We look at the top-10 right wingers as we sit in the 4 Nations Face-Off break
On every game day this season, THN Fantasy will highlight players and goalies for fantasy managers to stream or roster for the rest of the season. The recommended players and goalies can be used in standard fantasy leagues or for daily fantasy games.
1. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning: (first in pre-season column)
Kucherov, who led the league with 144 points last season, certainly has not slow much this season. The Future Hall of Famer had a career year almost across the board last season. He led the NHL in both overall points with 144 (notching 44 goals and 100 assists) and power-play points with 53. Kucherov put 306 shots on net while skating 21:40 a game. This season, he has amassed 25 goals, 82 points and 179 shots on net through 52 games this season, sitting third in the league in points. A monster last-third of the season could see Kucherov hit 1,000 points, as he sits 45 points shy.
2. Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs: (sixth in pre-season column)
Marner, an unrestricted free agent after the season, has certainly risen to the moment. He entered the 4 Nations’ Face-Off break with two goals and 10 assists over his prior 10 outings, and he's up to 16 tallies, 55 helpers, 125 shots on net and a plus-9 rating over 54 appearances this season. Injuries last season cost him 13 games and probably his first 100-point campaign after tallying 97 and 99 points his prior two campaigns. Marner has raised his game this season, but in Toronto, all that will matter is what he does in the playoffs given his past struggles in the postseason.
3. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins: (fourth in pre-season column)
Pasta got off a very slow start but came into the 4 Nations Face-Off break on an absolute heater, His assist last Saturday extended his point streak to 13 games, during which he posted 26 points. Overall, the 28-year-old right winger has 40 helpers, 68 points and 230 shots on net in 57 games this season. Pasta’s slow start means he won’t match the 110 and 113 points he notched the last two seasons, but he has an outside shot at hitting triple digits if he remains hot. His recent stretch has helped Boston get back into playoff contention.
4. Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche: (third in pre-season column)
Rantanen’s placement is based on his overall production. If this was based just on his Carolina performance, as he has just a goal and assists in six games, he wouldn’t make the list. Rantanen, an unrestricted free agent, was dealt by Colorado for Martin Necas, as the team felt they would be unaware to reach terms on a long-term contract. He posted 25 goals and 39 assists in 49 games with the Avalanche, skating with Nathan MacKinnon. The hope is that he will mesh effectively with Sebastian Aho.
5. Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers: (second in pre-season column)
Tkachuk entered the 4 Nations Face-Off on a roll, riding a six-game goal streak with 13 points (seven goals, six assists) dating back to Jan. 29. That hot streak upped Chucky Cheese’s season marks to 22 goals, 35 assists and 156 shots this season. Tkachuk tallied 104 and 109 points in 2021-22 and 2022-23 before “falling” to 88 points last season. His value to the Panthers extends beyond his scoring, which has been the case the first few games for Team USA in the tourney.
6. Jesper Bratt, New Jersey Devils (tenth in pre-season column)
In the pre-season column, I noted that very quietly, at least outside the New York Metro area, Bratt has become an elite winger in the league. After scoring between 30 and 35 points his first four campaigns in the league, Bratt has taken his game to another level. Bratt contributed 27 goals and 83 points in 82 contests in 2023-24, making it the third consecutive campaign in which he's surpassed the 25-goal and 70-point milestones. This season, Bratt already has 17 markers and 47 helpers in 57 contests, with 24 points coming on the man-advantage. A new career-high in points is certainly well within reach.
7. Travis Konecny, Philadelphia Flyers (unranked in pre-season column)
Konecny has taken his game to another level this season for the Flyers. He has 22 goals and 61 points in 57 appearances, earning a spot on Team Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off squad. Konecny posted 61 and 68 points the last two seasons, and his hot start puts him on pace to set a new career high. He is the face of the Philly franchise, evidenced in Konecny signing an eight-year, $70 million contract extension with the Flyers last July.
8. Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers (seventh in pre-season column)
Reinhart had a career year across the board last season, setting new highs in goals (57), points (94), power-play goals (27), power-play points (34), plus-minus (plus-29), short-handed goals (five), game-winning goals (11) and shots on goal (233). He showed his regular season was no fluke, helping the Panthers win the Stanley Cup with 16 points (10 goals, six assists) in 24 postseason games. Reinhart parlayed that big year into an eight-year, $69 million contract on July 1 to remain a Panther and has not slowed much. He came into the break on a six-game, nine-point streak, hitting the 600-point mark in his NHL career. Reinhart is up to 31 tallies and as many helpers in 57 games with his 20.8 shooting percentage not far from his 24.5 percent last season.
9. Kirill Marchenko, Columbus Blue Jackets (unranked in pre-season column)
The biggest surprise in this list is likely Marchenko. Unfortunately, his breakout season will be cut somewhat short as he is currently sidelined for 6-8 with a broken jaw. Prior to being sidelined, Marchenko, who really burst on the scene this season, was up to 21 goals, 54 points, 144 shots on net and an NHL-best plus-31 rating across 53 appearances. He sits just two tallies of tying his career-high in that category set last year, which should be in reach if he returns in late-March. Marchenko has helped Columbus remain in playoff contention.
10. Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings (unranked in pre-season column)
Raymond had a brilliant rookie season in 2021-22, notching 23 goals and 34 assists. His game dipped slightly the following season, as he dropped to 17 and 28, respectively. Raymond showed he is a key part of the Detroit rebuild, upping his output to 31 markers and 41 helpers, earning the eight-year, $64.6 million contract he signed with the Red Wings last September. He has proven that the contract was a wise move by the Winged Wheel, as the 22-year-old winger is at 21 tallies, 58 points, 125 shots on net and an even plus-minus rating over 54 appearances.
Honorable mentions:
Martin Necas, Colorado Avalanche
Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay Lightning
Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles Kings
Rickard Rakell, Pittsburgh Penguins
Connor McMichael, Washington Capitals
Gabriel Vilardi, Winnipeg Jets
Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights
Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres (recently moved to wing)
Wyatt Johnston, Dallas Stars
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