Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer Lead Top 10 Fantasy Hockey Draft Targets

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini enters the 2026-27 season as a top fantasy target after recording 115 points and 287 shots as a sophomore.

ESPN senior NHL writer Greg Wyshynski has identified 10 players to target for the 2026-27 fantasy hockey season, led by San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini. The 20-year-old finished fourth in MVP balloting last season with 115 points, including 45 goals and 33 power-play points. Celebrini recorded 287 shots on goal across 82 games and currently holds an average draft position around fourth overall.

New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer is highlighted as a high-value defensive option following a Calder Trophy-winning campaign. Schaefer produced 59 points and 23 goals in 82 games last season, the highest goal total for a rookie defenseman since 1988-89. He also led all rookies with 111 blocked shots, a category worth 0.5 points in ESPN standard scoring.

In Nashville, 32-year-old Filip Forsberg remains a primary target after maintaining a streak of three consecutive 82-game seasons. Forsberg recorded 75 points in 2025-26 and has consistently delivered at least 124 hits per year. Meanwhile, Florida Panthers newcomer Brady Tkachuk is expected to join a line featuring Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart. Tkachuk averaged a career-high 3.5 points per 60 minutes in 60 games with Ottawa last season.

Wyatt Johnston of the Dallas Stars is noted for his 45-goal performance in 2025-26, which included 27 power-play tallies. On the blue line, 37-year-old John Carlson joins the Tampa Bay Lightning to quarterback a power play that previously saw Darren Raddysh record 26 man-advantage points. Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke is another defensive target after leading the league with 6.83 blocked shots per 60 minutes.

Goaltending targets include Jet Greaves of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who earned 26 wins and a .908 save percentage in 55 games last year. With Elvis Merzlikins sidelined indefinitely following shoulder surgery, Greaves is positioned for increased starts. Pittsburgh Penguins rookie Sergei Murashov is also identified as a potential starter following the departure of Stuart Skinner.