The 2024-25 NHL season gets underway in North America on Tuesday, Oct. 8, and hockey fans everywhere are gearing up to play along with their favorite teams. One of the most highly-anticipated games to open up the season will be a rematch between the Boston Bruins and the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, who plan to raise their title banner on Tuesday. The Panthers knocked the Bruins out of the playoffs two years in a row, so the rivalry between these teams will be on full display.
This game will also feature superstars like David Pastrnak, who was a big points-getter in Fantasy hockey leagues last season. Does Pastrnak have big seasons ahead of them, or will he end up being a 2024-25 Fantasy hockey bust? Before making any 2024-25 Fantasy hockey picks, check out the Fantasy hockey rankings 2024-25 from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The model was created by Mike McClure, a predictive data engineer and professional daily Fantasy player with more than $2 million in career winnings. He’s used his prediction model to simulate the entire 2024-25 NHL schedule 10,000 times and identify the top Fantasy hockey sleepers, breakouts and busts. Head to SportsLine now to see them.
McClure’s model takes factors such as player history, schedule, injuries and matchups into account to create the most unbiased 2022-23 Fantasy hockey rankings possible. Now the model has zeroed in on the 2024-25 NHL season, ranked every player, and found the top sleepers, breakouts and busts. See every pick here.
Top 2024-25 Fantasy hockey picks
One of the 2024-25 Fantasy hockey busts SportsLine has identified: Penguins center Sidney Crosby. The three-time Stanley Cup champion was signed to a two-year contract extension on Sept. 16 and is still considered one of the most prolific players in the game. However, at 37-years-old, his production is declining and his Fantasy value has gone down with it.
Crosby was plagued by injuries coming out of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, although he has recently played all 82 games in back-to-back seasons. He ranked 18th in total fantasy points during the 2022-23 season (392.2) and 17th last season (406.6). Since Crosby is also playing on an aging team, which could be why the model has him ranked lower than his ADP suggests.
Another surprise: Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini is one of the top Fantasy hockey breakouts this season. San Jose selected the Hobey Baker winner with the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, and he is expected to play a huge role in the Sharks’ massive rebuild.
Celebrini, 18, registered 64 points (32 goals, 32 assists) and a plus-25 in 38 games for Boston University last year. He added another eight points (four goals, four assists) in five games as a member of Canada’s U20 team at the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship. While Celebrini hasn’t played in a regular-season NHL game yet, his strong preseason play suggests he will be a huge asset for Fantasy hockey managers this season. See the full rankings right here.
How to find proven 2024-25 Fantasy hockey rankings
The model has also made a surprising call on Panthers forward Sam Reinhart after he was one of the league’s top goal-scorers a season ago. You can only see the latest Fantasy hockey rankings 2024-25 here.
So what’s the exact value of every NHL player in the 2024-25 Fantasy hockey rankings, and where does the first overall pick from the 2024 NHL Draft rank? Visit SportsLine now to get Fantasy hockey rankings, all from a DFS pro who has won more than $2 million in his career and has simulated the entire NHL season 10,000 times, and find out.
Fantasy hockey is a popular pastime for many NHL fans, offering a unique way to engage with the sport and test their knowledge of player performance. As the 2024-25 season approaches, fantasy hockey enthusiasts are eagerly analyzing rankings to identify potential sleepers, breakouts, and busts that could make or break their fantasy teams.
One of the most reliable ways to evaluate fantasy hockey rankings is by using a trusted NHL model that takes into account various factors such as player performance, team dynamics, and historical data. By utilizing this model, fantasy hockey players can gain valuable insights into which players are likely to outperform expectations and which ones may fall short.
When looking at sleepers for the upcoming season, it’s important to consider players who may be flying under the radar but have the potential to deliver strong performances. These players often have a track record of consistent production or are poised for a breakout season due to increased playing time or a change in team dynamics. By identifying these sleepers early on, fantasy hockey players can gain a competitive edge over their opponents.
On the other hand, breakouts are players who are expected to significantly improve their performance compared to previous seasons. These players may have shown flashes of potential in the past but are now ready to take their game to the next level. By targeting breakout candidates in fantasy drafts, players can capitalize on their upside and potentially secure valuable points for their teams.
Conversely, busts are players who are at risk of underperforming relative to their draft position. These players may be coming off of injury-plagued seasons, facing increased competition for playing time, or simply not living up to expectations. By identifying potential busts early on and adjusting their draft strategy accordingly, fantasy hockey players can minimize their risk and avoid costly mistakes.
In conclusion, analyzing fantasy hockey rankings for the 2024-25 season requires a combination of research, intuition, and a reliable NHL model. By identifying sleepers, breakouts, and busts using this approach, fantasy hockey players can make informed decisions that will give them the best chance of success in their leagues. So as the season approaches, be sure to do your homework and trust the data to build a winning fantasy hockey team.
