With the NHL regular season drawing to a close, it is time to crown the champions of the virtual ice. The 2026 Fantasy Hockey Awards are here to celebrate the players who carried rosters to league titles, the draft-day steals that defied expectations, and the waiver-wire additions that saved seasons. From elite goaltending performances to historic scoring races, the 2025-26 campaign was one for the record books.
The Fantasy MVP: A Historic Run in the Crease
While the "Big Four" of Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Nikita Kucherov, and Leon Draisaitl remained the safest bets at the top of the draft, the 2026 Fantasy Hockey Awards recognize a different kind of dominance this year. Winnipeg Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck has solidified his status as the ultimate fantasy asset. After a season where he led the NHL in wins (47), goals-against average (2.00), and shutouts (8), Hellebuyck provided a level of stability in the crease that was virtually unmatched.
Typically, goaltenders are seen as high-risk investments, but Hellebuyck’s .925 save percentage made him the cornerstone of winning rosters. On the offensive side, Leon Draisaitl made a thunderous case for MVP honors by leading the league with 52 goals, marking the third time in four seasons he has crossed the 50-goal plateau. Meanwhile, Nathan MacKinnon continued his playmaking excellence, pacing the league with 84 assists and finishing with 116 points despite the departure of long-time linemate Mikko Rantanen to Dallas.
Draft Day Steals: Finding Value in the Mid-Rounds
Success in fantasy hockey is often determined by the value found after the first three rounds. The 2026 season saw several players vastly outperform their Average Draft Position (ADP), providing managers with elite production at a fraction of the cost. The standout in this category was Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson. Following a Calder Trophy-winning rookie campaign, Hutson took another massive leap forward, anchoring power plays and racking up points and blocks at an elite rate.
Another significant win for savvy drafters was Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf. While many managers shied away from the Flames' crease, Wolf emerged as a reliable starter, providing high-volume saves and steady peripheral stats for those who took a chance on him in the middle rounds. On the wing, Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers proved that his late-season surge the previous year was no fluke, delivering consistent goal-scoring for a rebuilding Flyers squad.
Breakout Stars and the Utah Mammoth Impact
One of the most exciting storylines of the 2025-26 season was the emergence of the Utah Mammoth. In their second year in Salt Lake City, the team saw a major breakout from Logan Cooley. The 21-year-old center reached new heights, tallying 25 goals and 65 points, becoming a must-start asset in almost all formats. His chemistry with Utah's improving core made him one of the most added players in the league by mid-season.
In Columbus, Zach Werenski finally enjoyed a clean bill of health, and the results were explosive. Werenski finished among the top-scoring blueliners in the league, rewarding managers who were willing to gamble on his injury history. His ability to contribute across multiple categories—shots, blocks, and power-play points—made him a top-tier fantasy defenseman once again.
Waiver Wire Wonders: The Season-Savers
No 2026 Fantasy Hockey Awards list would be complete without acknowledging the players who weren't even on rosters in October. The waiver wire provided several gems this year, most notably Yegor Chinakhov. Rostered in fewer than 20% of leagues for much of the first half, Chinakhov became a model of consistency, offering a high floor and significant upside during the fantasy playoffs.
Additionally, the return of Gabriel Landeskog provided a late-season boost for managers lucky enough to stash him or grab him off the wire. While his minutes were managed, his presence on the Colorado Avalanche power play provided a spark that helped many teams secure their league championships. As we look ahead to next year, these standouts have set the bar high for what promises to be another thrilling season of fantasy hockey.
Sources & Original Reporting
