The early rounds of a fantasy hockey draft are usually pretty easy. You know who the stars are. You know which players are going to come off the board quickly. The real difference between a good fantasy draft and a great one, however, is often made in the middle and late rounds. That is where you can find players who have the potential to significantly outperform their draft position.
For this list, I’m focusing on 20 players who I believe are worth targeting once the draft gets into the later rounds — 12 forwards, five defensemen and three goalies. I’m not necessarily looking for the players with the biggest names. I’m looking for players whose combination of opportunity, upside, role, category coverage or bounce-back potential makes them interesting at their current draft cost.
ADP is changing quickly as training camps and preseason games provide new information, so consider these targets rather than rigid draft rankings. Current consensus ADP has several of these players going well outside the first 150 picks.
12 Late-Round Forward Targets
1. Matt Duchene — Dallas Stars
Current ADP: Around 168
Why I’m targeting him: Veteran production at a late-round price
Duchene is one of the easiest players on this list for me to understand as a late-round target. He’s not going to surprise anybody by suddenly becoming a 100-point player, but that’s not what we’re asking him to do. We’re asking whether a player with his offensive ability can provide useful fantasy production when you’re drafting him this late. Current consensus ADP has Duchene around pick 168, while NHL.com’s latest forward rankings place him at No. 111. That’s the type of discrepancy I want to investigate late in a draft.
Draft approach: If Duchene is still sitting there in the later rounds, I’m interested.
2. Trevor Zegras — Philadelphia Flyers
Current ADP: Around 168
Why I’m targeting him: Former high-end offensive prospect with something to prove. Zegras is exactly the type of player I want to take a late-round swing on. There is obvious risk here. His recent fantasy value hasn’t matched the expectations that came with his draft pedigree, but that’s also why you’re able to draft him this late.
If Zegras finds the offensive consistency that made him such an intriguing young player, the upside could be considerably greater than what you’re paying for. NHL.com currently ranks him 93rd among forwards, while FantasyPros has his consensus ADP around 168. That’s a substantial difference.
Draft approach: He’s a classic late-round upside pick for me.
3. Jordan Kyrou — Washington Capitals
Current ADP: Around 177
Why I’m targeting him: The market appears to be discounting him heavily
Kyrou is one of my favorite names on this list. The current ADP data has him around pick 176, yet NHL.com has him ranked 89th among forwards. That doesn’t automatically make him a bargain. Rankings and ADP come from different methodologies, but it tells me there is enough disagreement here to take a closer look. Kyrou has the skill to provide much more offensive production than you’d normally expect from someone being drafted this late.
Draft approach: If I’m looking for upside rather than a safe floor, Kyrou is one of the players I’m watching.
4. Gabe Perreault — New York Rangers
Current ADP: Around 135
Why I’m targeting him: Young player with legitimate breakout potential
Perreault doesn’t qualify as a deep late-rounder everywhere, but I still think he belongs in this conversation because his current draft cost can vary substantially. NHL.com has him 113th among forwards, while FantasyPros currently has him around 135 in ADP. More importantly, we’ve already seen evidence of what he can do offensively. The Hockey News highlighted his strong finish to last season and identified a potential path to a much bigger role in New York. This is the kind of young player where the upside is considerably more interesting than the draft price.
Draft approach: I would be comfortable reaching a little for him if I like the roster fit.
5. Patrick Kane — Chicago Blackhawks
Current ADP: Around 172
Why I’m targeting him: Veteran skill at almost no draft cost
At this stage of his career, Kane isn’t the player he was at his peak. But fantasy drafts aren’t about what a player used to be. They’re about what he can give you at his current cost. NHL.com’s current forward rankings have Kane at No. 99, while FantasyPros has his ADP around 172. That’s enough of a gap to make me interested. If you’re drafting for depth late, I would much rather take a player with proven offensive ability than a low-ceiling player simply because he’s younger.
Draft approach: Particularly attractive in leagues where points and power-play production matter heavily.
6. Mathew Barzal — New York Islanders
Current ADP: Around 182
Why I’m targeting him: Massive discount if healthy
Barzal is a different kind of late-round target. The reason he’s available this late is obvious: injury uncertainty. NHL.com currently has Barzal ranked 108th among forwards and lists him as injured, while FantasyPros has him around pick 182 in ADP. That creates risk, but it also creates an opportunity. If your league has an IR spot, Barzal becomes especially interesting because you can potentially stash him without sacrificing an active roster spot.
Draft approach: Much more attractive in leagues with IR/IR+ spots.
7. Jack Roslovic — Toronto Maple Leafs
Current ADP: Around 141
Roslovic is another player whose draft cost makes him interesting. NHL.com currently ranks him 141st among forwards, essentially matching his current ADP. That means I’m not necessarily calling him a massive bargain. Instead, I like him as a player who could become useful if his role gives him consistent offensive opportunities. He’s the kind of player I’d keep on my late-round shortlist rather than reaching several rounds ahead of his ADP.
Draft approach: A reasonable depth target when the obvious upside names are gone.
8. Jake DeBrusk — Vancouver Canucks
Current ADP: Around 144
DeBrusk is another player I don’t think fantasy managers should completely overlook. NHL.com currently ranks him 126th among forwards, with FantasyPros showing an ADP around 144. That isn’t an enormous discount, but we’re getting into the range where individual player evaluations can differ dramatically from the consensus. He’s a useful late-round consideration if you’re looking for a forward who doesn’t need a massive breakout to justify the draft cost.
Draft approach: More of a floor/value pick than a lottery ticket.
9. Egor Chinakhov — Pittsburgh Penguins
Current ADP: Around 145
Chinakhov is one of my favorite types of late-round target: a player whose draft cost leaves room for his situation to change. NHL.com has him ranked 112th among forwards, while FantasyPros currently puts his ADP around 145. That gives you a little bit of room between his consensus draft price and his ranking. At this point of the draft, that’s enough to get my attention.
Draft approach: Worth targeting if preseason usage supports an increased offensive role.
10. Brad Marchand — Florida Panthers
Current ADP: Around 200
This is exactly what I mean when I talk about late-round value. Marchand’s current ADP is around 200, according to FantasyPros. At that price, you don’t need him to recreate his prime. You need useful fantasy production from a player who has historically been able to contribute across multiple categories. He’s the type of player who can become especially valuable in leagues where hits, shots, power-play points or other peripherals matter.
Draft approach: If he falls this far in a standard-category league, I’m interested.
11. James Hagens — Boston Bruins
Current ADP: Around 132
Hagens is another player where you’re drafting the potential as much as the immediate production. He’s currently listed as a rookie by NHL.com and sits at No. 130 among forwards. The important thing with young players is opportunity. If the role develops quickly, their draft-day value can change very quickly as well. He’s not a player I’d select purely because of the name or prospect pedigree. I’d want to see how Boston deploys him.
Draft approach: A calculated upside swing rather than a safe pick.
12. Marco Rossi — Vancouver Canucks
Current ADP: Not consistently settled
Rossi is the kind of player I want to monitor closely right up until draft day. NHL.com currently has him ranked 128th among forwards. That’s right around the point where your draft starts becoming much more about finding players with a realistic path to outperforming their cost. If his role and special-teams usage look favorable during preseason, Rossi could become one of those players who moves up my personal board quickly.
Draft approach: One of the players I’d circle and monitor as preseason continues.
5 Late-Round Defensemen
13. Kris Letang — Pittsburgh Penguins
Current ADP: Around 168
Letang is the definition of a veteran late-round gamble. FantasyPros currently has him around pick 168, while NHL.com’s overall rankings place him well inside the top 250. At this stage of his career, there is obviously risk. But defensemen who can contribute offensively and provide power-play production are valuable in fantasy leagues.
Draft approach: I’m comfortable taking the late-round shot if I haven’t loaded up on defense earlier.
14. Justin Faulk — Detroit Red Wings
Current ADP: Around 191
Faulk is going almost completely under the radar in current ADP. FantasyPros has him around pick 191. That doesn’t mean he suddenly becomes a top-50 fantasy defenseman. It means the cost is low enough that you’re not asking for a miracle. If he gets favorable minutes and contributes on special teams, he can become useful depth.
Draft approach: A very late pick with a path to being useful.
15. Thomas Harley — Dallas Stars
Current ADP: Around 126
Harley isn’t quite as cheap as the others on this list, but I think he’s worth targeting before the truly late rounds disappear. FantasyPros currently has him around 126 overall, while NHL.com ranks him 29th among defensemen. That’s exactly the kind of player I want to identify before draft day. He’s not a hidden player anymore. The opportunity is recognizing that his fantasy value could still exceed the price.
Draft approach: One of my preferred mid-to-late defensive targets.
16. Brandt Clarke — Los Angeles Kings
Current ADP: Around 113
Clarke isn’t technically a super-deep pick, but he belongs on the late-round target radar because defense dries up quickly in many drafts. FantasyPros has him around 113 overall. If you’re building a roster where you need offensive upside from the blue line, Clarke is the type of player I’d rather take a chance on than settle for a defenseman with limited offensive potential.
Draft approach: A player I would be willing to take earlier than his consensus ADP if the roster fit is right.
17. Shayne Gostisbehere — Carolina Hurricanes
Current ADP: Around 117
Gostisbehere is another player whose value is heavily tied to how your league scores defensemen. If power-play points and offensive production are important, his profile becomes considerably more attractive. FantasyPros currently has him around 117 overall. He’s not a player I’m expecting to suddenly become a superstar. I’m looking for a veteran offensive defenseman who can provide useful production without costing an early pick.
Draft approach: Particularly interesting in leagues that reward offensive defensemen.
3 Late-Round Goalies
18. Spencer Knight — Chicago Blackhawks
Current ADP: Around 167
Knight might be my favorite late-round goalie target on this list. NHL.com currently ranks him 21st among goalies, while FantasyPros has him around pick 167 overall. That’s a significant difference. NHL.com’s Chicago projection also points out that Knight played 55 games last season and finished fourth in the NHL in saves, with the possibility of another heavy workload. That’s precisely the profile I want from a late goalie:
Opportunity + volume + upside.
Draft approach: One of my favorite late goalie targets.
19. Dan Vladar — Philadelphia Flyers
Current ADP: Around 169
Vladar is another goalie where opportunity could be more important than reputation. NHL.com currently ranks him 19th among goalies and projects 27 wins for him, while FantasyPros has his ADP around 169. A projected 27 wins at this draft cost is enough to get my attention. Obviously, projections aren’t guarantees. Goalie performance and playing time can change quickly. But that’s exactly why you can potentially find value this late.
Draft approach: A strong late-round option if you need a second or third goalie.
20. John Gibson — Detroit Red Wings
Current ADP: Around 184
Gibson is a classic late-round bounce-back candidate. FantasyPros currently has him around pick 184, while NHL.com’s goalie rankings include him among the additional players worth considering outside the top 25. At this point in the draft, I’m not expecting certainty. I’m looking for a goalie who could provide substantially more value than the draft pick I’m spending. Gibson fits that description.
Draft approach: A late gamble with enough potential upside to justify the pick.
The goal of the late rounds isn’t to find 20 players you’re willing to draft, it’s to identify a handful of players who can outperform where they’re being selected. Some of these names offer proven production, others bring bounce-back potential, while the younger players come with the possibility of a breakout. As training camps and preseason continue, roles and ADP will change, so keep an eye on these players and be ready to adjust your targets. If you can come away from the late rounds with a few players who deliver more than you paid for, you’ve already given your fantasy roster a chance to gain an edge.
– The Add List +