ESPN Fantasy Hockey Draft Board Outlines Top 20 Picks for 2026

ESPN analyst Victoria Matiash has released a 20-pick fantasy hockey draft board, naming Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon as the No. 1 overall selection.

ESPN fantasy hockey analyst Victoria Matiash has outlined the ideal first 20 selections for a 10-team default points league draft. Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon claims the No. 1 overall slot, followed by Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov at No. 2, San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini at No. 3, and Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid at No. 4.

Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson occupies the fifth spot after recording 96 points during the 2025-26 season. Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak is ranked sixth, followed by Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov at No. 7 and Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews at No. 8. Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy is the first goaltender selected at No. 9, while Colorado's Cale Makar is the top-ranked defenseman at No. 10.

The second round opens with Edmonton forward Leon Draisaitl at No. 11, who posted 97 points in 65 games last season. Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield follows at No. 12 after scoring 51 goals in 2025-26, playing alongside teammate Nick Suzuki, who ranks 13th. Edmonton defenseman Evan Bouchard is listed at No. 14, followed by Minnesota's Matt Boldy at No. 15 and Dallas forward Wyatt Johnston at No. 16. Colorado's Martin Necas is slotted at No. 17 after a 100-point campaign, ahead of Nashville's Filip Forsberg at No. 18, Detroit defenseman Moritz Seider at No. 19, and Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson at No. 20.