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

Whether you are scanning the waiver wire for possible additions, 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)

Morgan Geekie, C, Boston Bruins, Rostered-44.3%

Morgan Geekie broke out last season for 33 goals in Boston. The Bruins lost most of their core over the course of the last two years and this has thrust Geekie into a top-line wing role for the Bruins. He'll be playing alongside David Pastrnak, who is consistently a top fantasy producer. Even if Geekie can't replicate his goal totals from last season, playing alongside the Bruins superstar will pay dividends in itself. He is available in most fantasy waiver wires. In larger formats, he is a good depth option.

Artturi Lehkonen, LW, Colorado Avalanche, Rostered-31.1%

            Lehkonen being rostered in only 31% of leagues is shocking. He has been a staple alongside Nathan Mackinnon over the last several seasons, and that alone should reward managers in fantasy. He's on the top line and the top power play for Colorado. His injury history may be scaring managers off, however, when healthy, he has been very productive. Take advantage of Lehkonen’s availability as he rides shotgun with one of the league’s top players.

Young Players to Build Off (Young players poised to breakout)

Frank Nazar, C, Chicago Blackhawks, Rostered-24.3%

            Sophomore Frank Nazar is a bright spot on a weak Chicago Blackhawks roster. He is one of the only true supporting players for Connor Bedard. He is playing on the team’s top power play unit and is centering the second line. In his season debut, he managed a goal and an assist against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers. His stock is rising in fantasy leagues already, and managers should claim him before their rivals take advantage first.

Marco Kasper, C, Detroit Red Wings, Rostered-72.3%

            Last season, rookie Marco Kasper found his way onto the Red Wings top line alongside Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. He capitalized on his first opportunity as he managed 37 points in 77 games. This year, however, he has been tasked with a new role. The youngster will be playing his natural position down the middle between Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. Expect the 21-year-old Kasper to have a breakout season for Detroit.

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

Pavel Dorofeyev, RW, Vegas Golden Knights, Rostered-88.1%

            Dorofeyev had an outstanding season debut for the Golden Knights as he recorded a hat-trick in the loss to the Kings. The 24-year-old burst onto the scene last year with 52 points in his first full campaign. He began the year on the team’s third line with Tomas Hertl and Brandon Saad. However, he is on the team’s first power play unit and could very well work his way onto the top line with Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner. Fantasy managers should trade for him as soon as possible.

Juraj Slafkovsky, LW, Montreal Canadiens, Rostered-66.9%

Despite not finding the scoresheet in his season debut, Juraj Slafkovský proved his value for fantasy managers. He recorded six shots on goal in the loss to the Maple Leafs and showed shades of the power-forward the Canadiens hope he can be. The 21-year-old was a former first overall pick back in 2022. He will play alongside Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki for the majority of 2025-26 and will also be featured on a strong-looking top power-play unit for the Canadiens. Slafkovský should build upon the 51 points he registered last year. However, even when not finding the scoresheet, he is an asset for fantasy managers. Take advantage of his current value as he is only rostered in 66% of leagues. 

Steer Clear (Players you should avoid in Fantasy Leagues)

Chris Kreider, LW, Anaheim, Rostered-79.7%

            Kreider is rostered in almost 80% of fantasy leagues. However, he is coming off a career worst season with the Rangers. Formerly a solid fantasy option, Kreider's age appears to be catching up with him. Now on a weaker Ducks squad, it's unclear what kind of role he will play, and what this could mean for his production. This makes him too much of a wild card to be a reliable fantasy option.

Ryan Donato, C, Chicago Blackhawks, Rostered-39%

            Donato is coming off a career-high 61 points last season with Chicago. This earned him a new deal in the offseason. However, don't expect him to replicate that success this year. Last season was an outlier for a 29-year-old whose previous career high was 31 points. He now finds himself on the team's third line and second power play unit. Steer clear of Donato as he is certain to disappoint fantasy managers this season.

NHL Team Outlooks

Analyzing the upcoming weeks 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 NHL team outlook for the upcoming week.

*Note: This week runs from October 10-16. Teams who play more games in the week often gain favor in the schedule analysis.

Early Season Favorites (These teams will pay dividends in the coming games.  

Toronto Maple Leafs

            The Leafs opened up their season with a huge win over their bitter rival Montreal Canadiens at home; a strong sign in the post-Mitch Marner era for Toronto. They look to continue their success on the road in Detroit on Saturday. They will then head back home to play Detroit once again, followed by Nashville and the Rangers. A lengthy homestand against three relatively weak squads should provide fantasy value for Maple Leafs fantasy owners.

 Ottawa Senators

            The Senators play four games during a seven-day stretch. This includes two divisional games on the road against the Panthers and Sabres as well as two home games versus the Predators and Kraken. With Drake Batherson out for Ottawa, expect other forwards on the roster to provide fantasy value during this busy stretch, like Fabian Zetterlund and Shane Pinto. If Ottawa gets through the defending cup champions, they find themselves in a relatively easy stretch of games.

 Florida Panthers

            After a home game against the aforementioned Ottawa Senators, the Florida Panthers are on the road for three games against Metropolitan Division teams. They faced the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night, and have the Detroit Red Wings and New Jersey Devils next, in that order. They have a busy schedule, which should lead to fantasy success. However, be weary as they find themselves in the second half of a back-to-back against the Devils to close out the stretch,

Expected to Struggle Out of the Gate (Avoid players on these teams this week at all costs)

San Jose Sharks

            The San Jose Sharks found themselves at the bottom of the NHL standings last season. They have some solid young players and should take a step this year. However, they only play two games during this stretch, and one of them happens to be against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Philadelphia Flyers

            The Flyers are in tough to begin their season. They have three games during the period of analysis, all against elite teams. They begin on the road against their divisional rival Carolina Hurricanes. Following that game, they return home to face the Florida Panthers and Winnipeg Jets. The Flyers are expected to struggle this season, and this young team will likely struggle during this stretch.

Detroit Red Wings

            The Detroit Red Wings have three games during this early stretch, all against tough divisional rivals. They have a home and home versus the Maple Leafs before returning to Detroit to host the Panthers. Detroit has limited fantasy players who hold value, and it'll be difficult for their top guys against some of the top teams in the NHL.

*For more hockey and fantasy coverage, follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @Cdesjardins67