NHL Fantasy Week 3 – 15 Hitters with value to target.
Looking for fantasy hockey hits leaders? We rank 15 NHL players who combine physical play, meaningful ice time and offensive upside for category leagues.
In fantasy hockey, hits can be the difference between winning and losing a weekly matchup, especially in category leagues. But finding the right players to fill that category isn’t as simple as looking at the NHL’s statistical leaders. Some players rack up hits while playing limited minutes on the fourth line, offering little production in goals, assists or shots, and time on ice. Others bring a physical edge while playing meaningful minutes and contributing across multiple fantasy categories. For category-league managers, that second group is where the real value lies. We’re looking beyond raw hit totals to identify the players who combine physicality, opportunity and offensive upside, along with a few under-the-radar options who could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.
1. Kiefer Sherwood — F, San Jose Sharks
41 HITS
6 GP | 6.8 hits per game | 14:49 TOI/G | 41% rostered
1 G | 1 A
If you’re chasing hits, Kiefer Sherwood is the obvious starting point. His 41 hits through six games are tops in the NHL and work out to an incredible 6.8 per game, giving fantasy managers an immediate boost in the category.
The concern is his limited offensive production. With just two points so far, Sherwood is primarily a specialist rather than a complete fantasy contributor. However, a 41% roster rate means he could still be available in plenty of leagues.
The Add List verdict: A priority target for managers who need hits immediately. Just make sure your roster can absorb the limited scoring upside.
2. Will Cuylle — F, New York Rangers
37 HITS
8 GP | 4.6 hits per game | 15:38 TOI/G | 50% rostered
3 G | 3 A
Cuylle might be one of the most attractive all-around options on this list. His 37 hits are impressive ( second most in the NHL ), but six points in eight games make his profile even more appealing.
He’s producing physically without disappearing offensively, which is exactly what category-league managers should be looking for. With half of fantasy leagues rostering him, Cuylle is worth checking on immediately if he’s available.
The Add List verdict: One of the best combinations of physical production and offensive contribution in this group.
3. Andrei Svechnikov — F, Carolina Hurricanes
20 HITS
8 GP | 2.5 hits per game | 17:31 TOI/G | 93% rostered
6 G | 5 A
Svechnikov is a great example of why the player with the most hits isn’t always the best fantasy asset. His 20 hits are considerably lower than Sherwood’s total, but 11 points in eight games give him substantial value beyond the physical categories. His ice time also provides a meaningful role rather than relying exclusively on a limited fourth-line assignment. At 93% rostered, he’s unlikely to be sitting on the waiver wire in most competitive leagues.
The Add List verdict: A strong multi-category contributor and a valuable hold.
4. Vasiliy Podkolzin — F, Edmonton Oilers
27 HITS
6 GP | 4.5 hits per game | 19:02 TOI/G | 85% rostered
7 G | 2 A
Podkolzin’s combination of physical play and nearly 19 minutes of ice time makes him an intriguing option. His seven goals in the supplied statistics also give him subs tantial offensive value. That production is an exceptionally strong early-season scoring pace, so fantasy managers should be careful about projecting it forward without a larger sample. Nevertheless, the combination of hits and offensive contribution is exactly what we want to identify.
The Add List verdict: A strong multi-category profile and a player to hold. His scoring pace deserves monitoring as the sample grows.
5. Elias Pettersson — F, Vancouver Canucks
27 HITS
8 GP | 3.4 hits per game | 19:28 TOI/G | 81% rostered
2 G | 7 A
Pettersson brings something many category specialists cannot: meaningful offensive production alongside physicality. His 27 hits are solid to go along with his nine points and nearly 19-and-a-half minutes of ice time per game. That combination makes him more than a one-category contributor. He’s already rostered in most leagues, so the focus here is on recognizing the value of players who contribute across the stat sheet.
The Add List verdict: A strong multi-category player whose value extends well beyond hits.
6. Paul Cotter — F, Vancouver Canucks
27 HITS
8 GP | 3.4 hits per game | 15:17 TOI/G | 26% rostered
4 G | 2 A
Cotter is one of the more intriguing waiver-wire names on this list. He’s recorded 27 hits while producing four goals and two assists, giving him a useful blend of physical and offensive production. His 26% roster rate makes him particularly interesting for managers searching for category help without using a premium roster spot. The next question is whether his offensive production can hold up, which has eased up of late, so that’s something fantasy managers should monitor before making a long-term commitment.
The Add List verdict: One of the more appealing potential waiver-wire additions in this group.
7. Brady Tkachuk — F, Florida Panthers
27 HITS
7 GP | 3.9 hits per game | 17:02 TOI/G | 99% rostered
3 G | 2 A
Tkachuk’s physical style makes him a natural fit for category leagues…dare i say the best? His 27 hits in seven games are a solid contribution, and five points provide additional value. At 99% rostered, he’s not a realistic waiver-wire target in most leagues. Instead, he represents the type of established fantasy contributor managers should value because of his ability to help in physical categories without relying exclusively on them. His offensive production has been slow to start, but expect him to get going at some point. He could even be considered a “buy low” candidate.
The Add List verdict: A valuable category contributor and a hold in virtually all formats.
8. Tom Wilson — F, Washington Capitals
20 HITS
7 GP | 2.9 hits per game | 19:01 TOI/G | 86% rostered
2 G | 3 A
Wilson combines a physical game with nearly 19 minutes of ice time per contest. His 20 hits aren’t among the highest totals in this group, but his five points and substantial role help round out his fantasy profile. He’s already rostered in most leagues, but Wilson is a useful benchmark when comparing players who provide hits alongside offensive production.
The Add List verdict: A reliable type of multi-category contributor to target and retain in leagues that reward physical play.
9. MacKenzie Weegar — D, Utah Mammoth
25 HITS
7 GP | 3.6 hits per game | 20:29 TOI/G | 87% rostered
2 G | 0 A
Fantasy managers shouldn’t overlook defensemen when building a roster around hits. Weegar has recorded 25 hits while averaging more than 20 minutes per game, giving him a substantial role. His two goals add some offensive contribution, although the lack of assists in this sample limits his scoring line. His value will depend on the other categories he contributes to, particularly if your league rewards defensemen for additional peripheral statistics.
The Add List verdict: An interesting defenseman option for managers who need physical production from the blue line.
10. Nikita Zadorov — D, Boston Bruins
25 HITS
7 GP | 3.6 hits per game | 20:10 TOI/G | 44% rostered
0 G | 3 A
Zadorov offers another route to hits from the defense position. His 25 hits and more than 20 minutes of ice time per game are an encouraging combination for fantasy managers looking for a regular contributor. His three assists provide some scoring support, but he’s primarily a peripheral-stat target rather than someone to acquire for offensive production alone. With a 44% roster rate, he could be available in some leagues, especially those with deeper benches or a strong emphasis on defensive categories.
The Add List verdict: A viable specialist for leagues where hits and defensive contributions carry significant weight.
11. Sam Bennett — F, Florida Panthers
19 HITS
7 GP | 2.7 hits per game | 19:04 TOI/G | 72% rostered
0 G | 3 A
Bennett’s 19 hits aren’t eye-popping, but his role is worth noting. He’s averaging more than 19 minutes per game, providing a stable opportunity to contribute across multiple categories. His three assists are a modest offensive return in this sample but it’s still early…he will start producing eventually. If you’re considering him specifically for hits, there are stronger options on this list, but his overall fantasy profile may justify a roster spot depending on your league settings.
The Add List verdict: A supporting multi-category option rather than a priority hits specialist.
12. Vincent Trocheck — F, Utah Mammoth
22 HITS
7 GP | 3.1 hits per game | 16:58 TOI/G | 44% rostered
2 G | 1 A
Trocheck has produced 22 hits in seven games, along with two goals and an assist. That gives him some value in both physical and offensive categories. His roster percentage makes him worth monitoring in leagues where managers are looking for additional hits, and his offense should wake up eventually. It could be just a matter of finding his game on a new team.
The Add List verdict: A potential category-league option, particularly when physical production is a priority.
13. Dylan Cozens — F, Ottawa Senators
20 HITS
7 GP | 2.9 hits per game | 18:29 TOI/G | 54% rostered
0 G | 2 A
Cozens brings a useful combination of physical play and meaningful ice time. His 20 hits and nearly 18-and-a-half minutes per game give him a reasonable foundation, but his two assists and lack of goals in this sample limit his immediate offensive appeal…but brighter days should be ahead. He’s not the first player I’d target if hits were my only need, but his role could make him worth monitoring as his production develops.
The Add List verdict: A watch-list candidate whose fantasy value improves if his offensive production picks up.
14. Michael Brandsegg-Nygård — F, Detroit Red Wings
22 HITS
6 GP | 3.7 hits per game | 15:02 TOI/G | 10% rostered
2 G | 3 A
Brandsegg-Nygård is an interesting name for managers looking beyond established fantasy contributors. His 22 hits in six games are encouraging, and five points give him a useful offensive contribution in this sample. The biggest attraction is availability: at 10% rostered in the supplied data, he could be an under-the-radar option in leagues where he’s eligible and available.
The caveat is sample size. Six games aren’t enough to establish a reliable long-term trend, so his role and production should be monitored before committing to him.
The Add List verdict: A speculative deep-league target worth watching if the production and role continue.
15. William Carrier — F, Carolina Hurricanes
26 HITS
8 GP | 3.3 hits per game | 11:57 TOI/G | 3% rostered
0 G | 6 A
Carrier is a perfect illustration of the challenge with raw hits rankings. His 26 hits are a strong total, but he’s averaging just under 12 minutes per game. Six assists are a useful contribution, although he has yet to score a goal in this sample. His limited ice time makes him a more specialized option than several players above him.
In a deep league where hits are especially valuable, he could have a purpose. In a shallower league, managers may prefer a player with a more substantial role and a broader offensive contribution.
The Add List verdict: A deep-league specialist rather than a priority add for most fantasy managers.
The Best Fantasy Hits Targets: The Add List Shortlist
Best pure hits specialist: Kiefer Sherwood
His 41 hits in six games make him the standout for immediate category production. The trade-off is limited scoring, so he’s best suited to managers who specifically need hits.
Best balance of hits and scoring: Will Cuylle
Cuylle’s 37 hits and six points in eight games make him one of the strongest combinations of physicality and offensive contribution in this group.
Best waiver-wire target: Paul Cotter
Cotter’s 27 hits, six points and 26% roster rate make him an attractive name to investigate if he’s available. His production and role deserve further monitoring.
Best multi-category contributor: Andrei Svechnikov
With 11 points in eight games, Svechnikov demonstrates how a player can deliver broader fantasy value without leading the hits category.
Best under-the-radar option: Michael Brandsegg-Nygård
His 22 hits and five points in six games make him worth monitoring in deeper leagues. The small sample means managers should be cautious about assuming the pace will continue.
Final Thoughts
Winning the hits category doesn’t mean filling your roster with the most physical players in the NHL. It means finding the right balance between category production, ice time, offensive contribution and roster availability.
A player who records 25 hits while playing meaningful minutes and contributing offensively may be more valuable to your fantasy team than someone who records 35 hits but offers little elsewhere.
That’s the approach we’re taking : look beyond the leaderboard, identify the players who can help across the stat sheet, and find the waiver-wire opportunities that can give your team an edge.