The cooling of the temperature outside, the smell of the ice, the sound of the puck bouncing along the end boards. It's time for another NHL season, and with it comes the start of another fantasy hockey campaign.
If last season ended in disappointment, this season is here to turn your fortunes around. Keeper or dynasty leagues? It's time to dust off your rosters and figure out how to get your franchise over the hump.
Maybe you got to raise that virtual cup and win your league last season. Well congratulations! We here at ESPN Fantasy know how difficult that is, and the long road ahead of you to repeat.
If this is your first time playing fantasy hockey, have no fear. Experts Sean Allen, Victoria Matiash and others are here to break down every position, every team and all the strategy you need to know to taste victory this season.
This page will be updated all preseason with advice columns, rankings, resources and more to help you with your drafts. The fun doesn't end on draft day, as ESPN Fantasy will have detailed weekly guides to set your fantasy hockey lineups all season long.
Remember, you can't win if you don't sign up. Sign up for free today to create your own league, reactivate your old team, or join a public league. See you when the puck drops!
Playing fantasy hockey? Start here
2026 rankings: Rankings make up the backbone of the draft, know where every player is ranked and when they might be available.
How to play and win your league: Begin your path to fantasy hockey glory with tips from the experts, from the draft to everything that happens after.
Dynasty rankings: Are you in a keeper or dynasty league? Plan ahead for the next five years.
Mock Draft Lobby: Practice drafting for free, as many times as you want.
Player picks
Who to take with the first overall pick: Got the first pick? Victoria breaks down the four players who deserve to be the top pick.
Forward tier rankings | Defensemen tier rankings
Tier lists help you plan your drafts differently from a numbered ranking. Tiers group similar players together, so you don't have to panic if the player you want is taken ahead of your pick.
Breakout forward picks: Meet the forwards with the talent and opportunity to have their breakout season.
Free agency and trade reaction: Which players improved their fantasy outlooks after a busy offseason?
NHL Draft 2026 review: Here are the rookies you should draft this year, as well as others to stash.
ESPN Fantasy Hockey is the fun, free way to get inside the game. Draft your players, set your lineups and earn points when the pros do. Sign up today!
Resources
Which fantasy hockey league is right for you: Learn the difference between Roto, categories, points, keepers and more.
Projections: Sortable projections for the top players, with scoring, playing time, and goalie stats.
Player news: Latest injury updates and more for each player.
Player rater: Compare your players against the field across different categories.
Leading scorers: Check out last season's top scorers.
Live draft trends: See how the everyone else is drafting, including which players are rising and falling.
Most added/dropped: Find out which players are the most popular adds to teams, and which are often being dropped.
2026 NHL Draft scouting reports: Every round, every pick with expert analysis.
NHL offseason transaction tracker: Track every signing, trade and other offseason move.
Made it this far? Create your own league with your own rules and play against your friends today.
Don't forget last year
Top 10 things to remember for 2026: Recap the biggest takeaways from last season.
Fantasy hockey awards: Brush up on the MVPs, surprises and disappointments from 2025-26.
Download the ESPN Fantasy Sports app and have every player right at your fingertips. Available on the App Store and Google Play.
