Welcome back to another year of fantasy with Dobber Hockey! With the NHL season underway, this also means fantasy managers are in the midst of their league season. 

Whether you are scanning the waiver wire for possible adds or scouring the trade market, we have the information you need. Managers, let's take a look at this fantasy hockey season!

Fantasy Hockey Player Outlook

Taking a look at which players you should be targeting in your league’s fantasy season. Who can be had on the waiver wire, and who should you avoid picking up? Take a look at our fantasy hockey players’ outlook for the upcoming week.

*Note: All stats are courtesy of ESPN Fantasy Hockey. 

Early Season Adds (Claim these players on the waiver wire)

Filip Hronek, D, Vancouver Canucks, Rostered-17.5%

            Hronek's ownership in fantasy is surprisingly low for a defenseman who registered 48 points a year ago. Hronek had only 33 points last season but was limited due to injury. He plays on the Canucks top pair alongside Quinn Hughes. That in itself makes him a valuable asset. He also quarterbacks the team’s second powerplay unit. Managers looking for a defenceman should look no further than Hronek who already has registered four helpers in eight games.

Dylan Cozens, C, Ottawa Senators, Rostered-63.8%

            Cozens' hot start has begun to put fantasy managers on notice. The Ottawa Senators have had a slow start to the season as they've dealt with injury struggles up front. Cozens, however, has been a bright spot in the Senators offense. He is now centering the team's first line and is flanked by Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson. If Cozens is still available on waivers, fantasy managers should capitalize.

Young Players to Build Off (Young players starting off hot)

Alexander Nikishin, D, Carolina Hurricanes, Rostered-30.2%

            Hurricanes rookie Alexander Nikishin is considered a dark horse for the Calder Trophy. The 24-year-old was drafted back in 2020 but has spent the last five years in the KHL. Carolina waited patiently for his arrival, and the young blue liner has shown strong early returns with four points in seven contests. In larger formats, Nikishin could be a valuable addition to a team’s blue line.

Emmitt Finnie, LW, Detroit Red Wings, Rostered-19.5%

            Red Wings rookie Emmitt Finnie is beginning to put the league on notice. He began the season on the top line alongside captain Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. With seven points in the first eight games, Finnie's ownership has quickly climbed. If he remains on the top line, he could be a sneaky value addition as well as a dark horse for a Calder Trophy nomination.

Buy-Now Players (You should trade for these players as soon as possible)

Nick Schmaltz, C, Utah Mammoth, Rostered-76.5%

            Mammoth forward Nick Schmaltz has been one of the most underrated players across the NHL for some time now. However, he's been on pace for over 60 points in each of the last four seasons. With 13 points on the year already, Schmaltz is amongst the league leaders this season, and is on the team’s top line along with captain Clayton Keller. His true value is still under the radar and managers should capitalize by trading for him before their league mates realize how good Schmaltz truly is.

Nikolaj Ehlers, Carolina Hurricanes, LW, Rostered-68%

            The Hurricanes' big offseason addition, Nikolaj Ehlers, has struggled since coming over from Winnipeg. He has only two assists through seven games despite playing on the team's top line and top power play. Ehlers is too talented and is being given too great of an opportunity on a top contender to continue to falter. His early season struggles are likely just due to adjusting to his change of scenery. Ehlers' value is at its lowest and fantasy managers can get an elite player for almost nothing.

Steer Clear (Players you should avoid in fantasy leagues, or trade immediately if you own them)

Sam Bennett, C, Florida Panthers, Rostered-71%

            Sam Bennett has been a huge part of the Panthers back-to-back Stanley Cup runs. With the injury to their MVP Aleksander Barkov that will keep him out the entire season, Bennett was expected to be more valuable. However, despite playing first line minutes, he has struggled early on. With only two points in nine contests, managers are beginning to sour on Bennett. His playoff success has increased his perceived value, however, it's worth noting that he has never been a big point producer in the regular season with a career high of only 51 points. Managers should sell Bennett while he still holds some value on the market.

Matvei Michkov, LW, Philadelphia Flyers, Rostered-78

            After a stellar rookie season that saw him register 63 points, expectations were high for the Flyers young forward. However, Michkov's relationship under new head coach Rick Tocchet doesn't appear to be any better than his previous one with John Tortorella, following some early-season benchings. Rumors swirled that Michkov came to camp out of shape due to an offseason injury and his conditioning level was much worse than it was last season. Whether that's the case or not, the 20-year-old is experiencing a sophomore slump early on with only two points on the season. Fantasy managers shouldn't completely give up on Michkov, however hold a short leash with him.

NHL Team Outlooks

Let's analyze the upcoming week's schedule and looking at which NHL teams are expected to have a strong week and who will be in tough. Which teams’ players should you be buying stock in, and which teams should you avoid at all costs? Take a peek at the team outlook for the upcoming week.

*Note: This week's analysis runs from October 24-31. The weekly Fantasy Matchup runs from Oct 27-Nov 2. Teams that play more games during the week/matchup often gain favor in the schedule analysis.

Matchup Favorites (These teams will pay dividends in the coming games.)

New Jersey Devils

            The Devils have won six straight and currently one point behind the league-leading Colorado Avalanche. With two games against the lowly Sharks coming up, expect their hot start to continue. The team’s top guns in the Hughes brothers, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Timo Meier have all gotten off to great fantasy starts.

Los Angeles Kings

            Many felt as though the Kings offseason additions made them a worse team overall. The early returns on that theory appear to be correct, as they hold a 3-3-2 record, tying a glut of teams with a .500 points percentage. However, they have a relatively easy stretch upcoming against the Predators, Blackhawks, and Sharks. Expect the Kings fortunes to reach a turning point in the coming games.

Minnesota Wild

            The Wild have had an up and down start to their season. Their power play has been firing on all cylinders and their two offensive stars, Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov, have led the way. However, they are currently outside the playoff picture early on. Thankfully for Minnesota, they are heading back home for a six-game homestand.

Matchup Killers (Avoid players on these teams in the coming games at all costs.)

Montreal Canadiens

            The Montreal Canadiens have gotten off to a hot start and have built a reputation for being one of the most exciting teams in the NHL. However, the league’s youngest team only has three games over the next seven days, two of which are on the back half of a long Western road trip.

Seattle Kraken

            The Kraken started the year with a pair of wins before losing four of their next six games while struggling defensively. Don't expect that to change for Seattle in the coming games as they play host to some high-flying offensive teams.

Utah Mammoth

            The Mammoth have had a stellar start to their year, going 6-2. They may be about to hit a wall however, as they are heading on a four-game road trip that will see them face some of the Western Conference's best formations.

Relative Schedule

Friday Oct 24 to Thursday Oct 30

Best Bets

Saturday Oct 25 to Friday Oct 31

Best Bets

Sunday Oct 26 to Saturday Nov 1

Best Bets

Monday Oct 27 to Sunday Oct 2

Best Bets