"Another week of the 2025-26 NHL season, another week on top of the ESPN NHL Power Rankings for the Colorado Avalanche. However, unlike in weeks past, the Avs were not a unanimous selection at No. 1 in our poll. Beyond No. 1, the Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs rose in the rankings, while the Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators took a tumble from last week. Plus, along with the new set of rankings, we've tapped ESPN fantasy hockey analysts Sean Allen (Eastern Conference) and Victoria Matiash (Western Conference) to advise managers on whether to keep or drop one specific player on each club. And a reminder: It's not too late to join ESPN Fantasy Hockey, with new leagues starting every Monday."
"Valeri Nichushkin, RW (rostered in 30.2% of ESPN leagues): When healthy -- as he is again after losing eight games to a lower-body injury -- the Avalanche forward serves as a formidable, well-rounded fantasy producer. Savvier managers know how to settle into the cycle of getting the most out of Nichushkin when fit, then tucking him on IR when not. Wash, rinse, repeat. Next seven days: vs. NSH (Dec. 13), @ SEA (Dec. 16)"
"How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors sends in a 1-32 poll based on the games through Wednesday. Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the previous edition, published Dec. 5. Points percentages are through Thursday's games."
The Colorado Avalanche remain atop ESPN's NHL Power Rankings for the 2025-26 season, though they were not a unanimous No. 1. The Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs rose in the latest poll, while the Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils and Ottawa Senators dropped. ESPN fantasy analysts Sean Allen and Victoria Matiash provided keeper-or-drop recommendations for one player on each club to guide fantasy managers. New ESPN Fantasy Hockey leagues start every Monday and managers can still join. Rankings are compiled from a 1-32 poll submitted by ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors using games through Wednesday; previous rankings refer to Dec. 5 and points percentages are through Thursday's games.
Read at ESPN.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]