As usual, this NHL regular season has been packed with pleasant fantasy surprises, dismal disappointments, and other potentially game-changing revelations. So before a bow is placed on 2024-25 once and for all, and ahead of a lengthy idle summer, here's a look at one noteworthy fantasy takeaway from each team to remember for next season.
Anaheim Ducks
Jackson LaCombe is a 50-point blueliner: After a more pedestrian start, LaCombe is averaging 0.73 points/game since Dec. 1. Not too shabby for the sophomore. The Ducks' top scoring defender also anchors the club's No. 1 power play with other young talent like Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish. His fantasy future is bright.
Boston Bruins
Jeremy Swayman isn't a viable goaltending option: Whether the delayed start is to blame, lack of support from teammates out front, plain ol' poor play or, most likely, a combination of several factors, Swayman is having a bad year. Statistically -- 3.12 GAA, .892 -- the worst of his career by some margin. Barring a big offseason shakeup in Boston, or other sign of a tangible turnaround, Swayman should be bypassed in all but the deepest of fantasy leagues.
Buffalo Sabres
JJ Peterka is a rising star: Following a wholly respectable 50-point campaign, the Sabres' second-round draft pick (2020) ranks third only to Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin with 0.85 points/game. A staple in the top six and on the No. 1 power play, Peterka is only gaining steam down the stretch, averaging 2.3 fantasy points/game in ESPN standard leagues this past month.
JJ Peterka scores on the power play for Buffalo Sabres
Calgary Flames
Dustin Wolf is getting there: He's a part of the Calder conversation for good reason. Without the solid play from this rookie netminder, the Flames wouldn't likely find themselves within reach of a playoff spot. Beyond his impressive numbers as a fantasy performer -- 11th in total ESPN Fantasy points overall -- Wolf ranks fourth in (prevented) Goals Above Replacement with 28.5 GAR, according to Evolving Hockey. The future appears bright indeed for this up-and-comer with a Calgary team that appears on the rise. He could serve as an absolute gem as a No. 2 fantasy goalie for managers, beginning next fall.
Dustin Wolf makes big-time save vs. Devils
Carolina Hurricanes
Shayne Gostisbehere is a pure power-play specialist: Believe it or not, Gostisbehere ranks fourth in power-play points among NHL defenseman with 23 as of now, despite missing a handful of games. He doesn't block a ton of shots, or fire on net all that often, but the veteran blueliner provides that extra boost in leagues that reward special teams' production at a premium.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Sean Monahan is a top-line center: Credit to Adam Fantilli for filling in more than adequately on the Jackets' top line when Monahan was injured in early January. Some thought the sophomore might keep a grip on the role, even once the veteran returned to healthy form. Not so. In his first game back, Monahan logged nearly 19 minutes and kicked in two assists on the top unit between Kirill Marchenko and Dmitri Voronkov. Locked in another three years, the 30-year-old could very well hold down that gig while maintaining a point/game pace.
Chicago Blackhawks
Connor Bedard stands alone: With full respect to Ryan Donato's scoring flurry of late, Chicago's young star reigns solo as the club's only consistent fantasy forward. Teuvo Teravainen, Tyler Bertuzzi, Philipp Kurashev, etc. are falling short of expectations once more. Until a new addition or rising star proves reliably productive, managers best look to other clubs when stocking their rosters.
Colorado Avalanche
Valeri Nichushkin is a fantasy stalwart: When healthy, he's one of the most dynamic and underappreciated fantasy performers out there. Averaging 2.4 FPPG this March alone, Nichushkin still remains available in a third of ESPN Fantasy leagues. Boggling, since any manager with an IR spot should be all over this truck of a player, instead of allowing him to make great fantasy hay on an opponent's roster.
Dallas Stars
Thomas Harley is in danger of regression: No question, the 23-year-old is once again proving to be a high-quality defenseman for the Stars in his second full season. Just fantastic. However, through the fantasy lens, it's worth noting that Harley has accumulated more than half of his points -- 24 of 47 -- in the 23 games since the team lost Miro Heiskanen to injury. This isn't to suggest Harley isn't, and won't continue to be, a valuable fantasy performer -- only that a near point/game pace can't be expected once Heiskanen is back in the lineup.
Detroit Red Wings
Patrick Kane feels good again: The veteran forward says his hip finally feels like his own again after having resurfacing surgery in June 2023, which helps explain the 14 goals and 23 assists in 32 games since Dec. 29. Wherever Kane is playing next year, the pending unrestricted free agent still merits consideration as a mid-round selection in all but the shallowest of fantasy leagues. Especially if that hip continues to feel in full chorus with the rest of his body.
Edmonton Oilers
Stuart Skinner deserves less fantasy love: As this season unfolds differently, that impressive run to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final feels like a long time ago. Looking beyond Skinner's more obvious mediocre numbers, "highlighted" by a rather ho-hum .894 SV%, his other digits don't tell a much rosier story. According to Evolving Hockey, the Oilers' No. 1 ranks 55th in the league with a 0.7 (prevented) Goals Above Replacement (GAR) and 0.1 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), which helps explain his average of 1.3 FPPG in ESPN standard competition. There are better fantasy options between the pipes elsewhere.
Florida Panthers
Mackie Samoskevich possesses dark horse potential: It depends on whether the first-round draft pick (2021) manages to secure a top-six spot once the puck drops next October. Not out of the question. If so, Samoskevich could serve as a nice sleeper in deeper leagues. Skating with center Sam Bennett, the rookie has five goals and four helpers this past month.
Mackie Samoskevich lights the lamp for Panthers
Los Angeles Kings
Darcy Kuemper is a top-10 netminder: In fact, the Kings' go-to starter ranks seventh overall in total fantasy points (139.6) in standard competition, above Sergei Bobrovsky, Ilya Sorokin and Igor Shesterkin, despite playing only 42 games. This obviously bears repeating, since to this very day, Kuemper remains available in a third of ESPN Fantasy leagues.
Minnesota Wild
Filip Gustavsson is a very good netminder: He's one of the league's best, in fact. His 29-16-4 record is even more remarkable considering the club has had to do without Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek, Jonas Brodin and other key figures for extended stretches. Only Connor Hellebuyck and Andrei Vasilevskiy have rewarded their managers in more rich fashion this campaign. Food for fantasy thought when drafting a No. 1 netminder next fall, when Kaprizov, Eriksson Ek et. al should be fit and ready to contribute from the start.
Montreal Canadiens
Nick Suzuki is a top-15 center: What's even more impressive is the Canadien ranks 22nd among all forwards in total points in ESPN's standard game. Once again, some of the credit for the sum is due to Suzuki's durability and perfect attendance record. He hasn't missed a game since entering the league in 2019. What's that saying about someone's best ability is their availability? No one has been more available than Montreal's captain through the past six seasons, which any fantasy manager is bound to appreciate.
Nick Suzuki nets goal for Canadiens
Nashville Predators
Steven Stamkos is due for a bounce-back campaign: Sure, it's been unexpectedly ugly in Nashville this season. However, after an ultra-dismal run from January's final week through to early March -- zero points -- the former Tampa Bay Lightning captain is displaying some gumption in pitching in six goals and six assists through 13 games. No longer a top-tier fantasy performer, Stamkos should nonetheless return to reasonable form when offered a fresh slate, along with some organizational changes with the Predators, next season.
New Jersey Devils
Jacob Markstrom is a concern: Of the Devils' pair, veteran Jake Allen is the better fantasy netminder this season, and that's worrisome. Tapped as a top-10 goalie ahead of 2024-25, Markstrom currently ranks 18th, a hair above Montreal's Sam Montembeault. Not exactly the showing hoped for by his invested fantasy managers, taking into consideration Markstrom's missed injury time. Worth remembering when drafting a 'tender next fall.
New York Islanders
Kyle Palmieri is still clutch: And streaky. One of the league's more valuable fantasy streaming options, the Islanders veteran tends to rise to the occasion, pitching in, often in bunches, when it matters. A pending unrestricted free agent at present, Palmieri continues to offer returns as a viable fantasy lineup substitute, when other skaters are injured or underperforming.
New York Rangers
Alexis Lafreniere isn't worth another shot: Not immediately, anyway. Offered the regular opportunity to skate with the cream of the Rangers' crop -- Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, J.T. Miller -- Lafreniere still has all of 15 goals and 26 assists on 140 shots through 72 games. Averaging only 1.3 FPPG, he still remains rostered in nearly two-thirds of ESPN standard leagues. Seems too many managers persist in feeling too smitten with last year's better showing.
Ottawa Senators
Dylan Cozens is shining in Ottawa: Failing to dent the score sheet only twice in 10 games since joining the Senators at this year's trade deadline, the former Sabre has three goals and five assists. Entrenched on a scoring line with David Perron and Drake Batherson, as well as the top Ottawa power play, Cozens appears poised to again replicate his career-best showing of 68 points (2022-23). Sometimes a change of scenery really is the best cure-all, particularly for a player who just turned 24. Cozens' fantasy stock projects to rise significantly in 2025-26.
Dylan Cozens scores power-play goal vs. Avalanche
Philadelphia Flyers
Matvei Michkov is set to flourish: The 20-year-old rookie is showing everyone enough in proving he has the wherewithal to contribute at a high level in the NHL. A second turn, with a new coach behind the bench in place of John Tortorella, and perhaps bolstered by offseason additions up front, should see Michkov rise quickly into point/game territory. He ranks second only to Travis Konecny as a Flyers fantasy forward heading into the offseason.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Kris Letang isn't what he used to be: Remember when Letang collected 68 points, only three years ago? This year's running tally of 28 through 66 contests is a far cry from that notable total. Many fantasy managers will continue to draft Letang too early, based on a lengthy résumé and name recognition. With full respect to the veteran's excellent career, it would be more advantageous to focus on the lesser-known up-and-comers.
San Jose Sharks
Will Smith boasts super-sleeper potential: No skater -- not even that other gifted rookie, Macklin Celebrini -- is riding as hot as Smith while the Sharks play out 2024-25. Perhaps not that surprising, since just about everyone within the organization has championed this kid as a future star. Following a few months of big-league seasoning, Smith is averaging 0.95 points/game since Jan. 20, while running a team-leading plus-eight. Yet he remains rostered in fewer than 7% of ESPN Fantasy leagues.
Will Smith tallies goal vs. Blackhawks
Seattle Kraken
Matty Beniers has limited fantasy value: In fairness, Beniers' current tally is slightly greater than last year's, when he collected 20 fewer points than during his previous Calder-winning campaign. Still, 40 to 50 altogether doesn't suffice in justifying a roster spot for the young center in all but the deepest of fantasy leagues.
St. Louis Blues
Jordan Binnington continues to confuse: Before the 4 Nations Face-Off break, Binnington holstered a 15-19-4 record, with a .897 SV% and 2.89 GAA. Since winning gold for Canada, he has lost only twice in 11 appearances while maintaining a .912 SV% and 2.19 GAA. Fantasy managers should get a better sense of Binnington as the Blues' season winds to a close, whether that incudes a playoff run or not. At his best -- and when St. Louis is winning more often than not -- Binnington harbors on the edge of serving as a top-10 fantasy netminder.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Brandon Hagel is the real fantasy deal: Anyone who labeled last year's 75-point showing a fluke has little choice but to change their tune. On track to eclipse the 90-point plateau, Hagel is proving to be a flat-out bargain for the Lightning. Fantasy managers best remember that when opponents race to secure Nikita Kucherov, Jake Guentzel and Brayden Point first when compiling their rosters in autumn.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Matthew Knies is just getting started: There's ample reason the pending restricted free agent's next contract is attracting plenty of attention. Logging more than 18 minutes/game on a top line and power play with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, the 22-year-old sits within spitting distance of 30 goals. He'll pot 30 next year. A worthy mid-round pick in deeper drafts, Knies also provides that little extra in leagues that reward hits.
Utah Hockey Club
Logan Cooley is evolving into a star: Any analyst who follows the club closely echoes the same refrain: This kid is bound for NHL stardom and we ain't seen nothing yet. Vaulting from 44 points in Year 1 to banging out 0.84 points/game this season, Cooley is in clear ascent. Boasting 80-point potential next year, at minimum, the still-only-20-year-old could serve as a sneaky mid-round draft selection for fantasy managers who heed observations from those who watch him most.
Logan Cooley tallies goal vs. Lightning
Vancouver Canucks
Thatcher Demko merits monitoring: Specifically, his health. When feeling fit, the Canucks' No. 1 appears his usual capable self. How he performs down the regular-season stretch, and possibly into the playoffs, should offer more insight into whether his physical issues are somewhat resolved, or at least manageable. Entering the final year of his current contract, Demko will be highly incentivized to resolve all that ails ahead of 2025-26. Which could serve less wary fantasy managers nicely.
Vegas Golden Knights
Shea Theodore remains underrated: Through only 56 contests, the Knights' No. 1 power-play anchor has 49 points -- including 19 with the extra skater -- to comfortably lead the club's defensive corps in production. When healthy, Theodore serves as a top-20 fantasy defenseman and should be drafted accordingly.
Washington Capitals
Aliaksei Protas merits more fantasy respect: Skating within the Capitals' top six, the big, young winger is flirting with a point/game rhythm, on pace to bust through the 30-goal mark. No one should feel surprised to see Protas take another fantasy step forward while enjoying more power-play minutes in 2025-26.
Winnipeg Jets
Gabriel Vilardi is a proven fantasy performer: Injured as the regular season draws to a close, Vilardi is already past proving his value on one of the most productive top lines in the NHL. While his numbers aren't quite up there with those of linemates Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele, the former King is still enjoying his finest NHL campaign, averaging 0.86 points/game. He'll score 30 goals and 40 assists next year with a good fraction of them counting with the extra skater.