lundkvist, however there will probably be extra ice time and key defensive factors to go round for a second 12 months Bichsel to step up into, this time taking part in a full season. In simply 38 video games final season, the younger 6’7 defender had 41 penalty minutes and 155 hits. These numbers are going to fly up.

Jeremy Lauzon, Vegas Golden Knights

Jeremy Lauzon was the previous hitting champion earlier than he spent nearly all of final season on the injured reserve. Now with the Vegas Golden Knights, wholesome, and within the final 12 months of his deal, he will probably be trying to soar proper again in and do what he does finest. He gained’t present factors, however in 28 video games final season, Lauzon 37 penalty minutes and 127 hits. He had 98 penalty minutes and 386 hits the season prior. In the event you want blocks, he additionally has you lined.

Additionally, ensure that to take a look at our 2025-26 Fantasy Hockey Consensus Defensemen Rankings

Grinders and difficult guys will be very precious for you, and there won’t be the very best ones obtainable for you after the draft on waivers. Make sure to goal all areas and look to seize a few of these bodily gamers for fantasy hockey this season.