In fantasy hockey, bubble keepers present some of the toughest decisions. These players do not come with guaranteed production but have the potential to deliver with the right opportunity or a bounce-back season. They are the ones you hold onto in hopes they break out, maintain steady value, or fill an important role without requiring a top-tier investment. This list highlights players who hover on the edge of your fantasy roster. Some players have major question marks, upside, or shifting roles that make them both intriguing and risky. Whether it is a potential top-six winger or a reliable defenseman, these names deserve careful consideration when deciding who to lock in for the season or who to pass on.

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10. Andrew Mangiapane – Edmonton Oilers

A top-six role in Edmonton can be a mirage for anyone outside the usual core. Players like Jeff Skinner, Kasperi Kapanen, and Connor Brown all got their looks alongside McDavid and Draisaitl, but most ended up sliding down the lineup or failing to produce enough to stick. Even with minimal competition on the wings, it is tough to make a case for keeping Mangiapane right now. There is potential and a pathway but until he shows he can make the most of that opportunity, you are better off using that keeper spot on someone else.

9. John Klingberg – San Jose Sharks

Klingberg is a pure wildcard. He has only suited up for 25 regular season games over the past two seasons and has not looked like a reliable fantasy option in even longer. That said, San Jose desperately needs puck movement and power-play help, and Klingberg will get every shot to run the top unit. If he is healthy and even remotely effective, 40–45 points is not crazy based on usage alone. However, both health and form are major concerns. In deeper leagues with limited waiver options, he is worth a look. Just do not hesitate to pivot quickly if things look rough early in the season.

8. Taylor Hall – Carolina Hurricanes

Last season Hall managed just 42 points in 77 games while bouncing around the lineup on a contending Hurricanes team and a horrible Blackhawks squad. With younger options like Jackson Blake and Logan Stankoven pushing for spots, Hall’s role feels anything but secure. Even if he starts in the middle six, there is no guarantee he holds that spot long-term. Between declining production and increased internal competition, Hall is trending toward being more risk than value. He is an easy drop in most formats.

7. Jeff Skinner – San Jose Sharks

Skinner’s move to San Jose gives him a shot at restoring some fantasy relevance after a forgettable season in Edmonton. He went from averaging over 60 points in Buffalo in his last three seasons to just 29 in a depth role. While he likely will not see top power play minutes with the Sharks, he should get a look in the top six early on. Mike Grier has a track record of flipping veterans for value, and Skinner may be another short-term project. In deeper leagues that reward volume scoring, there is a case to keep him. I would be okay with dropping him and hope for occasional streaming value based on schedule.

6. Mikael Granlund – Anaheim Ducks

Granlund scored 66 points last season split between San Jose and Dallas, following up an impressive 60-point showing on a struggling Sharks team the year prior. Now with Anaheim, he lands in a different scenario. The Ducks have young talent emerging, and while Granlund will likely start in the top six, he will not be the main offensive driver. His playmaking skills and experience with skilled linemates keep him valuable, especially as injury cover. His consistent production makes him worth a hold in leagues where steady points count.

5. Tony DeAngelo – New York Islanders

DeAngelo's fantasy value hinges almost entirely on how quickly Matthew Schaefer steps in. We have seen DeAngelo rack up points when he is running the PP, but his defensive lapses have often pushed him out of the lineup. With Dobson gone, there's a real opening for DeAngelo to step into a top role, but that could change fast if Schaefer carves out a meaningful spot. The best-case scenario for DeAngelo truthers is that Schaefer starts in the AHL, leaving DeAngelo to grab PP1 duties. In that case, he is a keeper, but it may only last a season.

4. Cam Talbot – Detroit Red Wings

Cam Talbot is a reasonable keeper option based on the potential for solid win totals. While John Gibson has been brought in and may hold a slight edge for the starter’s crease, his history of injuries cannot be ignored. It is likely the Red Wings opt for a fairly even split to keep both goaltenders healthy and avoid overuse. This would benefit Talbot, who should see enough starts to stay relevant in most formats. Given that, Talbot makes sense as a short-term hold, especially if he is handed the easier matchups over Gibson, which would help in leagues that reward wins and saves rather than relying heavily on elite rate stats.

3. Brock Faber – Minnesota Wild

Faber's rookie year set the bar high with 47 points in heavy minutes. Last season, the production dipped to 29 points, even as his ice time climbed to over 25 minutes per night. This year, he may lose PP1 to Zeev Buium, but his overall usage still keeps him relevant. If Faber and Buium end up paired together, similar to Toews and Makar, Faber could see a boost in secondary points just by being on the ice so much. While the upside may be capped, the floor could be safe. He remains a reliable young defenseman who could be worth holding.

2. Kaapo Kakko – Seattle Kraken

Kakko's time in Seattle has been nothing to write home about, but at 24 years old, there is still room for growth. The team struggles to score, and he will need to earn more ice time to make an impact. A fresh start and a full season in Seattle could unlock his potential, but that breakout has yet to happen despite the wait. His career high is only 44 points, and without top power-play minutes or a featured role, which is far from certain, he is not keeper material outside of very deep leagues. At best, he is a wait-and-see waiver option.

1. Noah Hanifin – Vegas Golden Knights

With Pietrangelo out long-term and potentially not coming back at all, Hanifin steps into a strong spot on a contending Vegas team. Theodore is still the top option on the blue line, but Hanifin is coming off a career-high 49 points and should get every chance to stay productive. He may not run the top power play, but even PP2 in Vegas has real value. If Theodore misses time, Hanifin moves up immediately. A 40–45 point floor with upside is well within reach. If you are deciding between bubble defensemen, Hanifin is one of the more stable options to keep.

Thanks for reading! See you next week! For more fantasy hockey content and analysis, follow me on X @Punters_hockey. If you have any questions about your team or a trade? My DMs are always open, happy to help!