Nathan McKinnon lands at third in a high-variance 10-team format, with McKinnon and McDavid sitting in a tight top tier. Auston Matthews surges at the 8th pick, showcasing a two-way profile and near-50-goal pace that keeps him fantasy anchor material even when lineups shift. Connor Hellebuyck looms as a bold zero-G favorite from the sixth slot, while Jaromir-style patience on goalies surfaces as a viable path in this format.

The duo of Bedard and Raymond anchor the forward corps as breakout bets, with Bedard representing the long-term ceiling and Raymond poised for sustained top-line production in Detroit. The back end leans on Hedman as a first defenseman, with Hedman’s durability and power-play impact key to balanced builds. Nashville’s Saros and Tampa’s Bobrovsky appear as late-round upside bets in this goalie-heavy field, emphasizing value over panic.

Across the table, the mock emphasizes a forward-first cadence, with careful budget allocation to defensive studs like Harley and Morsy and a willingness to ride top-line wings into the playoffs. The session underscores the strategic tilt: maximize forwards early, secure a reliable goalie trio later, and exploit positional flexibility to shore up every category.

Connor McDavid sits at the top of fantasy hierarchy, followed by Leon Draisaitl, Nathan MacKinnon, Kale Makar and Nikita Kucherov. McDavid’s per-60 pace and scoring ceiling render him an absolute cornerstone, while Draisaitl’s two-way brilliance sustains multi‑cat value even as Edmonton’s offense evolves. MacKinnon combines power and speed for league‑leading iso nights, Makar brings 100‑point upside from the blue line, and Kucherov’s creative execution keeps Tampa’s offense explosive when healthy.

Kaprizov enters the top-five conversation if Minnesota’s attack takes off; Barkov gets honorable‑mention for elite all‑around impact; Matthews remains a top‑ten anchor with upside, and Eichel plus Hellebuyck surface as strong value in goalie‑heavy formats. The chat also hints at a shifting pecking order, with emerging talents like Kaprizov threatening to challenge the established five as the season approaches.

Igor Shesterkin anchors a New York Rangers turnaround saga, with a summer roadmap that centers on regaining elite form after a franchise-record extension raised the temperature on every night the puck leaves his stick. The discussion weighs worst-case risk (mid-season funks, veteran pressure) against best-case returns (playoff-elite, leadership emergence) and emphasizes the need for stronger support from teammates and a cleaner start to the campaign. The topic also contrasts Shesterkin’s artistry with the realities of a volatile goalie position and the risks and rewards of paying top dollar for a perennial big-game performer.

Artemi Panarin’s pivotal presence and Dylan Garand’s progression offer a broader lens: the Rangers’ ceiling hinges on both stabilizing goaltending and tighter team cohesion. The panel flags Demko, Oettinger, Vasilevskiy, Bobrovsky, and Quick as benchmark playoff enforcers, underscoring that the best path to a deep run involves a multi-cat effort—hot goalie nights, timely scoring, and a defense that keeps chances reasonable. All of this sets the stage for a high-stakes, eye-popping 2025-26 for the Rangers.

The Winnipeg Jets are at the forefront of fantasy hockey discussions, presenting an abundance of talent for upcoming drafts. With Connor Hellebuyck, the best goaltender in the league, leading the charge, the Jets are poised to reclaim their position among the top teams in the NHL. Players such as Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor follow closely behind, complimented by rising stars like Gabe Valardi and Cole Perfetti, making for a strong offensive core.

Despite losing Nikolaj Ehlers this offseason, the Jets' remaining roster possesses substantial fantasy value, particularly in their top six. Valardi’s recent signing solidifies his role, while Morrissey continues to be a reliable point producer from the blue line. As the fantasy season approaches, the Jets stand as a team to watch closely.

The off-season for several NHL clubs is heating up as discussions surrounding potential fantasy bounce-backs start taking shape. The focus is particularly on teams eliminated in Round 2, with a keen eye on how their rosters might change heading into next season. The Toronto Maple Leafs, fresh off their exit against the Florida Panthers, are faced with tough decisions regarding star forwards John Tavares and Mitch Marner. Both are unrestricted free agents seeking hefty contracts, which could reshape the fantasy landscape for the Leafs. If Marner's demands soar to $14 million, the team may need to make critical cuts that could diminish their status as a 'fantasy gold mine.' Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets present their own intriguing dynamics as roster changes loom and players like Alex Ovechkin and Connor Hellebuyck remain pivotal for fantasy drafts.