In fantasy, scoring rates for players go up and down, hold steady, go down then up, etc. In short, for most, things tend to vary in often difficult to predict ways. However, for a select few, year-to-year improvement has been the norm for several seasons. The question though is whether they can keep improving. That's where your votes come into play, as my annual June poll looks at 20 players who've all strung together a streak of three or more seasons where their scoring rate has increased in each, and what we should expect from them for 2026-27.

If you think it's not difficult for one's scoring rate to rise for three or more consecutive seasons, you'd be incorrect, as through 2025-26 (i.e., entering the 2026-27 season), I could only find a little more than 20 players who had done so, with the longest streak being six seasons. I landed on the 20 listed here since, with all due respect to Ryan Poehling and Connor Brown who both met the criteria, these are the players I felt would be likely on the most fantasy radars for 2026-27. Each of the 20 choices is listed below, in alphabetical order and with their scoring rate for 2025-26, plus the number of consecutive seasons, through 2025-26, that their scoring rate has increased. Note that for most of the 20, their scoring has not increased every season they've been in the NHL, as to be eligible it only needs to have increased for three consecutive seasons going into the 2026-27 season.

Deciding your votes is simple – choose however many players you believe will score in 2026-27 at an even higher rate than they did in 2025-26, keeping their streaks alive. The key word is rate, not actual points, meaning they just need to end the season with a higher scoring rate to earn your vote. A link to cast your votes will be at the end of the column.

Drake Batherson (74-point scoring rate, three consecutive seasons)

You may be wondering why Batherson's streak is three seasons rather than seven, as his point total has indeed increased every season he's been in the NHL. But this is about scoring rate, and for him that peaked in 2021-22, then went down before rising in each of the last three seasons thanks in large part to becoming a more and more integral part of the Ottawa PP. In 2025-26, his SH% was above 20% and his TOI was actually down, making it seem like this streak is at risk of ending in 2026-27.

Cole Caufield (89-point scoring rate, five consecutive seasons)

Like teammate Nick Suzuki (more on him below), all Caufield has done is improve his scoring rate each and every season he's been in the NHL. But whereas until 2025-26 the gains had been small, he rose from a 70 point rate in 2024-25 all the way to an 89 point rate in 2025-26, and did so despite no TOI gains overall or on the PP. He did finally connect the dots on the PP, which helps explain/justify his big scoring gains; however, he too had a higher than usual SH% plus takes the ice far less than many with considerably lower scoring rates. He does hit his "small stature" breakout threshold of 400 games in 2026-27 though, so maybe he can continue to build on his prior success yet again?

Brandt Clarke (40-point scoring rate, three consecutive seasons)

Part of what has allowed Clarke to see his scoring rate increase in each of his seasons is he did not fare too well until 2025-26. But he nearly hit the point per every other game mark, and that was despite not getting ample PP minutes. If he can find way to cement a spot on PP1, which now has offensive catalyst Artemi Panarin as its centerpiece, he should have no trouble seeing his rate continue to climb.

Alex DeBrincat (85-point scoring rate, three consecutive seasons)

What's interesting is DeBrincat's 85 point scoring rate for 2025-26 was not a career best, as his rate was 88 in 2020-21. He's improved every season in Detroit, plus seen his SOG rate rise each season as well. His TOI was also up, and he's not anywhere near maxed out in terms of PPPts. This seems like a streak which could realistically continue.

Pavel Dorofeyev (64-point scoring rate, four consecutive seasons)

Given what saw early in the playoffs, it would've seemed like a lay-up for Dorofeyev to be able to see gains in 2026-27. But he's cooled of late, plus if John Tortorella is still the coach come 2026-27, he is not known for his players thriving offensively, playoff results notwithstanding. Still, Dorofeyev seems like he's become an integral part of the Vegas offense, so besting a 64-point rate is plausible.

Morgan Geekie (69-point scoring rate, five consecutive seasons)

Although he slowed after a scorching start, Geekie not only proved what he did in 2024-25 was no fluke, but that he was capable of even more. Most likely his ceiling is pretty close to where he is now; but seeing him get to a 70+ rate for 2026-27 feels achievable.

Dylan Guenther (76-point scoring rate, three consecutive seasons)

Everything went great for Guenther in 2025-26; and after hitting his 200-game breakout threshold, he was actually better than a point per game scorer. Plus, he still has realistic TOI to add, and he keeps shooting the puck more each season. My guess is 2025-26 was not nearly the best he'll have to offer.

Dylan Holloway (71-point scoring rate, three consecutive seasons)

It's difficult to thrive in St. Louis given that the team runs three lines and doesn't really have a true first PP unit. But there is no denying the chemistry that was seen once Holloway started to line up alongside Robert Thomas and Jimmy Snuggerud, plus, like Guenther, Holloway hit another gear after reaching his 200 game breakout threshold. The next step does seem to be point per game output for him as well.

Seth Jarvis (76-point scoring rate, three consecutive seasons)

After a big jump in production from his second to third season, coinciding with his 200-game breakout threshold, Jarvis' gains have been smaller. But his SOG rate continues to climb, as does his PP scoring rate. Plus he benefits from actually tallying points on the PK. The last Carolina wing to hit the point per game mark was two decades ago, but Jarvis might be poised to do so.

Wyatt Johnston (86-point scoring rate, three consecutive seasons)

It was a superb 2025-26 for Johnston, capped by him tallying 42 PPPts, 27 of which came in the form for PPGs. But he also shot 22%, and his SOG rate did not improve. He might have already reached his realistic maximum scoring rate.

John Marino (37-point scoring rate, three consecutive seasons)

It is surprising to see Marino on the list, as he'd produced in the 20s for several seasons on two different teams. But on Utah he's seen his offense uptick; and with him being +43 last season, he not only landed on fantasy radars but might've become even more of a focal point for the Mammoth. He seems to have a viable shot at point per every other game output.

Bobby McMann (48-point scoring rate, three consecutive seasons)

Upon arriving in Seattle, McMann ignited. And although he turns 30 this month, his jump in production came when he hit the 200 game mark, so it could be legit. Then again, it could also be him upping his effort level to pad his wallet as a UFA to be. Maybe he's a late bloomer, who could do even better in 2026-27? Or perhaps he's Michael Bunting 2.0?

Josh Norris (63-point scoring rate, three consecutive seasons)

Arguably the Band-Aid Boy poster child, Norris has been able to find success in Buffalo when he does play. Let's not forget he once was a promising sniping center. He seems to be a great fit for the Sabres, but will injuries take a toll? If he does get hurt, again will he be at risk of getting deemphasized when he does play given the many talented forwards on the Sabres?

Darren Raddysh (79-point scoring rate, four consecutive seasons)

It seems unfathomable that Raddysh could improve on a nearly point per game season. But let's not forget that everyone was just waiting for him to slow, and he didn't. Plus, we know that it is possible to be a point per game d-man in Tampa, assuming he re-signs there, so he could check that box for 2026-27, and, in doing so, see his scoring rate improve again.

Jake Sanderson (66-point scoring rate, three consecutive seasons)

After a slower than expected start, Sanderson was finding his groove before getting hurt. He seems poised to build upon his success, especially since somehow his PP scoring rate dropped from 2024-25, giving him even more realistic room to make scoring rate gains in 2026-27.

Juraj Salfkovsky (73-point scoring rate, three consecutive seasons)

Many were wondering whether it would take until his "big man" 400-game breakout threshold for Slaf to thrive, or perhaps whether he would ever make major gains. But those doubters were silenced by Slaf finishing with 24 points in his last 21 games and doing far better on the PP. He still has room to shoot more as well, plus the players around him are improving, making it so there is a very good chance he builds upon his success in 2026-27.

Mark Scheifele (103-point scoring rate, three consecutive seasons)

I'm sure most see that scoring rate and figure that Scheifele, who's now 33, can't do better. But did we think he could improve upon his great 2023-24, only to see him indeed to so? Plus, he saw his SH% stay above 20%, making it more realistic for it to remain there, plus his PP scoring rate was low for him. Never say never….

Mark Stone (100-point scoring rate, four consecutive seasons)

If Norris is the poster child for Band-Aid Boys, then Stone is a close runner up. Still, Stone was superb when he did play. But under Torts the idea of a 100-point player, or one not named Jack Eichel or Mitch Marner, seems difficult to envision, especially since Stone is 34, whereas Norris is seven years younger.

Nick Suzuki (101-point scoring rate, six consecutive seasons)

Another season, still more improvement from Suzuki. He has done the nearly unthinkable in improving his scoring rate for six seasons, i.e., every single season he's been in the NHL. Since I've been doing this column, no one has ever improved seven seasons in a row, plus Suzuki made major gains in 2025-26. But his second half rate was even higher, so it might be possible.

Zach Werenski (89-point scoring rate, three consecutive seasons)

Is it realistic for Norris winner Werenski to be a 90+ point player? Seemingly yes, as his SOG rate fell a bit, as did his PP scoring rate. He is a top tier d-man now, and most of them have tasted 90 points already, so 2026-27 might be his time to wade into those waters.

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If I know anything from this poll, it's that it is not normal for even half of the choices to indeed continue to do even better. But can you predict who'll make further gains, versus those whose upward trajectory will end – or be paused – in 2026-27? Click here to cast your votes.

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Questions for Mailbag Column

In the offseason I'm running mailbags as often as I get enough questions. To get yours to me, private message "rizzeedizzee" via the DobberHockey Forums or send your question via email to [email protected] with "Roos Mailbag" as the subject line.