10 Bold Fantasy Hockey Predictions for 2026-27

Lane Hutson Claims the No. 1 Fantasy Defenseman Crown

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson is poised to ascend to the top spot among fantasy blueliners after building on a stellar sophomore campaign. Hutson tallied 66 points in his rookie year—tying the NHL rookie record for assists by a defenseman—before doubling his goal total from six to 12 and climbing to 78 points in his second season.

According to Daily Faceoff projections, the 22-year-old ascendant talent is surrounded by prime-year stars like Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki, alongside rising young forwards Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov. Analysts project Hutson to crack 90 points this season, adding 15 goals and 150 blocks to cement his status as a premier option in banger leagues.

Adrian Kempe Targets Career Highs Alongside Artemi Panarin

Los Angeles Kings forward Adrian Kempe enters the 2026-27 season with a clear path to shattering his career highs, anchored by a prominent new linemate. Over his past five seasons, Kempe has maintained a reliable baseline averaging 36 goals, 70 points, 248 shots, and 117 hits per 82 games.

That production trajectory shifted upward when the Kings acquired Artemi Panarin on Feb. 25. Following Panarin’s arrival in Los Angeles, Kempe exploded for 16 goals in his final 25 games—good for a 52-goal pace—with Panarin assisting on 11 of those tallies. Analysts note that Kempe has never played alongside a natural playmaker of Panarin’s caliber, making a push toward the 45-goal mark an attainable target for drafters willing to reach.

Jesper Wallstedt Takes Reins as Minnesota Wild Starter

Jesper Wallstedt is ready to complete his rise to elite status, entering the 2026-27 season as the undisputed number-one goaltender for the Minnesota Wild. After starting his professional career on struggling AHL Iowa squads, Wallstedt broke through last season following Marc-Andre Fleury’s retirement, posting the league’s second-best save percentage at .915 across 33 starts.

Volume prevented Wallstedt from claiming elite fantasy status last year, but that obstacle has cleared. Filip Gustavsson is recovering from offseason hip surgery and will miss the start of the regular season, leaving Wallstedt to command an anticipated 45 to 50 starts. NHL.com projections further highlight Wallstedt’s ceiling, forecasting the young netminder to lead the league in shutouts with at least seven and secure a .918 save percentage while contending for the Vezina Trophy.

Darren Raddysh Sustains Production After Toronto Move

Darren Raddysh looks to prove that his breakout 22-goal, 70-point campaign was no fluke as he transitions to the Toronto Maple Leafs on an $8.5 million annual salary. Raddysh secured his offensive role last season by filling in for the injured Victor Hedman with the Tampa Bay Lightning, logging 22:42 of ice time per night.

In Toronto, Raddysh is expected to command a similarly heavy workload while quarterbacking a power-play unit featuring Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, Matthew Knies, and Gavin McKenna. While a repeat of 70 points represents a high bar, analysts view a 15-goal, 45-assist campaign as well within reach, justifying his D9 average draft position.

Akira Schmid Emerges as Goaltending Steal in Florida

The Florida Panthers’ acquisition of Jacob Markstrom as a replacement for Sergei Bobrovsky carries significant boom-or-bust risk, opening the door for backup Akira Schmid to become one of the season’s biggest fantasy steals. Markstrom struggled significantly last season at age 36, ranking among the league’s weakest starters in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes.

Recognizing potential vulnerabilities, the analytically driven Panthers signed Schmid to a two-year deal with a $2-million AAV. Because Schmid’s average draft position on platforms like Yahoo remains virtually unlisted, managers willing to stash the towering Swiss goaltender on their bench could reap massive rewards if Markstrom falters early on a Stanley Cup contender.

Washington Capitals Depth Creates Fantasy Logjam

While the Washington Capitals boast a roster built to contend for a Stanley Cup, their extraordinary forward and defensive depth threatens to cap individual fantasy ceilings. Loaded with proven veterans and rising talents, the lineup forces difficult deployment questions.

“If you go and ask [Jordan] Kyrou, if you ask [Alex] Tuch, if you ask Boone Jenner, if you ask me, if you ask ‘Ovi,’ what’s the most important thing? Winning,” Tom Wilson said at the NHL Player Media Tour, emphasizing that team success supersedes personal statistics. For fantasy managers, this unselfish team-first mindset introduces volatility for rookies like Ilya Protas and Cole Hutson, as well as banger-league stalwarts like Jenner.

JJ Peterka Seeks Bounce-Back in Boston

JJ Peterka aims to rebound from a challenging campaign with the Utah Mammoth following a high-stakes trade to the Boston Bruins, who surrendered two first-round picks to secure the dynamic winger. Despite a ho-hum output last year, Peterka has netted at least 25 goals in three consecutive seasons, establishing a reliable baseline floor.

The ceiling in Boston is significantly higher. Peterka is slated to skate alongside David Pastrnak, who generated an elite rate of primary assists per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 last season. Reunited with fellow German head coach Marco Sturm, Peterka enters the year with a projected 35-to-40 goal ceiling while remaining available at a discount draft cost.

Brandt Clarke Secures Top Power-Play Role in Los Angeles

Brandt Clarke has officially emerged from the shadow of franchise legend Drew Doughty to claim undisputed alpha status on the Los Angeles Kings’ blue line. The Kings solidified that commitment over the summer by signing Clarke to a five-year contract with a $7.4-million AAV.

Clarke’s elite offensive profile is supported by historical tracking data: over the past three seasons, only Cale Makar has averaged more primary assists per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 than Clarke. Serving as the undisputed quarterback for the top power-play unit all season, Clarke is projected to easily eclipse his previous career high of 40 points.

Matt Savoie Offers Hidden Value in Edmonton

Edmonton Oilers forward Matt Savoie is positioned to offer exceptional value, with an early-season injury absence serving to keep him under the radar during standard drafts. Savoie established his value last season through a blend of dynamic offensive skill and defensive responsibility that earned him penalty-killing responsibilities.

That multi-dimensional utilization points toward a significant increase from the 14:47 of ice time he averaged as a rookie. Savoie flashed his scoring upside after the Olympic break by posting nine goals and 19 points in 24 games. While questions remain regarding coach Mike Babcock’s deployment of younger skaters, Edmonton’s roster construction ensures Savoie will earn meaningful minutes.

Sergei Murashov Set to Lead Pittsburgh Penguins Crease

The Pittsburgh Penguins signaled their confidence in Sergei Murashov by letting Stuart Skinner depart via free agency without bringing in a veteran replacement. Murashov has progressed smoothly through every professional level, dominating the AHL last season with a .919 save percentage in the regular season and a .931 mark in the postseason.

While Murashov may open the year sharing time with Arturs Silovs, analysts expect the young netminder to seize control of the 1A role by December, making him a crucial target for managers seeking second-half goaltending stabilization.

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