This week, we will be taking a look back on the 2025-26 season and recounting some of the biggest draft disappointments of the year. From youngsters failing to breakout, to veterans falling well short of their career averages, there have been many draft picks managers would like to have back. Some of these players may have played a hand in the downfall of your fantasy squad. Let's rewind to the draft and see which picks ended up being disastrous for managers.

*Note: Stats courtesy of ESPN Fantasy Hockey

10. Mason McTavish, C, Anaheim Ducks, Rostered-51.9%

McTavish was always expected to be a core piece of the Ducks future. While that still may be the case, this season was a step backwards for him. The emergence of players like Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, and Beckett Sennecke, as well as the addition of Mikael Granlund, has pushed McTavish down the lineup. He was healthy scratched for a few games and has been receiving bottom-six minutes under Joel Quenneville. The future of Mason McTavish in Anaheim is now in question, but the one certain thing is that he was a disappointment for anyone who drafted him this season.

9. Drew Doughty, D, Los Angeles Kings, Rostered-44.8%

Despite his age, Drew Doughty has remained productive for the Kings over the last few years. However, this season marks the worst of his career. He played well during his time with Team Canada in Milan. Unfortunately for managers, this hasn't translated to regular-season success. He's managed only 21 points from the backend and has been a non-factor in fantasy this season.

8. Jonathan Huberdeau, LW, Calgary Flames, Rostered-31.7%

Ever since being traded to Calgary from Florida, Jonathan Huberdeau's career has taken a steady decline. He went from being a 100+ point premier player in the league to being viewed as one of the worst contracts in the NHL. In all fairness to Huberdeau, the Flames as a whole struggle to produce offense; however, he's managed a mere 25 points in 50 contests this season. He is now out for the remainder of the season due to injury. Huberdeau will now be a player that many managers will be placing on their do not draft list.

7. Anze Kopitar, C, Los Angeles Kings, Rostered-50.9%

Much like Doughty, the Kings captain, Anze Kopitar has aged gracefully up until this season. 2025-26 is set to be his last campaign in the NHL, and it will also be his worst production-wise throughout his career. He is hoping to get one last chance at a Stanley Cup as the team is battling for the playoffs. Unfortunately, his individual play made him a regrettable selection for managers this season.

6. Samuel Montembeault, G, Montreal Canadiens, Rostered-38.4%

Samuel Montembeault's underlying numbers have made him one of the best goaltenders in the NHL over the past few seasons. He is a big reason why Montreal was able to sneak into the playoffs last year. The Canadiens made some improvements in the offseason, and with a better lineup in front of him, the expectation was that Montembeault would build upon his success. Fast forward to the present day, and he is the third-string goalie behind Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler. He has lost the confidence of his coach as well as fantasy managers.

5. Jonathan Marchessault, RW, Nashville Predators, Rostered-49.7%

Marchessault was one of the big additions that Nashville made two summers ago. While the other major add, Steven Stamkos, has regained his scoring touch this season, that hasn't been the case for Marchessault. He has managed only eleven goals in 54 contests, and for a small forward drafted for his goal-scoring ability, managers won't be thrilled with his production.

4. Brock Boeser, RW, Vancouver Canucks, Rostered-48.6%

It's been a disastrous season for a Canucks squad that finds itself at the bottom of the league standings. Brock Boeser has been no exception to the team’s misfortunes as he is on pace for one of the worst seasons of his career. After signing a massive contract in free agency, Canucks fans are hoping that Boeser's struggles are more a reflection of the team rather than the player.

3.  Devon Toews, D, Colorado Avalanche, Rostered-46.5%

It's hard to fathom that Devon Toews is still rostered in almost half of fantasy leagues. Despite playing alongside the best defenseman in the NHL in Cale Makar, Toews has been virtually non-existent this season in fantasy. His production is far below what we have come to expect of him over the past several years. Any manager who built their defense core around Toews will be kicking themselves.

2. Matvei Michkov, LW, Philadelphia Flyers, Rostered-58.4%

Flyers young phenom Matvei Michkov has been the latest victim of the dreaded sophomore slump. The youngster’s production has dipped drastically from his rookie season. Normally, this wouldn't be a cause for concern for a young player, but it's been well documented that head coach Rick Tocchet has not been happy with Michkov's conditioning and effort levels this season. A rift between player and coach is never a good sign, and it's disappointing for those who expected a breakout campaign from the young Russian.

1. Jordan Kyrou, RW, St. Louis Blues, Rostered-62.8%

Kyrou has been a consistent producer during his time in St. Louis, as he's hovered at around a seventy-point pace over the course of the last four seasons. However, under a new head coach, Kyrou has really struggled to produce for the Blues, which led to swirling trade rumors at the deadline. He would have been a high draft pick in most leagues, and a near 30-point drop off from his career average makes him the biggest disappointment of the year for fantasy owners.

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