The Wingmen You Need: Top-10 Fantasy Left Wingers For The 2024-25 Season
Flip Livingstone
2024-09-16
Fantasy hockey draft season has arrived. Say goodbye to the loved ones and household chores and hello to long hours in the basement poring over line combos and projections to get a leg up on the competition. Speaking of which, our latest top-10 rundown lands on the left wing, taking a look at the best wingers to target in upcoming drafts. Much like the right side, nabbing one or even two of these names will surely set up any GM for a successful season – regardless of the format.
10) Carter Verhaeghe
Verhaeghe has quietly cemented his status as a key piece of the Panthers' offensive machine while also flying mostly under-the-radar as one of the most clutch shooters in the league today. Known for his blend of speed, finishing touch, and knack for finding open ice, Verhaeghe took a major step forward into the fantasy hockey limelight over the past two seasons. A 40-goal scorer, he offers fantasy owners a dual-threat game – he can score in bunches but is also a sneaky setup man. Verhaeghe's value lies in his ability to stay consistent, especially in deep leagues where reliability is golden. He’s not just a pure goal scorer, but a well-rounded left winger who thrives on Florida's top line, creating opportunities for himself and his teammates alike.
What list of elite left wingers would be complete without the Ovi? Ovechkin may be approaching the twilight of his career and last season's slow start is obviously concerning, but his production remains fantasy relevant and with a re-tooled Caps club, Ovi should bounce back. His shot volume is among the highest in the NHL, and he's still one of the most feared power-play weapons on the left wing. Ovechkin brings immense value in leagues that count shots and goals, but even in banger formats, his hits and occasional penalty minutes make him a multi-category asset. Expect another 30-plus goal season from the best to ever to do it in terms of goal production on the left side.
8) Kyle Connor
Aside from injury concerns and the potential for the Winnipeg Jets to struggle this season, Connor should be considered as one of the best goal-scoring options at left wing. Connor is a sniper, plain and simple. He's consistently flirting with 40 goals and has an elite finishing ability that fantasy GMs crave. The American stud doesn't provide much in the physical categories, so he's not as valuable in banger leagues, but for points-only leagues, he's gold. Connor's main fantasy appeal comes from his elite scoring touch and ability to break open games with his speed and deadly wrist shot, making him a must-draft in the first five rounds. Given the aforementioned injury risk, GMs will likely be able to nab Connor at a really sneaky round. When he's healthy he's one of the best in business.
Despite his smaller stature, Guentzel is a gritty player who doesn't shy away from the dirty areas of the ice. While he’s not going to overwhelm with hits, his goal-scoring ability and newfound role on the Lightning's top line and power-play unit along with Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov make him an elite option in point-heavy leagues. With Guentzel, you get consistency and a knack for clutch performances who should once again return to the 30-plus goal and 75-plus point realm on a really good Tampa team. If he can form immediate chemistry with Point and Kucherov, Guentzel could explode and make for a steal of a pick in the third or fourth round of most drafts.
The breakout season from Robo Cop two seasons ago was no fluke, and even though his 80 points last year was a dip, he's still one of the premier left wingers in the NHL. His ability to score combined with his playmaking and chemistry with linemate Roope Hintz makes him a force on the ice. Robertson is an all-situations player who is lethal on the power play but just as dangerous at even strength. Fantasy managers in keeper leagues should covet Robertson, as he has the potential to continue improving. His size and physicality also give him added value in banger formats as he chipped in with 77 hits a season ago while utilizing his six-foot-three 200-plus pound frame, making him one of the most well-rounded fantasy assets at the position.
When healthy, Forsberg is a fantasy hockey dynamo. His ability to put up points in all situations, combined with his physical play makes him one of the most versatile left wingers in the game. Forsberg is known for his wicked wrist shot, but he's also a gifted playmaker who should benefit from an offseason in which the Predators quickly became a Stanley Cup favourite with major additions of Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei, and of course, Steven Stamkos. In banger leagues, his hits (141 last season) and penalty minutes add value, and if he can stay on the ice for a full season, he should easily eclipse 75 points once again. Forsberg's fantasy value is tied to his health, but his ceiling is incredibly high, making him worth the gamble in early rounds.
A banger league darling, Tkachuk brings the perfect mix of grit and skill to the left-wing position. He's one of the few players in the NHL who can give you elite offensive production while also contributing with triple-digits in hits and penalty minutes. His ability to agitate while also scoring is unparalleled, making him a must-add target who shouldn't be around much after the middle of the second round or even earlier. For fantasy managers in multi-category leagues, Tkachuk is a game-changer who can be relied on for goals, assists, hits, and PIMs at elite levels.
Like his brother above, Brady is an all-around fantasy hockey monster. His combination of scoring touch, physical play, and leadership makes him invaluable in almost every fantasy format. He's routinely among the league leaders in hits, and his role on Ottawa's top line alongside Tim Stutzle and Claude Giroux forms a potent offensive trio giving him ample opportunities to rack up points. Brady's ability to score dirty goals in front of the net and grind down opponents with his physicality makes him a multi-category gem. In leagues that count hits, PIMs, and shots, he's a top-tier option. The younger Tkachuk is a cornerstone fantasy player who is going to get taken in the first round of a lot of leagues.
Kaprizov is a human highlight reel who makes magic happen every time he touches the puck. His playmaking is elite, his finishing ability is top-tier, and his creativity sets him apart from most of the league. Kaprizov’s value lies in his potential to put up points in droves, especially in leagues where goals and assists dominate. He's the engine behind the Wild's offense, driving their power play and top line. Kaprizov's speed, agility, and vision make him a game-breaking fantasy option, and while he doesn't provide much in physical categories, his scoring upside makes him a surefire first-round pick.
Breadman has been one of the most consistent producers in fantasy hockey over the past few seasons, and that isn't changing anytime soon. Artemi Panarin is a playmaker at heart, with elite vision and passing skills that make everyone around him better. He's a point-per-game player with ease and will frequently push well beyond that mark. His power-play production is a huge asset in fantasy leagues, and while he doesn't fill banger categories like hits or PIMs, his offensive upside is too good to pass up. In points-based leagues, Panarin is as close to a sure thing as you can get who should be counted on to once again put up 100-plus points on a very good New York Rangers club.