In the high-stakes world of fantasy hockey, where every pick can make or break your season, identifying the best fantasy hockey sleepers is key to outsmarting your league mates.

As the 2026-27 NHL season ramps up, executing a smart fantasy hockey draft strategy isn't just about chasing superstars; it's about uncovering hidden, undervalued fantasy hockey players in unexpected places.

That is where breakout candidates come in: those overlooked skaters and goalies poised for elevated production due to upgraded linemates, coaching changes, or untapped potential.

For the purposes of this guide, we define our fantasy hockey sleepers as:

A player who should be drafted ahead of his Average Draft Position (ADP) at his position.

This positional lens is crucial because fantasy leagues reward balance across forwards, defensemen, and goalies. A forward slipping to the later rounds might not excite you, but a starting netminder slipping because of last year's team performance? That is where you strike for maximum value.

It is not just about snagging a bargain in the 10th round—though those are always satisfying—it's about maximizing value in every round, turning a solid draft into a championship roster.

(Note: Average Draft Position [ADP] data is current as of September 1st and based on Yahoo! rankings.)

Fantasy Hockey Defenseman Sleepers

Jackson LaCombe

Team: Anaheim Ducks | Position: D

Yahoo!: D16 | Ours: D10

Jackson LaCombe is entering his fourth full NHL season, and he appears poised for a major breakout year. The Anaheim Ducks lost several quality defensemen in recent years, leaving their blue line thin on depth. As a result, the 25-year-old LaCombe will be relied upon to log significant top-pairing minutes—a critical factor in fantasy hockey success. With virtually no competition for the top power-play unit, he is primed to surpass his career high of 58 points from last season. There is a legitimate chance he cracks the top ten in fantasy scoring among blueliners, yet you can likely draft him outside the top 50 defensemen without much resistance.

Adam Fox

Team: New York Rangers | Position: D

Yahoo!: D11 | Ours: D5

The lack of draft-day respect for Adam Fox deserves a closer look. The elite defenseman had a challenging, injury-riddled 2025-26 campaign, but many of his Rangers teammates struggled alongside him. Despite playing only 55 games, he still managed to rack up 53 points while maintaining a shooting percentage (Sh%) just under 10%. That level of per-game production is impressive for any blueliner. Fox also blocks shots at a high rate and logs heavy ice time every night. With the Rangers expected to bounce back, a healthy Fox should easily surpass 75 points and re-establish himself as an elite top-5 fantasy defenseman.

 

 

 

Fantasy Hockey Winger Sleepers

Juraj Slafkovsky

Team: Montreal Canadiens | Position: LW

Yahoo!: LW18 | Ours: LW12

Juraj Slafkovsky is entering his fifth NHL season, yet he is still just 22 years old. His point totals have improved in every single campaign, eclipsing the 70-point mark for the first time in 2025-26. He is the definition of a modern power forward, locking down a permanent role on Montreal's top line alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Even if line combinations shift, playing alongside Ivan Demidov provides an equally dynamic secondary option. Slafkovsky is a true stat-stuffer, providing consistent, category-wide value across goals, assists, hits, and power-play points that make him one of the premier fantasy hockey sleepers on the wing.

Timo Meier

Team: New Jersey Devils | Position: RW

Yahoo!: RW33 | Ours: RW20

Since arriving from San Jose, Timo Meier has struggled to meet the high expectations of fans and fantasy owners alike. He is a physical, big-bodied winger who loves to shoot the puck. Last season, he finished with just 44 points—his lowest total since 2016-17—and posted one of the league's worst goals-above-expected (xGF) differentials due to unsustainable bad luck. However, the bounce-back potential is immense if New Jersey can stay healthy. Meier remains locked into top-six minutes and a prime spot on the top power-play unit. If regression hits in his favor, he should comfortably finish as a top-20 right winger.

Anders Lee

Team: Utah Mammoth | Position: LW

Yahoo!: LW71 | Ours: LW41

Even at 36 years old, Anders Lee holds significant fantasy relevance. While Timo Meier faced bad luck last season, few players were unluckier than Lee at five-on-five. He posted a career-worst goals-below-expected total, resulting in a 9.5% shooting percentage that sat well below his 13.5% career average. Much of that inefficiency stemmed from the Islanders' offensive struggles. Now in Utah and surrounded by young, high-end playmaking talent, Lee is primed for a scoring resurgence. His shot volume remains strong, making a push past 60 points achievable while cementing his status as one of our favorite late-round fantasy hockey sleepers.

Cutter Gauthier

Team: Anaheim Ducks | Position: LW

Yahoo!: LW10 | Ours: LW5

Cutter Gauthier may not look like a traditional sleeper given his high upside, but at his current ADP, he represents exceptional value. Anaheim could face defensive struggles this season, which will force them into high-scoring, catch-up game scripts. Gauthier thrived at home during his rookie year, and with teammate Leo Carlsson locking in a major long-term extension, Gauthier enters a contract year with massive financial motivation. A young power forward playing for a new deal while the salary cap rises could realistically push for 50 goals and 90 points. Add in multi-position eligibility on key fantasy platforms, and his ceiling is astronomical.

Fantasy Hockey Center Sleepers

Dylan Larkin

Team: Detroit Red Wings | Position: C

Yahoo!: C22 | Ours: C14

Regardless of how Detroit structures its forward lines, Dylan Larkin produces at a high level. He has scored at least 30 goals in five consecutive seasons and continues to drive the Red Wings' offense. Should trade rumors materialize and prompt a move to a contender, his fantasy ceiling would elevate even higher. Even if he remains in Detroit, Larkin provides a remarkably high floor. We are still waiting for the veteran center to eclipse the 80-point mark in a single season, and the stars are aligned for him to accomplish that milestone this year.

 

 

 

Fantasy Hockey Goalie Sleepers

Jet Greaves

Team: Columbus Blue Jackets | Position: G

Yahoo!: G18 | Ours: G8

With Elvis Merzlikins expected to miss time due to injury, the net is wide open for Jet Greaves to claim the starting role in Columbus. The 25-year-old netminder appeared in 55 games last season during his first full NHL campaign and delivered composed, efficient performances. While Columbus remains in a competitive division, the team's defensive structure continues to improve. Greaves has demonstrated the capability to sustain hot streaks, and if he earns the majority of starts early, he has a legitimate path to finishing as a top-10 fantasy goalie.

Sebastian Cossa

Team: Utah Mammoth | Position: G

Yahoo!: G70 | Ours: G30

Sebastian Cossa fits the classic late-round sleeper profile. Acquired from the Red Wings, the 6-foot-7 netminder brings high-end athletic tools to Utah. Cossa dominated the AHL last season with a 26-8-4 record and proved he has outgrown minor-league competition. While Karel Vejmelka begins the year as the primary starter, his underlying metrics were questionable last season despite a high win total. Expect Utah to transition into a tandem split quickly, giving Cossa enough volume and win potential to finish as a top-30 goalie. He is an ideal target with your final draft pick.

Dan Vladar

Team: Philadelphia Flyers | Position: G

Yahoo!: G31 | Ours: G10

Dan Vladar delivered a quiet breakout campaign at 29 years old, yet the fantasy consensus remains skeptical about his ability to repeat it. The Flyers are a disciplined, structured team under a defense-first coaching staff. While Philadelphia struggled to generate high-volume offense, their defensive environment protected Vladar and allowed him to post stellar rate metrics. Even with Joseph Woll taking a portion of the starts, Vladar offers elite efficiency and strong win upside. Taking him late gives you a massive edge with one of the most underrated fantasy hockey sleepers on draft night.