With the 2024-25 NHL regular season drawing to a close, it's time to take a way-too-early look at what fantasy drafts could look like next campaign. First-round selections provide managers with a significant piece around which to build. While injuries provide stumbling blocks and randomness, using a first-round pick on a high-risk, high-reward player who doesn't pan out won't necessarily result in a poor finish. However, savvy managers can mitigate the risks by choosing players with reliability and durability to blend with their statistical prowess.
McDavid missed more games in 2024-25 than he has in a while, but fantasy managers shouldn't be concerned. His ability to stay healthy hasn't been much of an issue in the past, and he is still a strong bet to surpass the 100-point plateau while racking up shots on goal and power-play points. Since 2021-22, the 28-year-old center has led the league with 190 points with the man advantage. McDavid has consistently been one of the best point-per-game talents in the league and remains a set-it-and-forget-it selection at No. 1 overall.
MacKinnon reached another gear in 2023-24 and had another outstanding performance this campaign. He sat out the final three contests of Colorado's regular-season schedule, which cost him a chance to claim his first Art Ross Trophy, but he had the most assists (84) and shots on net (320) in the league before his absence. Over the past two years, he has the second-most power-play points. MacKinnon's 10.0 shooting percentage in 2024-25 is in line with his career average (10.5), but returning to 40 to 50 tallies in 2025-26 is achievable with a little more puck luck.
Like McDavid, Draisaitl dealt with more injury issues in 2024-25 than in previous seasons, but he shouldn't have an injury-prone label going into the 2025-26 campaign. Draisaitl has topped the 100-point plateau six times, including four straight seasons. He has reached the 50-goal mark on four occasions and is on track to win the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy for the first time. Having eligibility as a winger gives him additional value.
Kucherov has been healthy for three consecutive campaigns, and his fantasy stock has risen dramatically. He has been comfortably surpassing 100 points while topping 80 helpers twice and hitting 100 assists in 2023-24. Since the 2022-23 campaign, Kucherov has led the league in power-play points. Fantasy managers wouldn't be wrong to select him sooner, though, especially if a right-wing forward is an early roster priority.
Matthews lost some luster in 2024-25 while playing through a nagging upper-body injury. Falling from 69 goals in 2023-24 to 30-plus tallies is a significant drop, but the potential for a bounce-back showing is high because of his natural scoring ability and his propensity to fire shots on the net. If he does fall slightly in drafts, he could be a tremendous value addition.
Makar is still the best blueliner to take in fantasy and the only one worthy of going in the first round. Despite the injuries, Quinn Hughes had a great season, and Zach Werenski was excellent because he stayed healthy, but Makar remains the cream of the crop. The 25-year-old Makar has reached the 90-point plateau in consecutive seasons and finds the back of the net like a forward, hitting 30 for the first time in 2024-25. He also racks up shots, power-play points and blocks, giving him a tremendously high ceiling.
In a brutal season for the Bruins, Pastrnak was an offensive force. He has topped 40 goals and 100 points in three straight campaigns. Pastrnak has been credited with the most shots on target during those three years and is one of only two players with more than 1,000, joining MacKinnon. The 28-year-old Pastrnak remains a valuable fantasy winger going into 2025-26.
Before running into injury problems in late December, Kaprizov was one of just five players at 50 points. He had 23 goals and 27 assists in his first 34 outings. Going into 2024-25, Kaprizov hit the 40-goal mark in three straight seasons, topping 100 points once and getting 96 points in 2023-24. He might be one more shortened campaign away from being an injury risk, but he remains an incredibly productive player that some fantasy managers may forget about on draft day.
The Rangers earned the unfortunate distinction of being the fourth team in NHL history to miss the playoffs after winning the Presidents' Trophy the year before. However, Panarin was a consistent offensive threat. He needs only one point in the team's regular-season finale to reach 90 for a fifth straight season. Since the 2021-22 campaign, he ranks sixth in points and fifth in power-play points. Panarin should remain a reliable producer in 2025-26.
After coming close in 2021-22 and 2022-23, Marner hit the 100-point plateau for the first time in his NHL career this season. Since the 2021-22 campaign, he has the eighth-most points in the league. His fantasy value will change if he leaves the Maple Leafs via free agency in the summer. Still, Marner's playmaking skills and ability to contribute in all situations make him an intriguing first-round talent.
Rantanen's fantasy value has taken a hit away from the Avalanche. However, he has been better with Dallas after a brief stop with Carolina. He has been piling up assists at a rate on par with the highest of his career despite not seeing as much ice time as he did in Colorado. He still has considerable offensive ability, and fantasy managers won't have to deal with the uncertainty of free agency after Rantanen signed an eight-year contract to remain with the Stars.
If a goaltender is going to go in the first round, it should be Hellebuyck. He is a workhorse with consistently solid numbers. He will likely win his third Vezina Trophy and could receive attention for the Hart Trophy. Since the 2021-22 campaign, Hellebuyck has led the league in wins, shutouts and saves.
Jack Eichel, C, Vegas Golden Knights: Eichel finally stayed healthy and predictably had a breakout performance, but a late-season injury could hurt his draft stock. He has first-round talent as a high-volume shot generator and an outstanding producer if potential fantasy managers believe he has turned the corner on his health issues.
Sam Reinhart, RW, Florida Panthers: Reinhart provides plenty of category coverage between goals, points, shots and hits to be worthy of first-round consideration. The drop in production from his career year in 2024-25 wasn't as pronounced as some pundits thought it would be.
Matthew Tkachuk, LW/RW, Florida Panthers: After being limited to 52 appearances in 2024-25, Tkachuk's fantasy value will probably decrease in the eyes of many potential fantasy managers. Still, he provides excellent category coverage and a high offensive ceiling.
Jack Hughes, C, New Jersey Devils: Hughes has appeared in 62 games in consecutive seasons and has reached the 70-point mark on both occasions. He had 99 points in 2022-23 and possesses 100-point upside, but injury concerns are growing.
With the regular season set to close on April 17, this final edition for the 2024-25 campaign will cover the remaining week and a half on the schedule.
Hopefully, fantasy managers discovered under-the-radar gems on the waiver wire this campaign, and this column helped pave the way for league success and contributed to championships.
Let's get into the suggestions for your consideration.
Coleman has earned two goals and one assist in the last two games after failing to earn a point in six consecutive contests. He is showing signs of heating up down the stretch, which the low-scoring Flames could desperately use as the team attempts to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot. Coleman has been credited with 23 shots on net and 16 hits in his past eight outings. Calgary plays six times, including two matchups versus San Jose, one against Anaheim and a crucial meeting with Minnesota during a busy four-game week.
After seven straight games without a point, Kuzmenko has heated up with Los Angeles. He has registered five goals and 11 points in his last nine outings, including three tallies and four helpers across his four-game point spree. Kuzmenko is playing for his third team this season, and now that he's emerged from his adjustment period, he is back to producing as a top-line winger should. He also occupies a spot on the first power-play unit, but he has just two assists on the man advantage. Still, the potential for more points is there for Kuzmenko, especially with the Kings scheduled to play three games this week and three more times a week later.
Wedgewood could split starts with Mackenzie Blackwood in Colorado's final four games of 2024-25 this week. They both got two outings last week, and Wedgewood stopped 46 of 50 shots en route to going 1-0-1 with a .920 save percentage. He has posted a record of 11-4-1 with two shutouts, a 2.00 GAA and a .919 save percentage in 17 appearances for Colorado this season. The Avalanche play four times in six days to wrap up their regular-season schedule, including a weekend back-to-back. Wedgewood may receive two starts to keep Blackwood fresh before the playoffs.
Fowler has been held off the scoresheet on only one occasion in his last six appearances, accumulating two goals and seven assists. He has one goal and five helpers during his three-game point streak. Since being acquired from Anaheim in mid-December, Fowler has compiled nine goals, 34 points, 62 shots on net and 57 blocked shots in 47 outings for St. Louis. The Blues have only four games remaining but play three times this week.
McDonagh hasn't been the 40-point producer he used to be for a while now, but he has been rolling offensively since March 6. He has one goal and nine assists in his last 15 appearances thanks to regular shifts alongside Tampa Bay's top two lines. McDonagh has added 15 shots and 28 blocks during that span. He also leads the league with a plus-41 rating. If the 35-year-old defender continues his late-season surge, McDonagh could provide solid category coverage in Tampa Bay's final six games of the 2024-25 regular season, which includes four outings this week.
Blake has generated four goals on 24 shots and nine points in his last 10 outings, including two markers and two helpers on the man advantage. He has been clicking on the top line with Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis at even strength while seeing time on the first power-play combination. The 21-year-old Blake has climbed into the top 10 point producers among rookies and has plenty of offensive promise across Carolina's remaining six games, including four matches this week.
Since March 9, Zegras has been all over the scoresheet. He has four goals and 12 points in his last 14 appearances and hasn't gone more than two straight games without earning at least one point. Zegras has collected 93 shots and 42 hits through 51 appearances, and the 24-year-old is poised to conclude the campaign on a high note offensively. Anaheim has six games remaining, including four contests this week.
Reimer has emerged as a solid spot starter down the stretch. He has won six games in a row, stopping 164 of 181 shots. Eight of the 17 goals he allowed in that stretch came in victories over Pittsburgh and Washington, but he was excellent in triumphs over Winnipeg, Tampa Bay and Ottawa (twice). Buffalo has six games remaining, and Reimer could see most of the starts due to the struggles of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. The Sabres play four times this week, including a back-to-back situation.
Leonard has racked up 14 hits in four games after joining Washington from the college ranks. His only point was an empty-netter against Chicago on Friday, but the opportunity for more production down the home stretch should be tantalizing for potential fantasy managers. Leonard has skated in the top six, and his skill as a goal-scorer will become more evident as he gains experience. The 20-year-old forward has plenty of keeper value and could be worthy of a depth roster spot in standard leagues in the Capitals' final five games of the regular season.
Snuggerud has topped 16 minutes of playing time in two straight contests, earning two assists and two shots. He has been logging time on the top line with Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich at even strength while seeing action with Brayden Schenn and Jake Neighbours on the power play. The 20-year-old Snuggerud possesses considerable offensive upside in St. Louis' final four games of the regular season, especially with Dylan Holloway out week-to-week because of a lower-body injury.