Hello everyone and welcome to the latest Top 10! I’m Eli Feldman.<\/p>\n
For fantasy hockey managers, drafting players on new teams is always a challenge. On one hand, the natural excitement of seeing a player don different colours for the first time boosts their appeal. However, on the other hand, managers are prone to overreaching\/overpaying for newcomers in drafts, which can lead to disappointment down the road.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, when drafting players on new teams, distinguishing between enhanced opportunities and mere change-of-scenery hype is key. With this in mind, here are the Top 10 players on new teams this year.<\/p>\n
(Statistics courtesy of Frozen Tools<\/a> and MoneyPuck.com)<\/p>\n 10. \u00a0\u00a0Matias Maccelli<\/a>, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs<\/p>\n Following the departure of star winger Mitch Marner<\/a> this offseason, the Leafs swiftly brought in Matias Maccelli<\/a> via a trade with Utah. Maccelli struggled immensely last season, recording a meagre 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 55 games while averaging less than 14 minutes of ice time per game. Before his down year, however, Maccelli strung together consecutive productive campaigns, during which he registered 78 assists in 146 games while showcasing flashes of elite playmaking. With an opportunity to join the Leafs’ loaded top power play unit this season, Maccelli is primed to rediscover his game.<\/p>\n 9. \u00a0\u00a0Andrew Mangiapane<\/a>, LW\/RW, Edmonton Oilers<\/p>\n After a quick stop in Washington, Andrew Mangiapane<\/a> inked a two-year, $7.2M contract with the Edmonton Oilers this offseason. Like Matias Maccelli<\/a>, Mangiapane joins a squad in need of a reliable five-on-five player to complement the team’s superstars. Also like Maccelli, Mangiapane struggled last season, posting his lowest point total (28) since his rookie campaign. While Mangiapane projects to begin the 2025-2026 campaign in a middle-six role, he will likely get a shot to play alongside Connor McDavid<\/a> and\/or Leon Draisaitl<\/a> at some point, making him an intriguing fantasy option for the year ahead.<\/p>\n 8. \u00a0\u00a0Trevor Zegras<\/a>, C, Philadelphia Flyers<\/p>\n After parting ways with former head coach and notorious traditionalist John Tortorella this offseason, the Flyers emphatically signaled the commencement of a new era by acquiring one of the game’s flashiest forwards: Trevor Zegras<\/a>. Zegras has battled the injury bug over the past two years, recording a total of just 47 points in his last 88 games. Despite his recent struggles, Z’s move to Philadelphia improves the team’s top six and powerplay, which could help him reclaim his nightly spot on the highlight reel this season.<\/p>\n 7. \u00a0\u00a0Mikael Granlund<\/a>, C\/LW\/RW, Anaheim Ducks<\/p>\n The Ducks defied conventional wisdom this offseason by bringing in several veterans, including versatile playmaker Mikael Granlund<\/a>. Granlund may not be the flashiest forward, but his distribution and veteran savvy style make him an ideal stabilizer for Anaheim’s young roster. He averaged an impressive 2.45 points per 60 minutes last season (T-89 overall) on an incredibly deep Stars team, demonstrating that he can still dish the puck with the league’s best, even at 33 years old. If Granlund finds his way into the Ducks’ top six, he could eclipse the 60-point threshold for the fourth time in the past five years.<\/p>\n 6. \u00a0\u00a0John Gibson<\/a>, G, Detroit Red Wings<\/p>\n Following three-straight underwhelming campaigns, John Gibson<\/a> ranked T-13th in goals saved above expected in 2024-2025, albeit, in just 29 games played. Gibson’s stellar performance last season was enough to entice the Red Wings, who acquired the veteran netminder in exchange for Petr Mrazek<\/a> and two picks this offseason. Behind a Red Wings defence led by one of the league’s best rearguards in Moritz Seider<\/a>, Gibson has a chance to replicate last season’s stellar play and, in turn, engrain himself as the Wings’ No. 1 goalie.<\/p>\n 5. \u00a0\u00a0Chris Kreider<\/a>, LW, Anaheim Ducks<\/p>\n After spending the first 13 seasons of his career on Broadway, Chris Kreider<\/a> traded in blue for orange this offseason, joining the Anaheim Ducks via trade. Although he’s 34 years old, Kreider remains one of the league’s premier net-front scorers, registering 58 PPGs over his last four seasons with the Rangers. With speed, leadership, and elite finishing, Anaheim’s young core will benefit from Kreider’s presence this season, both on and off the ice.<\/p>\n 4. \u00a0\u00a0Noah Dobson<\/a>, D, Montreal Canadiens<\/p>\n This offseason, Montreal paid a premium for a true top-pair right defenceman, acquiring standout rearguard Noah Dobson<\/a> from the Islanders in exchange for forward Emil Heineman<\/a> and the No. 16 and 17 picks in the 2025 NHL Draft. Despite underperforming last season, Dobson was a force in 2023-2024, registering an even 70 points (10 goals, 60 assists) in 79 games while averaging over 24 (!) minutes of ice time a night. Dobson’s ability to quarterback a powerplay gives the Canadiens a viable insurance option behind Lane Hutson<\/a>, and his two-way game should help the Habs soar to new heights in 2025-2026.<\/p>\n 3. \u00a0\u00a0J.J. Peterka<\/a>, LW\/RW, Utah Mammoth<\/p>\n Following consecutive 25+ goal seasons with the Sabres, J.J. Peterka<\/a> was shipped to Utah this offseason in exchange for forward Josh Doan<\/a> and defenseman Michael Kesselring<\/a>. Peterka posted a career-high 68 points (27 goals, 41 assists) last year and brings straight-line speed and a quick release to the Mammoth’s young lineup. Set to play a key role on a rising team, a big year is brewing for J.J.P.<\/p>\n 2. \u00a0\u00a0Nikolaj Ehlers<\/a>, LW\/RW, Carolina Hurricanes<\/p>\n After posting 124 points (49 goals and 75 assists) in his final 151 games with the Winnipeg Jets, Nikolaj Ehlers<\/a> signed a six-year, $51M contract with the Hurricanes this offseason. A dynamic winger who scores, creates, and drives play through the neutral zone, Ehlers is expected to step into a top-six and first-power-play-unit role with the Canes from the get-go. As such, opportunity knocks for Swift Nik to cement himself as another elite offensive weapon on a team with Stanley Cup ambitions this season.<\/p>\n 1. \u00a0\u00a0Mitch Marner<\/a>, RW, Vegas Golden Knights<\/p>\n The marquee move of the 2025 offseason was Mitch Marner<\/a>‘s sign-and-trade from Toronto to Vegas. Despite his disenchanting playoff track record, Marner is a gifted playmaker who topped the 100-point mark for the first time during his final season in Toronto. In Vegas, Marner’s even-strength spot is still to be determined, he could skate alongside Jack Eichel<\/a> on the top line or join Tomas Hertl<\/a> and Pavel Dorofeyev<\/a> to balance the team’s top two scoring units. However, Marner will undoubtably anchor Vegas’ top powerplay unit from the jump, where his elite vision and passing should elevate an already dangerous attack.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n That’s it for this week! Stay tuned for the next Top 10 on Monday, September 22. Have a great week everyone!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Hello everyone and welcome to the latest Top 10! I’m Eli Feldman. 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