Fantasy drafts don’t wait for opening night. Neither should your rankings.
We’re now just days away from the start of the 2026-27 NHL season, and the information coming out of training camps and preseason games is beginning to change the fantasy landscape. Line combinations are becoming more meaningful, power-play units are taking shape, rookies are showing whether they’re ready for NHL minutes, and injuries are creating opportunities for other players while some established fantasy names are suddenly carrying more risk than they did a few weeks ago. This isn’t another list of the best sleepers or breakout candidates. Instead, we’re asking a much more important question: If your fantasy draft were held today, which players would you value differently than you did a few weeks ago?
📈 10 Players Whose Draft Stock Is Rising
1. Bowen Byram — D — Chicago Blackhawks
Bowen Byram might be the clearest example of preseason information changing a player’s fantasy outlook. The 25-year-old defenseman was acquired by Chicago in the offseason and is expected to play on the top defensive pair alongside Alex Vlasic while also receiving first-unit power-play consideration. Then Byram went out and scored a hat trick in his Chicago preseason debut, finishing with five shots, two hits and a block while playing a game-high 23:31. His current ADP is around 115, but the combination of top-pair minutes, power-play exposure and Chicago’s need for offense makes that price increasingly interesting.
The Add List Take: Byram was already on our radar, but now he’s becoming one of the defensemen I don’t want to overlook. If he keeps the first power-play role, his ceiling gets considerably more interesting.
2. Mason Marchment — F — San Jose Sharks
Mason Marchment was already one of our favorite late-round targets, but his training-camp deployment has strengthened the case. Marchment opened camp on the top line with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith and finished last season extremely well, producing 32 points in his final 39 games with Columbus. His current ADP is around 130, and playing alongside Celebrini and Smith could give him significantly more offensive opportunity than his draft position suggests.
The Add List Take: Marchment doesn’t need to become a superstar for this pick to work. If he stays on that line and receives meaningful power-play exposure, he has a legitimate chance to outperform his draft price.
3. Quinton Byfield — C — Los Angeles Kings
I’m becoming increasingly interested in Quinton Byfield at his current price. Byfield opened camp between Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe, giving the young center perhaps the best collection of wingers he’s had during his NHL career, and he scored 13 goals in 24 games after Panarin joined Los Angeles last season while establishing career highs with 24 goals and 180 shots overall. His current ADP is around 136, and the opportunity is significant for a player already trending upward.
The Add List Take: Byfield doesn’t need to suddenly become a 90-point superstar. If this deployment helps him reach the 60-point range, you’re potentially getting a major return on a middle-to-late-round investment.
4. Gavin McKenna — F — Toronto Maple Leafs
McKenna was always going to be one of the biggest stories of the fantasy draft season, but now we’re getting an actual look at how Toronto intends to use him. The No. 1 overall pick opened camp on a line with John Tavares and William Nylander, and Toronto has continued to give the trio a look together during preseason. McKenna is coming off a 51-point freshman season at Penn State and had 14 points in seven games at the 2026 World Junior Championship. The risk hasn’t disappeared because he’s still 18 and hasn’t played an NHL regular-season game, but the opportunity is very real.
The Add List Take: McKenna’s draft price is probably going to keep climbing. The question now isn’t whether he has upside, it’s whether you’re willing to pay for that upside before we’ve seen him play a meaningful NHL game.
5. Roman Kantserov — F — Chicago Blackhawks
This is one of the biggest names I’m watching as we get closer to opening night. Kantserov opened camp with Frank Nazar and Patrick Kane, putting the rookie in a fascinating offensive environment, while Chicago’s Connor Bedard injury could create additional opportunity for its younger forwards. Kantserov’s offensive pedigree was already attracting fantasy attention, but this type of deployment can accelerate the process.
The Add List Take: I’m not reaching for Kantserov simply because he skated beside Patrick Kane, but if this combination survives the remainder of preseason, he’s going to move much higher on my draft board.
6. Maxim Shabanov — F — Minnesota Wild
Shabanov may be one of the biggest fantasy beneficiaries of training camp. Minnesota has used him alongside Kirill Kaprizov and Ryan Hartman, creating a gigantic opportunity for a rookie who was already attracting fantasy attention before camp opened. The departure of Mats Zuccarello opened an important spot beside Kaprizov, and Shabanov is making a strong case for it.
The Add List Take: This is exactly the type of preseason development that can turn a late-round rookie into a player who suddenly disappears from the draft board. If he’s still available late, I’m interested.
7. Luca Cagnoni — D — San Jose Sharks
Cagnoni is one of those names that could go from prospect to fantasy relevant very quickly. The rookie defenseman has already received first-unit power-play time during preseason, which is arguably more important than where he’s skating at five-on-five, and NHL.com has noted that he has a chance to play a significant role for San Jose this season. He’s not someone I’d suddenly draft aggressively in a shallow league, but this is exactly the type of player who should be sitting on the late-round radar in deeper formats.
The Add List Take: First-unit power-play time is fantasy gold. If Cagnoni keeps getting it, we’re going to have to take him much more seriously.
8. Chris Kreider — F — Montreal Canadiens
Chris Kreider is probably the biggest veteran whose fantasy stock has changed because of one training-camp decision. Montreal started him on the top line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, a dramatic change from where Kreider’s fantasy value was sitting before camp. NHL.com noted that he’s going undrafted in many leagues despite being a proven goal scorer, and now he has a chance to play with two of Montreal’s best offensive players.
The Add List Take: I’m not drafting Kreider like it’s 2021, but I’m also not ignoring a veteran scorer who suddenly finds himself on a line with Suzuki and Caufield. He’s moved firmly onto my late-round and early-waiver radar.
9. Ryan Leonard — F — Washington Capitals
Ryan Leonard was already one of our favorite young players for 2026-27, but his current deployment makes the case even stronger. Leonard opened camp on Washington’s second line with Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome and could also see time on the first power-play unit, while his current ADP is around 132. There is some uncertainty surrounding Ovechkin’s availability during preseason because of a lower-body injury, so we don’t want to overreact to one line combination, but Leonard’s overall role remains extremely interesting.
The Add List Take: Leonard is one of those players where the upside is already baked into the draft conversation, but the deployment gives us more reason to chase it. He’s still a player I’m happy targeting in the middle-to-late rounds.
10. Luke Evangelista — F — New Jersey Devils
Evangelista might be the sneaky one. He’s not getting nearly as much attention as McKenna, Kantserov or Shabanov, but his move to New Jersey has created an interesting opportunity, and current rankings have him around the 150-200 range. If he can establish himself alongside New Jersey’s top offensive players or earn meaningful power-play time, his fantasy value could jump quickly.
The Add List Take: This is exactly the kind of player I want to keep an eye on late in drafts. The price is still low enough that the upside is worth chasing.
📉 5 Players Whose Draft Stock Is Falling
Falling doesn’t mean “don’t draft.” It means the price or certainty we had a few weeks ago isn’t quite as comfortable anymore.
11. Connor Hellebuyck — G — Winnipeg Jets
This is easily the biggest fantasy uncertainty in the NHL right now. Hellebuyck did not report to Winnipeg’s training camp and was suspended by the Jets after previously making his desire for a trade public. He remains one of the best goaltenders in fantasy hockey, but his immediate availability and team situation are now uncertain. His ADP was around 27 before the situation developed, but NHL.com’s latest mock had him falling into the fourth round because of the uncertainty.
The Add List Take: This isn’t a talent issue. It’s a situation issue. Hellebuyck is still capable of being an elite fantasy goalie, but I’m no longer treating him like a completely safe early-round selection.
12. Dylan Larkin — C — Detroit Red Wings
Larkin’s situation is another reminder of why preseason injury news matters. He missed the beginning of Detroit’s training camp because of an “upper-body injury” before making his camp debut on September 23. That’s encouraging, but any missed camp time this close to opening night deserves attention.
The Add List Take: Larkin isn’t someone I’m abandoning. I’m simply making sure I know his status before spending a premium pick. A healthy Larkin remains a very useful fantasy player; uncertainty just makes the price more important.
13. Seth Jarvis — F — Carolina Hurricanes
Jarvis is another player whose draft value is being affected by availability rather than talent. He’s recovering from shoulder surgery and is expected to miss at least the beginning of the season, and Daily Faceoff currently has him around No. 114 overall. That’s a tough situation for a player who has produced between 66 and 67 points in each of the past three seasons.
The Add List Take: Jarvis remains very interesting on a per-game basis. The question is how many games you’re actually getting. In leagues with limited injured-reserve flexibility, that matters.
14. Brad Marchand — F — Florida Panthers
Marchand’s move to Florida has made him an interesting fantasy player, but the early-season injury situation changes the calculation. Daily Faceoff currently ranks him around No. 112 and notes that he is expected to miss the first month of the season, which is significant when you’re drafting for an 84-game regular season.
The Add List Take: Marchand could still be extremely useful once healthy, but I’m not paying full-season value for a player who’s expected to miss a substantial chunk of the schedule.
15. Dan Vladar — G — Philadelphia Flyers
Vladar was coming off a strong first season in Philadelphia, but he left a preseason game with an upper-body injury after making six saves. He had established himself as Philadelphia’s No. 1 goalie last season with a 29-14-7 record, 2.42 GAA and .906 save percentage, so the fantasy upside is obvious, but the injury is worth monitoring this close to opening night.
The Add List Take: Vladar stays on my board, but I want more information before treating him as a safe fantasy starter.
🚨 3 Players Giving Us Reason to Pause
These aren’t necessarily falling. They’re players where the talent remains obvious, but the draft price requires some thought.
16. Pavel Dorofeyev — F — New York Rangers
Dorofeyev scored at least 35 goals in each of the past two seasons, which is impressive on its own, but he’s moving from Vegas to New York and the supporting cast around him is different. Daily Faceoff currently ranks him around No. 101 while questioning whether his new situation supports paying too much for him.
The Add List Take: I still like the player. I’m just watching the price. Goal scoring is valuable, but the environment around Dorofeyev isn’t as obviously favorable as it was in Vegas.
17. Jack Hughes — C — New Jersey Devils
This one is less about what has happened in camp and more about whether the draft market has finally adjusted to the risk. Hughes remains an elite offensive talent, but he’s played only 62, 62 and 61 games over the past three seasons, making availability the biggest concern.
The Add List Take: If Hughes slides into the second or third round in your league, the upside becomes much more interesting. The talent isn’t the question. The number of games is.
18. Spencer Knight — G — Chicago Blackhawks
Knight is an excellent goaltender, but the question is whether Chicago can give him enough wins and team support to turn that talent into fantasy production. Daily Faceoff currently ranks him around No. 172 and points out that Chicago’s team environment remains the major concern, although the Blackhawks’ young roster could take a step forward.
The Add List Take: Knight is not a goalie I’d want to rely on as my No. 1 in a shallow league, but as a late-round upside play, I’m interested.
👀 2 Players Suddenly On Our Radar
These are the players who might not have been part of the conversation a month ago — but now they’re worth knowing.
19. Nikita Klepov — F — Anaheim Ducks
This is where preseason information gets really fun. Klepov was selected in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft and is only 18 years old, yet he’s already receiving preseason time alongside Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier in Anaheim. Daily Faceoff has moved him into its top 300 specifically because of that opportunity, which is a pretty significant jump from “interesting prospect” to “maybe this kid actually sticks.”
The Add List Take: I’m not drafting Klepov early. I’m watching him. If Anaheim continues giving him top-six minutes and he looks comfortable, he could become one of the most interesting late-round rookie darts in the league.
20. Bradly Nadeau — F — Carolina Hurricanes
Nadeau is another player whose situation could change quickly. Daily Faceoff currently ranks him around No. 297 and notes that with Seth Jarvis expected to miss time, Nadeau has an opportunity to make himself too valuable to send back down even after Jarvis returns. Nadeau has been a prolific scorer in the AHL, and Carolina now has a potential opening for him.
The Add List Take: He’s not a must-draft player yet, but if Nadeau gets legitimate top-six minutes and power-play exposure during the final preseason games, he could go from “last-round flyer” to “waiver-wire target” very quickly.
The Big Lesson: Don’t Draft Your September 1 Rankings
This is probably the biggest mistake fantasy managers make during draft season. They create rankings in August, save the spreadsheet and then draft from it weeks later without making meaningful adjustments. But hockey doesn’t work that way. Between August and opening night, players change teams, lines change, injuries happen, rookies earn jobs, veterans lose jobs, power-play units change and goaltending situations get turned upside down.
That’s why our rankings should be fluid. The current NHL fantasy rankings already reflect some of these changes, but those numbers are only a snapshot. We’re not trying to predict what the rankings will look like on September 1. We’re trying to identify what is changing now.
What I’m Watching Before Opening Night
There are four things that could move several of these players again before the puck drops: power-play units, rookie roster decisions, injuries and final depth charts. Five-on-five line combinations are important, but first-unit power-play usage can completely change a player’s fantasy ceiling. Rookies such as McKenna, Kantserov, Shabanov, Stenberg and others are still fighting to establish exactly where they belong, while injuries have already created opportunities and questions. Ultimately, the biggest thing to watch is whether a player enters the final week of preseason on the top line, first power play or in a top-six role. If that happens, we’re no longer talking purely about speculation — we’re talking about a role.
The Add List Draft-Day Rule
Here’s the rule I want fantasy managers to remember:
Don’t draft the player you thought was valuable three weeks ago. Draft the player who is valuable now.
That doesn’t mean chasing every preseason goal, moving a player 50 spots because he scored twice against a group of prospects or throwing out everything we knew about a player before training camp. It means combining what we already know with what we’re learning now. That’s where the real fantasy edge is.
A player like Bowen Byram isn’t suddenly valuable because he scored three goals in a preseason game. He’s becoming more interesting because he’s expected to play a major role in Chicago, he’s getting power-play consideration and the team needs his offense. Mason Marchment isn’t interesting simply because he’s playing with Celebrini. He’s interesting because he’s already shown offensive ability, brings category coverage and now has an opportunity to play with one of the best young players in hockey. And someone like Nikita Klepov isn’t suddenly a fantasy sleeper because he made a preseason lineup. He’s interesting because Anaheim may have a legitimate opening for him, and we’re seeing the organization test him in an offensive environment.
That’s the difference between chasing preseason noise and finding fantasy value.
Final Thoughts
We’re entering the best part of fantasy draft season. The rankings are no longer based entirely on projections. We’re starting to see the actual teams, the actual lines, the actual power plays and the actual opportunities. Some of the players above will continue climbing, others will fall back once coaches make their final decisions, and a few will turn into legitimate draft-day steals or early-season waiver-wire targets.
That’s why I’m not looking at this list as a final ranking. I’m looking at it as a watch list for the final days before opening night.
Because the biggest fantasy mistake you can make right now isn’t drafting the wrong player.
It’s failing to notice when the right player suddenly becomes more valuable.
The draft board is moving. We should be moving with it.
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