Despite the trade of Quinn Hughes, Vancouver has another almost must-see player still in their midst
On every game day this season, THN Fantasy will highlight players and goalies for fantasy hockey managers to stream, roster or utilize in standard leagues and/or DFS games. Players and goalies highlighted for streaming in standard leagues are rostered in less than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Simon Holmstrom, RW, NYI vs. NYR (1% rostered) - FanDuel $4,000
Holmstrom, who went from 25 points in 2023-24 to 45 points last season, has had an uneven season. He's on one of his hot streaks now with seven points (three goals, four assists) in as many games. This output comes on the heels of a 14-game scoreless streak, evidencing how up-and-down he has been. Back on first line with Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee, deploy Holmstrom while he is rolling.
Ryan Leonard, RW, WSH @ NJ (18% rostered) - FanDuel $4,800
Leonard picked up Tuesday right where he left off when he was injured, notching a pair of assists. Injured December 5 on a check by Jacob Trouba, Leonard missed seven games with a shoulder injury. Prior to being sidelined, Leonard had a four-point effort the game before he got hurt and seven points, including five assists, in a four-game streak. His hot streak and the two apples Tuesday have upped Leonard's season marks to seven goals and 13 helpers in 30 contests.
David Perron, LW/RW, OTT @ TOR (3% rostered) - FanDuel $4,400
Perron, skating on the Senators' second line, has already exceeded his 2024-25 output. He has racked up four goals and three assists over his last six games, including a trio of multi-point efforts in that span. Perron is also deployed on Ottawa's second power play unit, where he has notched seven of his 20 points on the season, though much of those production came earlier in the season.
Sam Bennett, C, FLA vs. TB (77% rostered) - FanDuel $5,800
Florida opened the season without Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, requiring the team to place additional reliance on several players. One of those players was Bennett, but he got off to a slow start. Bennett has found his form lately, tallying three goals and two assists during his current four-game point streak, giving him 14 points in 12 December contests. That hot streak has helped Florida finish their pre-holiday schedule in the second Wild Card spot.
Joel Eriksson Ek, C, MIN @ WPG (79% rostered) - FanDuel $6,200
Eriksson Ek moved up a notch at center while Marco Rossi was sidelined via injury and maintained that spot when Rossi was dealt to Vancouver. He has 11 points his last nine contests and is up to nine goals, 27 points, 111 shots on net and 63 hits through 38 games this season. Eriksson Ek posted 61 and 64 points in 2022-23 and 2023-24 before falling to 29 points in 46 contests last season. He is up to 27 points in 38 contests and could crack the 50-point barrier again this season.
Steven Stamkos, C/LW/RW, NSH @ STL (65% rostered) - FanDuel $5,600
Stamkos has put his slow start to the 2025-26 season far in the distance. Coming off a poor first campaign in Nashville, Stamkos' rough beginning this season raised proper questions that his best days were behind him and he may be washed. Stamkos, with his current play, has said not so fast. Riding a five-game point streak, Stamkos' recent run has resulted in him posting 11 goals and 17 points over his last 14 games, propelling the Predators up the standings.
Wyatt Johnston, C/RW, DAL vs. CHI (98% rostered) - FanDuel $7,600
Johnston is on pace to raise his scoring production for the third straight season. Having gone from 41 to 65 to 71 points across his first three seasons, Johnston already is up to 20 goals and 22 assists in 38 contests, putting him on pace to to crack the 80-point barrier for the first time in his career. Johnston, a first round pick, 23rd overall in 2021, centers the Stars' second line while skating on the first unit power play.
Connor McDavid, C, EDM @ CGY (100% rostered) - FanDuel $8,400
Superlatives are now trite for McDavid, who seems to do something magical and highlight worthy each game. He notched five assists Tuesday, giving McDavid 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists) during an 11-game streak. Irrespective of his DFS price, McDavid provides elite production each contest, making him an almost must start. He is is up to 67 points in 38 games with another 100-point season a lock, barring injury.
Kiefer Sherwood, LW/RW, VAN vs. SJ (57% rostered) - FanDuel $5,600
Sherwood provides production in two categories, one expected and one unexpected. He posted 19 goals in 78 contests last season, which was more than expected from him based on what he usually was known for. Sherwood already has a surprising 16 goals - with just four assists - in 36 contests this season. On the not surprising side, he dished out 462 hits last season, and while off that ridiculous pace in 2025-26, he still has 164 hits.
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