We’ve reached the midpoint of one of the most thrilling NHL seasons in recent memory, and it’s time to hand out some hardware to the fantasy studs who’ve been carrying teams to the top of their leagues. Whether you nailed your draft or made clutch waiver wire moves, these are the players winning you weeks right now.
Let’s break down the fantasy MVP awards at the halfway mark of the 2025-26 season.
The Hart (Overall Fantasy MVP)
Winner: Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
Stats through 44 GP: 36 G, 42 A, 78 PTS, +48, 197 SOG
MacKinnon is having a career year at age 30, posting a ridiculous 1.77 points-per-game pace that puts him on track for 145+ points over a full season. He leads the NHL in goals with 36 and is tied atop the scoring race with Connor McDavid at 78 points.
What makes MacKinnon the undisputed fantasy MVP isn’t just the gaudy point totals—it’s his complete domination across every category. His plus-48 rating is absurd. His 197 shots on goal pace him for nearly 400 on the season. He’s contributing on the power play, winning faceoffs, and playing on the league’s best team (Colorado is an incredible 32-4-7).
MacKinnon leads the league with 29 even-strength goals and 58 even-strength points. His even-strength goal differential is an NHL-best plus-53, being on ice for 76 goals for and only 23 against. In any format—points-only, categories, banger leagues—MacKinnon is the most valuable fantasy asset in hockey.
Honorable Mentions: Connor McDavid (78 pts, 18-game point streak), Macklin Celebrini (67 pts, teenage sensation)
The Rocket (Goals League Winner)
Winner: Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche (36 goals)
MacKinnon is on pace for nearly 70 goals, which would shatter Bobby Orr’s defensive records… except Nate’s a center. His combination of elite positioning, lethal shot, and playing on hockey’s most explosive team has him lapping the field in goals.
Runner-up: Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers (30 goals)
McDavid has 30 goals despite being more playmaker than sniper, showing how dominant his offensive season has been.
Dark Horse: Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild (26 goals in 44 GP)
Boldy is quietly putting together a breakout campaign and leads Minnesota in goals. He’s become a legitimate first-line scoring threat.
The Playmaker (Assists League Winner)
Winner: Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
Stats through 45 GP: 30 G, 48 A, 78 PTS
McDavid’s 48 assists in 45 games have him on pace for well over 80 helpers. During his current 18-game point streak—the longest in the NHL this season—he’s racked up 42 points (19 goals, 23 assists). That’s more points in 18 games than many players have all season.
His nine power-play assists and elite playmaking ability make him invaluable in assists-heavy formats. When McDavid is on the ice, offense happens. Period.
Honorable Mentions: Macklin Celebrini (43+ assists), Mikko Rantanen (41 assists), Nikita Kucherov (41 assists)
The Norris (Defenseman MVP)
Winner: Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
Stats through 43 GP: 13 G, 38 A, 51 PTS, +30, 119 SOG
Makar was the first defenseman to hit 50 points this season, and he’s not slowing down. His 51 points would rank him in the top 10 among ALL skaters—he’s essentially a first-line forward who happens to play defense.
The reigning Norris Trophy winner leads all defensemen in scoring and is on pace for another 90+ point season. His +30 rating is second among defensemen, he’s blocking shots (74), and quarterbacking the league’s best power play. In dynasty leagues, Makar might be the single most valuable asset you can own.
Honorable Mentions: Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg), Quinn Hughes (Minnesota), Zach Werenski (Columbus)
The Vezina (Goaltender MVP)
Winner: Karel Vejmelka, Utah Mammoth
According to StatMuse data through early January, Vejmelka leads the NHL in wins. For a team that wasn’t expected to contend, Vejmelka has been the backbone keeping Utah competitive night after night.
Honorable Mentions: Scott Wedgewood (wins leader), Jesper Wallstedt (elite save percentage), Philipp Grubauer (strong ratios), Mackenzie Blackwood (GAA leader)
The goalie landscape has been fascinating this year with unexpected names rising to the top of the leaderboards, proving once again that goaltending is voodoo in fantasy hockey.
Breakout Player of the Year
Winner: Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks
Stats through 43 GP: 24 G, 43 A, 67 PTS, +17
The 19-year-old is having one of the best teenage seasons in NHL history. Celebrini is currently third in league scoring behind only MacKinnon and McDavid, and he’s putting up a 1.56 points-per-game pace that would result in 127+ points over 82 games.
That would be the second-highest scoring season by a teenager in NHL history, trailing only Wayne Gretzky’s 137-point campaign at age 19. Celebrini has a current 12-game point streak (9 goals, 15 assists), tying him with legends like Gretzky and Mario Lemieux for teenage point streaks.
On a terrible Sharks team, Celebrini is carrying the offense entirely on his back. He’s already been named to Team Canada for the Olympics. For fantasy managers who grabbed him in mid-rounds or off waivers early, he’s been an absolute league-winner.
Honorable Mentions: Matt Boldy (career year), Leo Carlsson (Anaheim), Connor Bedard (production leap)
Waiver Wire Hero of the Year
Winner: Brock Nelson, Colorado Avalanche
After being traded from the Islanders to Colorado, Nelson has thrived playing alongside elite talent. The Avalanche’s depth scoring has been crucial to their success, and Nelson has been a key part of that.
Honorable Mentions: Martin Necas (Colorado), Morgan Geekie (Boston), various goalies who emerged from platoons
Power Play Specialist Award
Winner: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
At 38 years old, Crosby continues to be a power-play monster. His deployment on Pittsburgh’s top unit keeps him fantasy-relevant even as his even-strength production has declined slightly.
Honorable Mentions: Cale Makar (16 PP points), multiple 10+ PPG scorers
The Sophomore Surge Award
Winner: Leo Carlsson, Anaheim Ducks
Carlsson has taken a major step forward in year two, becoming Anaheim’s offensive leader and proving the Ducks made the right choice with the #2 overall pick in 2023.
Honorable Mentions: Logan Cooley (Utah)
Second Half Predictions & Strategies
Players to Watch:
MacKinnon’s shooting percentage (18.3%) is actually sustainable given his shot quality and deployment. McDavid’s 18-game streak will eventually end, but he’s playing the best hockey of his career. Celebrini is the real deal and won’t slow down.
Buy Low Candidates:
- Players whose teams are struggling but individual metrics remain strong
- Injured stars who will return in the second half
- Players with low shooting percentages but high shot volumes
Sell High Candidates:
- Players shooting at unsustainable percentages (25%+)
- Older veterans on hot streaks who might fade
- Players whose deployment might change
Sleepers for the Second Half:
- Rookie goalies getting opportunities in platoons
- Young forwards getting increased ice time on struggling teams
- Defensemen on teams fighting for playoffs (increased PP time)
Final Thoughts
The 2025-26 season has given us incredible storylines: MacKinnon and McDavid battling for the Art Ross, a 19-year-old putting up historically great numbers in San Jose, and Colorado looking like a legitimate Cup contender with an unstoppable top line.
For fantasy managers, the key to second-half success is recognizing which hot starts are sustainable and which are due for regression. MacKinnon’s goal-scoring might cool slightly, but his underlying metrics suggest continued dominance. McDavid’s assists will keep flowing. Celebrini is the real deal and should be rostered in 100% of leagues.
If you’ve got MacKinnon, McDavid, Celebrini, or Makar, you’re sitting pretty for a championship run. If not, now’s the time to make aggressive moves—the second half is where fantasy leagues are won.
Who are your mid-season MVPs? Let us know in the comments!