Mastering Keeper Leagues: Long-Term NHL Fantasy Hockey Strategy and Rankings

Fantasy hockey manager building a dynasty in keeper leagues requires a blend of strategic foresight, in-depth player analysis, and an eye for long-term potential. This comprehensive guide delves into the essential strategies and projections to help you dominate your league from 2025 through 2030.

The Foundation of Dynasty Building

When competing in keeper or dynasty leagues, the key is to balance short-term gains with long-term vision. Each move you make—whether it’s a trade, waiver pickup, or lineup decision—should be evaluated for its immediate impact and future payoff. With the NHL trade deadline approaching (March 7) and the ESPN Fantasy trade deadline just before (February 28), now is the time to solidify your roster for both the present and the future.

Five-Year Projections: Skaters and Goalies

Our five-year player rankings are designed to help fantasy managers identify the best keepers and build a team that will remain competitive for seasons to come. The rankings are based on historical comparables, aging curves, and production trajectories for both skaters and goalies.

Skater Methodology

For skaters, we use a data-driven approach to project their fantasy production. We consider:

• Age (as of October 1, 2025),
• Fantasy points per game (FPPG) over the past 82 games, and
• Average ice time per game.

Each skater is compared to historical players with similar age, production, and deployment profiles. The average production of these comparables is then applied to project the skater’s output over the next five years.

Goalie Approach

Goalies are notoriously unpredictable, so we take a different approach. We analyze the top goalies from the 2019-20 season and compare their career trajectories to current goaltenders. For example, Connor Hellebuyck’s fantasy dominance from 2020-25 is projected onto Jake Oettinger for the next five years. This method helps identify future fantasy stars like Yaroslav Askarov and Sebastian Cossa.

Key Insights

• Young Stars vs. Veterans: While younger players like Connor Bedard and Leo Carlsson have immense potential, their short-term production may not match their long-term upside. Conversely, veterans like Bryan Rust and Bryan Rust continue to defy expectations.
• The Missing Prospects: Our rankings focus on players already in the NHL, leaving out undrafted or unproven prospects. However, players like Alexander Nikishin and Ivan Demidov are worth monitoring for keeper leagues.

Top 10 Player Rankings for 2025-2030

1. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, C1
2. Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild, LW1
3. Mikko Rantanen, Carolina Hurricanes, RW1
4. Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars, G1
5. Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators, LW2
6. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning, RW2
7. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs, C2
8. Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers, C3
9. Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights, C4
10. Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers, LW3

Conclusion

These rankings are a starting point, not the final word. The best fantasy managers will use this data as a foundation, combining it with their own analysis and league dynamics to make informed decisions. Whether you’re rebuilding or gunning for a championship, these strategies and projections will help you navigate the complexities of keeper leagues and build a team for the future.