2024-25 Preview: Florida Panthers This is the second article in a series focusing on the top 10 at each position. We led off with centers in the first column and this article will be followed by left wingers, defensemen and goalies. 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. Nikita Kucherov [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA5MTU1MjA3NjY4NDQyNzM2/usatsi_22938216.jpg] Nikita Kucherov 1. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning: Feel free to rejigger the top four — they are separated by millimeters. If you ask me to rank them again, I might change my mind. Kucherov led the NHL in both points with 144 (44 goals and 100 assists) and power-play points with 53, and put 306 shots on net while skating 21:40 a game. The future Hall of Famer had a career year almost across the board last season. He missed the entire 2019-20 regular season but came back for the playoffs, leading Tampa to a Cup win. Since then, he has posted 326 points in 210 games and now sits just 127 points shy of 1,000 for his career, a milestone he could hit this season. Somehow, he seems to be getting better as a he ages, though his 'D' still leaves something to be desired. 2. Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers: The acquisition of Tkachuk from the Flames was a watershed moment for the Panthers. Since that deal, Florida has made back-to-back Cup appearances, winning the title last season. Tkachuk saw his regular-season production crater last year; after back-to-back seasons with at least 40 goals and 100-plus points, Tkachuk slipped to 26 markers and 62 helpers in 80 games. A deeper look behind the numbers show a tale of two halves. Tkachuk notched 22 apples but only lit the lamp five times in his first 36 outings despite registering 127 shots on goal. After the calendar flipped to 2024, the 26-year-old right winger produced 21 goals and 61 points across 44 contests, more in line with expectations and his prior two seasons. Tkachuk posted 22 points in 24 playoff contests to help capture the Cup. 3. Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche: If it’s possible to be ranked as the third-best right winger and be underrated, Rantanen is it. The talent surrounding Rantanen gets more publicity, but he is one of the engines that drives the Avs' attack. An unrestricted free agent after the season, Rantanen has earned back-to-back 100-point campaigns. As further evidence of his offensive prowess, Rantanen has recorded at least 30 goals in five of his past six campaigns and has averaged well over a point per game (579 points in 486 contests) across his last seven campaigns. Pencil him for 100-plus points once again. 4. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins: 'Pasta' could have easily been ranked first after tallying 47 goals with 63 assists a season after he finished second in the NHL with 61 goals and tied for third with 113 points in 82 games. A slight regression in his shooting percentage helped contribute to the “decline” in goals season-over-season, though it was the fourth time in five seasons he reached the 40-goal milestone (the lone exception being the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 campaign). 5. Zach Hyman, Edmonton Oilers: This is where the list gets fuzzy and based on personal preference. Hyman took a major step forward last season, scoring a career-best 54 goals (third in the NHL). In addition, his 26 power-play points, seven game-winning goals, and 290 shots on goal were also career bests. Hyman showed in the playoffs his growth was no fluke, notching 16 goals and 22 points in 25 games to help Edmonton reach the Cup final. Oh, by the way, he skates on the right side of Connor McDavid. 6. Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs: If you look up the definition for polarizing in the dictionary (yes, they still exist), Marner’s picture might be what you see. Last season, injuries cost him 13 games and probably his first 100-point campaign. But that matters little in Toronto, as Marner was nearly invisible in the first-round collapse against the Bruins. That poor performance has sent many of the Leafs faithful on a mission to punt Marner to the sun. Like Rantanen, Marner will be an unrestricted free agent after the season and that motivation should result in a career-best regular season in 2024-25. 7. Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers: In line with Hyman, Reinhart had a career year across the board. He set 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). Reinhart showed his regular season was no fluke, helping the Panthers win the Stanley Cup with 16 points (10 goals, 6 assists) in 24 postseason games. He parlayed that big year into an eight-year, $69-million contract on July 1 to remain a Panther. One note of caution: His 24.5 percent shooting percentage was a major outlier, so expect some regression. William Nylander [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA5MTU1MjYyOTY2MTQ2OTE2/usatsi_22874394.jpg] William Nylander 8. William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs: Part of the Leafs' 'Core Four', Nylander scored 40 goals for the second straight season while setting a new career high with 98 points. He showed promise in his first five years in the league, but always left you wanting more. Nylander has taken his game to the next level in each of the past three campaigns, notching at least 34 goals and 80 points. Nylander will never be the straw that stirs the drink for the Maple Leafs, but he is a significant complementary piece to go with Marner, Auston Matthews and John Tavares. 9. Clayton Keller, Utah Hockey Club: Despite all the negativity swirling around the Coyotes franchise, Keller found a way to remain productive. In the last three seasons, Keller potted 98 goals to go with his 127 assists in 227 contests. Utah has better talent than one might think looking at their record, and the removal of all the uncertainty could lend itself to better play on the ice. Front and center should be Keller, who can now focus solely on hockey and not the front office issues that previously existed. 10. Jesper Bratt, New Jersey Devils: Very quietly, at least outside the New York metro area, Bratt has become an elite right winger. After scoring between 30 to 35 points his first four campaigns in the league, Bratt has taken his game to another level. He contributed 27 goals and 83 points in 82 contests in 2023-24, the third consecutive campaign in which he's surpassed the 25-goal and 70-point milestones. As the team around him improves, Bratt should receive less defensive attention, which should result in another uptick in production. Honorable Mention: Adrian Kempe, Los Angeles Kings Wyatt Johnston, Dallas Stars Seth Jarvis, Carolina Hurricanes Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks Cole Caufield, Montreal Canadiens Mathew Barzal, New York Islanders Alexis Lafrenière, New York Rangers Click here to join the new THN Fantasy roundtable to discuss! 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