
Fantasy Hockey 2026‑27: Early Rankings Reveal a Deep Talent Pool
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.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Rasmus Dahlin across Hockey.

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.

The Sabres announce 17 themed games, special promotions and ticket packages that highlight hockey, holidays and local culture across Western New York.

Rasmus Dahlin’s 2025‑26 campaign, marked by a third‑place Norris Trophy finish and a 74‑point season, helped the Buffalo Sabres snap a 15‑year playoff drought. With a long‑term contract and a trajectory that points toward the Hockey Hall of Fame, his rise is reshaping the franchise’s outlook.
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 New York Islanders are among the few NHL teams yet to name a captain, and GM Mathieu Darche says the club is in no rush. With Matthew Schaefer’s breakout season and a legacy of leadership on the roster, the debate over the next 'C' is heating up.

The Leafs have added Darren Raddysh and Emil Andrae while keeping Oliver Ekman‑Larsson and Morgan Rielly, and they now face a crowded defensive landscape in the Atlantic Division.

Only ten active NHL clubs have never lifted the Stanley Cup, and the Sabres, Canucks, Jets, Wild, and Mammoth stand out as the most likely to end that drought.

The Minnesota Wild, Buffalo Sabres and Utah hockey club are among the few franchises yet to lift the Stanley Cup, and each brings a distinct set of strengths and challenges to the race.

After a 15‑year absence, the Buffalo Sabres clinched a playoff berth, stunning the Boston Bruins before falling to the Montreal Canadiens, driven by Rasmus Dahlin’s historic season.

Analyst Adam Gretz forecasts that Rasmus Dahlin will capture the Norris Trophy in the 2026‑27 season, citing his rising point total and the Sabres’ growing competitiveness.

Kevyn Adams, a Stanley Cup champion and former Buffalo Sabres general manager, has been hired as a senior advisor to Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney, bringing decades of NHL experience to the franchise.

After ending a 15‑year playoff drought, the Buffalo Sabres look to build on their Atlantic Division triumph, while the Ottawa Senators confront a roster overhaul that could push them toward the bottom of the league.
Connor Bedard has signed a five‑year extension with the Chicago Blackhawks, emphasizing his desire to stay in Chicago, his recovery from shoulder surgery, and the team's potential to contend for the playoffs.

An analysis of the contracts that deliver outsized value for NHL teams, featuring players such as Lane Hutson, Jake Sanderson, and Brandon Hagel.

At 26, Rasmus Dahlin combines elite production with a contract that looks like a steal in today's NHL market.

The NHL offseason has been dominated by record‑setting contracts, from Leo Carlsson's $90 million deal with the Ducks to Mason Marchment's agreement with the Sharks, reshaping the league's financial landscape.

Detroit’s rising forwards and a top defenseman attended a Luke Combs concert in Sweden, where they mingled with teammates and fans while the team looks ahead to the next season.

Landon DuPont, a standout defenseman from the Western Hockey League, announced his commitment to the University of Michigan hockey program, sparking excitement across the college sports community.

The Chicago Blackhawks have secured Bowen Byram with a six‑year, $12.5 million contract that will keep him in Chicago through 2032‑33, positioning him as the league’s top‑paid defenseman in 2027‑28 while GM Kyle Davidson emphasizes the importance of retaining elite talent.

Recent blockbuster trades have re‑aligned rosters and sparked debate over which players will see their fantasy point totals surge or stall in the coming season.

The Buffalo Sabres have agreed to a three-year, $9 million contract with defenseman Olen Zellweger, a move that could reshape their blue‑line dynamics.

The Blackhawks have secured Bowen Byram to a six‑year, $75 million contract, guaranteeing a $12.5 million average annual value and positioning the 23‑year‑old as the league's top‑paid blue‑liner.

After a breakout playoff run, the Buffalo Sabres have locked up their young forward Zach Benson to a seven‑year, $52.5 million agreement, signaling a long‑term commitment to the team’s emerging core.

With the July 1 deadline looming, the Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks are weighing the steps needed to keep their emerging stars under contract.