Matt Larkins fantasy hockey top 300 player rankings for 2024-25

After winning his second Art Ross Trophy, Nikita Kucherov is well deserving of a spot this high on the list. Not only did he become the fifth player to ever score 100 assists in a season, he was the first winger to do it. On top of that, he led his team by a whopping 54 points, which was the biggest gap between the first and second player on a team in the league last season.

Daniil But, LW/C, Utah Hockey Club

Had Makar played a full season last year, there’s a chance he would be entering this year as a back-to-back Norris Trophy winner. Nonetheless, Makar enters this season as the league’s best defenseman and a top-three player in the league. He missed 22 games last year with injury, but still managed to finish top-10 in defensemen scoring (66 points) and one of only two blue liners to put up a point-per-game (1.10). He absolutely torched the MHL this year (2 points per game) and scored 28 points in 17 playoff games. I’m confident he’ll score a ton of points in the NHL, it’s just a question of how effective of a player he can be at even strength given his smaller frame and strange skating stride.

• With a healthy forward group for the Devils, Bratt will have better players surrounding him all season, and could very well hit the 90-point mark, or even higher this season.
• On top of that, he has a Norris Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy, and has been a Norris Trophy finalist in each of the past four seasons.
• I was eager to see how Matthew Wood would adjust to the college game after he dominated the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) two years ago, leading the league in goals and points as a 16-year-old.
• He is great at finding open space off the puck and he rewards teammates for passing to him by charging the middle of the ice or ripping a puck mid-stride.
• He has had impressive point totals, and incredible defending, and has earned Norris Trophy votes in three straight seasons before last season.

Jason Robertson, F, Dallas Stars

He led the Giants in points per game during his draft year and was among the top scorers in the WHL at large before suffering an injury at the 2023 WJC with Slovakia. Honzek has played and succeeded on both special teams and his size and strength have made him too much for opposing defenders to handle on more than a few occasions. He is a great skater, which makes him a pest on the forecheck where he does a lot of damage both with his high motor and his large frame. Scott Morrow plays a high-octane style and he’s always quick and decisive in transition.

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After being traded one-for-one to the Jets, Yager looks poised to remain in the Canadian Prairies for the foreseeable future. He grew up in Saskatchewan, played his junior hockey there (in Moose Jaw), and will likely make the jump straight to the NHL after one final year in the WHL. Noah Östlund is one of the best pure playmakers on this list as his ability to keep track of his teammates’ locations all over the ice leads to plenty of brilliant passes that nobody else seems to see coming. His ability to anticipate the play and make the right play to maximize the scoring chance for his team is remarkable.

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Rutger McGroarty is in an exciting position after being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. After clearly wanting out of Winnipeg, he becomes the best prospect and rookie for the Penguins by a mile. But there will be a lot of high expectations on a young player who is expected to slot into the Penguins’ top six. He shines in the offensive zone with his goal-scoring and playmaking ability, being able to handle the puck with the likes of his elite teammates. Look for him to have a lot of opportunities this season, as Pittsburgh will be in an interesting position not only this season but for years to come.

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Yegor Surin is a hardworking, offensive player, constantly fighting through checks and winning innumerable puck battles. He was one of the MHL’s top scorers and added over 100 penalty minutes over the course of the season. He’ll surely be a fan favorite type in the NHL someday, likely as a middle-six winger or a bottom-six center. The excitement of the 2024 NHL season has fans buzzing as they watch the incredible skill and athleticism of the league’s top players.

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He joined Sweden again for this past World Juniors as well, and was named the tournament’s top defender thanks to some timely goals in the knockout rounds. He is a force on offense but don’t let that fool you, he is a hard-working defender who makes a lot of stops despite his 5-foot-11 frame. The Buffalo Sabres were lucky enough to have three selections in the first round of the 2022 Draft, picks nine, 16, and 28.

• His 14 assists are tied for fourth in the league, and his six power-play helpers slot him in the same spot.
• He has a great shot, but more often than not he scores goals because he slipped his defender and managed to find the space and time necessary to score a goal.
• The 24-year-old is coming off a second consecutive 40-goal campaign, finishing with over 100 points for the first time in his career.
• Miroshnichenko made the move to North America last year, scoring roughly half a point-per-game in the AHL and skating in a handful of NHL games.
• There’s been plenty of discourse surrounding the Maple Leafs‘ „Core Four.“ Over the last two seasons, including playoffs, you can certainly argue Nylander has been the most consistent out of the quartet.

Logan Stankoven, C, Dallas Stars

The LA Kings have built their defensive structure around him for well over a decade, and he is still a crucial part of their team. After getting his first full season under his belt, Byfield’s 55 points and his superstar projections earned him a big contract that will allow the LA Kings to plan ahead and have him as a staple in their top-six group. Byfield is still young at just 22 years old, and he has proven that he has the skills to take a big jump in production and could use his size as an advantage. He isn’t a physical player, but with his 6-foot-5 frame, he will learn to use it better when carrying and protecting the puck.

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• He’s a minute muncher who can provide 50 points from the back end while being a leader off the ice as well.
• Barlow was also named captain of the Owen Sound Attack at just 17 which speaks to his maturity and leadership abilities.
• Demidov isn’t quite at the same level as top 2023 Draft prospect Matvei Michkov, but he is a legit top-end talent who has clear top-line potential in the NHL.
• But the Maple Leafs superstar still has the best release in the league, making him dangerous at all angles in the offensive zone.
• Different than the mold we’re used to, which is why it should be a barometer of how adaptable this coaching staff is.
• And with Thatcher Demko still unavailable to start this NHL season, he has the potential to become the Canucks starting goaltender.
• Okay, I may have under-sold Brzustewicz’s offense already, he finished last season 10th in OHL scoring and led the league in assists with 79.
• Öhgren has a great shot, good hands, legit playmaking skill, and the skating ability to put all those skills together.

Rutger McGroarty is a true power forward, strong and determined enough to win pucks with great playmaking skills that allow him to make smart plays with the puck once he wins it. Filip Bystedt is a prospect who would likely rise up the 2022 Draft if it was re-done today. Last season, Minten cracked the Leafs’ lineup out of training camp, a testament to his off-ice training and his mature defensive game.

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Nick Suzuki had one of the best offensive seasons by a Montreal Canadiens player since 2000, and not only was he producing at a great rate, but he is also an excellent defensive center. With Suzuki being the first-line center on a team that struggled as much as the Canadiens did defensively, what is even more impressive is that he earned Selke Trophy votes. There is so much potential for Cole Caufield to become one of the best goal-scorers in the NHL, and while he has yet to hit the 30-goal mark, he has a great release and plays well. There is hope that with an improved top-six, Caufield’s new teammates will help him reach his full potential and challenge for 50 goals someday. Regarded as one of the top two-way players in the entire league, Mark Stone is likely only this low because of his health.

However, other nations – such as Argentina, Germany, Spain, France and reigning Olympic men’s champion Belgium – have now made their way into the top international rankings, making the sport truly global. Athletes use a hook-shaped stick, with which they drive, control, and hit a hard ball. Except for goalkeepers, players are not allowed to touch the ball with their hands or feet. Over the next four to seven games, key players on both sides of this matchup will make big plays to determine the NHL’s next champion. Former NHL winger Justin Williams was referred to as „Mr. Game 7“ due to his ability to come through in the clutch. Dating back to last season, the Florida winger has displayed a knack for scoring in key moments and is a key reason for a number of Panthers wins.

His skating is his best tool both on offense and on defense, but he could use some help defensively where he can get pushed around a bit. Okay, I may have under-sold Brzustewicz’s offense already, he finished last season 10th in OHL scoring and led the league in assists with 79. He has second-pairing potential in the NHL, especially if paired with a solid defensive defender who can make up for his deficiencies on that end. He’s extremely deceptive when setting up his teammates and has a very underrated shot. Lysell has spent the last two seasons in the AHL where he has been excellent for the Providence Bruins, scoring 87 points in 110 total games. It won’t be long before he debuts in Boston, and I think his skating will make him stand out at the NHL level from day-one.

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Not only has the Swede improved immensely on defense, but he hit 100 points last year, potting 39 goals and adding 63 assists. Shesterkin came back to Earth a bit after winning the Vezina in 2022, but the Rangers goaltender is one of the best in the crease. The Russian netminder posted a 2.48 GAA, a .916 SV% and 28.1 goals saved above expected. The Rangers rely probably too much on Shesterkin at times, but he has been a reliant backbone for their franchise since coming over from the KHL five years ago.

• After missing the playoffs for his first time since his rookie season, expect a motivated Pittsburgh star center this year.
• Marat Khusnutdinov is an undersized center who is known for his excellent vision and hockey sense as well as his refined defensive game.
• Considering how off the map his numbers were compared to previous years, Ullmark is a prime candidate for regression, but he’s still a solid option in the crease.
• The reason people are so high on Eiserman, is that he scored 72 goals in 69 games last season for the NTDP.
• He is a very complete prospect who is a natural leader, shoots well, and does just about everything else you could hope for from a first-round pick.
• Thus it still feels like they’re a year away, especially in adding another huge freshman class, one that doesn’t have a lot of drafted players nor obvious top tier USHL stars.
• He is the best player they have, one of the longest-tenured players with the Utah/Coyotes team, and provides great leadership.
• He only played 59 games last season but was credited with 142 hits, which would be nearly 200 hits across a full season.

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And if it is more solid in the DZ, I feel much more comfortable about the goaltending situation. I never like not having a proven commodity, but there are real reasons for optimism for both Cameron Korpi and Logan Stein. Hard to imagine at least one of them doesn’t succeed enough to at least give Michigan average goaltending. If they’re a solid defensive team and have a robust and deep offense, average goaltending should get this team into the NCAA Tournament.

• He plays with a ton of confidence, which can be a bit of a double-edged sword at times.
• Age catches up to players, and with Evgeni Malkin being 38 years old, 67 points is still quite impressive.
• Logan Mailloux’s game has improved consistently since being drafted back in the 2021 Draft.
• The Netherlands has won nine total medals at the Games, including four golds (with their most recent one coming at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games).
• The 12th overall pick in the 2022 QMJHL Draft was excellent in the USHL as a rookie, and was able to improve on those numbers significantly in his draft season.

Levshunov has a very projectable game, with the size, skating, and offense to be a great NHL defender. He plays with a ton of confidence, which can be a bit of a double-edged sword at times. Levshunov’s offensive game is dynamic, with his smooth skating serving as the catalyst for each thing he does well.

But as the season begins and expectations are all over the place, rosters could be more malleable. This rookie class looks to be one of the best in recent memory, with plenty of young star power to wow fans. With all this talent ready to be debuted, the Calder Trophy race will be as enjoyable as ever. So, to kick the season off, here are ten rookies to keep an eye on (listed alphabetically).

Unlike the Stars defender, we are still waiting to see McAvoy break out offensively. Don’t get me wrong, 52 points in 67 games is nothing to sneeze at, but if the Boston defender wants to shake his underrated status, he’ll have to put up more on the score sheet. The 2021 Norris Trophy winner finished second in Norris voting in 2023, losing to Erik Karlsson for the honor. I’d expect Fox gets at least one more nod for defenseman of the year before his career is over.

From Michigan Tech they snagged a pair of touted forwards, 1st Team All-CCHA Ryland Mosley and 2023 CCHA Rookie of the Year Kyle Kukkonen. India and the Netherlands, in the men’s and women’s competitions, respectively, have been tremendously successful at the Olympic Games. India has won eight gold medals, including six consecutive between 1928 and 1956 – scoring 197 goals and conceding just eight in the process! The Netherlands has won nine total medals at the Games, including four golds (with their most recent one coming at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games).

An elusive skater with incredible hands to match, Huston is the definition of a puck, moving defenseman with elite offensive abilities. Lane will wow many fans this season with his vision and skill for the Montréal Canadiens. Skinner can be somewhat volatile between https://gambibet.org/ the pipes, and that has led to questions about which version of him will show up against Florida. Through the first two rounds of the playoffs, Skinner turned in a .881 save percentage and 5.43 goals allowed above average, according to Natural Stat Trick.

He has emerged into a 40+ goal and 90+ point center on the Lightning since taking over the top-line role from Steven Stamkos. Not only can he produce, but he has also received votes for the Lady Byng and Selke Trophies throughout his young career. Like Reinhart, a big breakout year from Hyman in terms of goal-scoring shot him up this list pretty high. Now that he has 90 goals and 160 points over the past two seasons, he has proven that he is a perfect fit with the big names on the Oilers like McDavid and Draisaitl, and compliments their game very well. After a very long and successful career with the Lightning, Steven Stamkos has moved on and joined the Predators. He was one of the best goal-scorers for the last decade and a half, one of the best leaders in the game, and still brings a ton of offense every night.

And with Thatcher Demko still unavailable to start this NHL season, he has the potential to become the Canucks starting goaltender. A lot of high expectations will be placed on him after his incredible performances in the playoffs, but luckily for him, he has an outstanding defense in front of him in Vancouver. The 6’4” Latvian goaltender has the skill and athleticism to prove he belongs in the NHL. I am notoriously harsh on the boring veteran types who get 40 to 50 points a year in their sleep, such as J.T. You’ll see some rookies who aren’t even guaranteed to make their teams ranked higher than them.

He missed the World Juniors with an injury but will be eligible to join Canada there again next year where he should be a massive factor for them. Molendyk scored a ton this year in the WHL, seriously improving on his point totals from the season before. His transition game, defensive play, and wicked wrist shot make him an all around threat at the junior level already.

Perhaps the one disappointment about last season was the flop of Liam Souliere in net, but that’s Minnesota’s problem now. To replace their longtime goalie, PSU may have upgraded in snagging Arseni Sergeev from UConn. Sergeev was a 7th round pick of Calgary a few years back and had identical .913 SV% clips the last two years playing roughly half the games for the Huskies, and was a .918 in the USHL before that.

Tkachuk may be the face of the franchise, but Barkov is the engine that runs the machine. He leads the playoffs with 31 points heading into the Stanley Cup Final and has recorded at least one point in 14 of the 18 postseason contests in 2024. McDavid is undoubtedly one of the frontrunners for the Conn Smythe entering the Stanley Cup Final. The Sporting News ranks the top 10 players participating in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. Matthews impresses every season, but this one was arguably his best all-around performance, and that should bode well for Toronto’s playoff prospects.

Because the boring vets can be found on the waiver wire at any time unless you play in a 32-team league. Aleksander Barkov is arguably one of the Panthers‘ biggest threats on both ends of the ice. After all, Barkov won the Selke Trophy this season as the best defensive forward in the NHL. As harassing as Barkov can be on the defensive end, he’s just as dangerous when he’s got the puck on his stick.

There’s been plenty of discourse surrounding the Maple Leafs‘ „Core Four.“ Over the last two seasons, including playoffs, you can certainly argue Nylander has been the most consistent out of the quartet. He enters this season with one year left on his contract with the Leafs, and it could be Nylander’s final season in Toronto. The defenseman has been a steady member of the Dallas blue line for years, but it wasn’t until last season that Heiskanen significantly produced on the score sheet. The two-way sensation is among the league’s best defenders at 24 years old, he’s only getting better. Matthews regressed a tad last season, going from 60 goals to 40 and 106 points to 85. But the Maple Leafs superstar still has the best release in the league, making him dangerous at all angles in the offensive zone.

Previously he worked for NBC Sports on their national news desk reporting on breaking news for the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, in addition to covering the 2020 and 2022 Olympic Games. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, he spent time in college as a beat reporter covering the men’s ice hockey team. Part of the reason the Stars have materialized into legitimate Stanley Cup contenders in the Western Conference is due to Oettinger. The Dallas goaltender wasted no time adjusting to the NHL level when he made the jump from the NCAA in 2020. The 24-year-old is one of the most promising young goaltenders, coming off a season where he posted a 2.42 GAA and a .916 SV%. McDavid picked up all 20 first-place votes last season despite having finished second in Hart Trophy voting to Auston Matthews just a few months earlier.

Adding Nicklas Andrews from Colorado College, a veteran defensive defenseman in an elite conference, should help. As could adding All-USHL 2nd team/4th round pick Vladislav Lukashevich as a recruit. Although the clear star of the show in San Jose will be Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith will be one of the most important players for the San Jose Sharks this season and their franchise going forward. Expect him to dazzle and impress to make the Sharks a much more fun team this season.

He blocks a bunch of shots, shattered his career-high in hits, and had his best season in many defensive metrics. He only played 59 games last season but was credited with 142 hits, which would be nearly 200 hits across a full season. He isn’t afraid to mix things up and will battle for any loose puck harder than most. While he still awaits a big offensive breakout, Svechnikov is very valuable to the Hurricanes.

Bichsel is physical and mean, and he had a great showing at the World Juniors two years ago for Switzerland where he looked like a man amongst boys. EJ Emery is a big, right-shot defender who moves well which means that he has a near perfect physical toolkit as most NHL teams are concerned. He’s difficult to play against mostly because of his mobility and large frame rather than because of his smarts, though he has shown some promise on breakout passes after separating an attacking forward from the puck. Emery’s offensive game remains his biggest area for growth, with quite a few chances dying on his stick in the neutral zone. He performed incredibly well athletically at the NHL Draft combine, earning quite a bit of attention in the weeks leading up to his draft. In truth, you could drop the smooth-skating rearguard into any spot on the ice and he would excel.