NHL's 2025 top-25 blends proven stars with budding stars and splits the difference between regular-season dominance and playoff pedigree. Panarin’s drop sparks debate about whether goals alone outrun clutch moments, while Hedman, Slavin and Heiskanen anchor a defense-first core that could tilt where players land this season.

Kale Makar sits atop a sprawling, offense-heavy era for defensemen, with Quinn Hughes nudging him as the session’s closest challenger. Adam Fox anchors the Rangers’ puck-driving backbone, and Thomas Harley’s breakout season is a marquee storyline for Dallas. Charlie McAvoy, Evan Bouchard, and Zack Werenski form a formidable mid-range tier, while Gustav Forsling, Rasmus Dahlin, Jacob Slavin, and Erik Karlsson round out a defensive corps that now defines fantasy value as much by transition play as by shut-down ability.

The dialogue underscores that the Norris conversation is as much about skating, gap control, and power-play impact as raw points. Heiskanen and Karlsson surface in lighter spots, reminding us mobility and IQ still swing fantasy upside, even if pure totals don’t always shout. Oilers fans especially should note Bouchard’s ascent, a reminder that elite defensemen now pace the fantasy game from the back end.

In practice, owners should lean into players who eat minutes, run the top power play, and push transition plays. The top five or six names are likely to be the season-long anchors, with the rest offering robust complementary value depending on team context and minutes. This top-10 map signals a shift: offense now defines a defenseman’s fantasy ceiling as much as his defensive chops did a decade ago.

Two fantasy hockey hosts zero in on possible regression candidates for draft season, highlighting six names with clear red-flag potential. Heiskanen carries a lower offensive ceiling than elite peers, especially if Dallas splits the power-play duties with Harley. Moritz Seider’s point output may not reach the outlier 73 seen once, and his floor sits around the 40–50 range depending on PP deployment. Swayman faces a leaky Boston defense and could lose value in a 50/50 split, while Pettersson’s production could dip from a career peak amid Vancouver’s surrounding turmoil. Seth Jarvis sits in a similar risk zone, with upside largely tied to team context and line mates.

Harley’s emergence shakes up Dallas’ top unit talk, presenting a classic dynasty vs. redraft moment: is Harley the new PP1 quarterback, or does Heiskanen still anchor power plays enough to keep him valuable in categories that reward shots and blocks? The conversation threads through targets and fades to guide savvy fantasy managers on where to push or pass in the early rounds.

This week on the Locked On Fantasy Hockey podcast, the spotlight is on the most frustrating players in the Western Conference fantasy scene. Injuries and disappointing performances have left many fantasy managers reeling. Key players like Joel Eriksson Ek and Miro Heiskanen are examined closely, diving into their underwhelming production despite prior success.

Eriksson Ek's struggles with point production, compounded by injuries, leave him as a potential drop candidate. Meanwhile, Heiskanen's regression raises questions about his value in fantasy leagues, particularly as the Dallas Stars face challenges with their offensive output. Connor Bedard, despite his youth, is already facing high expectations for his performance with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Players like Kevin Fiala and Thatcher Demko are also discussed, reflecting on their past season performances and the implications for fantasy managers. As the season progresses, the need for strategic adjustments becomes evident for those looking to stay competitive.

In the latest episode focused on fantasy hockey, injury woes continue to plague Fantasy GMs with key players sidelined. Miro Heiskanen and Kaden Guhle are among the latest casualties, both now listed as day-to-day. Nico Hischier, a foundational player for the New Jersey Devils, is also out with an upper body injury, significantly impacting the team's offensive strategy. Despite these setbacks, there is some optimism surrounding Drew Doughty's debut with the Los Angeles Kings, which could shift fantasy dynamics for defensemen.

Key discussions also highlight the surprising narratives surrounding incidents leading to these injuries, particularly involving players like Mark Stone. The importance of staying active on the waiver wire is emphasized, as the fantasy landscape can change rapidly with these injuries.