*Note: Stats courtesy of Frozen Tools

Welcome to another week of fantasy hockey! The NHL season is fast approaching, and with that, fantasy managers are beginning to look ahead to the upcoming season. While the league has become a younger man’s game with stars like Macklin Celebrini taking over, there is still some value in older players. Today we'll be looking at ten players over the age of 35 who can still be valuable fantasy contributors. Here are the Top 10 fantasy players OVER 35. (Note: Goalies were not included in this ranking; however, some valuable fantasy goalies over 35 include Sergei Bobrovsky, Jacob Markstrom, and Frederik Andersen.)

10. Mats Zuccarello, RW, Los Angeles Kings

Zuccarello is headed to LA from a productive campaign in 2025-26 with the Wild after Minnesota decided to move in a different direction. While he doesn't bring much in the goal department, he racks up the assists, making him still a relevant fantasy option in the late rounds and free agency. He will be featured on the Wild's top power play unit, which is amongst the best in the NHL.

9. Kris Letang, D, Pittsburgh Penguins

Letang is no longer an elite defenseman in the league, and he's seen his role reduced since Erik Karlsson joined the Penguins. At age 39, it's unclear how much the veteran has left in the tank, especially after the health issues he's dealt with in the past. Despite this, he still is a serviceable depth blueliner to fill out a fantasy roster.

8. Brad Marchand, LW, Florida Panthers

Marchand could be higher on this list if not for the recent news that he will miss the beginning of the year after undergoing surgery. It's unclear as of now how much time the veteran forward will miss. The Panthers are set for a bounce-back year now that their core is healthy and they added Brady Tkachuk in a blockbuster deal. The Tkachuk acquisition doesn't bode well for Marchand’s fantasy value as Tkachuk plays a similar style at a higher level currently. He still is a relevant fantasy option, but managers should be wary of taking Marchand too early.

7. Evgeni Malkin, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

It seemed as though Evgeni Malkin was starting to lose fantasy relevance as he slipped into the later rounds of many drafts. However, last year we saw a bit of a resurgence from Geno after he finished the year over a point per game. Injuries and age are a factor for the veteran who also won't have Anthony Mantha on his wing to feed the puck to. However, he is worth a selection in the later rounds next year.

6. Patrick Kane, RW, Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Kane is heading home after signing a two-year pact to return to Chicago where he won 3 Stanley Cups as a member of the Blackhawks. He will now be the elder statesman on a dynamic young team. While Kane isn't the player he once was, his hands and playmaking are still at an elite level. He will be playing alongside the likes of Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, Anton Frondell, amongst others. This iteration of the Blackhawks will be fun to watch next season and in the later rounds, Kane will be an intriguing option for fantasy managers.

5. Erik Karlsson, D, Pittsburgh Penguins

Erik Karlsson was once seen as the pinnacle of offensive defenceman in the NHL. The 36-year-old is only three years removed from a historic campaign that saw him record 100 points and capture his third career Norris trophy. He is still a valuable point producing defenseman and the best blue liner available to the Penguins. He was almost a point per game last season with 66 points in 75 games. His elite skating will allow him to continue to be a dynamic player even as he approaches 40 years old.

4. Alex Ovechkin, LW, Washington Capitals

The NHL's all-time leading scorer is back for another campaign in what could be the 40 year old's final season and last shot at hockey glory. The Washington Capitals loaded up in the offseason with the additions of Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou, and Boone Jenner. It looks like the team is aiming to return to the postseason and hopefully go on a deep run. Over the last few seasons, Ovechkin has noticeably slowed down with his footspeed declining, and on-ice usage dropping significantly. With the additions that Washington has made up front, we should see him in less of a prominent role next year. However, he still possesses an elite shot and will be used in powerplay and offensive situations. He managed 32 goals and 64 points last campaign and with the proper usage, he should still find the back of the net 25-30 times at a minimum next year.

3. John Tavares, C, Toronto Maple Leafs

Tavares will turn 36 by the time the puck drops on the start of the 2026-27 NHL season, making him eligible for this list. The former Leafs captain is often overshadowed on a team with the likes of Auston Matthews and William Nylander, however, he has been nothing short of consistent during his time in Toronto. He managed 31 goals and 71 points last season, making him a valuable add for any fantasy squad. He will likely be available in the middle rounds and can be a sneaky good add for a manager looking to add some depth goal scoring to their team. With Gavin McKenna and William Nylander on his wings, he should be able to eclipse the 30-goal mark once again next season.

2. John Carlson, D, Tampa Bay Lightning

After being traded to Anaheim by the Washington Capitals last season, John Carlson found himself on a new team for the first time in his career. The 36-year-old is still one of the best offensive defensemen in the NHL, and he'll be able to show that as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Due to the injury of Victor Hedman, former bolt, Darren Raddysh shone as the team’s power-play quarterback last year. Now, with Raddysh gone, those duties will fall to Carlson. He brings many of the same elements to the man advantage that Raddysh did, which should allow him to slide into the role seamlessly. With one of the best playmakers in the world feeding him the puck, Nikita Kucherov, expect Carlson to be one of the top-producing fantasy defensemen in 2026-27.

1. Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

Even at age 39, Sidney Crosby is still arguably a top 10 player in the league. While he won't go that high in fantasy drafts, he is still a solid selection in the 2nd-3rd round in most formats. Crosby has never had a season below a point per game throughout his career, and despite his age, don't expect that to change next season. He is the fourth Penguins player on this list, and the team’s aging core will be looking to make a return to the postseason as Crosby once again leads the charge in Pittsburgh.

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