The early weeks of the National Hockey League season have dramatically reshaped the fantasy hockey landscape, as rapid hot streaks and prolonged slumps redefine the value of top-tier talent. Fast starts from championship contenders have elevated fantasy rosters across the board, while unexpected struggles from historically reliable clubs have left fantasy managers scrambling to adjust their lineups. As the early-season sample size grows, the contrast between surging powerhouses and floundering squads is becoming increasingly apparent, creating major fluctuations in player value across standard and deep fantasy leagues alike.
Edmonton’s Dominant Run Lifts Roster Values Across the Board
The Edmonton Oilers appear firmly back in the championship contending picture following a dominant run of victories, highlighted by three straight wins this past week. During this recent stretch, the Oilers showcased their lethal offensive capabilities by scoring four goals in each contest while allowing just one goal total over the three-game span, a stark turnaround for a team that faced early-season questions.
Because of their surreal play, Edmonton currently boasts three players among the top five scorers in most fantasy leagues. Superstar forward Connor McDavid continues to drive the engine, while running mate Leon Draisaitl and star defenseman Evan Bouchard sit at 28 and 26 points, respectively, right behind their captain.
This epic collective start has naturally benefited others deeper on the roster, none more so than Vasily Podkolzin. Emerging as one of the surprise fantasy gems of the season, Podkolzin sits inside the top eight in most fantasy leagues with nine goals and five assists for 14 points. His continued deployment alongside Edmonton’s elite talent suggests his high-end production could remain sustainable as long as he maintains his current role.
Goaltender Tristan Jarry has also experienced a notable rise in fantasy stock as the rest of the Edmonton roster elevates its collective play. After starting the season on a very rough note that caused considerable anxiety for his fantasy managers, Jarry has rebounded sharply, coming off back-to-hedging back-to-back shutouts while stopping all 42 shots he faced over his last two appearances.
Montreal Canadiens Catch Fire Despite Key Injuries
While Edmonton relies on its established superstars, the Montreal Canadiens are defying expectations by catching fire despite playing without several key contributors, most notably captain Nick Suzuki. The Canadiens have rattled off five straight victories, including dominant road wins over formidable opponents like the Dallas Stars and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
What makes Montreal’s recent run particularly impressive is that they have achieved this success without Suzuki, Mike Matheson, and Ivan Demidov. This winning streak adds to an increasingly formidable run of victories in their last four road games, proving that Montreal’s depth and structural execution can weather significant injury adversity. For fantasy managers, the heightened production from alternative options during this stretch has provided unexpected value from the waiver wire and secondary roster spots.
Winnipeg Jets’ Slump Deepens and Drags Down Mark Scheifele
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Winnipeg Jets have severely struggled on the offensive side of the puck. This offensive drought has triggered the collapse of their once-elite defensive structure, culminating in losses in nine straight games. The New York Rangers have experienced a similarly turbulent narrative, losing six of their last seven contests following an explosive start to the season. Consequently, fantasy values across both organizations have seen major downward revisions.
Going as high as inside the top 30 in some fantasy drafts, Jets center Mark Scheifele was selected as the foundational first-pick at the position for a significant portion of fantasy managers. Unfortunately, he has largely proven to be a letdown relative to that lofty draft capital.
Ironically, Scheifele’s linemates have fully lived up to the preseason hype. Kyle Connor currently sits comfortably inside the top 40 in most fantasy leagues, while Cole Perfetti’s promotion to the top line has seen his offensive value explode. Because much of Winnipeg’s overall offense runs directly through that specific combination, Scheifele should eventually bounce back alongside the rest of the Jets’ struggling roster.
Even so, his current output of 12 points in 15 games represents a decent statistical start, but players drafted as high as Scheifele was expected to produce superior numbers while taking fewer negative ratings. The accumulating minus ratings have actively hurt fantasy owners who invested heavily in his early-round potential.
Buffalo Sabres Quietly Charge Up the Standings
Further down the standings, after enduring a characteristically sluggish start to the campaign, the Buffalo Sabres have been quietly picking up the pace. A select few star players appear directly responsible for steering the franchise through a successful three-game winning streak.
At center, Tage Thompson has firmly solidified his status as a legitimate superstar talent as he continues to find the back of the net with regularity. Thompson served as a major driving force during the team’s recent winning streak, racking up five goals and three assists for eight points over that brief stretch alone.
Alongside him, Zach Benson has been nothing short of stellar. Coming off a career-best 43-point campaign last year, Benson has launched into the current season in brilliant form with 13 points through his first 14 games, including six points during the team’s recent three-game hot streak. As these key offensive pieces find their rhythm, the Sabres are positioning themselves as a team to watch closely in both the real-world standings and the fantasy landscape.