Not every dynasty league values the same skills. Despite what some might say, there is no standard format for fantasy hockey leagues as there are for other sports such as football.

If your league counts hits, blocks, and shots (BaSH), players who contribute across multiple categories can become fantasy stars even if they never lead the league in scoring. But in points-only leagues, those peripherals disappear, and offensive talent becomes king.

The 2026 draft features several prospects whose fantasy value is driven almost exclusively by their ability to produce offense. They may never become category monsters, but their elite playmaking, finishing ability, and power-play upside could make them some of the most valuable players in points-only dynasty formats. Here are the prospects I believe receive the biggest boost when BASH categories are taken out of the equation.

Ivar Stenberg – LW, San Jose Sharks

Stenberg is the premier points-only prospect in this draft. His Fantasy Hockey Life Skater Card highlights exactly why. He grades in the 87th percentile for points and an elite 95th percentile for passing, but only 29th percentile in BaSH, driven by 54th percentile shooting volume, 48th percentile blocks, and just 24th percentile hits. If your league ignores peripherals, those weaknesses disappear, leaving one of the highest offensive ceilings in the class.

Liam Ruck – RW, Pittsburgh Penguins

Liam Ruck is one of the premier offensive players in this class, and his Fantasy Hockey Life Skater Card backs it up. He ranks in the 98th percentile for points, 95th percentile for shooting, and 97th percentile for passing, making him one of the most complete offensive forwards available. His 74th percentile BaSH is respectable, but much of that comes from his shot volume rather than true physical peripherals. If your league rewards pure production, few prospects are safer bets.

Markus Ruck – C, Pittsburgh Penguins

Markus Ruck may be the best pure playmaker in the draft. His Skater Card features an incredible 99th percentile passing grade alongside a 98th percentile points rating, but just a 16th percentile BaSH, driven by only 15th percentile blocks and 15th percentile hits. In formats that ignore peripherals, his elite vision and offensive instincts become the story.

Matias Vanhanen – LW, New Jersey Devils

Vanhanen owns one of the strongest offensive profiles in the class. His Skater Card grades him in the 97th percentile for points, 99th percentile for passing, and an outstanding 93rd percentile for play driving, while his 40th percentile BaSH limits his appeal in multi-category formats. Managers willing to bet on skill over physicality could end up with one of the steals of this class.

Viggo Björck – C, Winnipeg Jets

Björck is an interesting case because his current production trails his long-term upside. His Skater Card shows a modest 48th percentile points rating, but a much stronger 76th percentile passing grade and only a 22nd percentile BaSH. He’s a player whose fantasy value will rise alongside his offensive development, especially in leagues where hits and blocks don’t matter.

Nikita Klepov – LW/RW, Anaheim Ducks

Nikita Klepov owns one of the highest offensive ceilings among forwards in this draft. His Fantasy Hockey Life Skater Card reflects that upside with a 96th percentile points grade, 95th percentile passing, and 87th percentile shooting, while his 50th percentile BaSH is merely average. If he reaches his ceiling, managers in points-only formats won’t care that he isn’t filling every category.

Jaxon Cover – LW/RW, Ottawa Senators

Cover is another prospect whose offensive game outpaces his physical profile. His Skater Card grades him in the 86th percentile for points, 92nd percentile for passing, and 87th percentile for shooting, but only a 49th percentile BaSH, largely due to just 16th percentile hits. His fantasy stock climbs noticeably once offensive production becomes the only thing that counts.

Jack Hextall – C, Calgary Flames

Hextall projects as a productive offensive center whose fantasy value is driven primarily by scoring. His Skater Card features an 85th percentile points grade, 93rd percentile passing, and 81st percentile time, while his 50th percentile BaSH sits well behind his offensive metrics. His combination of offensive usage and puck-moving ability gives him a higher fantasy ceiling than his multi-category profile might suggest.

Elton Hermansson – LW/RW, Los Angeles Kings

Hermansson is one of my favorite points-only sleepers. His Fantasy Hockey Life Skater Card highlights a 73rd percentile points grade, 82nd percentile passing, and 76th percentile play-driving, but only a 38th percentile BaSH, with 38th percentile hits and 43rd percentile blocks. He’s the type of player who could quietly outperform his draft slot once fantasy scoring is driven almost entirely by offense.

Final Thoughts

League settings matter more than many dynasty managers realize, and the Fantasy Hockey Life Skater Cards help illustrate that perfectly. While multi-category leagues reward players who contribute across the stat sheet, points-only formats allow elite offensive talent to separate itself from the pack.

Several prospects in this class see their dynasty value rise once hits, blocks, and other peripherals are removed from the equation. Stenberg remains my clear number one, while players like the Ruck brothers, Vanhanen, Klepov, Cover, and Hermansson all become significantly more attractive when their offensive strengths are allowed to shine.

Before your rookie draft, don’t just ask, “Who is the better prospect?” Ask, “Who is the better prospect for my league settings?” That simple shift in perspective can be the difference between making a good pick and making the right one.

Thanks for reading! See you next week. For more fantasy hockey analysis, or if there's a prospect, topic, or theme you'd like me to cover, follow and message me on X: https://x.com/VictorNuno12