Draft day always sparks debate in fantasy hockey circles – and no question stirs more arguments than who deserves the No. 1 overall pick. With multiple superstars capable of carrying a roster, the choice isn’t obvious. Let’s break down the leading candidates, what they bring to the table, and why managers might lean one way or the other.
Connor McDavid – The Perennial Favorite
Why to Draft Him #1: McDavid is still the most dynamic offensive force in hockey. He regularly leads or challenges for the league scoring title, and in points-only or categories leagues weighted toward assists, he’s unmatched.
The Case Against: If your format heavily favors goals, shots, or hits, McDavid may not provide the categorical dominance others offer. Injuries, though not common, can also tilt the playing field.
Nathan MacKinnon – The Challenger
Why to Draft Him #1: MacKinnon brings a combination of high shot volume, goals, assists, and plus/minus stability. He also contributes in categories like power-play points and game-winning goals. For leagues that count shots on goal, he’s arguable the safest overall package.
The Case Against: Colorado’s depth can spread the scoring, and he doesn’t always match McDavid’s raw assist totals.
Leon Draisaitl – The Power-Play Monster
Why to Draft Him #1: If your league counts power-play points, Draisaitl may be the king. His one-timer is a staple of Edmonton’s lethal power play, and he delivers consistently in goals, assists, and faceoff wins (for leagues that track them).
The Case Against: His production is elite, but slightly more streaky than McDavid’s. He also doesn’t fire quite as many shots as MacKinnon.
Auston Matthews – The Goal-Scoring Machine
Why to Draft Him #1: In leagues that heavily favor goals, Matthews is the strongest candidate. He’s one of the few players who can realistically score 60+ in a season, while still contributing on the power play.
The Case Against: He won’t match McDavid in assists or Draisaitl in power play totals. If he “only” scores 50, he might not justify a #1 pick in balanced leagues.
Dark Horses
Cale Makar (D, Colorado): If your league heavily weighs defensemen, Makar offers elite production from the blue line – a rare commodity.
Kirill Kaprizov (F, Minnesota): A gamebreaker who can deliver in goals and assists, but injury risk and a less potent supporting cast keep him outside the top tier.
Matthew Tkachuk (F, Florida): Elite in multi-cat leagues with hits, PIMs, and offensive production.
Verdict
Points-Only Leagues: Draft Connor McDavid without hesitation.
Categories Leagues (Shots, Goals Weighted): Nathan MacKinnon or Auston Matthews can challenge for the throne.
Multi-Cat Leagues with Hits/PIM: Don’t ignore Matthew Tkachuk’s unique value.
At the end of the day, the No. 1 pick should match your league’s scoring settings – but if you’re looking for the safest all-around bet, McDavid remains the king until proven otherwise.