The approaching hockey season signifies the time to strategize those fantasy team formations! The top 100 players have been assessed, and having these cornerstones is vital for any successful fantasy squad. However, the difference between winning and losing often lies with the lesser-known players: The potential breakouts. Bearing that in mind, here are some dark horse candidates that might propel you to fantasy glory this season:
Hampus Lindholm, LD, Boston Bruins
The Bruins’ defensive lineup faced a crisis during the 2024-25 season due to multiple injuries, with both star Charlie McAvoy and Lindholm sidelined for a significant portion of the year. Lindholm’s absence was particularly lengthy, as he missed 64 games due to a fractured patella. The 31-year-old has recovered and is anticipated to reunite with his usual defensive partner, McAvoy, for the 2025-26 season. The Bruins pairing excelled during the 2022-23 season, with Lindholm achieving a career-best 53 points in 80 games. His anticipated playing time and role on the first pair, as well as on the power play, should provide opportunities for him to perform at a similar level as a fantasy selection. The main uncertainty is whether he can regain that level of performance after recovering from a severe injury.
Spencer Knight, G, Chicago Blackhawks
Knight joined the Blackhawks near last season’s trade deadline from the Panthers in exchange for Seth Jones. He immediately secured the starting goaltender position and maintained it. He posted adequate statistics given the Blackhawks’ overall performance that season – a 5-8-2 record, 3.19 GAA, .894 save percentage – and has now had a full offseason to integrate into his new environment and build relationships with his teammates. The 24-year-old is a skilled goaltender who Chicago hopes will become their long-term solution in net. With an improved team and a revamped defensive unit ahead of him, Knight could potentially evolve into a valuable fantasy goaltender this season, offering value later in drafts.
Andrew Mangiapane, LW, Edmonton Oilers
Mangiapane is coming off a challenging season last year – 28 points with 14 goals and 14 assists – his least productive NHL season in terms of points since the 2018-19 season. However, it would be imprudent to dismiss the possibility of a comeback season, considering his new team after signing a two-year, $7.2 million contract in the offseason; he is now playing for the Edmonton Oilers, joining the other side of the Battle of Alberta. There are four coveted winger spots available alongside star centers Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, both of whom have consistently elevated the play of their teammates. Currently, Mangiapane is positioned to secure one of these spots, and it’s important to remember that the 29-year-old has previously scored 35 goals in a season (2021-22) and is still younger than some players the Oilers have previously entrusted with those prominent roles (e.g., Skinner, Jeff). It’s conceivable that he could approach the 25-goal mark if he secures a spot in the Oilers’ top-six during training camp.
Evan Rodrigues, C, Florida Panthers
Rodrigues has consistently risen to the occasion for the Panthers during their consecutive Stanley Cup Playoff runs. While not expected to be a top performer, particularly in the postseason, the 32-year-old has accumulated 30 points in Florida’s 45 playoff games over the past two seasons. With Matthew Tkachuk likely to miss a significant portion of the upcoming season’s start, Rodrigues is likely to have the initial opportunity to step into a more prominent role within the top-six and try to replicate his playoff success during the regular season. His playoff average of 0.75 points per game translates to 62 points over a full 82-game regular season, making him a potential bargain given his ranking outside the top-200 by most analysts. While he may not reach that level, especially if Tkachuk returns by January as anticipated, a total of around 40 points is certainly attainable.
Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, Minnesota Wild
Injuries have significantly hampered Tarasenko’s career, particularly since his departure from St. Louis, where he achieved his greatest success. His standout season with the Blues was an 82-point campaign in 2021-22, but he has struggled to regain that form since. The last two seasons have been relatively injury-free for Tarasenko – he has played 76 and 80 games, respectively – but his production has varied. Two seasons ago, he scored 23 goals and amassed 55 points split between the Panthers and Senators while averaging over 16 minutes in a top-six role, a commendable level of output. Last year, he had a disappointing 11-goal, 33-point season, averaging just 14:47 of ice time, primarily in a bottom-six role. For the upcoming season, the Wild have signed the 33-year-old to play in their top-six alongside players like Marco Rossi or Matt Boldy, with ice time more in line with what he received during his 55-point campaign. If this materializes, he should have a good opportunity to approach his 50-point form from two seasons ago.
Matias Maccelli, F, Toronto Maple Leafs
In the realm of fantasy sleepers, ice time and usage are often paramount. Maccelli didn’t receive much of either last season, contending with injuries at times and being a healthy scratch at others due to the depth of the Mammoth’s forward group. In the 55 games he did play, he only averaged 13:44 of ice time per game. This resulted in a disappointing season, as the winger only recorded 18 points. The 24-year-old was acquired in the offseason by the Maple Leafs as a low-risk move to add another top-six forward to compensate for the loss of Mitch Marner. While it’s unlikely that Maccelli will suddenly become a 100-point player like Marner, Toronto hopes he can perform closer to the level he displayed in the two seasons prior to last year, when he had 97 points in 146 games. Based on the Maple Leafs’ current roster composition, the team appears poised to give him every chance to earn a spot in the top-six, possibly even on the top line, and on the power play. With the forwards he could potentially be playing with – William Nylander, Matthew Knies, John Tavares, Auston Matthews – it’s not unreasonable to expect the young winger to have a breakout season with a change of scenery.
Brayden McNabb, D, Vegas Golden Knights
The consistent strength of the Golden Knights as a franchise has been the depth of their defensive corps, consistently boasting three solid pairings. McNabb has been an integral part of this since the team’s inception, one of the few remaining original Golden Misfits, and the team’s all-time leader in games played. This season, the 34-year-old could find himself in a regular first-pairing role due to the significant void created by the absence of Alex Pietrangelo, as well as the departure of mainstay Nicolas Hague, from the Golden Knights’ defense. McNabb directed more shots on goal last season than ever before, totaling 98 shots, and matched his career high of five goals as a consequence. Beyond his newfound offensive mindset, McNabb is a relatively safe sleeper pick, particularly among defensemen, due to his dependable contributions as a 6-foot-4, physical player who offers the potential for 150 hits and 150 blocks. Additionally, assuming he plays alongside Shea Theodore, he will receive more ice time in the offensive zone and alongside the Golden Knights’ top players, which should lead to an increase in his assist totals as a result.
