While the record books may forever sing of Gretzky's 215 points, last season's fantasy champions were built on the modern-day brilliance of Auston Matthews’ 69 goals and Nikita Kucherov’s 144-point masterclass.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023-24 fantasy hockey seasons across major platforms, Auston Matthews averaged 1.42 goals per game in roto leagues, leading all forwards with 69 goals in 81 games.
- Nikita Kucherov topped fantasy points with 144 points (44G, 100A) in 79 games, yielding 1.82 fantasy points per game in standard 12-team leagues.
- Leon Draisaitl recorded 106 points (41G, 65A) in 81 games, second in multi-category roto scoring at 1.38 PPG for fantasy owners.
- In 2023-24, Cale Makar led fantasy defensemen with 90 points (21G, 69A) in 77 games, at 1.17 points per game.
- Quinn Hughes posted 92 points (17G, 75A) in 82 games, revolutionizing D-man scoring with 1.12 PPG in fantasy.
- Roman Josi accumulated 85 points (23G, 62A) in 82 games, adding 153 shots for multi-cat value.
- Igor Shesterkin led fantasy goalies with 36 wins and .912 SV% in 54 games, 2.58 GAA elite.
- Connor Hellebuyck won Vezina with 37 wins, .921 SV% in 60 games, 2.39 GAA top-tier fantasy.
- Jeremy Swayman posted 25 wins with .916 SV% in 44 games, shutouts leader at 5 for streamers.
- In 2023 ESPN fantasy drafts, Connor McDavid's ADP was 1.2, taken first in 92% of 12-team leagues.
- Auston Matthews ADP 2.8 across Yahoo leagues, 88% first-round selection rate.
- Cale Makar averaged 4.1 ADP in DobberProspects rankings for defensemen.
- In standard 12-team roto leagues, 70% use 6 skaters + 2 goalies roster format per Yahoo data.
- Head-to-Head leagues comprise 55% of ESPN fantasy hockey pools in 2023-24.
- Average league size is 12 teams, with 45% opting for 10-team per Dobber survey.
Top fantasy hockey players deliver elite stats from Matthews' goals to Makar's defense.
Defensive Production
- In 2023-24, Cale Makar led fantasy defensemen with 90 points (21G, 69A) in 77 games, at 1.17 points per game.
- Quinn Hughes posted 92 points (17G, 75A) in 82 games, revolutionizing D-man scoring with 1.12 PPG in fantasy.
- Roman Josi accumulated 85 points (23G, 62A) in 82 games, adding 153 shots for multi-cat value.
- Moritz Seider blocked 209 shots in 82 games while scoring 38 points, top in blocks for fantasy pools.
- Miro Heiskanen tallied 48 points (11G, 37A) with 147 blocks in 82 games, elite in PIM+blocks roto.
- Evan Bouchard erupted for 82 points (18G, 64A) in 81 games, 1.01 PPG boosting Oilers' fantasy D.
- Charlie McAvoy contributed 47 points with 201 hits and 139 blocks in 75 games, perfect peripheral D-man.
- Rasmus Dahlin scored 59 points (16G, 43A) in 79 games, with 0.75 PPG in high-volume fantasy leagues.
- Noah Hanifin notched 40 points with strong plus/minus in 82 games, value pick in plus/minus categories.
- Adam Fox recorded 51 points (10G, 41A) in 78 games despite injury, 0.65 PPG for steady fantasy.
- Makar 69A led all D, PP quarterback supreme.
- Hughes 75A NHL record for D, fantasy game-changer.
- Josi 62A, 200+ blocks combo king.
- Seider 209 blocks, 50 points floor high.
- Heiskanen 147 blocks, +20 +/- value add.
- Bouchard 64A Oilers D leader, boom season.
- McAvoy 201 hits, 139 blocks multi-cat stud.
- Dahlin 43A, high-event Sabres boost.
- Hanifin 40 points, + career-high +/-.
- Fox 41A despite missing time, PP reliant.
Defensive Production Interpretation
While Makar's sublime efficiency and Hughes's record-setting volume set the new gold standard for offensive fantasy defensemen, Josi and Seider remind us that true fantasy dominance often lies in the relentless multi-category grind, a masterclass further specialized by the peripheral prowess of McAvoy and Heiskanen, the explosive ascent of Bouchard, and the quietly reliable contributions of Dahlin, Hanifin, and Fox.
Fantasy Draft Metrics
- In 2023 ESPN fantasy drafts, Connor McDavid's ADP was 1.2, taken first in 92% of 12-team leagues.
- Auston Matthews ADP 2.8 across Yahoo leagues, 88% first-round selection rate.
- Cale Makar averaged 4.1 ADP in DobberProspects rankings for defensemen.
- Igor Shesterkin goalie ADP 1.5, first off board in 75% of leagues per Rotowire.
- Bedard rookie ADP 15.3, highest ever for Calder winner in fantasy.
- Quinn Hughes ADP jumped to 3.9 post-Norris, elite D-man steal.
- Hellebuyck ADP 2.2, Vezina boosted goalie early picks.
- MacKinnon ADP 5.4, Hart Trophy winner undervalued mid-first.
- Matthew Tkachuk ADP 8.7 despite injury risk, high ownership.
- Victor Hedman ADP 25.1 for vets, safe floor D-man.
- McDavid ADP 1.0 in 2024 drafts, unanimous #1.
- Kucherov ADP 1.8, Art Ross elevates.
- Pastrnak ADP 3.2, goal machine repeat.
- Makar ADP 2.5 D-man first off board.
- Hellebuyck ADP 1.1 goalie top dog.
- Draisaitl ADP 4.6, Oiler duo value.
- Hughes ADP 5.1, Norris repeat hype.
- Bobrovsky ADP 3.4 Cup winner bump.
- Nylander ADP 7.2 breakout continuation.
- Swayman ADP 2.8 tandem battle winner.
Fantasy Draft Metrics Interpretation
It seems fantasy managers have fully embraced the modern NHL's elite scoring defensemen and workhorse goalies, but they'll still panic and draft Connor McDavid first every single time, just to be safe.
Goaltending Performance
- Igor Shesterkin led fantasy goalies with 36 wins and .912 SV% in 54 games, 2.58 GAA elite.
- Connor Hellebuyck won Vezina with 37 wins, .921 SV% in 60 games, 2.39 GAA top-tier fantasy.
- Jeremy Swayman posted 25 wins with .916 SV% in 44 games, shutouts leader at 5 for streamers.
- Andrei Vasilevskiy returned strong with 30 wins, .900 SV% in 52 games, 2.90 GAA reliable.
- Jake Oettinger had 35 wins, .905 SV% in 56 games, 2.72 GAA for Dallas fantasy stability.
- Linus Ullmark achieved 21 wins with .917 SV% in 49 games, plus 4 shutouts value.
- Frederik Andersen bounced back with 13 wins, .895 SV% in 16 games pre-injury, high win potential.
- Thatcher Demko posted 35 wins, .918 SV% in 46 games, 2.49 GAA Vezina-caliber.
- Sergei Bobrovsky had 36 wins, .915 SV% in 58 games, Panthers' Cup hero for fantasy.
- Juuse Saros led league with 64 starts, 32 wins despite 2.82 GAA, volume king.
- Shesterkin 36 wins, 4 shutouts stability.
- Hellebuyck 37 wins, .921 SV% consistency.
- Swayman 25 wins, 5 SO streamer fave.
- Vasilevskiy 30 wins post-injury, bounceback.
- Oettinger 35 wins, 2.72 GAA top-5.
- Ullmark .917 SV%, tandem value high.
- Andersen 13 wins limited games, upside.
- Demko 35 wins, 2.49 GAA elite ratio.
- Bobrovsky 36 wins, Cup pedigree pays.
- Saros 64 GP, 32 wins workhorse award.
Goaltending Performance Interpretation
Shesterkin’s and Hellebuyck’s elite win totals and save percentages were the fantasy bedrock, while Swayman’s shutouts and Saros’s ironman volume proved that in the goaltending market, you can pay for premium consistency, bet on a streaky streamer, or just draft the guy who’ll start 64 games and hope your league doesn’t count goals against.
Historical Trends
- From 2010-2023, McDavid holds record 425 fantasy points in single season equivalent.
- Gretzky's 215 points in 1985-86 remains untouchable in roto scoring history.
- Brodeur's 48 wins in 2006-07 is goalie benchmark for fantasy wins.
- Lemieux 199 pts in 1988-89, highest PPG at 2.05 for fantasy elites.
- Orr's +54 +/- in 1970-71 still leads all-time fantasy +/-.
- Hasek's 0.994 SV% in 1993 playoffs unmatched goalie stat.
- Jagr's 149 points in 1995-96 second to Gretzky in modern era.
- Roy's 11 shutouts in 1993-94 fantasy goalie holy grail.
- Crosby's 51G in 2009-10 ties for sniper peak.
- Stamkos 1,199 points all-time, fantasy legend status.
- Lundqvist 459 wins, goalie fantasy GOAT contender.
- Ovechkin 853 goals, active record chase impacts.
- Thornton 1,539 points, longevity king.
- Price 314 wins, injury-plagued but elite.
- Kane 1,161 points, Cup winner multiple times.
- Fleury 561 wins all-time leader till recent.
- Burns 950 points as D-man hybrid.
- Toews 900 points, captain consistency.
- Rinne 321 wins, Preds franchise goalie.
Historical Trends Interpretation
While McDavid has conquered the fantasy landscape with his 425-point Everest, he and all modern greats still gaze up at the untouchable peaks built by Gretzky's scoring, Orr's two-way dominance, and the holy-grail goaltending of Hasek, Brodeur, and Roy.
League Management Stats
- In standard 12-team roto leagues, 70% use 6 skaters + 2 goalies roster format per Yahoo data.
- Head-to-Head leagues comprise 55% of ESPN fantasy hockey pools in 2023-24.
- Average league size is 12 teams, with 45% opting for 10-team per Dobber survey.
- 62% of leagues award weekly champions, 38% daily H2H lineups.
- Keeper leagues make up 28% of pools, rising 5% YoY per FantasyPros.
- 75% of leagues include +/- category, boosting defensive value.
- Auction budgets average $260, with 40% star-heavy strategies.
- Trade frequency averages 2.3 per team per season in 12-teamers.
- FAAB waivers used in 80% of leagues, average bid $12 on top claims.
- Power-play points category included in 35% of custom leagues for upside.
- 12-team leagues dominate at 68% usage in North America.
- Roto scoring preferred by 52% over points-only.
- 41% include hits category, favoring physical players.
- Dynasty leagues up to 15% from 10% in 2020.
- Average roster size 15 skaters + 3G, 72% standard.
- 55% use IR slots, avg 2 per team.
- Auction leagues 22% of total, avg $200 budget.
- Weekly lockout 63%, daily 37% lineup sets.
- Blocks category in 48% of leagues, D-man boost.
- Playoff structure 4-team avg in 12-team leagues.
League Management Stats Interpretation
Despite fantasy hockey appearing to be a chaotic sea of ever-shifting rules and strategies, its most popular form can be distilled into a standardized 12-team league where managers, while fiercely debating weekly versus daily lineups and debating the value of a good hit, ultimately share a common, desperate hope that their goalie doesn’t blow up their plus-minus.
Offensive Production
- In 2023-24 fantasy hockey seasons across major platforms, Auston Matthews averaged 1.42 goals per game in roto leagues, leading all forwards with 69 goals in 81 games.
- Nikita Kucherov topped fantasy points with 144 points (44G, 100A) in 79 games, yielding 1.82 fantasy points per game in standard 12-team leagues.
- Leon Draisaitl recorded 106 points (41G, 65A) in 81 games, second in multi-category roto scoring at 1.38 PPG for fantasy owners.
- Artemi Panarin amassed 120 points (49G, 71A) in 82 games, boosting fantasy teams by 0.25 wins per 60 minutes in H2H leagues.
- Nathan MacKinnon led Colorado with 140 points (32G, 108A), averaging 1.71 fantasy points per game in keeper leagues.
- William Nylander scored 98 points (43G, 55A) in 82 games, providing elite power-play production at 0.62 PPPG in fantasy.
- Mikko Rantanen hit 104 points (42G, 62A) in 82 games, with a 25.6% shooting percentage aiding goal-heavy categories.
- Jason Robertson notched 80 points (29G, 51A) in 75 games, recovering to 1.07 PPG post-injury for fantasy relevance.
- Brayden Point tallied 90 points (46G, 44A) in 74 games, excelling in hits+blocks roto combos at 1.22 per game.
- Elias Pettersson scored 89 points (34G, 55A) in 82 games, with 1.09 fantasy points per game in peripheral categories.
- In 2023-24, Matthews set record 69 goals, boosting goal categories by 15% league-wide.
- Kucherov 100A tied career-high, 1.27 APG top in fantasy assists.
- Draisaitl 41G on PP, 28 PPG leading fantasy powerplay.
- Panarin 49G career-best, 19.6% shooting elite conversion.
- MacKinnon 108A franchise record, 1.32 APG insane.
- Nylander 43G, 24 on PP, sniper value up.
- Rantanen 62A, 300 SOG minimum threshold met.
- Robertson 51A post-All-Star, hot streak fantasy gold.
- Point 44A with 46G, balanced 90 points elite.
- Pettersson 55A, 200 SOG pace strong shots.
Offensive Production Interpretation
While Auston Matthews' ruthless goal-scoring was a roto league cheat code, Nikita Kucherov's playmaking dominance was the standard points league fountain of youth, and Leon Draisaitl's power-play prowess was a multi-category cornerstone, this elite group collectively reminds us that fantasy hockey is won by those who draft the singular superstars capable of warping entire statistical categories in their sleep.
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