Finding the right players to target is crucial for building a championship-winning fantasy hockey roster in 2024. As you prepare for your drafts, it’s essential to identify the breakout stars, reliable veterans, and hidden gems that can provide a competitive edge. In this article, we’ll break down the top targets for each position, offering insights into players who can deliver high value based on their projected performance, role, and upside. Whether you’re in a standard league or a more advanced format, these picks will help you stay ahead of the competition and build a winning team this season.
- Understanding Fantasy Hockey Scoring Categories
- How to Use the Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire
- Fantasy Hockey Drafting Strategies
Check out our expert fantasy hockey rankings here
2024 Fantasy Hockey Targets
Based on Standard Yahoo Fantasy Hockey scoring
Filip Forsberg (LW – NSH): ECR 37
Fade the mustache at your own risk, my friends. Forsberg, 30, had a career year in 2023-2024, racking up 94 points and 347 shots on goal while playing in all 82 games. Health is the only concern, but last year’s durability is encouraging. The idea that a 90+ point player can be had in the third round of drafts is mind-boggling, especially playing as a Top-6 player for a team that ranked fifth in the NHL in power-play opportunities last season.
Steven Stamkos (C – NSH): ECR 35
Stamkos signed a four-year contract with Nashville in the offseason, leaving Tampa Bay after 16 seasons. The 34-year-old didn’t slow down last season. He played in 79 games, collecting 81 points and 262 shots on goal. Yes, we have to factor in the fact that he will no longer share the ice with Nikita Kucherov, but the Predators excel in every facet of the game that Stamkos is used to. They ranked tenth in goals per game at 3.24, and skating alongside Roman Josi on the power play never hurt anyone.
Brock Boeser (VAN – RW): ECR 87
Boeser made “the leap” in 2023-2024, setting a new career high in points with 73, including lighting the lamp 40 times. His shooting percentage is unsustainable at 19.6%, but even a slight regression should leave the 27-year-old around 70 points while skating on a power-play line that finished eighth in power-play opportunities. Snagging him in the seventh round or later would make him a steal.
Thomas Harley (D – DAL): ECR 61
Harley began the year as a question mark for seeing meaningful minutes and ended the year anchoring the second defensemen line and seeing some top line time in the playoffs. The 23-year-old racked up 47 points with a +/- of 28 and 144 shots on goal, putting him squarely in the conversation as a top-24 defenseman. He also kicked in 135 blocked shots, an overlooked category to rack up points in fantasy hockey.
Jeremy Lauzon (D – NSH): ECR 64
Lauzon is only for leagues where hits are a category, but this is your target if they are. The 27-year-old made a living off stealing the puck last season, leveling 386 hits to lead the league. Not only did he finish first, but he had 140 more than Simon Benoit in second place. Lauzon doesn’t have much value in regular leagues, but he can single-handedly wrap up one category for you in hits leagues. I swear, I’m not a Preds fan, but there is so much to like about them for fantasy hockey.
Laurent Brossoit (G – CHI): ECR 51
Brossoit is dealing with a knee injury but should return two weeks into the season. After serving as Connor Hellebuyck‘s backup in 2023-2024, he now heads to the Blackhawks and should see split time with Petr Mrazek. That said, he could easily steal the starting role and carry his 2.00 GAA and .927 save percentage into the best second goalie on fantasy hockey rosters. Buy the injury dip to make him even cheaper than what he should be.