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. After this article will be defensemen and goalies. Interspliced between each ranking column is a fantasy article by Jason Chen focused on a different aspect than the positions. Unlike other lists that may focus on what the pivotman not only does on the ice, but between the dots and in his own zone, our primary driver here is how these individuals rank from a fantasy perspective the balance of the season. 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. Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild:
Kirill has been thrilling this season for the Wild. His overall numbers are top 10 in the league and raised his game heading into the pre-Olympics break. From Jan. 17, the 28-year-old winger was electric with seven goals and 18 points over 10 games. Kaprizov is up to 70 points (32 goals and 38 assists), 205 shots on net and 35 hits across 58 games. He already has 25 points on the man-advantage, where he has benefitted from Minnesota’s acquisition of Quinn Hughes. Kaprizov should be well-rested when play returns due to the three-week break.
2. Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars:
J-Rob, one of the bigger snubs from the Olympic rosters, is using that decision as fuel to his game. He entered the break with five goals and five assists over his last eight games. After posting 80 points in each of his prior two campaigns, Robertson is on pace to far exceed that mark, as he sits with 32 tallies and 34 helpers along with a plus-20 rating in 57 contests. He has notched 27 of those points on the power play while skating a career-high 19:52 a game, which is why his lack of inclusion drew ire from so many.
3. Cole Caufield, Montreal Canadiens:
Like J-Rob, Caufield was a major snub from the US Olympics team. Coming off 28 goals and 65 points in 2024-24 and 37 tallies and 70 points last season, Caufield may be having an even better campaign this season. Driving the Habs attack along with Nick Suzuki, Caufield has already notched 32 goals while dishing out 25 assists in 57 contests with 20 of those points coming on the power play. A 40-goal, 80-point campaign looks to be in reach for the former first-round pick.
4. Morgan Geekie, Boston Bruins:
We all keep waiting for the bubble to burst and clock to strike 12 on Geekie, but that has not happened. Other than a five-game pointless streak in early January, Geekie has been extremely consistent, just as he was last season. Geekie closed the pre-Olympics break strong, notching points in eight straight contests (seven goals, five assists). This “hot” streak has Geekie up to 32 tallies and 22 helpers in 56 games, putting him just three points shy of his career-high, set last season.
5. Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets:
Connor is having his usual strong season for the Jets. If there is a negative, Connor has struggled in the Olympics, making him a possible scratch for the US’ quarterfinal matchup. Connor has 25 goals, the ninth straight season he has hit that mark, along with 39 assists in 56 games. He is slightly off his 2024-25 pace, when he posted a career-high 97 points, and Winnipeg will need Connor to raise his game to get back in the post-season hunt.
6. Artemi Panarin, Los Angeles Kings:
Panarin, who “fell” from 120 to 89 points last season, is having another solid campaign. His goal-scoring is down for the second straight season, but the Bread man has remained an excellent facilitator. Panarin now will need to adapt to a new team, as he was dealt just before the pre-Olympics trade freeze to Los Angeles, signing a two-year, $22 million extension. With Kevin Fiala injured in the Olympics and out for the rest of the regular season, Panarin will skate on the Kings’ first line.
7. Alex DeBrincat, Detroit Red Wings:
When elite wingers in the NHL are discussed, DeBrincat’s name is rarely mentioned. A look at his production makes that a poor decision. DeBrincat tallied at least 66 points each of the last four season, finishing between 66 and 79 points in that stretch. DeBrincat looks certain to finish in that range again, sitting with 30 goals and 27 assists in 57 contests with 17 of those points coming on the man-advantage. His fine performance is a large reason why Detroit is in playoff contention.
8. Brandon Hagel, Tampa Bay Lightning:
Hagel just continues to roll along for the Lightning. Since arriving in Tampa during the 2021-22 season, Hagel has scored at least 26 goals each of the past four season. He has added 27 helpers in 50 games, putting him on pace to break the 70-point mark for the third time in that stretch. Hagel produces irrespective of which line he is placed, and his nine power play points give him a chance to set a new career0high in that category as well.
9. Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators:
Feel free to move Tkachuk well up this list. Determining where to place Tkachuk was not an easy decision. Tkachuk missed 20 games with a thumb injury, but he has more than made up for lost time. Tkachuk posted six goals and 10 assists the 12 contests before the pre-Olympics break, upping his season marks to 14 goals and 23 assists in 37 games. Tkachuk may see his point total decline for the fourth straight season, though this time injuries played a major part in that output.
10. Steven Stamkos, Nashville Predators:
Recency bias drove Stamkos’ inclusion on this list. He got off to another slow start, which followed a massive drop in production last season, resulting in the opinion that Stamkos may be washed. Stamkos has changed that narrative, posting 18 points (10 goals, eight helpers) in 18 games since the beginning of January. That output spike has upped the future Hall of Famer’s numbers to 28 tallies and 16 helpers in 57 contests with 15 of those points coming on the man-advantage.
Honorable mention: Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, Clayton Keller, Utah Mammoth, Brad Marchand, Florida Panthers, Juraj Slafkovsky, Montreal Canadiens, Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators, Andrei Svechnikov, Carolina Hurricanes, Will Smith, San Jose Sharks and Artturi Lehkonen, Colorado Avalanche.