The Future of Fantasy Hockey: Top 100 Forward Rankings

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Ice hockey is not just a game; it's a high-octane sport that requires skill, strategy, and a deep understanding of the players and their performances. This is particularly true for fantasy hockey, where the outcome depends on the success of the players you choose for your team. In this article, we will delve into the top 100 fantasy hockey forwards for the 2023-24 season, examining their past performances, current form, prospects, and the impact they are likely to have on fantasy leagues.

"Hockey is a unique sport in the sense that you need every guy helping each other and pulling in the same direction to be successful." - Wayne Gretzky.

Top 100 Fantasy Hockey Forwards: An Overview

The top 100 fantasy hockey forwards list, a combined effort by Pete Jensen and Anna Dua, is based on several factors, including past production in the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs, line combinations, injury history or concern, age, contract status and overall upside for the rest of the 2023-24 season. It's an insightful guide for fantasy hockey enthusiasts to strategize their game plans.

1. Connor McDavid, C, EDM
2. Leon Draisaitl, C/LW, EDM
3. David Pastrnak, RW, BOS
4. Nikita Kucherov, RW, TBL
5. Jack Hughes, C/LW, NJD
6. Elias Pettersson, C, VAN
7. Nathan MacKinnon, C, COL
8. William Nylander, RW, TOR
9. Artemi Panarin, LW, NYR
10. Sidney Crosby, C, PIT
11. Auston Matthews, C, TOR
12. Mikko Rantanen, RW, COL
13. J.T. Miller, C/RW, VAN
14. Brady Tkachuk, LW, OTT
15. Brayden Point, C, TBL
16. Jack Eichel, C, VGK
17. Mitchell Marner, RW, TOR
18. Matthew Tkachuk, LW/RW, FLA
19. Alex DeBrincat, LW/RW, DET
20. Tim Stützle, C/LW, OTT
21. Brad Marchand, LW, BOS
22. Kyle Connor, LW, WPG
23. Jake Guentzel, LW, PIT
24. Dylan Larkin, C, DET (INJ.)
25. John Tavares, C, TOR
26. Alex Ovechkin, LW, WSH
27. Jason Robertson, LW, DAL
28. Evgeni Malkin, C, PIT
29. Brock Boeser, RW, VAN
30. Sam Reinhart, C/RW, FLA
31. Filip Forsberg, LW, NSH
32. Steven Stamkos, C/LW, TBL
33. Zach Hyman, LW/RW, EDM
34. Evander Kane, LW, EDM
35. Adrian Kempe, C/RW, LAK
36. Connor Bedard, C, CHI (rookie)
37. Kirill Kaprizov, LW, MIN
38. Joel Eriksson Ek, C, MIN
39. Jesper Bratt, LW/RW, NJD
40. Chris Kreider, LW, NYR
41. Clayton Keller, LW/RW, ARI
42. Aleksander Barkov, C, FLA
43. Tyler Toffoli, LW/RW, NJD
44. Roope Hintz, C, DAL
45. Mika Zibanejad, C, NYR
46. Sebastian Aho, C, CAR
47. Joe Pavelski, C/RW, DAL
48. Mark Scheifele, C, WPG
49. Travis Konecny, LW/RW, PHI
50. Cole Caufield, LW/RW, MTL
51. Carter Verhaeghe, C/LW, FLA
52. Anze Kopitar, C, LAK
53. Jonathan Marchessault, RW, VGK
54. Brandon Hagel, LW/RW, TBL
55. Alex Tuch, RW, BUF
56. Claude Giroux, C/RW, OTT
57. Mason McTavish, C/LW, ANA
58. Mark Stone, RW, VGK
59. Kevin Fiala, LW, LAK
60. Mats Zuccarello, RW, MIN
61. Vincent Trocheck, C, NYR
62. Pavel Zacha, C, BOS
63. Valeri Nichushkin, LW/RW, COL
64. Matt Duchene, C/RW, DAL
65. Quinton Byfield, C/LW, LAK
66. Jeff Skinner, LW, BUF
67. Matt Boldy, LW/RW, MIN
68. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C/LW, EDM
69. Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, WPG
70. Nico Hischier, C, NJD
71. Patrick Kane, RW, DET (NEW; nearing return)
72. Frank Vatrano, C/LW, ANA
73. Andrei Svechnikov, LW/RW, CAR
74. Mathew Barzal, C/RW, NYI
75. Logan Cooley, C, ARI (rookie)
76. Wyatt Johnston, C, DAL
77. Robert Thomas, C, STL
78. Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, OTT
79. Bryan Rust, RW, PIT
80. Ryan O'Reilly, C, NSH
81. Trevor Moore, LW, LAK
82. William Karlsson, C, VGK
83. Timo Meier, LW/RW, NJD (INJ.)
84. Pierre-Luc Dubois, C/LW, LAK
85. Martin Necas, C/RW, CAR
86. Chandler Stephenson, C, VGK
87. Boone Jenner, C/LW, CBJ
88. Ryan Hartman, C/RW, MIN (suspended)
89. Nick Schmaltz, C/RW, ARI
90. Andrei Kuzmenko, LW/RW, VAN
91. Owen Tippett, RW, PHI
92. Brock Nelson, C, NYI
93. Jordan Kyrou, C/RW, STL
94. Teuvo Teravainen, LW/RW, CAR
95. Casey Mittelstadt, C, BUF (NEW)
96. Jamie Benn, LW, DAL
97. Cole Perfetti, C, WPG
98. Gabriel Vilardi, C/RW, WPG (NEW; nearing return)
99. Gustav Nyquist, LW, NSH (NEW)
100. Nick Suzuki, C, MTL

Leading the Pack

Connor McDavid, the Center for the Edmonton Oilers, tops the list. Known for his speed, skill, and vision, McDavid's performance has been nothing short of phenomenal. Following him closely is his teammate Leon Draisaitl, who excels as both a Center and a Left Wing. Their combination on the ice is a force to be reckoned with and a blessing for fantasy hockey team owners.

The Midfield Maestros

The list also features a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars. Players like David Pastrnak, Nikita Kucherov, Jack Hughes, and Elias Pettersson have proved their mettle in the past and continue to be valuable assets for any fantasy team. Meanwhile, newcomers like Connor Bedard and Logan Cooley have shown great promise and are expected to significantly impact the coming season over Ranks and Potential Game Changers.

While the lower ranks feature players like Gustav Nyquist, Nick Suzuki, and Jamie Benn, they are no longer less critical. On the contrary, these players can be potential game-changers, offering value at a lower cost. A strategic selection of these players can make a significant difference in fantasy leagues.

Injury Concerns

One crucial factor that can influence a player's performance and the fantasy team is injuries. Players like Tage Thompson, Artturi Lehkonen, Andre Burakovsky, and Viktor Arvidsson have been sidelined due to injuries, which might affect their ranking and performance in the upcoming season. Fantasy team owners must keep an eye on their recovery and return.

In conclusion, the top 100 fantasy hockey forwards list for the 2023-24 season provides a comprehensive guide for fantasy hockey enthusiasts, aiding them in making informed decisions and strategizing their game plans. However, it's essential to remember that the game's beauty lies in its unpredictability, and an underdog can always surprise you!