NHL.com names top fantasy hockey category coverage players for 2026-27 season

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

NHL.com has identified 10 players as the top fantasy hockey “category coverage” choices for the 2026-27 season, with each selection tied to specific statistical strengths across categories including hits, blocks, face-off wins and shots on goal. The NHL’s fantasy preview does not list team awards or league-wide roster moves, but it does set out a player-focused framework for how fantasy managers may want to target production going into the new campaign.

Brady Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers headlines the list for forward category coverage, with NHL.com pointing out that across the past five seasons combined (since 2021-22) he has been the only player in the NHL to reach at least 300 points (338), 1,000 shots on goal (1,509) and 800 hits (1,196). NHL.com also notes that in that same span Tkachuk has been one of two players with at least 150 goals and 700 hits, with Alex Ovechkin the other player named.

Moritz Seider of the Detroit Red Wings is identified for defensive fantasy value, with NHL.com saying he recorded NHL career highs in goals (10), assists (50), points (60) and power-play points (28) last season. The preview further highlights Seider’s combined three-season production since 2023-24, stating he is the only defenceman in the NHL to total at least 140 points (148), 500 hits (551) and 500 blocks (573).

Dylan Holloway of the St. Louis Blues is named for forward category coverage based on last season’s per-game profile, with NHL.com citing his 0.86 points per game (51 points in 59 games). It adds that Holloway was one of two players in the league, along with Brady Tkachuk, to average at least 0.80 points per game, 2.50 shots on goal per game (2.75) and 2.00 hits per game (2.19).

Filip Forsberg of the Nashville Predators rounds out the offensive and two-way category anchor, as NHL.com reports he led the Predators in points (75 in 82 games), even-strength goals (29) and shots on goal (246, 16th in the NHL) last season. NHL.com also says Forsberg was among league leaders in goals overall with 40 (tied for 13th) and adds that he was the only player in the league to reach at least 75 points, 100 hits (124) and average 3.00 shots on goal per game.

Juraj Slafkovsky of the Montreal Canadiens is listed after setting NHL career highs last season in multiple offensive categories, including 30 goals, 43 assists, 73 points, 15 power-play goals (tied for seventh in the NHL), 28 power-play points, 180 shots on goal and four game-winning goals. NHL.com also notes that the 22-year-old was the only NHL player last season to post at least 30 goals, 100 hits (105) and 60 blocks (78).

Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals is selected for his role in fantasy “floor” categories, with NHL.com saying he had his second consecutive 30-goal and 60-point season in 2025-26. The preview states that Wilson is the only player in the league to have 30 goals, 100 hits and 50 blocks in each of the past two seasons and that, despite playing 72 games last season, he set career highs in average ice time (19:28) and even-strength goals (22).

MacKenzie Weegar of the Utah Mammoth is named for defensive category coverage, with NHL.com citing his 19-game output in Utah earlier in the team’s season including seven points (one goal, six assists), 29 shots on goal, 37 hits and 32 blocked shots. NHL.com also ties the pick to multi-season defensive totals, stating Weegar has had at least 175 hits and 150 blocked shots in four of his past five seasons and, since 2021-22, ranks among NHL defencemen in hits (949, seventh), blocks (840, fifth) and shots on goal (909, 11th).

Drake Batherson of the Ottawa Senators is listed as a points and power-play-focused option, with NHL.com reporting career highs last season in points (71 in 79 games), goals (33) and game-winning goals (five). It adds that the 28-year-old has scored at least 20 goals in four consecutive seasons and has increased his points total in each of his past seven NHL seasons, while also ranking ninth in the league in power-play goals (26) and tied for 13th in power-play points (61) over the past two seasons combined.

Alex Tuch of the Washington Capitals is included after signing an eight-year contract with the Capitals in the offseason, a deal NHL.com references as part of the context for his fantasy value. NHL.com says Tuch leads the NHL in shorthanded points (14) and is tied for first in shorthanded goals (nine) over the past two seasons, while also noting he leads all forwards in blocked shots (285) since 2023-24 and is the only player in the NHL to reach at least 70 goals (91), 200 hits (227), 200 blocked shots (285) and 500 shots on goal (583) over that span.

Porter Martone of the Philadelphia Flyers completes the top 10, with NHL.com pointing out he was the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and that he produced 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in his first 19 NHL games across the regular season and playoffs combined. NHL.com further says that from his debut on March 31 through the end of the regular season, the 19-year-old was the only player in the league to total at least 10 points (four goals, six assists) in nine games and 15 hits (16). It also states Martone is expected to play on the Flyers’ top line and on their first power play unit in his first full NHL season.