Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin posted his top 300 fantasy hockey players for the 2025-2026 season, and, remarkably, he added comments about every selection:
36. Lucas Raymond, RW, Red Wings: Hyper-intelligent playmaker, first-line role, 23 years old, still getting better. Checks so many boxes for me. The supporting cast isn’t improved, though, so I envision a stat line similar to last season’s 27-53-80.
66. Alex DeBrincat, LW, Red Wings: At least 27 goals in seven of his eight full seasons, with occasional spikes like last year’s 39. A great early-round pick for goals if you targeted a goalie or defenseman with your first couple selections.
78. Dylan Larkin, C, Red Wings: Four straight years between 30 and 33 goals and between 69 and 79 points. Reaching on young talent is fun, but it’s always smart to load up on these reliable late-prime vets in the early middle rounds.
93. Moritz Seider, D, Red Wings: I’ve been waiting for Seider to break through and become an all-around category dominator, but with the Wings failing to improve this summer, we’re likely in for another year of “only” being a poor man’s [Mackenzie] Weegar, helping you in many categories while being merely an above-average offensive asset.
121. John Gibson, G, Red Wings: Was excellent last season, and he should see a bit more volume this year, but don’t be fooled into thinking he gets a massive boost in fantasy value. The Red Wings are not a good defensive team, so Gibson should continue getting shelled with chances. Cam Talbot is more 1B than backup and should start 30 games minimum. Gibson can be a respectable mid-range No. 2 goalie for your fantasy club, but he’s not going to carry you.
167. Marco Kasper, C, Red Wings: Wrapped up a 15-game pointless streak Jan. 7. His pace from that point onward: 25 goals, 59 points, 185 hits. He found himself as a two-way forward and he’s arrived as a top-six contributor. One of my favorite breakout picks for 2025-26.
184. Patrick Kane, RW, Red Wings: He probably plays three quarters of a season, tops 50 points and helps Detroit’s power play again. But given he’s 37 in November, we don’t need to invest too high of a pick to find that out unless you’re in a deep league. In shallow or medium, he’s a great waiver-wire stopgap if one of your stars gets injured.
250. Cam Talbot, G, Red Wings: Taking a backseat to Gibson now. But Talbot should still start more than most backups, and he’s capable of helping you as a stopgap during the grind of the season if injuries strike your squad.
270. Simon Edvinsson, D, Red Wings: The towering Swede is slowly coming into his own. Not a power-play weapon, but he quietly put up 31 points last year, and he should gradually become more of an asset in the banger categories.
Continued; 9 Red Wings named to a 300-player fantasy hockey list isn’t bad at all.
