Welcome again to a different yr of fantasy with Dobber Hockey! With the NHL season underway, this additionally means fantasy managers have begun their league season.
Whether or not you’re scanning the waiver wire for doable additions, or scouring the commerce market, we’ve got the knowledge you want. Managers, let’s check out this fantasy hockey season!
Fantasy Hockey Participant Outlook
Looking at which gamers try to be focusing on in your league’s fantasy season. Who will be had on the waiver wire, and who do you have to keep away from selecting up? Check out our fantasy hockey gamers’ outlook for the upcoming week.
*Be aware: All stats are courtesy of ESPN Fantasy Hockey.
Early Season Provides (Declare these gamers on the waiver wire)
Morgan Geekie, C, Boston Bruins, Rostered-44.3%
Morgan Geekie broke out final season for 33 objectives in Boston. The Bruins misplaced most of their core over the course of the final two years and this has thrust Geekie right into a top-line wing position for the Bruins. He’ll be taking part in alongside David Pastrnak, who’s persistently a prime fantasy producer. Even when Geekie cannot replicate his objective totals from final season, taking part in alongside the Bruins famous person pays dividends in itself. He’s out there in most fantasy waiver wires. In bigger codecs, he is an efficient depth choice.
Artturi Lehkonen, LW, Colorado Avalanche, Rostered-31.1%
Lehkonen being rostered in solely 31% of leagues is surprising. He has been a staple alongside Nathan Mackinnon during the last a number of seasons, and that alone ought to reward managers in fantasy. He is on the highest line and the highest energy play for Colorado. His harm historical past could also be scaring managers off, nevertheless, when wholesome, he has been very productive. Reap the benefits of Lehkonen’s availability as he rides shotgun with one of many league’s prime gamers.
Younger Gamers to Construct Off (Younger gamers poised to breakout)
Frank Nazar, C, Chicago Blackhawks, Rostered-24.3%
Sophomore Frank Nazar is a vivid spot on a weak Chicago Blackhawks roster. He is likely one of the solely true supporting gamers for Connor Bedard. He’s taking part in on the workforce’s prime energy play unit and is centering the second line. In his season debut, he managed a objective and an help towards the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers. His inventory is rising in fantasy leagues already, and managers ought to declare him earlier than their rivals take benefit first.
Marco Kasper, C, Detroit Pink Wings, Rostered-72.3%
Final season, rookie Marco Kasper discovered his means onto the Pink Wings prime line alongside Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. He capitalized on his first alternative as he managed 37 factors in 77 video games. This yr, nevertheless, he has been tasked with a brand new position. The teenager will likely be taking part in his pure place down the center between Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. Anticipate the 21-year-old Kasper to have a breakout season for Detroit.
Purchase-Low Gamers (It’s best to commerce for these gamers as quickly as doable)
Pavel Dorofeyev, RW, Vegas Golden Knights, Rostered-88.1%
Dorofeyev had an excellent season debut for the Golden Knights as he recorded a hat-trick within the loss to the Kings. The 24-year-old burst onto the scene final yr with 52 factors in his first full marketing campaign. He started the yr on the workforce’s third line with Tomas Hertl and Brandon Saad. Nonetheless, he’s on the workforce’s first energy play unit and will very effectively work his means onto the highest line with Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner. Fantasy managers ought to commerce for him as quickly as doable.
Juraj Slafkovsky, LW, Montreal Canadiens, Rostered-66.9%
Regardless of not discovering the scoresheet in his season debut, Juraj Slafkovský proved his worth for fantasy managers. He recorded six photographs on objective within the loss to the Maple Leafs and confirmed shades of the power-forward the Canadiens hope he will be. The 21-year-old was a former first general choose again in 2022. He’ll play alongside Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki for almost all of 2025-26 and also will be featured on a strong-looking prime power-play unit for the Canadiens. Slafkovský ought to construct upon the 51 factors he registered final yr. Nonetheless, even when not discovering the scoresheet, he’s an asset for fantasy managers. Reap the benefits of his present worth as he’s solely rostered in 66% of leagues.
Steer Clear (Gamers you need to keep away from in Fantasy Leagues)
Chris Kreider, LW, Anaheim, Rostered-79.7%
Kreider is rostered in nearly 80% of fantasy leagues. Nonetheless, he’s coming off a profession worst season with the Rangers. Previously a strong fantasy choice, Kreider’s age seems to be catching up with him. Now on a weaker Geese squad, it is unclear what sort of position he’ll play, and what this might imply for his manufacturing. This makes him an excessive amount of of a wild card to be a dependable fantasy choice.
Ryan Donato, C, Chicago Blackhawks, Rostered-39%
Donato is coming off a career-high 61 factors final season with Chicago. This earned him a brand new deal within the offseason. Nonetheless, do not anticipate him to copy that success this yr. Final season was an outlier for a 29-year-old whose earlier profession excessive was 31 factors. He now finds himself on the workforce’s third line and second energy play unit. Avoid Donato as he’s sure to disappoint fantasy managers this season.
NHL Staff Outlooks
Analyzing the upcoming weeks schedule and taking a look at which NHL groups are anticipated to have a powerful week and who will likely be in powerful. Which groups’ gamers do you have to be shopping for inventory in, and which groups do you have to keep away from in any respect prices? Take a peek on the NHL workforce outlook for the upcoming week.
*Be aware: This week runs from October 10-16. Groups who play extra video games within the week typically acquire favor within the schedule evaluation.
Early Season Favorites (These groups pays dividends within the coming video games.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs opened up their season with an enormous win over their bitter rival Montreal Canadiens at house; a powerful signal within the post-Mitch Marner period for Toronto. They give the impression of being to proceed their success on the street in Detroit on Saturday. They may then head again house to play Detroit as soon as once more, adopted by Nashville and the Rangers. A prolonged homestand towards three comparatively weak squads ought to present fantasy worth for Maple Leafs fantasy house owners.
Ottawa Senators
The Senators play 4 video games throughout a seven-day stretch. This consists of two divisional video games on the street towards the Panthers and Sabres in addition to two house video games versus the Predators and Kraken. With Drake Batherson out for Ottawa, anticipate different forwards on the roster to supply fantasy worth throughout this busy stretch, like Fabian Zetterlund and Shane Pinto. If Ottawa will get by means of the defending cup champions, they discover themselves in a comparatively straightforward stretch of video games.
Florida Panthers
After a house recreation towards the aforementioned Ottawa Senators, the Florida Panthers are on the street for 3 video games towards Metropolitan Division groups. They confronted the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night time, and have the Detroit Pink Wings and New Jersey Devils subsequent, in that order. They’ve a busy schedule, which ought to result in fantasy success. Nonetheless, be weary as they discover themselves within the second half of a back-to-back towards the Devils to shut out the stretch,
Anticipated to Wrestle Out of the Gate (Keep away from gamers on these groups this week in any respect prices)
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks discovered themselves on the backside of the NHL standings final season. They’ve some strong younger gamers and may take a step this yr. Nonetheless, they solely play two video games throughout this stretch, and certainly one of them occurs to be towards the Carolina Hurricanes.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers are in powerful to start their season. They’ve three video games through the interval of study, all towards elite groups. They start on the street towards their divisional rival Carolina Hurricanes. Following that recreation, they return house to face the Florida Panthers and Winnipeg Jets. The Flyers are anticipated to battle this season, and this younger workforce will doubtless battle throughout this stretch.
Detroit Pink Wings
The Detroit Pink Wings have three video games throughout this early stretch, all towards powerful divisional rivals. They’ve a house and residential versus the Maple Leafs earlier than returning to Detroit to host the Panthers. Detroit has restricted fantasy gamers who maintain worth, and it will be tough for his or her prime guys towards among the prime groups within the NHL.
*For extra hockey and fantasy protection, observe me on X (previously Twitter) @Cdesjardins67
