2024-25 Fantasy Hockey: Top 10 Left Wingers

A pair of Russian left wingers top the list with the Rangers' Artemi Panarin and the Wild's Kirill Kaprizov. Who comes next?

This is the third in what will be a series focusing on the top 10 at each position. We led off with centers in the first column, followed by right wingers, and this article will be followed by defensemen and goalies to close out the series. 

Unlike other lists that may focus on what the winger not only does on the offensive side of the ice but in his own zone, our primary driver here is how these individuals rank from a fantasy perspective. Where germane, we most certainly will highlight the non-scoring aspects that the player brings to the table that tell the whole story, but that is a secondary aspect to where he sits on the list.

1. Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers:

The 'Breadman' certainly delivered last season. Panarin, off a disappointing playoff series against the Devils, shaved his head in the off-season. He was the anti-Samson and the less-hirsute left winger potted a career-best 49 goals and 120 points. Two keys to his big year were his aggressiveness in the offensive zone and his increased willingness to shoot, as Panarin had close to 100 more shots on goal than the prior campaign. A mild regression could occur, but he should still pot 100-plus points.

2. Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild:

'Kirill the Thrill' drives the Wild attack. Aided by career highs in power-play goals (19) and points (41), Kaprizov led the Wild with 96 points (46 goals, 50 assists) in 75 games last season, averaging a career-high 21:35 of ice time per game. 

Lighting the lamp 40-plus times in a season has become the norm for Kaprizov, as he has done so three straight seasons. Kaprizov has two years remaining on the five-year, $45 million contract extension he signed with the Wild in September of 2021 and they need to lock him long-term before the start of next season.

3. Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars:

Seems odd to say an 80-point campaign is one of regression, but that is certainly what it was for 'J-Rob'. After tallying 46 goals and 63 assists in 2022-23, Robertson “fell” to 29 and 51 last season. Contributing to the decline was 82 fewer shots and a two percent difference in shooting percentage. Robertson was up-and-down in the post-season, as he had a good first series versus the Knights, but fell off thereafter, save for one big contest against the Oilers. The Stars have surrounded Robertson with several solid young wingers, which should help him return to form.

4. Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators:

Tkachuk could head this list next season as he has the skills to contribute across the board. In 2023-24, Tkachuk had 37 goals and 74 points, the third straight campaign he finished with at least 30 markers. What sets him apart is his ability and willingness to shoot – he had 357 shots on goal – and physical play, as he dished out 294 hits. 

For good measure, Tkachuk added 134 penalty minutes, making him a left winger that contributes across the board. A 40-40 season could be in the offing for Tkachuk.

5. Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators

Forsberg, for the first time in six seasons, suited up in all 82 games last year. The result was career highs in goals (48) and assists (46), aided by 347 shots on goal and 32 power-play points. Forsberg now has a running mate in Steven Stamkos, but he has been, and is, the face of the franchise for the Predators. The addition of Stamkos takes some pressure off Forsberg, which could allow the winger to build upon on the career-best season he had last year.

6. Steven Stamkos, Nashville Predators:

Seeing Stamkos in the blue and yellow jersey with a sabretooth as the front crest will most certainly be jarring after he spent his whole career wearing the blue and white bolt of the Tampa Bay Lightning. But the star center, now a winger, opted to sign a four-year, $32-million deal to relocate to Music City. After suffering through several injury-plagued seasons, Stamkos has reeled off three straight 80-plus point campaigns. Stamkos might line up on the second line, but he will see first-line power-play duty and likely move up when the Preds are looking for offense.

8. Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay Lightning:

Guenzel has big shoes to fill in Tampa, as the Lightning moved on from Stamkos to help create enough cap space to ink Guentzel to a seven-year, $63-million deal. The Lightning get a prover scorer, as Guentzel had at least 30 goals in three straight seasons and at least 20 in seven straight. Guentzel, is also a proven playoff performer with 67 points (38 goals, 29 assists) in 69 games, and should line up opposite Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov

9. Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets:

If you are looking for a near-lock to score 30-plus goals, Connor is your man. He has only crossed the 40-goal milestone once in his career but he has lit the lamp at least 30 times in six of his seven full seasons in the NHL. The one time he fell short of the mark was the pandemic season. A knee injury cost Connor 17 games and likely a 40-goal campaign last year. A first line stalwart, Connor is a major component in the Jets attack and should be in yours.

10. Chris Kreider, New York Rangers:

Several players could fit here. Alex Ovechkin and Brad Marchand are the two most prominent ones. But I am going with Kreider due to his power-play prowess and increased production the last three seasons. Kreider had a magical 52-goal campaign in 2021-22, then fell off as expected to 36 goals, and added just 18 assists. Last year, he was far more balanced with 39 markers and 36 apples while dishing out close to 100 hits and playing all 82 games,

Honorable Mentions:

Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins
Carter Verhaeghe, Florida Panthers
Kevin Fiala, Los Angeles Kings
Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild

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