What is the go-to phrase after losing in fantasy hockey? “Maybe next season.”
It may seem eager or early, but with the season coming to a close this week, it’s time to start looking ahead.
Which players on current rosters should be kept for next season?
You don’t need me to tell you the obvious. Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes are slam-dunk keepers. So are Connor Hellebuyck and Igor Shesterkin. But there are also up-and-coming talents, destined to become bona fide stars over the next few years, who are worth keeping.
Lane Hutson, D, MTL
The Canadiens are rising, and Hutson is a core part of that turnaround. Elite offensive defensemen don’t grow on trees — he has the ceiling to become that. The more he shoots the puck, which should progress as his confidence builds, the more fantasy value he will bring. His usage helps, too. He tends to share the ice with the Canadiens’ best forwards, and as this group develops, so does the team’s scoring. Expect Hutson to quarterback Montreal’s power play for years to come alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Hutson’s defensive growth over the past couple of months and Sam Montembeault’s goaltending should help any concerns about his plus-minus (for managers, sadly, still using that outdated category).
Dylan Guenther, RW, UTA
Utah will likely finish the season looking in from outside the playoff picture, but expect the Hockey Club to make strides before next season. Ownership is willing to spend to improve in Utah, which bodes well for an up-and-coming roster filled with young talent. Guenther — who has a dangerous shot he’s more than willing to rip —is a pivotal part of Utah’s future. He’s already one of the top volume shooters in the league and a really efficient scorer. The development of centers Logan Cooley, another keeper to consider, and Barrett Hayton should also give Guenther’s skill set more long-term support.
Wyatt Johnston, C/RW, DAL
The Stars should contend for years to come, and Johnston is a cornerstone of the team. He is a scoring-chance creator, and his expected goal generation stands out league-wide. He’s also a low-key slick passer, generating a lot of high-danger setups for his teammates. With the addition of Mikko Rantanen, Johnston has more finishing talent around him to convert on those passes. He is a versatile all-situation threat who adds a lot of value, and that’s worth betting on.
Moritz Seider, D, DET
Seider isn’t as prolific a scorer as Makar or Hughes, but he provides significant all-around value for managers in points and category leagues. In our preseason projections for points leagues, he ranked in the top 15 on defense and ranks higher in category leagues. Seider’s physical elements, from shot blocking to hitting, help boost his peripherals. Additionally, his decreased usage (it was daunting before) has allowed him to be more involved offensively, which could trend up moving forward. Plus, he is the quarterback of a scorching-hot power play unit.
Macklin Celebrini, C, SJS
Sometimes, the Bad Team Effect gives managers pause. Not every player can thrive despite their surroundings, and some rebuilding environments can be absolutely miserable. But, Celebrini is showing what he can do on a pretty thin Sharks team, and he should be able to build on that with a full year of experience under his belt. Maybe the most encouraging sign is how much he has improved as the season’s progressed — his play below the surface is standing out, which should translate to sustainable results in the long run.
Not too shabby. pic.twitter.com/2A8nQdb4QI
— Corey Sznajder (@ShutdownLine) March 25, 2025
Quinton Byfield, C/LW/RW, LAK
After showing he had the chops to shake it in the Kings’ top six last season on the wing, Byfield shifted back to his natural center position. He is showing he can drive his own line and be deployed in any situation on both ends of the ice. The sky is the limit for the player whose raw skill has translated more consistently to the NHL level over the past couple of seasons. And it also wouldn’t be surprising if the Kings lean on him more moving forward. Anze Kopitar is still excelling but will be 38 when next season starts. The team may want to alleviate him from some of the burdens of his workload to help preserve his game. However, Byfield may not have the same positional flexibility next year — don’t be surprised if he starts the season listed only at center.
Jackson LaCombe, D, ANA
If your league slots keepers into the draft order based on where they were selected last year, LaCombe could be a low-risk, high-reward pick. Most managers likely drafted him in later rounds or picked him up on waivers. LaCombe doesn’t just look like a flash in the pan in Anaheim — his puck-moving ability has been legitimately impressive across all league defenders. The Ducks have finally shown some progress over this most recent stretch of play, which is promising for a rebuilding team that has stalled at times over the past couple of seasons.
Connor McMichael, C/LW, WSH
The Capitals are no longer just the surprise team of the 2024-25 season; they are a true Eastern Conference contender. Management has found reclamation projects and young talent to revitalize their aging core and has set this team up for a longer window of success as those up-and-comers take over key roles. McMichael is a big part of the development in the top six. He is a volume shooter who is solid in transition and can provide steady scoring. The more he sharpens his skill, the more the Capitals will defer to him over the next few years.
Kirill Marchenko, LW/RW, CBJ
Marchenko’s scoring may have slowed recently, but he has proven he is a bona fide top-line talent. The Blue Jackets progressed way more than expected this year, and his scoring has been key. Columbus has a lot of cap space and can make moves to support their up-and-coming core players, helping the Blue Jackets sustain success and build on it. Adam Fantilli is another solid keeper option because he is showing a lot of positive signs early in his career, too.
Dustin Wolf, G, CGY
Wolf has had an outstanding rookie season and should be a lock to finish on the Calder ballot. He doesn’t just stack up to other first-year players but should earn a few Vezina votes behind Hellebuyck and could get some Hart Trophy consideration. Ahead of Thursday night’s meeting against the Stars, he saved 26.2 goals above expected in 43 games, ranking fourth in the league. His track record leading up to the NHL adds some oomph to those stats and proves he is the real deal in Calgary.
Data via Evolving-Hockey, HockeyViz, HockeyStatCards, All Three Zones and Natural Stat Trick. This story relies on shot-based metrics; here is a primer on these numbers.
(Top photo of Lane Hutson: Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images)