The 2026‑27 fantasy hockey forward tiers have been released, offering a roadmap for owners looking to build a competitive roster.
At the pinnacle, Tier 1 gathers the league’s most prolific scorers, led by Connor McDavid, who posted a staggering 646 points in just 387 career games, followed by Nikita Kucherov and Nathan MacKinnon, both of whom have topped the 40‑goal plateau in recent campaigns.
Tier 2 is packed with near‑elite talent such as Leon Draisaitl, who missed 35 games in 2025‑26, ending a streak of four consecutive 40‑goal seasons, and David Pastrnak, whose 100‑point streak was snapped by a dip below 40 goals, making him a slightly riskier but still valuable asset.
The next tier splits into 3A and 3B. 3A features established veterans like Mark Scheifele and the top line of Montreal, while 3B highlights health‑dependent stars such as Auston Matthews, whose reliability is tempered by recurring injuries.
Mid‑Tier Options
Tier 4 centers on Artemi Panarin, now 34, who is expected to deliver around 30 goals and 80 points, a modest decline from his peak years, positioning him as a mid‑range option.
Below that, Tier 5A and 5B spotlight young prospects and veterans with moderate upside, whereas Tier 5C gathers high‑risk names like Ryan O'Reilly and John Tavares, who could provide value if they rebound.
Tier 6 lists consistently solid performers such as Patrick Kane and Elias Pettersson, while Tier 7 serves as a repository for fill‑in players who can be swapped in for depth.
Rookie Watch
Among the rookies and breakout candidates, Ivan Demidov’s 19 goals and 62 points in 2025‑26 suggest a upward trajectory, Kirill Marchenko’s 27‑goal season makes him a buy‑low target, and the Anaheim trio of Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson and Beckett Sennecke could eclipse Montreal’s top line, especially with Gauthier, at 22, projected to exceed 60 points.
Finally, 18‑year‑old Gavin McKenna, who tallied 15 goals and 51 points in 35 freshman games at Penn State, and second‑overall 2026 draft pick Ivar Stenberg, who posted 11 goals and 33 points in the Swedish league, are poised to make immediate NHL impacts, offering high reward at the cost of risk.