Top 5 Oilers for Fantasy Hockey in 2023-24

The Edmonton Oilers have two of the best players in the world. Who else on the team are great assets to own in Fantasy Hockey?

Fantasy Hockey is one of the best ways to connect to the game of hockey. By following the games of players that belong to your fantasy team, it can expose you to other elements of hockey. Every team has their best performers, and I'll look over the best options within the Edmonton Oilers team in this article.

For the purposes of this list, I will be focused on category leagues, but a lot of the information is still applicable to points leagues. Every stat has a point value in points leagues. Typically goals, assists, and wins are given a higher point value than shots, hits, blocks and saves. In category leagues you need to outscore your opponent in over 50% of the stat categories that your league has. The totals from all of your players are compared against the totals of the other team's players. 

With that in mind, let's dive into the list:

Important Stats: 82 GP, 12 G, 31 A, 43 PTS, 203 SOG, 146 Hits, 164 BLK.

Darnell Nurse is a multi-category beast. By that I mean that he is a really great player to target if you need more hits, blocks and shots. He's very consistent in providing those stats, which can help your team win matchups week to week. 

Important Stats: 82 GP, 37 G, 67 A, 104 PTS, 201 SOG, 48 Hits, 26 BLK, 308 FOW.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is coming off of a career year. Before that he was a consistent producer of 50-60 pts in a season. The Oilers' power play was the best the league has ever seen this past year, and Nugent-Hopkins is a big reason for that. Look for him to regress a bit in point production this coming season. A season of 70-80 points seems likely with good shot totals.

Important Stats: 50 GP, 29 W, 2.75 GAA, .913 SV%, 1 Shutout, 1403 Saves.

The Oilers' Stuart Skinner had a fantastic rookie season. Skinner had good stats across the board. His rate stats look good for Fantasy players in points leagues. His saves and wins also look good for category leagues. The Oilers' goaltending situation will be an interesting storyline to follow through the 2023-24 season. Skinner is the frontrunner for starting goalie, but anything could happen.

Important Stats: 82 GP, 8 G, 32 A, 40 PTS, 156 SOG, 95 Hits, 77 BLK.

Despite having less points and less peripheral stats (hits, shots, blocks) than Nurse, Evan Bouchard is the Oilers defender you want to own in Fantasy leagues this coming year. The biggest reason for that is the absence of Tyson Barrie. With Barrie long gone, Bouchard is the defacto defender on the Oilers lethal power play. With Bouchard settling into a groove in the 2023 Playoffs, his potential on the top power play in the NHL is limitless.

Important Stats: 80 GP, 52 G, 76 A, 128 PTS, 247 SOG, 66 Hits, 40 BLK, 807 FOW.

In Fantasy, goals are typically valued more than assist. That makes players like Leon Draisaitl very elite options for your team. He's had at least 50 goals in three of the last five seasons (two of those seasons were shortened due to COVID). Those kind of players don't grow on trees. Draisaitl should hit the 50 goal mark again this year.

Important Stats: 82 GP, 64 G, 89 A, 153 PTS, 352 SOG, 89 Hits, 40 BLK, 525 FOW.

Connor McDavid is the best player in the world, who found another gear this past season. He's been developing his physical game, which skyrockets his Fantasy Hockey value. He is the only player in every single league who should not be traded ever. He does it all and that's the reason why he's the number one Fantasy Hockey asset from the Oilers.

What did you think of my top five list? Is there anyone you would have on it that I didn't? Leave me your top five in the comments below!