Everyone loves a good heater. Regardless of the league format, owning a player or two that are currently cooking usually goes a long way in terms of fantasy squads sitting in good position as we hit the one-month mark of the NHL season. Some of these pieces are already likely widely owned across all leagues, but having your finger on the pulse for who's hot and who's not is always a worthwhile fantasy endeavour. It might not last, but for now, these are the top-10 hottest NHLers taking the fantasy game by storm.

Honorable mention: Nikita Kucherov, Mark Stone, Artemi Panarin.

10) Igor Shesterkin

The top-two fantasy netminders in the league today make our list of the hottest NHLers, with Shesterkin sliding in at the 10 spot on the back of sensational play that sees him currently rocking a stellar stat line of a 6-2-1 record, 2.22 goals-against average, .933 save percentage, and a shutout. There's little doubt that if Shesty is able to maintain this kind of play throughout the season and into the spring, the Rangers will be one of the final clubs standing. With Jonathan Quick as his security blanket, New York touts one the best tandems in the league hands down that's been a big reason why the Blue Shirts are once again off to a strong start while sitting atop the Metro Division.

9) Alex Ovechkin

Speaking of the top of the Metro, this Washington Capitals club is a much-improved unit at both ends of the ice, which is meaning good things for a 39-year-old talisman chasing one of the greatest records in pro sports. Ovi has looked rejuvenated over the past two weeks, notching goals in four-straight games to hit the seven mark on the season and now sitting only 34 shy of Wayne Gretzky's once unattainable mark. With an influx of new talent in the top six and a red-hot young gun in Connor McMichael, this could be the last good kick at Lord Stanley's can for Ovi and the Caps which could translate into big-time fantasy production from The Great Eight.

8) Connor Hellebuyck

Coming in at that very same number is the other most-valuable goaltender in the fantasy game. Aside from Shesterkin, there is no denying how solid of a draft pick Hellebuyck is in terms of reliable players holding down goalie rosters. Hellebuyck is backstopping the Jets to the top spot in the NHL right now with 22 points and sensational numbers across the board to the tune of a sparkling 8-1-0 record, 2.33 GAA, .917 SV.%, and a shutout. As long as the trend from the past two years of Hellebuyck seeing too much rubber and looking gassed at the end of the season doesn't recur, the sky’s the limit for the two-time Vezina Trophy winner.

7) Martin Necas

Given the departures Carolina suffered over the offseason both up front and on the back end, someone from their existing core was going to have to step up this season should Rod Brind'Amour's crew wish to punch a postseason ticket for a seventh consecutive season. Right now, that player is Martin Necas. Outpacing the next closest Hurricanes forward for the team lead in points by seven over Andrei Svechnikov, Necas' 18 through 10 games is the hottest start of his career that should be shown some love. Necas is also currently benefiting from playing on the seventh-deadliest power-play in the league that's currently clicking at over 26%, providing even more fantasy intrigue.

6) Leon Draisaitl

With Connor McDavid out for the short term, expect some MVP-level performances from the Deutschland Dangler. Considering how bad the Edmonton Oilers have been overall, it seems Draisaitl's relatively strong start has gone overlooked, but he's most definitely one of the hotter hands in the NHL who's posted six goals, four assists, and nearly 20 shots on net over his last five while also netting two game-winners. Draisaitl will have to continue to put this team on his back if the Oilers want to shake yet another slow start.

5) Sam Reinhart

Reinhart hit a lot of lists heading into the season as a player to watch for regression, one to potentially let slide in certain drafts considering he exploded for a career-high 57 goals when his previous best was 31. Given that track record, Reinhart is a name on the list that could potentially fade, but for now, he's once again proving that he's one of the best goal-getters in the game today who also happens to be tied for the NHL lead in points with 21 (10 goals, 11 assists).

4) Nathan MacKinnon

MacK Daddy is once again proving his fantasy worth while doing his thing on the offensive end this season, racking up 20 points through 12 games while also chipping in with peripheral categorical coverage with 10 blocks, 11 hits, and 12 penalty minutes. Along with his teammate in the third slot below, MacKinnon will need to be this good, if not better, should the Colorado Avalanche want to overcome their issues in the blue paint and bottom six and actually be considered as a legitimate contender this season.

3) Cale Makar

At only 26 years old, Makar is already one of the most decorated blue-liners in NHL history, flaunting a Calder, Norris, and Conn Smythe Trophy to go along with four All-Star nods and of course, a Stanley Cup. When you look at his elite offensive production already through 12 games, there's no wondering why his mantle is already so loaded as Makar is once again a step ahead of the competition in terms of skating ability and edgework, allowing him to amass five goals and 16 assists so far this season.

2) Kirill Kaprizov

Kirill. Dollar Bill. The Thrill. Whatever the moniker, the outcome is still the same for one of the most accurate shooters the fantasy game has seen in quite some time with Kaprizov. Don't look now, but the Minnesota Wild are looking legit and a lot of that has to do with Kaprizov. Holding down one of the more underappreciated top lines in the NHL alongside Marco Rossi and Mats Zuccarello, Kaprizov is on pace to smash his current career high in points of 96 while also leading the Wild to be nipping at the Jets' heels in the tightening Central Division.

1) Kyle Connor

Somebody throw some respect on Kyle Connor's name right now. Criminally underrated for a majority of his career, the 27-year-old former 17th-overall draft pick is already having a career year while playing at the focal point of the Winnipeg Jets' dangerous offensive attack. Connor is not only looking calm out there with the puck on his tape but he's currently on an impressive heater that's seen him register a point in all 12 games to begin the 2024-25 campaign. If Hellebuyck and Connor can continue to cook, expect the Jets to stay soaring atop the Central Division and Western Conference Standings.