The air crackles with anticipation. Your fantasy hockey draft clock ticks relentlessly, each passing second a subtle reminder of the championship you covet. Fellow managers, armed with their spreadsheets and sleeper lists, eye the board, but you—you have a secret weapon. You`ve identified those players, the ones who aren`t just good, but are poised to redefine your roster`s potential. These are the athletes on whom you`re ready to “plant your flag,” committing to their impact on the upcoming 2025-26 NHL season.
This isn`t merely about drafting the obvious superstars; it’s about strategic foresight, understanding player roles, and leveraging the nuances of your league’s scoring system. For ESPN Fantasy standard leagues, where goals are gold (2 points), assists crucial (1 point), and even shots, hits, and blocks carry tangible weight, every pick matters. And for goalies, wins (4 points) are the ultimate prize. We’ve scoured the projections and dissected the narratives to bring you ten players who embody potential, consistency, and that tantalizing upside that separates contenders from the rest.
The Undisputed Titan: A Cornerstone of Consistency
Nikita Kucherov, F, Tampa Bay Lightning
Let`s begin with a player who barely needs an introduction, yet warrants a firm planting of the flag: Nikita Kucherov. While some picks are about unearthing gems, others are about securing a rock-solid foundation, and Kucherov is precisely that. He`s been an offensive juggernaut, leading the NHL in assists for two consecutive seasons while simultaneously maintaining a robust goal-scoring pace (44 goals in 2023-24, 37 last season). His shot volume is consistently high, and his power-play prowess is unmatched, racking up 99 power-play points over the last two years.
What makes Kucherov an almost audacious choice, despite his obvious talent, is his unwavering consistency. Surrounded by talent like Victor Hedman, Jake Guentzel, and Brayden Point, his line is an even-strength scoring machine. The fact that he’s entering the final two years of his contract, coupled with a mid-season break from Olympic play (Russia’s non-participation), only adds more fuel to an already blazing fire. Don’t overthink it: Kucherov is a fantasy ATM.
The Rising Stars: Unearthing Tomorrow`s MVPs
Pavel Dorofeyev, F, Vegas Golden Knights
Here’s where the strategy truly begins. The offseason saw Mitch Marner arrive in Vegas, a blockbuster move that reshapes the Golden Knights` top lines. While the speculation centers on Marner and Jack Eichel, the question remains: who finishes their plays? Enter Pavel Dorofeyev. The 24-year-old winger quietly exploded last season with 35 goals and 52 points, showcasing a consistent shooting percentage and a significant uptick in shots. His 13 power-play goals underscore his ability to capitalize on prime opportunities.
The gamble here is clear: will Dorofeyev’s finishing ability earn him a coveted spot alongside Eichel and Marner? If that chemistry clicks, last season’s performance could be just the prologue. This is a pick based on opportunity, skill, and the potential for a seismic shift in production.
Will Cuylle, F, New York Rangers
Imagine a player whose sophomore season provided a tantalizing glimpse of future dominance, and then consider him poised for a significant promotion. That’s Will Cuylle for the New York Rangers. Last season, he put up a respectable 20 goals and 25 assists, but his multi-category contributions were truly remarkable: 301 hits, 50 blocked shots, and three shorthanded points. For ESPN standard scoring, this blend is gold.
The real intrigue lies in the upcoming season. With new coach Mike Sullivan potentially keeping Mika Zibanejad on the wing, Cuylle could solidify a top-six role alongside J.T. Miller and Zibanejad. More critically, with Chris Kreider’s departure, a significant power-play slot — specifically the net-front presence — is open. If Cuylle steps into that role, his fantasy value could skyrocket, making him a breakout candidate you’ll be glad you “flagged.”
Jackson LaCombe, D, Anaheim Ducks
If you enjoy being ahead of the curve, then Jackson LaCombe is your defenseman. Completing his second NHL season with 43 points (14 goals, 29 assists) and an impressive 129 blocked shots, LaCombe’s offensive game is clearly ascending. His invite to the Team USA Olympic orientation camp wasn`t just an honor; it was an acknowledgment of his significant development.
With Joel Quenneville now behind the bench and a maturing core in Anaheim, the Ducks are expected to improve, which directly benefits players like LaCombe. He’s primed for increased power-play time and a higher shot volume, presenting a classic “under-the-radar” opportunity to secure a defenseman with significant offensive and defensive contributions. He`s the hipster pick that will make you look like a genius.
Sam Rinzel, D, Chicago Blackhawks
This is where we truly plant a flag on unexplored territory. Most of this list comprises proven performers or strong breakout candidates, but Sam Rinzel is a bold, high-upside rookie pick. With only nine NHL games and five assists under his belt last season, he’s an enigma, yet the buzz in Chicago suggests he could quickly ascend to a top-pairing role.
Drafted 25th overall in 2022, Rinzel is a raw talent whose physical and defensive game have been developing. If he seizes the opportunity for significant ice time, especially on the power play, 40-plus points and a valuable combination of hits and blocks are within reach. This is a pure speculation pick, but if it pays off, you’ll be telling everyone about your foresight for years to come. Think of it as investing in hockey futures.
The Multi-Category Mavericks: Beyond Pure Points
Nick Suzuki, F, Montreal Canadiens
In fantasy hockey, predictability and consistent growth are invaluable. Nick Suzuki embodies both. His point totals have steadily climbed from 66 to 77 to a career-high 89 last season, consistently hitting the 30-goal mark. Even more impressively, he maintained this pace despite a drop in power-play goals.
Suzuki`s value lies in his reliable production and his role as the Canadiens` top-line center, flanked by Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky—a trio that has demonstrated exceptional chemistry. Averaging over two shots per game and chipping in with more blocks and hits than a typical top-line center, he provides a well-rounded fantasy profile. The added motivation of potential Team Canada Olympic consideration only sweetens the deal for this consistent performer.
Alex Tuch, F, Buffalo Sabres
Some players are simply tailor-made for specific fantasy scoring systems, and Alex Tuch is the poster child for ESPN Fantasy Hockey`s standard scoring. While goals are supreme, blocked shots carry a premium (0.5 points). Tuch delivers both in spades. No other forward in the NHL last season blocked as many shots (113) while also dishing out 73 hits. This defensive diligence, combined with 36 goals and 67 points in his first full 82-game season, makes him a unique fantasy asset.
Playing alongside star center Tage Thompson, Tuch`s offensive opportunities are plentiful. There`s also room for significant growth on the power play, where he only managed a paltry 11 points last season. For managers valuing an all-around game that fills multiple categories, Tuch is a quintessential “plant your flag” player. He`s not just scoring; he`s doing everything.
Evan Bouchard, D, Edmonton Oilers
Here’s a peculiar case: a player often critiqued in real-world hockey for defensive liabilities and puck management (128 giveaways last season) who is an absolute fantasy hockey goldmine. Evan Bouchard is that player. With the luxury of playing alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, Bouchard`s offensive production is elite among defensemen, ranking ninth in points (189) and tied for fourth in power-play points (74) over the last three seasons.
While his 2024-25 campaign saw a slight regression, particularly in power-play points, it’s reasonable to assume that was an anomaly. His booming shot on the Oilers’ power play remains one of the league’s most dangerous weapons, ensuring a high volume of shots on goal (around 230). In fantasy, you draft for points and categories, not defensive zone plus/minus. Bouchard, the “Bouch Bomb,” is a prime example of why fantasy managers sometimes look past the real-world flaws.
The Last Line of Defense: Goaltending`s Strategic Edge
Karel Vejmelka, G, Utah Mammoth
Goaltending in fantasy can be a minefield, but securing a starting netminder on an ascending team offers tremendous upside. Karel Vejmelka, now solidified as the starter for the newly rebranded Utah Mammoth, fits this description perfectly. After an 89-point debut season in Salt Lake City, the team has added players like JJ Peterka and Nate Schmidt, signaling genuine playoff aspirations. An improved team means more wins, and in ESPN standard scoring, wins are paramount (4 points each).
Vejmelka signed a five-year extension, confirming his long-term role. Last season, he shouldered a significant workload, playing 58 games and registering 26 wins. If Utah meets its playoff expectations, Vejmelka is in an excellent position to significantly improve on that win total, making him a reliable, high-volume goalie choice for your roster.
Mackenzie Blackwood, G, Colorado Avalanche
Finally, we have the high-reward, moderate-risk goaltending pick: Mackenzie Blackwood. The Colorado Avalanche are perennial Stanley Cup contenders, consistently logging 100-point seasons. Playing for such a dominant team means every win is within reach, and Blackwood showed flashes of his potential last season with 22 wins and three shutouts in 37 games after joining from San Jose.
The crucial caveat, however, is his durability. Last season marked the first time Blackwood played more than 50 games in his career, and previous seasons were marred by injuries. Early preseason injury concerns for the upcoming year are also a red flag. This pick is a calculated gamble: if he stays healthy and commands a significant share of the starts for the Avalanche, he could be an absolute fantasy powerhouse. If not, well, you`ll need to plant your flag in another crease, and quickly.
The art of the fantasy hockey draft is a blend of data, intuition, and a willingness to commit. These ten players represent different facets of a winning strategy, from the undisputed offensive genius to the high-risk, high-reward rookie. Whether you`re chasing consistent points, multi-category dominance, or banking on a team`s upward trajectory, each pick is a declaration of confidence.
So, as your draft approaches, armed with these insights and your own keen hockey sense, prepare to make those decisive choices. Plant your flag firmly, confidently, and watch as your strategically assembled roster paves its way to fantasy hockey glory in the 2025-26 season. Happy drafting!
Jasper Hawthorne 
Dominic Ashworth