Plenty of fantasy hockey leagues include hits and penalty minutes, whether they count for points or categories. Some of the best players can hit, go to the box a lot, and do at least one other thing well. There are also those who play physically very well and can be a great addition to your team. Depending on your fantasy hockey league, these players can go in the middle rounds, late rounds, or even not at all, but are effective nonetheless. Here’s a look at seven fantasy hockey grinders to consider in your upcoming drafts.
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7 Great Fantasy Hockey Grinders
Will Cuylle, New York Rangers
I’d be surprised if Will Cuylle doesn’t get plenty of top-6 time this season after Chris Kreider was traded to the Anaheim Ducks and a spot opened up. There will be players tested in the top-6, but Cuylle is more seasoned and finished last season with 20 goals and 45 points to go along with 301 hits and 42 penalty minutes. He isn’t an amazing offensive talent, but the top of the lineup for the New York Rangers is going to be more stable and better this season. He will benefit from that and not change his style of play.
Jack McBain, Utah Mammoth
The Utah Mammoth are going to be better, and with that, Jack McBain is going to have some better linemates to play with this season. He just signed a five-year deal and is expected to get better at 25 years old as the third-line center. He scored 13 goals and 27 points, but finished sixth in hits last season with 291 and also had 78 penalty minutes. McBain might put up a little better offensive numbers, but the other areas should generally stay the same, so you know what you’re getting with him.
Mathieu Olivier, Columbus Blue Jackets
Mathieu Oliver had a breakout season in 2024-25 and got himself a nice extension because of it. Not only is he considered the heavyweight champion of the fighters around the league, which gets him lots of penalty minutes, but he also finished second in the league in hits with 306 last season. His penalty minute totals were second in the NHL at 139. You might have to expect a little less offensive production by Olivier, but he did score 18 goals and 32 points as a bottom-6 player.
Radko Gudas, Anaheim Ducks
Radko Gudas is your regular, consistent grinder who is drafted every year. He makes huge hits and is a tough player. The Anaheim Ducks are also one of the few teams that would have him playing as much as he does, so there are plenty of opportunities to continue getting penalties and delivering hits. The veteran finished last season with 281 hits and 86 penalty minutes, but if you have blocks in your league, his value rises even further.
Kiefer Sherwood, Vancouver Canucks
Kiefer Sherwood broke out as an extremely valuable player for hits last season, putting up 462, 156 more than the next closest player. He will be in the bottom-6 for the Vancouver Canucks this season, but he also averaged just about 15 minutes per game last season, so he could be moved up and played more at the drop of a hat. There will be no stopping Sherwood from delivering plenty of hits again this season. His penalty minutes are a bit lower, but his hitting makes up for that. What adds to his value beyond hits is the 19 goals and 40 points last season, even though I don’t think that’ll be matched.
Lian Bichsel, Dallas Stars
Lian Bichsel is going to have a little bigger role this season now that Matt Dumba and Cody Ceci are gone. They played the opposite side as him, and so does Nils Lundkvist, but there will be more ice time and key defensive points to go around for a second year Bichsel to step up into, this time playing a full season. In just 38 games last season, the young 6’7 defender had 41 penalty minutes and 155 hits. Those numbers are going to fly up.
Jeremy Lauzon, Vegas Golden Knights
Jeremy Lauzon was the former hitting champion before he spent the majority of last season on the injured reserve. Now with the Vegas Golden Knights, healthy, and in the last year of his deal, he will be looking to jump right back in and do what he does best. He won’t provide points, but in 28 games last season, Lauzon 37 penalty minutes and 127 hits. He had 98 penalty minutes and 386 hits the season prior. If you need blocks, he also has you covered.
Also, make sure to check out our 2025-26 Fantasy Hockey Consensus Defensemen Rankings
Grinders and tough guys can be very valuable for you, and there might not be the best ones available for you after the draft on waivers. Be sure to target all areas and look to grab some of these physical players for fantasy hockey this season.
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