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**Top 20 Fantasy Hockey Players to Draft**
When it comes to fantasy hockey, player projections are essential in guiding your draft strategy. However, they’re only a starting point, and personal intuition can also play a significant role in making informed decisions. With that in mind, here are my top 20 fantasy hockey players to draft, along with their respective rankings and explanations.
**1. Nathan MacKinnon, F, Colorado Avalanche**
Even if MacKinnon regresses slightly across every category, he’ll still outperform most players. His consistency and dominance make him a top pick.
**2. Connor McDavid, F, Edmonton Oilers**
McDavid is a close second to MacKinnon. His incredible scoring ability and playmaking skills make him a fantasy powerhouse.
**3. Nikita Kucherov, F, Tampa Bay Lightning**
Kucherov’s impressive point totals and power-play production make him a top-three pick. Even with some adjustments to the Lightning’s power play, he’ll still deliver.
**4. Auston Matthews, F, Toronto Maple Leafs**
Matthews’ durability is a concern, but his goal-scoring prowess and overall production make him a top-four pick.
**5. J.T. Miller, F, Vancouver Canucks**
Miller’s consistent scoring, playmaking, and physicality make him a top-five pick. He’s a well-rounded fantasy player.
**6. Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton Oilers**
Draisaitl will bounce back from a minor dip in production last season. Expect 50 goals and 70 assists from the Oilers’ center.
**7. Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche**
Makar is the only defenseman I’m targeting in the first round. His consistent production, power-play points, and shots on goal make him a top pick.
**8. David Pastrnak, F, Boston Bruins**
Pastrnak’s goal-scoring ability and power-play production will increase with his new center, Elias Lindholm.
**9. Mikko Rantanen, F, Colorado Avalanche**
Rantanen is a reliable and consistent fantasy player. He averages 1.27 points per game and is a top-10 pick.
**10. Kirill Kaprizov, F, Minnesota Wild**
Kaprizov’s impressive fantasy points per game (FPPG) and goal-scoring ability make him a top-10 pick.
**11. Roman Josi, D, Nashville Predators**
Josi is the best all-around defenseman not named Makar. His consistent production, shots on goal, and power-play points make him a top pick.
**12. Elias Pettersson, F, Vancouver Canucks**
Pettersson feels recharged and ready to bounce back from a flat spring. Expect 100 points from the Canucks’ center.
**13. Filip Forsberg, F, Nashville Predators**
Forsberg is a well-rounded fantasy player who will see increased special teams production with the Predators’ new power play.
**14. Juuse Saros, G, Nashville Predators**
Saros is the undisputed No. 1 goalie for an improved Predators team. Expect 60+ starts, wins, and saves from the Finnish netminder.
**15. Jack Hughes, F, New Jersey Devils**
Hughes has the potential to break through the 100-point mark if he stays healthy. His production will increase under new coach Sheldon Keefe.
**16. Artemi Panarin, F, New York Rangers**
Panarin’s goal-scoring ability and playmaking skills make him a top-15 pick. As long as he shoots as much as last year, he’ll deliver.
**17. Rasmus Dahlin, D, Buffalo Sabres**
Dahlin offers substantial extra value in fantasy competition with his shots, blocked shots, and 70-point ceiling.
**18. William Nylander, F, Toronto Maple Leafs**
Nylander’s production may be affected by not skating with Auston Matthews, but he’s still a top-20 pick.
**19. Sidney Crosby, F, Pittsburgh Penguins**
Crosby’s production will increase with a resurgent Evgeni Malkin. His only fantasy shortcoming is his lack of top-end talent around him.
**20. Brady Tkachuk, F, Ottawa Senators**
Tkachuk is a wild card with his physicality, shots on goal, and penalty minutes. If healthy, he’ll exceed 80 points this year.
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