Draft tiers help you see value pockets so you don’t reach for a name when similar (or better) options are still on the board. Use these tiers as a guide, then adjust for your league’s scoring and roster settings.
How to Use Tiers
- Grab from the top of a tier—more upside at the same cost.
- Don’t reach into the next tier if equal talent remains.
- Balance risk (injury/rookies) with safe volume producers.
Centers
Tier 1 (elite anchors): Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews
Tier 2 (star producers): Jack Eichel, Leon Draisaitl (C/W eligible in many leagues), Elias Pettersson, Jack Hughes
Tier 3 (value C1/C2): Aleksander Barkov, Sebastian Aho, Brayden Point, Tage Thompson
Notes: Faceoff wins can swing value; elite PP time is the tiebreaker.
Wingers
Tier 1: Nikita Kucherov, David Pastrňák, Matthew Tkachuk
Tier 2: Kirill Kaprizov, Mikko Rantanen, Artemi Panarin
Tier 3: Jason Robertson, William Nylander, Kyle Connor
Notes: Hits/blocks leagues boost Tkachuk-types; shots volume = safer floors.
Defensemen
Tier 1: Cale Makar, Roman Josi, Adam Fox
Tier 2: Quinn Hughes, Victor Hedman, Rasmus Dahlin
Tier 3: Moritz Seider, Charlie McAvoy, Evan Bouchard
Notes: Top PP quarterbacks are scarce—pay a premium if your league rewards PPP heavily.
Goalies
Tier 1: Igor Shesterkin, Ilya Sorokin, Andrei Vasilevskiy
Tier 2: Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, Juuse Saros
Tier 3 (value/volume): Thatcher Demko, Alexandar Georgiev, Jeremy Swayman
Notes: Don’t overpay early; secure one stable starter, then hunt value.
Draft Tips
- Stacks: Pair a winger with his PP quarterback when possible.
- Schedule edges: Stream players on heavy off-nights for extra games.
- Injuries: Draft depth at D and G—attrition hits these spots hardest.
Check out our article on Fantasy Hockey Sleeper Picks HERE.
More fantasy strategy at our RinkHive Hub.