It’s time to look at our fantasy hockey quarter-season rankings. Sure, some teams are a little past the quarter mark of the 2022-2023 fantasy hockey season, and some are a little shy of the 20.5 games required. Either way, it is a good time to look at my updated rest-of-season rankings to see where you might find some value and, more importantly, who might be worth targeting in trades.
Full disclosure: I try to be patient with rankings movement, but at the end of the day, I also feel like some vast movement is sometimes necessary. Players can tell you who they are – good or bad – from Day One, and it becomes a fool’s errand to believe otherwise. I am not a conservative fantasy hockey manager so take this with the grain of salt it deserves.
See Brandon Altomonte’s ROS Rankings Here>>
The Fantasy Hockey Quarter-Season Climbers
Matthew Tkachuk (LW – FLA)
Preseason: 17 | Quarter Season: 7
While climbing 10 spots might not seem like a lot, the six names above him (McDavid, Draisaitl, Matthews, MacKinnon, Kaprizov, and Kucherov) are basically the Top 6 across the board. Tkachuk appears to be enjoying his new digs in Florida just fine. Through 23 games, the 24-year-old has tallied 12 goals, 22 assists, 98 shots on goal, 11 power-play points, 17 hits, eight blocked shots, 39 PIM, and a partridge in a pear tree. And to put the star on top of that tree, his shot percentage is due to improve as the season continues. Those 10 spots are most definitely impressive.
Jack Eichel (C – VGK)
Preseason: 35 | Quarter Season: 15
Eichel is currently day-to-day with a lower-body injury, so fantasy managers can hold their breath that this is nothing serious for the 26-year-old. He has 29 points in 26 games and is filling the stat sheet in other categories with 20 hits, 23 blocked shots, and a +17 for the year. His shot percentage is also perfectly in line with his career average. After his chaotic 2021-2022 season, Eichel has settled into Vegas and is surrounded by talent on a nightly basis.
Linus Ullmark (G – BOS)
Preseason: 183 | Quarter Season: 28
Linus Ullmark has arrived in Boston. Through 17 games played, the 29-year-old is 14-1 with a save percentage of .936 and GAA of 1.93. His goals saved above average (GSAA) is a ridiculous 15.25, second only to Connor Hellebuyck. Almost 88 percent of his starts have been quality, and fantasy managers have nothing to complain about. Even if his GAA regresses to get above 2.00 (gasp), the Bruins’ offense will propel him to win after win. Those who drafted in a “zero goalie” strategy and nabbed Ullmark in the 15th round may take a victory lap at the quarter-mark point.
Joel Eriksson Ek (C – MIN)
Preseason: 154 | Quarter Season: 105
I can never decide if Eriksson Ek is overrated or underrated, but I think I ranked him too low in the preseason. The 25-year-old center averages almost 20 minutes of ice time while manning the third line and quarterbacking the top power-play group. Minnesota has figured out how to score in bunches, and Eriksson Ek is a solid contributor in both season-long fantasy and DFS formats.
The Fantasy Hockey Quarter-Season Fallers
Chris Kreider (LW – NYR)
Preseason: 24 | Quarter Season: 61
Kreider’s slight fall in ranking is probably more a result of his being overvalued during the draft season following his career year in 2021. He won’t repeat his 77-point season but hitting the 60+ mark is well within reach. There is nothing wrong here, though if you can find a trade partner who still believes in 2021 Krieder, you might be able to snag a top 50 player.
Quinn Hughes (D – VAN)
Preseason: 51 | Quarter Season: 106
Hughes has been an assists machine, contributing 23 of them in his first 21 games. However, he has zero goals, 22 blocked shots, and one hit in that time span. His value depends on the league format. If no defensive stats are counted, then keeping the empty assists is enough. But in leagues with hits, blocked shots, and PIM, there are other defensemen who can fill the stat sheet.
Kris Letang (D – PIT)
Preseason: 71 | Quarter Season: 170
Letang suffered his second stroke last week and is out indefinitely. His first stroke came in 2014, and he missed about 3.5 months at that time. While it obviously hurts to lose a talented defenseman in fantasy, the 35-year-old’s health is of paramount importance, and we wish him a thorough recovery.
Calder Tracker
Logan Thompson (G – VGK)
Thompson is currently at +600 to bring home the Calder Memorial Award for the best rookie in the NHL, slightly behind Matty Beniers of Seattle at +450. I tend to favor goalies in these arguments, and Thompson has been brilliant for the Pacific Division leaders. With a .920 and a goals saved above average (GSAA) of 8.39, the 25-year-old’s prowess has allowed Vegas’s offensive studs to go nuts with reckless abandon. He’s my favorite to steal the award at the quarter-mark point.
2022 Fantasy Hockey Rankings
| # | Player (team) | ECR | vs. ECR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connor McDavid (EDM – C,F) | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Leon Draisaitl (EDM – C,LW) | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | Auston Matthews (TOR – C,F) | 4 | +1 |
| 4 | Nathan MacKinnon (COL – C) | 3 | -1 |
| 5 | Kirill Kaprizov (MIN – LW) | 6 | +1 |
| 6 | Nikita Kucherov (TB – RW) | 5 | -1 |
| 7 | Matthew Tkachuk (FLA – LW,F) | 9 | +2 |
| 8 | Andrei Vasilevskiy (TB – G) | 34 | +26 |
| 9 | Jonathan Huberdeau (CGY – LW,F) | 15 | +6 |
| 10 | Mikko Rantanen (COL – RW,F) | 8 | -2 |
| 11 | Aleksander Barkov Jr. (FLA – C,F) | 13 | +2 |
| 12 | Johnny Gaudreau (CBJ – LW,F) | 29 | +17 |
| 13 | Alex Ovechkin (WSH – LW,F) | 11 | -2 |
| 14 | Steven Stamkos (TB – C,F) | 12 | -2 |
| 15 | Jack Eichel (VGK – C,F) | 32 | +17 |
| 16 | David Pastrnak (BOS – RW,F) | 10 | -6 |
| 17 | Kyle Connor (WPG – LW,F) | 23 | +6 |
| 18 | Ilya Sorokin (NYI – G) | 46 | +28 |
| 19 | Brad Marchand (BOS – LW,F) | 39 | +20 |
| 20 | Cale Makar (COL – D) | 7 | -13 |
| 21 | Sebastian Aho (CAR – C) | 25 | +4 |
| 22 | J.T. Miller (VAN – LW,RW) | 22 | 0 |
| 23 | Brady Tkachuk (OTT – LW) | 18 | -5 |
| 24 | Artemi Panarin (NYR – LW,F) | 16 | -8 |
| 25 | Elias Pettersson (VAN – C) | 45 | +20 |
| 26 | Patrick Kane (CHI – RW,F) | 35 | +9 |
| 27 | Igor Shesterkin (NYR – G) | 36 | +9 |
| 28 | Linus Ullmark (BOS – G) | 65 | +37 |
| 29 | Roman Josi (NSH – D) | 14 | -15 |
| 30 | Sidney Crosby (PIT – C,F) | 19 | -11 |
| 31 | Kevin Fiala (LA – LW,F) | 43 | +12 |
| 32 | Mitch Marner (TOR – RW,F) | 17 | -15 |
| 33 | Andrei Svechnikov (CAR – LW,RW) | 20 | -13 |
| 34 | Elias Lindholm (CGY – C,RW,F) | 49 | +15 |
| 35 | Thatcher Demko (VAN – G) | 76 | +41 |
| 36 | Jake Guentzel (PIT – LW,RW) | 28 | -8 |
| 37 | Timo Meier (SJ – LW,RW) | 30 | -7 |
| 38 | Connor Hellebuyck (WPG – G) | 52 | +14 |
| 39 | Mika Zibanejad (NYR – C) | 24 | -15 |
| 40 | Juuse Saros (NSH – G) | 60 | +20 |
| 41 | Nazem Kadri (CGY – C,F) | 41 | 0 |
| 42 | Jacob Markstrom (CGY – G) | 57 | +15 |
| 43 | Pavel Buchnevich (STL – LW,F) | 62 | +19 |
| 44 | Tristan Jarry (PIT – G) | 99 | +55 |
| 45 | Patrice Bergeron (BOS – C,F) | 37 | -8 |
| 46 | Victor Hedman (TB – D) | 21 | -25 |
| 47 | Filip Forsberg (NSH – LW,F) | 40 | -7 |
| 48 | Jason Robertson (DAL – LW) | 27 | -21 |
| 49 | Logan Thompson (VGK – G) | 70 | +21 |
| 50 | Vitek Vanecek (NJ – G) | 102 | +52 |
| 51 | Alexandar Georgiev (COL – G) | 80 | +29 |
| 52 | Alex DeBrincat (OTT – LW,RW) | 38 | -14 |
| 53 | Vladimir Tarasenko (STL – RW,F) | 51 | -2 |
| 54 | William Nylander (TOR – C,RW,F) | 42 | -12 |
| 55 | Sam Reinhart (FLA – C,RW,F) | 55 | 0 |
| 56 | Patrik Laine (CBJ – LW,RW) | 87 | +31 |
| 57 | Jack Hughes (NJ – C) | 47 | -10 |
| 58 | Jake Oettinger (DAL – G) | 54 | -4 |
| 59 | John Tavares (TOR – C,F) | 48 | -11 |
| 60 | Pierre-Luc Dubois (WPG – C) | 84 | +24 |
| 61 | Chris Kreider (NYR – LW,F) | 31 | -30 |
| 62 | Matt Duchene (NSH – C,F) | 69 | +7 |
| 63 | Evander Kane (EDM – LW,F) | 83 | +20 |
| 64 | Jonathan Marchessault (VGK – C,LW) | 71 | +7 |
| 65 | Roope Hintz (DAL – LW) | 61 | -4 |
| 66 | Evgeny Kuznetsov (WSH – C,F) | 58 | -8 |
| 67 | Bryan Rust (PIT – LW,RW) | 90 | +23 |
| 68 | Joe Pavelski (DAL – C,RW,F) | 56 | -12 |
| 69 | Tage Thompson (BUF – RW) | 81 | +12 |
| 70 | Ryan Hartman (MIN – RW,F) | 130 | +60 |
| 71 | Lucas Raymond (DET – LW) | 132 | +61 |
| 72 | Dylan Larkin (DET – C) | 73 | +1 |
| 73 | Sam Bennett (FLA – C,F) | 101 | +28 |
| 74 | Michael Bunting (TOR – LW) | 91 | +17 |
| 75 | Brayden Point (TB – C,F) | 72 | -3 |
| 76 | Marc-Andre Fleury (MIN – G) | 107 | +31 |
| 77 | Sergei Bobrovsky (FLA – G) | 108 | +31 |
| 78 | Mark Scheifele (WPG – C,F) | 94 | +16 |
| 79 | Teuvo Teravainen (CAR – LW,RW,F) | 92 | +13 |
| 80 | Adam Fox (NYR – D) | 26 | -54 |
| 81 | Jordan Kyrou (STL – C) | 79 | -2 |
| 82 | Martin Jones (SEA – G) | 142 | +60 |
| 83 | Evgeni Malkin (PIT – C,F) | 53 | -30 |
| 84 | John Carlson (WSH – D) | 44 | -40 |
| 85 | Clayton Keller (ARI – LW,RW) | 143 | +58 |
| 86 | Jack Campbell (EDM – G) | 146 | +60 |
| 87 | Morgan Rielly (TOR – D) | 68 | -19 |
| 88 | Claude Giroux (OTT – LW,C,RW) | 78 | -10 |
| 89 | Bo Horvat (VAN – C,F) | 114 | +25 |
| 90 | Anze Kopitar (LA – C,F) | 124 | +34 |
| 91 | Mats Zuccarello (MIN – RW,F) | 82 | -9 |
| 92 | Ryan O’Reilly (STL – C) | 150 | +58 |
| 93 | David Perron (DET – LW,RW,F) | 93 | 0 |
| 94 | Jesper Bratt (NJ – RW) | 77 | -17 |
| 95 | Aaron Ekblad (FLA – D) | 33 | -62 |
| 96 | Andrew Mangiapane (CGY – LW) | 157 | +61 |
| 97 | Mark Stone (VGK – RW,F) | 85 | -12 |
| 98 | Erik Karlsson (SJ – D) | 75 | -23 |
| 99 | Vincent Trocheck (NYR – C,F) | 127 | +28 |
| 100 | Darcy Kuemper (WSH – G) | 128 | +28 |
| 101 | Matt Boldy (MIN – LW) | 105 | +4 |
| 102 | Taylor Hall (BOS – LW,F) | 161 | +59 |
| 103 | Trevor Zegras (ANA – C) | 122 | +19 |
| 104 | Carter Hart (PHI – G) | 151 | +47 |
| 105 | Joel Eriksson Ek (MIN – C) | 149 | +44 |
| 106 | Alex Pietrangelo (VGK – D) | 74 | -32 |
| 107 | Quinn Hughes (VAN – D) | 67 | -40 |
| 108 | Robert Thomas (STL – C) | 140 | +32 |
| 109 | Tomas Hertl (SJ – C,LW) | 167 | +58 |
| 110 | Brent Burns (CAR – D) | 66 | -44 |
| 111 | Josh Norris (OTT – C) | 117 | +6 |
| 112 | Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (EDM – LW,C) | 126 | +14 |
| 113 | Jordan Binnington (STL – G) | 173 | +60 |
| 114 | Jeff Skinner (BUF – C,LW) | 153 | +39 |
| 115 | Zach Hyman (EDM – C,F) | 119 | +4 |
| 116 | Shea Theodore (VGK – D) | 100 | -16 |
| 117 | Devon Toews (COL – D) | 63 | -54 |
| 118 | Noah Dobson (NYI – D) | 111 | -7 |
| 119 | Conor Garland (VAN – RW) | 182 | +63 |
| 120 | Tyler Seguin (DAL – C,F) | 187 | +67 |
| 121 | Ryan Strome (ANA – RW,F) | 189 | +68 |
| 122 | Mathew Barzal (NYI – C,F) | 144 | +22 |
| 123 | Tim Stutzle (OTT – C,LW) | 103 | -20 |
| 124 | Jonathan Quick (LA – G) | 193 | +69 |
| 125 | Nick Suzuki (MTL – C) | 141 | +16 |
| 126 | Tyler Toffoli (CGY – C,RW,F) | 196 | +70 |
| 127 | Drake Batherson (OTT – C) | 112 | -15 |
| 128 | Cole Caufield (MTL – RW,F) | 123 | -5 |
| 129 | Troy Terry (ANA – RW) | 139 | +10 |
| 130 | Alex Tuch (BUF – RW) | 185 | +55 |
| 131 | Adrian Kempe (LA – LW) | 170 | +39 |
| 132 | Travis Konecny (PHI – RW) | 203 | +71 |
| 133 | Brock Boeser (VAN – RW) | 159 | +26 |
| 134 | Darnell Nurse (EDM – D) | 104 | -30 |
| 135 | Rickard Rakell (PIT – LW, RW) | 210 | +75 |
| 136 | Alex Killorn (TB – C,LW,F) | 177 | +41 |
| 137 | Blake Wheeler (WPG – RW,F) | 168 | +31 |
| 138 | Jake Allen (MTL – G) | 212 | +74 |
| 139 | Carter Verhaeghe (FLA – NA) | 125 | -14 |
| 140 | Moritz Seider (DET – D) | 97 | -43 |
| 141 | Valeri Nichushkin (COL – RW,F) | 201 | +60 |
| 142 | Nico Hischier (NJ – C) | 138 | -4 |
| 143 | Justin Faulk (STL – D) | 118 | -25 |
| 144 | Jamie Benn (DAL – C,LW) | 156 | +12 |
| 145 | Logan Couture (SJ – C,F) | 216 | +71 |
| 146 | Phillip Danault (LA – C,F) | 220 | +74 |
| 147 | Spencer Martin (VAN – G) | 222 | +75 |
| 148 | Brock Nelson (NYI – C,LW) | 155 | +7 |
| 149 | Ilya Samsonov (TOR – G) | 181 | +32 |
| 150 | Nikolaj Ehlers (WPG – LW,RW,F) | 88 | -62 |
| 151 | Jakub Voracek (CBJ – LW,RW,F) | 227 | +76 |
| 152 | Anders Lee (NYI – LW) | 183 | +31 |
| 153 | MacKenzie Weegar (CGY – D) | 106 | -47 |
| 154 | Ville Husso (DET – G) | 136 | -18 |
| 155 | Karel Vejmelka (ARI – G) | 236 | +81 |
| 156 | Gabriel Landeskog (COL – C,LW) | 89 | -67 |
| 157 | Anton Lundell (FLA – C) | 184 | +27 |
| 158 | Mason McTavish (ANA – C) | 237 | +79 |
| 159 | Ryan Johansen (NSH – C,F) | 239 | +80 |
| 160 | Tony DeAngelo (PHI – D) | 86 | -74 |
| 161 | Rasmus Dahlin (BUF – D) | 50 | -111 |
| 162 | Frederik Andersen (CAR – G) | 115 | -47 |
| 163 | Brayden Schenn (STL – C,LW,F) | 154 | -9 |
| 164 | Elvis Merzlikins (CBJ – G) | 246 | +82 |
| 165 | Miro Heiskanen (DAL – D) | 109 | -56 |
| 166 | Trevor Moore (LA – LW) | 228 | +62 |
| 167 | Dougie Hamilton (NJ – D) | 116 | -51 |
| 168 | Tanner Jeannot (NSH – LW) | 242 | +74 |
| 169 | Stuart Skinner (EDM – G) | 207 | +38 |
| 170 | Kris Letang (PIT – D) | 59 | -111 |
| 171 | Chandler Stephenson (VGK – C,F) | 199 | +28 |
| 172 | Drew Doughty (LA – D) | 64 | -108 |
| 173 | Torey Krug (STL – D) | 145 | -28 |
| 174 | Nick Schmaltz (ARI – C,F) | 257 | +83 |
| 175 | Evan Bouchard (EDM – D) | 165 | -10 |
| 176 | Alexis Lafreniere (NYR – LW) | 261 | +85 |
| 177 | Tyler Bertuzzi (DET – LW) | 204 | +27 |
| 178 | Cam Atkinson (PHI – RW,F) | 264 | +86 |
| 179 | Reilly Smith (VGK – RW,F) | 197 | +18 |
| 180 | Andrew Copp (DET – C,F) | 255 | +75 |
| 181 | Jacob Trouba (NYR – D) | 148 | -33 |
| 182 | John Gibson (ANA – G) | 274 | +92 |
| 183 | Rasmus Andersson (CGY – D) | 113 | -70 |
| 184 | Seth Jarvis (CAR – C) | 229 | +45 |
| 185 | Viktor Arvidsson (LA – LW,RW) | 152 | -33 |
| 186 | Andre Burakovsky (SEA – LW,F) | 195 | +9 |
| 187 | Oliver Bjorkstrand (SEA – RW,F) | 250 | +63 |
| 188 | Nino Niederreiter (NSH – LW,RW) | 283 | +95 |
| 189 | Mikael Backlund (CGY – C,F) | 287 | +98 |
| 190 | Yanni Gourde (SEA – LW,F) | 289 | +99 |
| 191 | Dylan Strome (WSH – C,F) | 179 | -12 |
| 192 | Mikael Granlund (NSH – LW,RW) | 291 | +99 |
| 193 | Jakub Vrana (DET – LW,RW,F) | 221 | +28 |
| 194 | Jack Quinn (BUF – C) | 295 | +101 |
| 195 | Mason Marchment (DAL – LW) | 120 | -75 |
| 196 | Jack Roslovic (CBJ – C,F) | 299 | +103 |
| 197 | Jeff Carter (PIT – C,F) | 300 | +103 |
| 198 | Blake Coleman (CGY – LW,RW) | 303 | +105 |
| 199 | Yegor Sharangovich (NJ – C) | 307 | +108 |
| 200 | Jared McCann (SEA – C,F) | 310 | +110 |
| 201 | Victor Olofsson (BUF – RW) | 312 | +111 |
| 202 | Gustav Nyquist (CBJ – LW,RW,F) | 313 | +111 |
| 203 | Marcus Foligno (MIN – LW,F) | 214 | +11 |
| 204 | Alex Stalock (CHI – G) | 315 | +111 |
| 205 | Tyson Barrie (EDM – D) | 172 | -33 |
| 206 | Phil Kessel (VGK – RW,F) | 317 | +111 |
| 207 | Paul Stastny (CAR – C,F) | 319 | +112 |
| 208 | Evgenii Dadonov (MTL – LW,RW) | 322 | +114 |
| 209 | Brandon Saad (STL – LW,RW,F) | 323 | +114 |
| 210 | Cam Talbot (OTT – G) | 224 | +14 |
| 211 | Thomas Chabot (OTT – D) | 96 | -115 |
| 212 | Noah Hanifin (CGY – D) | 131 | -81 |
| 213 | Craig Smith (BOS – RW,F) | 330 | +117 |
| 214 | Alex Nedeljkovic (DET – G) | 288 | +74 |
| 215 | Boone Jenner (CBJ – C,LW,F) | 191 | -24 |
| 216 | Ilya Mikheyev (VAN – RW) | 169 | -47 |
| 217 | Ondrej Palat (NJ – LW,F) | 263 | +46 |
| 218 | Jaccob Slavin (CAR – D) | 166 | -52 |
| 219 | Kevin Hayes (PHI – C) | 272 | +53 |
| 220 | Mike Hoffman (MTL – LW,RW) | 339 | +119 |
| 221 | Anthony Mantha (WSH – LW,RW) | 331 | +110 |
| 222 | Kent Johnson (CBJ – C) | 342 | +120 |
| 223 | Brendan Gallagher (MTL – RW,F) | 344 | +121 |
| 224 | Josh Morrissey (WPG – D) | 137 | -87 |
| 225 | Dawson Mercer (NJ – RW) | 286 | +61 |
| 226 | Dylan Cozens (BUF – C) | 350 | +124 |
| 227 | Mikhail Sergachev (TB – D) | 110 | -117 |
| 228 | Cole Sillinger (CBJ – C) | 352 | +124 |
| 229 | Charlie McAvoy (BOS – D) | 98 | -131 |
| 230 | Jake DeBrusk (BOS – LW,RW) | 190 | -40 |
| 231 | Alexander Kerfoot (TOR – LW,RW,C) | 357 | +126 |
| 232 | Alex Iafallo (LA – C) | 359 | +127 |
| 233 | William Karlsson (VGK – C) | 361 | +128 |
| 234 | Evan Rodrigues (COL – LW,RW) | 362 | +128 |
| 235 | Jean-Gabriel Pageau (NYI – C,F) | 292 | +57 |
| 236 | Nicolas Roy (VGK – C) | 365 | +129 |
| 237 | Jared Spurgeon (MIN – D) | 147 | -90 |
| 238 | Damon Severson (NJ – D) | 266 | +28 |
| 239 | Artturi Lehkonen (COL – LW) | 178 | -61 |
| 240 | Kyle Palmieri (NYI – RW,F) | 368 | +128 |
| 241 | Jack Drury (CAR – C) | 371 | +130 |
| 242 | Jordan Greenway (MIN – LW) | 369 | +127 |
| 243 | Jeremy Swayman (BOS – G) | 200 | -43 |
| 244 | Martin Necas (CAR – C) | 135 | -109 |
| 245 | Kirby Dach (MTL – C) | 225 | -20 |
| 246 | Tanner Pearson (VAN – LW,F) | 380 | +134 |
| 247 | Jesse Puljujarvi (EDM – RW,F) | 381 | +134 |
| 248 | Juraj Slafkovsky (MTL – LW) | 265 | +17 |
| 249 | Shane Wright (SEA – C) | 367 | +118 |
| 250 | Tom Wilson (WSH – RW,F) | 302 | +52 |