Alex Ovechkin silenced his critics this year.
He not only broke a record that many thought was unbreakable, but he also demonstrated to the fantasy hockey community that he still has a lot to offer.
The Washington Capitals` star was being drafted in the fifth round on average in fantasy drafts this season, a position usually reserved for players not accustomed to being picked in the early rounds. Some might say his draft position was fair, considering his age and previous season with only 31 goals in 2023-24. However, despite that less productive year, Ovechkin shows few signs of decline.
In fact, one could argue that this season was Ovechkin`s most impressive. While he has had multiple 50-goal seasons and even a 65-goal year, scoring 44 goals in 65 games at 39 years old is remarkable. It`s worth remembering he missed a significant portion of the 2024-25 season due to a broken leg, and only Leon Draisaitl and William Nylander scored more goals than him.
Ovechkin has announced he will not retire after the 2024-25 season and will return to extend his all-time goal record. While it`s possible his stats might slightly decrease without the pressure of chasing the record and considering he will be 40 at the start of next season, his performance this year makes a major drop-off seem unlikely. Even if his goal count reduces, there are still reasons to confidently draft Ovechkin.
He was on pace for nearly 300 shots and around 150 hits over a full 82-game season, providing a solid base even if his goal scoring becomes less consistent. Furthermore, aside from last year`s injury, Ovechkin has been remarkably healthy throughout his career. You can likely count on him for approximately 80 games, and injury concerns are less prevalent with Ovechkin compared to other players in their late 30s.
The impact of Dylan Strome on Ovechkin should also be noted. Strome has become a strong offensive player, achieving a point-per-game season this year. This gives Ovechkin a skilled playmaker, something he hasn`t consistently had since Nicklas Backstrom was in his prime. As long as Ovechkin can find open ice for his powerful wrist shot, Strome will continue to find him.
The 2025-26 season is the final year of Ovechkin`s contract and could potentially be his last in the NHL. However, don`t expect him to fade away quietly. This season has proven that Ovechkin remains one of the best goal scorers in the game, regardless of his age. Passing on him in fantasy drafts next season could lead to regret.
1. The Utah Hockey Club didn`t make the playoffs, but they were an exciting team to watch in 2024-25. Their top six is full of young talent. While Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, and Dylan Guenther will be popular in drafts, consider Nick Schmaltz in later rounds. He achieved a career-high 63 points this season and is a reliable scorer for points leagues.
2. Colton Parayko returned from injury and scored his 16th goal of the season in just 64 games. His shooting percentage is higher than usual, but he seems to have a knack for scoring. Parayko may not get huge point totals, but this is his fourth season with double-digit goals as a defenseman. He offers more than just hits and blocks.
3. Cam Fowler has revitalized his play since joining St. Louis. He scored 36 points in 51 games for the Blues, nearly a 60-point pace. While this pace might not continue for a full season in 2025-26, Fowler is once again fantasy relevant.
4. The Seattle Kraken are difficult to evaluate for fantasy hockey. They have talent, but few players are highly valuable in fantasy. Shane Wright is developing into a good two-way player, but his offensive numbers could improve. He scored 19 goals this season with under 100 shots. This high shooting percentage might regress, so he needs more shots. At 21, he`s still developing, and next year is important for his fantasy trajectory.
5. Connor Brown deserves credit for scoring four goals in three games late in the season. The Edmonton Oilers forward now has 13 goals after a poor previous season. Brown is a two-time 20-goal scorer, including a 21-goal season in 56 games with Ottawa. It`s surprising he didn`t perform better with Connor McDavid last season.
6. Jet Greaves played well for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the last two weeks, winning five games with a .975 save percentage and two shutouts. Columbus`s goaltending situation is uncertain for next season, as Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov didn`t have great seasons. Columbus is improving, and Greaves might get more opportunities in 2025-26.
7. Adam Fantilli had an impressive sophomore season with 31 goals. He stood out by performing in crucial moments, including six goals in four games at the end of the season when the Blue Jackets needed wins. He also had over 100 hits. Fantilli is a versatile player to target next season.
8. If you`re in a playoff pool and believe in the Toronto Maple Leafs, consider Morgan Rielly. He`s been playing well recently, with six assists in five games. He tends to elevate his game in the playoffs and has played better since Brandon Carlo`s arrival.
9. Charlie Coyle finished the season strong. With Colorado Avalanche missing players, Coyle moved up to the top six and scored 11 points in his last six games, including two three-point games. Coyle can produce offensively, with a 60-point season in his past. Watch him next year if players like Jonathan Drouin and Brock Nelson don`t return to Colorado, as Coyle could have a bigger role.
10. Consider picking up Gabriel Landeskog off waivers and holding him through the summer to see how the playoffs go. It`s a low-risk, potentially high-reward move, and Landeskog seems motivated to return to a high level of play. There`s little to lose.
11. Are Joel Eriksson Ek`s injuries a concern? He played excellently in his return for the Minnesota Wild, scoring four goals and getting eight shots in his first game back. Eriksson Ek provides strong stats across categories, so hopefully, this season isn`t the start of frequent injuries. He was mostly healthy the previous three seasons, so there`s no need to panic yet.
12. Frank Nazar`s strong finish is encouraging, with five goals and nine points in his last eight games. The Chicago Blackhawks are expected to be active in free agency and hopefully add talent to support Nazar and Connor Bedard. Consider Nazar as a late-round draft pick next season.
13. Ivan Demidov of the Montreal Canadiens had an electrifying debut, with a goal and an assist in his first game. He`s already highly rostered despite playing only two late-season games, as people plan to keep him for next year. If you want to draft Demidov next season, you`ll need to pick him early, especially if he performs well in the playoffs. The hype is real.
