MacKinnon, McDavid Top 2026 Fantasy Hockey Rankings

The 2026-27 NHL season schedule has been released, and with it, ESPN Fantasy has unveiled its early fantasy hockey rankings, offering a glimpse into the top players for upcoming fantasy drafts. Unsurprisingly, a few names stand out at the very top, maintaining their elite status in the fantasy landscape Source.

Top Forwards Remain Dominant

Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon (C1) and Edmonton's Connor McDavid (C2) lead the overall rankings, mirroring their consistent production in recent seasons. Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov (RW1), fresh off a Hart Trophy win, rounds out the top trio. These players are expected to be high-impact selections in any fantasy format, especially points leagues.

Key Forward Observations

• Rookies on the Rise: Macklin Celebrini (C3), the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, makes an immediate impact at fourth overall, underscoring his high fantasy potential. Cutter Gauthier (LW10) also appears in the top 40.
• Aging Stars Holding Strong: Veterans like Alex Ovechkin (LW11) and Steven Stamkos (C14) are still ranked within the top 50, indicating continued expected production despite their age.
• Edmonton Oilers Duo: Beyond McDavid, Leon Draisaitl (C5) and Zach Hyman (RW7) are also highly ranked, making the Oilers a potential fantasy powerhouse with multiple top-tier offensive options.

Defensemen and Goalies to Target

On the blue line, Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski (D1) of the Columbus Blue Jackets is the top-ranked defenseman. He's followed closely by Cale Makar (D2) and Evan Bouchard (D3), both known for their offensive contributions. For goaltenders, Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy (G1) leads the pack, with Logan Thompson (G2) of Washington and Jake Oettinger (G3) of Dallas also in the top selections.

Positional Depth

• Offensive Defensemen: The rankings reinforce the value of defensemen who can contribute significantly to points, with players like Moritz Seider (D4) and Noah Dobson (D5) also making the top 40.
• Goaltending Stability: Vasilevskiy's consistent performance makes him a high-security option, while Thompson and Oettinger represent strong choices for fantasy managers looking for reliable netminders.

Ranking Methodology

These rankings are based on ESPN Fantasy's standard game scoring: Goals (2 points), Assists (1 point), Shots and Hits (0.1 points), Blocked Shots and Special-Teams Points (0.5 points) for skaters. For goaltenders, Wins (4 points), OT Losses (1 point), Shutouts (3 points), Saves (0.2 points), and Goals Against (-2 points) are considered Source. This scoring system emphasizes offensive output for skaters and overall performance with a strong penalty for goals against for goalies.

For fantasy managers looking ahead to weekend lineup decisions or early draft prep, understanding these player valuations is key. The consistent presence of star players at the top suggests reliability, while the inclusion of young talent like Celebrini indicates potential breakout candidates worth monitoring closely.