Welcome back to Analytics Advantage! As the 2025 NHL regular season approaches, now is the critical moment for fantasy managers to make their final draft decisions. The preseason provides a glimpse into player performance and team strategies, but should we trust the hype around standout performers? In this article, I'll break down the top preseason standouts, their key performance metrics, and whether they're worth drafting based on data from the 2024-25 preseason.

Let's dive into the stats and see who's trending up—and who might be worth a pass on draft day.

Matvei Michkov (Philadelphia Flyers)

Matvei Michkov has been one of the more intriguing players this preseason, with standout performances that have raised eyebrows. According to the data, Michkov’s points per 60 (P/60) has been significantly higher than the league average, which points to his ability to capitalize on his ice time and generate offense.

Why He's Worth Considering:

Michkov's high production rate per 60 minutes makes him a potential sleeper pick. Despite the Flyers’ recent struggles, Michkov's skill and opportunity to earn more ice time as the season progresses could see him become a high-impact fantasy player:

A bar chart comparing Michkov's Points per 60 with the league average highlights his offensive potential.

Adam Fantilli (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Fantilli has had an impressive preseason, particularly in the Goals per 60 (G/60) and Hits per 60 (Hits/60) categories. His ability to combine physicality with goal-scoring makes him a dual threat in fantasy leagues, particularly in formats that value hits as well as goals.

Why He's Worth Drafting:

Fantilli's combination of goals and hits will make him a valuable pick in multi-category leagues. His playing style fits well into a team looking for well-rounded contributions across both offensive and physical categories:

A bar chart showing G/60 and Hits/60 vs. the league average demonstrates his well-balanced impact.

Samuel Honzek (Calgary Flames)

Honzek has proven to be an exciting prospect this preseason with strong showings in both Points per Game (PPG) and Time on Ice (TOI). His increased role with the Flames gives him plenty of opportunities to showcase his talents.

Why He's Worth Considering:

Honzek's consistent production in points, paired with decent ice time, indicates that he could break out early in the season. His presence on the top lines or power-play units would only boost his fantasy value:

Two separate bar charts comparing PPG and TOI with the league average show Honzek's potential for a high ceiling in both scoring and playing time.

Clayton Keller (Arizona Coyotes)

Keller has been quietly productive during the preseason, continuing his momentum from the previous season. He's put up competitive Points per Game (PPG) while maintaining strong TOI numbers, indicating he'll remain a key piece for the Coyotes.

Why He's Worth Drafting:

Keller's consistency in both ice time and point production makes him a reliable fantasy asset. He's particularly valuable in leagues that reward points and time on ice, making him a safe pick for managers looking for steady contributions:

A pair of bar charts comparing Keller's PPG and TOI with the league average emphasizes his solid, steady presence on the ice.

As the regular season approaches, these four players stand out based on their preseason performances. While the preseason can be unpredictable, the data suggests that Michkov, Fantilli, Honzek, and Keller all have strong cases for making an impact in your fantasy leagues. Whether you’re looking for breakout potential or steady contributions, these players should be on your radar come draft day.

Thank you for reading and have a great rest of your day! Feel free to reach out on Twitter/X – @DH_staspup for any questions, corrections, or comments. You can also ask for any player's graph or a whole set of graphs for your roster—I can post it, DM, or email. (For whole rosters, please DM an email or email me: staspup@proton.me).