Welcome back to another year of fantasy with Dobber Hockey! With the NHL season underway, this also means fantasy managers are in the midst of 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)

Artturi Lehkonen, LW, Colorado Avalanche, Rostered-64.3%

It's time for fantasy managers to put some respect on the name of ArtturiLehkonen. He is rostered in less than sixty-five percent of leagues despite having 12 points in 14 games. He plays on the Avalanche’s top line alongside Nathan Mackinnon and Martin Necas. Playing on the top line on the top team in the NHL makes him a valuable fantasy add. When healthy, he has been a consistent option over the last several years.

Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, Carolina Hurricanes, Rostered-57.9%

Since being acquired by the Hurricanes, Nikolaj Ehlers has been off to a slow start by his standards. As a result, his ownership has been steadily dropping as the season has progressed. However, he has recently started producing with six points in his last eight games. He plays in the Hurricanes top-six as well as the top power-play unit. They have struggled with the man advantage, so once their power play percentage picks up, so should Ehlers’ production.

Young Players to Build Off (Young players off to hot starts)

Brandt Clarke, D, Los Angeles Kings, Rostered-60.9%

Brandt Clarke is in the midst of a solid second full season for the LA Kings. Clarke managed 33 points last season and is already on a better pace to start this year. The Kings' top power play has been struggling, so we could see him find his way onto the top unit soon. In larger leagues, Clarke is a solid value add, as we could see his production and ice time skyrocket.

Jakub Dobes, G, Montreal Canadiens, Rostered-69.4%

Montreal Canadiens rookie Jakub Dobes has had a stellar start to his campaign, going undefeated with a 6-0 record. The Canadiens' top goaltender, Sam Montembeault, has struggled thus far. As a result, Dobes has been able to split starts. Montreal has been one of the East's top teams, and if Dobes can grab the starter’s crease, managers should add him immediately.

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

Artemi Panarin, LW, New York Rangers, Rostered-98.9%

The New York Rangers as a whole have struggled to score this season. This doesn't exclude their top player, Artemi Panarin. He has only seven points in 14 games, which would put him on pace for a career-worst season by far. However, he had 89 points last season on a poor Rangers team. It's hard to imagine that he would just fall off a cliff. Panarin's market value has never been lower, so managers should capitalize while they can and trade for the star forward.

Tage Thompson, RW, Buffalo Sabres, Rostered-98.1%

The case for trading for Tage Thompson is very similar to that of Artemi Panarin. He's struggled this year on a poor Sabres team. However, he has been a consistent 40-goal scorer over the past few seasons outside of the 2023-24 campaign. Goal scoring is the most valuable thing in fantasy, and Thompson possesses the ability to put the puck in regularly. Managers should consider trading for him while he can be acquired at a decent price.

Steer Clear (Players you should avoid in fantasy leagues, or trade immediately if you own them)

Adam Fantilli, C, Columbus Blue Jackets, Rostered-82.2%

Adam Fantilli is expected to be the driving force of the Blue Jackets offense. However, he finds himself on the second line alongside Boone Jenner and Miles Wood. Furthermore, he isn't even on the team’s top power play. His high ownership shows that managers aren't ready to give up on him. However, it may be time to trade Fantilli while he holds value on the market.

Matt Coronato, RW, Calgary Flames, Rostered-74.9%

Matt Coronato was projected as a top-100 option in fantasy heading into the year, coming off a season with 24 goals and 47 points on a weak Calgary offense. The expectation was that he would be a sure-fire bet for a breakout, 30-goal campaign. However, the reality is that the Flames are one of the worst teams in the NHL, and their offense is among the worst in the league. As a result, Coronato has struggled with only six points on the year, and he found himself as a healthy scratch earlier in the campaign. In his second full season, we might see a drop off from Coronato in production.

NHL Team Outlooks

Analyzing the upcoming week’s 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’s analysis runs from Nov 7-13. The weekly fantasy matchup runs from Nov 10-16. Teams that play more games during the week/matchup often gain favor in the schedule analysis.

Matchup Favorites (These teams will pay dividends in the coming games.)

Edmonton Oilers

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The Oilers have struggled to finish games as of late, blowing leads in multiple recent contests. However, that trend should end in the coming games. They find themselves with some favorable matchups in Philadelphia and a home-and-home against Columbus.

Dallas Stars

Dallas is one of the best rosters across the NHL. They find themselves in the top ten in the league, and they should improve upon that position in the coming games with some favorable matchups during their road trip.

Ottawa Senators

Ottawa is looking to get back on track after a mediocre start to its season. Their upcoming homestand provides them with an opportunity to improve upon their position in the Atlantic Division.

Matchup Killers (Avoid players from these teams at all costs in the upcoming games.)

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins' collapse in the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs may be the start of their expected decline. Their upcoming schedule, combined with injury troubles, should reflect that.

Washington Capitals

The Capitals have gotten off to a surprisingly poor start to their season. They are hoping to rebound during their next few games; however, their schedule isn't looking favorable.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks young core seems to have taken a step early on this year. However, they should still be one of the basement dwellers in the NHL. They have begun falling to earth, and their upcoming schedule doesn’t bode well for a bounce back.