
Fantasy Hockey: Early‑Round Picks With High Upside for 2026
A breakdown of the top early‑round fantasy hockey selections for 2026, highlighting players with strong statistical foundations and value relative to their ADP.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Andrei Vasilevskiy across Hockey.

A breakdown of the top early‑round fantasy hockey selections for 2026, highlighting players with strong statistical foundations and value relative to their ADP.

The 2026‑27 fantasy hockey goalie landscape is dominated by Andrei Vasilevskiy at the summit, but uncertainty surrounds the rest of the tiered rankings as backup usage and performance volatility reshape the position.

Andrei Vasilevskiy leads the early projections for the 2026‑27 NHL season, while the Nashville Predators confront key lineup questions and the hockey card market hits new highs.

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar secures an eighth‑place finish in the NHL Network’s 2025 Top‑10 goalies, posting career‑best numbers and a fresh five‑year deal.

Top forwards and defensemen are projected to exceed 100 points, while elite goaltenders vie for Vezina honors, but injury concerns and camp role shifts could reshape draft strategies.

Andrei Vasilevskiy, a two‑time Vezina Trophy winner and Lightning legend, spent his summer break mentoring young goalies at a Tampa Bay camp, offering hands‑on guidance and sparking social media buzz ahead of his September 20 preseason debut.

Two‑time Vezina Trophy winner Andrei Vasilevskiy spent his summer break coaching at the Tampa Bay Lightning Youth Goalie Camp, sharing techniques and sparking dreams among Florida’s youngest hockey talent.

New Jersey’s offseason plan trades Jacob Markstrom and adopts a three‑goalie mix, banking on the unpredictable nature of NHL net‑minding to build a sustainable, cap‑friendly defense.
With the 2026‑27 NHL season opening on September 29, analyst Matt Larkin unveils his comprehensive top‑300 rankings, highlighting the safest bets, breakout candidates and sleepers across forwards, defensemen and goaltenders.

The Tampa Bay Lightning traded Nick Paul to the Maple Leafs for goaltender Dennis Hildeby, aiming to bolster depth behind Andrei Vasilevskiy while exploring a move for Jonas Johansson.

Montreal's roster features Samuel Montembeault, Jacob Fowler and Jakub Dobes, each at a different stage of readiness as the club shifts from rebuild to win mode.

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Syracuse Crunch have renewed their affiliation for four more years, ensuring that the AHL club continues to serve as the primary development hub for the NHL franchise through the 2029‑30 season.

The Maple Leafs overhaul their goaltending corps with Cup‑winning talent and depth, positioning them ahead of several Atlantic rivals.

The Anaheim Ducks have matched the Philadelphia Flyers’ offer sheet for Leo Carlsson, securing a $90 million, five‑year agreement that makes him the league’s highest‑paid player and presents a new challenge for building a championship team.

The Tampa Bay Lightning acquired Dennis Hildeby from the Toronto Maple Leafs in July 2024, hoping his size and recent performance will bolster their goaltending depth.

After seven seasons and two Stanley Cup titles with the Florida Panthers, 37‑year‑old goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has signed a three‑year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, citing the city’s “capital of hockey” reputation and his eagerness to guide young talent.

Amid lingering tensions over Russia, a Florida event organized by agent Dan Milstein gathers over 20 draft‑eligible players, NHL scouts, and even former NHL stars, offering a rare glimpse into the next generation while highlighting the unique challenges they face.

Six active NHL players are under intense scrutiny as the Hockey Hall of Fame weighs their statistical achievements against the awards that traditionally signal induction.

The Athletic’s The Hockey 100 ranks the top NHL legends, using expert panels, stats and analytics to spark fan debate

Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield has been named to the NHL's Second All-Star team, marking a historic milestone for Badgers alumni and drawing attention to Joe Pavelski's legacy and potential coaching future.

After nine consecutive years of voting for the NHL Awards, I explain the reasoning behind my choices, from the Hart Trophy to the Masterton, and highlight the players who earned my All‑Star and All‑Rookie nods.

The NHL’s traditional awards gala has been replaced by a staggered rollout that unfolds across the Stanley Cup Playoffs, spotlighting the Hart, Norris, Calder and other trophies while the postseason reshapes narratives.

The 2025‑26 NHL First All‑Star Team was announced by the Professional Hockey Writers Association, highlighting Jason Robertson’s second nomination and the historic achievements of players like Connor McDavid and Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov was crowned the NHL’s most valuable player for the 2025‑26 season, securing his second Hart Memorial Trophy amid a historic offensive surge.