4NF fantasy pool rankings CMD Matthews with bug

NHL.com ranks the top skaters and goalies for fantasy hockey pools counting the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, a best-on-best tournament from Feb. 12-20. For more fantasy coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy.

RELATED: 4 Nations Face-Off picks/props | EDGE stats insights

NOTES: Basic fantasy pools have the following scoring system: goals and assists count for skaters with a potential bonus for a hat trick; wins count for goalies with a potential bonus for a shutout. Ideal 4 Nations Face-Off fantasy pool roster format would consist of an 8-10 team league with 6 skaters per roster (including 1-2 defensemen per team) and 1 individual goalie per team. These rankings are a collaborative effort by Pete Jensen, Chris Meaney and Troy Perlowitz. Team tricodes indicate participating countries (Canada, Finland, Sweden, United States); each player's current NHL team is also noted.

TOP 50 SKATER RANKINGS

On top of each skater’s potential for goals, assists and a hat trick bonus, value has been quantified based on factors including but not limited to past production in the regular season, Stanley Cup Playoffs and/or international tournaments, projected line combinations, sleeper, bounce-back or breakout potential, anticipated regression, age, contract status and overall upside for the 4 Nations Face-Off.

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1. Connor McDavid, F, CAN (EDM)

The Canada center, who plays for the Edmonton Oilers, leads active NHL players in career points per game (1.52) and is tied for fourth in points (71 in 49 games) this season. McDavid, who’s in his 10th NHL season, has won the Art Ross Trophy five times, Hart Trophy three times, Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy (2022-23) and Conn Smythe Trophy (2024). Per NHL EDGE stats, McDavid ranks second in 20-plus mph speed bursts (312; behind Nathan MacKinnon’s 408) and tied for third in offensive zone time percentage (49.8). UPDATE: McDavid had a power-play assist during Canada's 4 Nations Face-Off opener and has logged the most ice time (21:26) of any forward in the tournament so far.

2. Nathan MacKinnon, F, CAN (COL)

The Canada center, who plays for the Colorado Avalanche, leads the NHL in points (87 in 57 games), even-strength points (61) and ranks third in shots on goal (227) this season. MacKinnon is the reigning Hart Trophy winner, setting career highs in points (140), goals (51) and assists (89) last season, and won the Calder Trophy in 2014. Per NHL EDGE stats, MacKinnon also leads the League in midrange shots on goal (95) and ranks in the 98th percentile in top skating speed (23.83 mph). UPDATE: MacKinnon scored a power-play goal and led the Canada-Sweden opener with six shots on goal.

3. Sidney Crosby, F, CAN (PIT) 📈

The Canada center, who plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins, is on pace for another point-per-game season (58 in 55 games), which would be his NHL-record 20th such season in his career. Crosby ranks ninth all-time in points (1,654 in 1,327 games) and is a two-time winner of the following NHL Awards: Art Ross Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy, Hart Trophy and Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy. Per NHL EDGE stats, the 37-year-old ranks highly in even-strength skating distance (157.08 miles; 98th percentile) and high-danger shots on goal (59; 96th percentile) this season. UPDATE: Crosby is tied with United States defenseman Zach Werenski for the most assists (three) and tied for the most points (three) in the tournament so far.

4. Cale Makar, D, CAN (COL)

The Canada defenseman, who plays for the Avalanche, leads the NHL at his position in goals (22) and points (63 in 57 games) this season. Makar won the Norris Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy in 2022, as well as the Calder Trophy in 2020. Per NHL EDGE stats, Makar leads players at his position in 20-plus mph speed bursts (139) and high-danger goals (five) and also leads the entire League in total skating distance (217.78 miles). UPDATE: Makar leads all 4 Nations Face-Off skaters in ice time (28:06) and had two shots on goal in Canada's opener against Sweden.

5. Matthew Tkachuk, F, USA (FLA)

The United States wing, who plays for the Florida Panthers, enters the 4 Nations Face-Off with 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in his past 10 games, the most in the entire NHL since Jan. 21. Tkachuk is a two-time 100-point scorer, and per NHL EDGE stats, ranks in the 94th percentile in both high-danger shots on goal (52) and high-danger goals (13). UPDATE: Tkachuk had three points (two goals, one assist) in the United States' first 4 Nations Face-Off game against Finland playing mostly on a line with his brother Brady Tkachuk (two goals in opener) and Jack Eichel. Matthew Tkachuk has the most shots on goal (eight in opener) in the tournament so far.

6. Auston Matthews, F, USA (TOR)

The United States center, who plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs, leads active NHL players in career goals per game (0.64) and is one of two U.S.-born players to begin his NHL career with nine consecutive 20-goal seasons (other: Patrick Kane). Since the start of last season, Matthews has scored 89 goals in 121 games, including 65 at even strength, to lead the NHL in both categories over that span. Per NHL EDGE stats, Matthews ranks highly in midrange shots on goal (54; 93rd percentile), high-danger goals (12; 92nd percentile) and high-danger shots on goal (46; 90th percentile) despite being limited to 40 of Toronto’s 55 games this season. UPDATE: Matthews had an assist and two shots on goal for the United States against Finland in the 4 Nations Face-Off opener.

7. Jack Hughes, F, USA (NJD)

The United States center ranks 10th in the NHL in points (65 in 57 games) this season and leads the New Jersey Devils in the category. The most recent U.S.-born player to be selected No. 1 in an NHL Draft (2019), Hughes set the Devils’ single-season record for points in 2022-23 (99) and became the fastest player in franchise history to reach 300 career points (325 games). Per NHL EDGE stats, Hughes ranks highly in high-danger goals (15; 96th percentile) and midrange goals (nine; 95th percentile) this season. UPDATE: Hughes had an assist and three shots on goal in the United States' tournament opener.

8. Jack Eichel, F, USA (VGK)

The United States center, who plays for the Vegas Golden Knights, has the highest points-per-game average (1.25, eighth in NHL; 69 in 55 games) of his career this season, already eclipsing his point total from last season (68 in 63 games). Eichel ranks third among 4 Nations Face-Off participants in multipoint games (23) behind only MacKinnon (25) and Canada’s Mitch Marner (24). In 2023, Eichel became the first U.S.-born player since Brian Leetch in 1994 to lead the Stanley Cup Playoffs in points (26) as the Golden Knights won their first championship. Per NHL EDGE stats, Eichel ranks in the 98th percentile in 20-plus mph speed bursts (235; seventh in entire League), total skating distance (189.03 miles) and midrange shots on goal (67) this season. UPDATE: Eichel had two assists in the United States' tournament opener.

9. William Nylander, F, SWE (TOR)

The Toronto Maple Leafs forward leads 4 Nations Face-Off participants in multigoal games this season, already matching the single-season career high he set last season. Nylander is second in the NHL in goals (33), with 26 of them being scored after the first period. Nylander matched or set career highs in goals (40; tied), assists (58) and points (98) last season, marking his second consecutive 40-goal season. Per NHL EDGE stats, Nylander ranks highly in midrange goals (12; 99th percentile), high-danger goals (14; 96th percentile) and top shot speed (93.82 mph; 95th percentile). UPDATE: Nylander had two shots on goal in Sweden's 4 Nations Face-Off opener.

10. Aleksander Barkov, F, FIN (FLA)

The Finland captain leads the Florida Panthers in assists (38 in 47 games) this season and was tied with Matthew Tkachuk for their most Stanley Cup Playoff points (22 in 24 games) during the championship run last season. Barkov had his best NHL season in 2018-19 (96 points), and, per NHL EDGE stats, is among the best in offensive zone time percentage at even strength (46.1; 97th percentile) this season. UPDATE: Barkov led Finland with five shots on goal in its 4 Nations Face-Off opener, tied for the third most of any player in the tournament so far.

11. Mitch Marner, F, CAN (TOR)
12. Sam Reinhart, F, CAN (FLA)
13. Zach Werenski, D, USA (CBJ)
14. Victor Hedman, D, SWE (TBL)
15. Brady Tkachuk, F, USA (OTT)
16. Mikko Rantanen, F, FIN (CAR)
17. Filip Forsberg, F, SWE (NSH)
18. Brayden Point, F, CAN (TBL)
19. Mark Stone, F, CAN (VGK)
20. Erik Karlsson, D, SWE (PIT)
21. Brad Marchand, F, CAN (BOS)
22. Lucas Raymond, F, SWE (DET)
23. Adrian Kempe, F, SWE (LAK)
24. Matt Boldy, F, USA (MIN)
25. Jake Guentzel, F, USA (TBL)
26. Sebastian Aho, F, FIN (CAR)
27. Jesper Bratt, F, SWE (NJD)
28. Artturi Lehkonen, F, FIN (COL)
29. Kyle Connor, F, USA (WPG)
30. Devon Toews, D, CAN (COL)
31. J.T. Miller, F, USA (NYR)
32. Rickard Rakell, F, SWE (PIT)
33. Adam Fox, D, USA (NYR)
34. Rasmus Dahlin, D, SWE (BUF)
35. Joel Eriksson Ek, F, SWE (MIN)
36. Mikael Granlund, F, FIN (DAL)
37. Mika Zibanejad, F, SWE (NYR)
38. Seth Jarvis, F, CAN (CAR)
39. Anton Lundell, F, FIN (FLA)
40. Josh Morrissey, D, CAN (WPG)
41. Dylan Larkin, F, USA (DET)
42. Vincent Trocheck, F, USA (NYR)
43. Elias Pettersson, F, SWE (VAN)
44. Brandon Hagel, F, CAN (TBL)
45. Roope Hintz, F, FIN (DAL)
46. Charlie McAvoy, D, USA (BOS)
47. Patrik Laine, F, FIN (MTL)
48. Drew Doughty, D, CAN (LAK)
49. Anthony Cirelli, F, CAN (TBL)
50. Brock Faber, D, USA (MIN)

GOALIE RANKINGS

On top of each goalie's potential for wins and a shutout bonus, value has been quantified based on factors including but not limited to past production in regular season, playoffs and/or international tournaments, team defense and goalie situations, projected start volume and goal support (or lack thereof), injury history or concern, sleeper, bounce-back or breakout potential, anticipated regression, age, contract status and likelihood of each country winning this best-on-best tournament

1. Connor Hellebuyck, G, USA (WPG)
2. Filip Gustavsson, G, SWE (MIN)
3. Linus Ullmark, G, SWE (OTT)
4. Jordan Binnington, G, CAN (STL)
5. Juuse Saros, G, FIN (NSH)
6. Jake Oettinger, G, USA (DAL)
7. Adin Hill, G, CAN (VGK)
8. Jeremy Swayman, G, USA (BOS)
9. Kevin Lankinen, G, FIN (VAN)
10. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, G, FIN (BUF)
11. Sam Montembeault, G, CAN (MTL)
12. Samuel Ersson, G, SWE (PHI)

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Key injuries:

Quinn Hughes, D, USA (VAN)
Jacob Markstrom, G, SWE (NJD)
Miro Heiskanen, D, FIN (DAL)
Shea Theodore, D, CAN (VGK)
William Karlsson, F, SWE (VGK)

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