Today we scour the right side of the ice in search of the best right wings to target for your 2017-18 NHL Fantasy league teams. Our first list looked at your best centre options, followed by the Top 50 Left Wings.
This list will cover the top 50 right wings in the NHL going into the season, with special attention on the top 10. Projected goals, assists, powerplay points and total points are included. Past performance and projections for the 2017-18 season are weighed carefully. Where ever possible, a player’s last three professional seasons are taken into account. In addition, injury history, powerplay time and projected line-mates are considered. Projections are based on 82 games except where otherwise noted.
2017-18 Fantasy Hockey Series: Top 50 Rights Wings
Top 50 NHL Right Wings
1. Patrick Kane – Chicago Blackhawks
Once again, Patrick Kane looks like the best NHL right winger. Over a point-per-game through 10 seasons, a 12.4 shooting percentage and still an elite powerplay quarterback, there is little reason to believe Kane will begin to falter this year. Even if Chicago takes a few steps back, expect Kane to put up 80-plus points once again.
2017-18 Projection: 31 G, 56 A, 87 PTS, 26 PPP
2. Nikita Kucherov – Tampa Bay Lightning
For the first time in years, Kane has someone nipping on his heels as the NHL’s top right winger. A huge season for Kucherov saw him put up 40 goals and 45 assists to lead the Lightning in scoring. His 32 powerplay points were good for third most in the league as well. A healthy Steven Stamkos should also compliment Kucherov’s game and vault him into the league’s elite.
2017-18 Projection: 41 G, 43 A, 84 PTS, 30 PPP
3. Vladimir Tarasenko – St. Louis Blues
It may surprise some to know that Tarasenko is still only 25 years old. Going into his sixth season, Tarasenko has been a very consistent scorer and point producer. Putting up 73, 74, and 75 in the past three seasons, Tarasenko has been knocking on the door of the NHL’s elite for a few years. The acquisition of Brayden Schenn should help the Blues powerplay and perhaps push Tarasenko’s game even further.
2017-18 Projection: 37 G, 43 A, 80 PTS, 26 PPP
4. Patrik Laine – Winnipeg Jets
The NHL’s next great goal scorer took the league by storm last year with 36 goals and 28 assists, good for 64 points on the season. Laine’s shot had been lauded by scouts for years and he did not disappoint in his rookie season, shooting at 17.6%. The young Finn will line up on one of the league’s most talented offensive lines this year, and with a year of experience under his belt his potential is exceptional. Even if his high shooting percentage drops, he should get more than the 204 shots he had last season, so don’t expect his goal totals to drop.
2017-18 Projection: 44 G, 35 A, 79 PTS, 25 PPP
5. Phil Kessel – Pittsburgh Penguins
Phil Kessel quietly produced again last year, tallying 70 points in another full 82 game season. He has been a very reliable scorer and has not missed a game since being traded to Toronto in 2009. He had 47 assists, with 22 coming on the powerplay, to demonstrate his playmaking talent, which sometimes took a backseat to his elite shot. Either way, Kessel is an elite fantasy right wing and a great early pick on a strong Penguins team.
2017-18 Projection: 32 G, 40 A, 72 PTS, 23 PPP
6. David Pastrnak – Boston Bruins
David Pastrnak burst onto the scene last season alongside Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron on Boston’s top line. His 262 shots found the back of the net 34 times. Being paired with such talent should ensure his value as a fantasy player, and another 70 point season is a possibility. And with a new six-year contract signed over the off-season, he will have nothing distracting him from repeating last years success.
2017-18 Projection: 35 G, 36 A, 71 PTS, 24 PPP
7. Mikael Granlund – Minnesota Wild
Granlund’s fourth full season saw him breakout in a great way. 26 goals and 69 points led a stellar Minnesota Wild team in scoring. Granlund had three prior years of sustainable and consistent production before taking control and becoming a premier playmaker. A 14.7% shooting percentage raises some flags, as it was much higher than his 8% career average. But don’t let this dissuade you, as he took the most shots of his career last year and his playmaking talent will more than make up for any drop in goal scoring.
2017-18 Projection: 23 G, 47 A, 70 PTS, 23 PPP
8. William Nylander – Toronto Maple Leafs
After a short stint in 2015, William Nylander stood out as part of Toronto’s 2016 rookie triumvirate. Playing most of his season with Auston Matthews, Nylander’s play improved steadily throughout the year. He had 35 points in the second half of the season and looked excellent on Matthews’ wing at the end of the regular season and into the playoffs. He scored 26 points with the man advantage to lead the Leafs. If Nylander and Matthews can continue with their chemistry, Nylander is poised for a great 2017 season.
2017-18 Projection: 30 G, 38 A, 68 PTS, 24 PPP
9. Joe Pavelski – San Jose Sharks
You would think it’s only a matter of time before Joe Pavelski begins to see his numbers drop. Last season’s 68 points was his lowest total since 2011. A poor 2016-17 from Joe Thornton and the departure of Patrick Marleau don’t help Pavelski’s situation, either. At 33 years old, the bruising forward’s physical game may begin to catch up to him. Even still, Pavelski looks like San Jose’s best forward, and should have plenty of opportunity to produce once again this season.
2017-18 Projection: 29 G, 36 A, 65 PTS, 23 PPP
10. Alexander Radulov – Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars brought in Alexander Radulov to help restart their offense. His return to the NHL saw Radulov put up 54 points with a sluggish Montreal offense. Playing with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin should help Radulov pick up a few more points. He drove possession with a 54% CF in Montreal and should continue to produce offensive opportunities with two elite linemates in Dallas.
2017-18 Projection: 26 G, 37 A, 63 PTS, 24 PPP
A strong top ten gives you plenty of options through the first 5 or 6 rounds. The right side of the ice will see plenty of top end skill again this year, though the value dwindles towards the bottom of our list.
Top 50 Right Wings (11-50)
11. Mitchell Marner – Toronto Maple Leafs – 23 G, 40 A, 63 PTS, 23 PPP
12. Blake Wheeler – Winnipeg Jets – 25 G, 38 A, 63 PTS, 17 PPP
13. Mark Stone – Ottawa Senators – 23 G, 39 A, 62 PTS, 19 PPP
14. Cam Atkinson – Columbus Blue Jackets – 32 G, 29 A, 61 PTS, 16 PPP
15. Jordan Eberle – New York Islanders – 28 G, 33 A, 61 PTS, 17 PPP
16. Corey Perry – Anaheim Ducks – 28 G, 31 A, 59 PTS, 22 PPP
17. Wayne Simmonds – Philadelphia Flyers – 29 G, 28 A, 57 PTS, 21 PPP
18. Kyle Okposo – Buffalo Sabres – 20 G, 37 A, 57 PTS, 22 PPP
19. Charlie Coyle – Minnesota Wild – 19 G, 38 A, 57 PTS, 11 PTS
20. Sam Reinhart – Buffalo Sabres – 20 G, 36 A, 56 PTS, 20 PPP
21. Mats Zuccarello – New York Rangers – 19 G, 37 A, 56 PTS, 14 PPP
22. Kyle Palmieri – New Jersey Devils – 27 G, 27 A, 54 PTS, 18 PPP
23. T.J. Oshie – Washington Capitals – 25 G, 29 A, 54 PTS, 15 PPP
24. Conor Sheary – Pittsburgh Penguins – 25 G, 29 A, 54 PTS, 16 PPP
25. Elias Lindholm – Carolina Hurricanes – 19 G, 35 A, 54 PTS, 18 PPP
26. Jakob Silfverberg – Anaheim Ducks – 25 G, 28 A, 53 PTS, 13 PPP
27. Tyler Toffoli – Los Angeles Kings – 24 G, 28 A, 52 PTS, 10 PPP
28. Evgenii Dadonov – Florida Panthers – 19 G, 32 A, 51 PTS, 12 PPP
29. Gustav Nyquist – Detroit Red Wings – 21 G, 29 A, 50 PTS, 9 PPP
30. Brock Boeser – Vancouver Canucks – 23 G, 26 A, 49 PTS, 14 PPP
31. Ryan Strome – Edmonton Oilers – 19 G, 30 A, 49 PTS, 13 PPP
32. Joshua Ho-Sang – New York Islanders – 19 G, 28 A, 47 PTS, 10 PPP
33. Anthony Mantha – Detroit Red Wings – 24 G, 22 A, 46 PTS, 12 PPP
34. Radim Vrbata – Florida Panthers – 19 G, 27 A, 42 PTS, 13 PPP
35. Rick Nash – New York Rangers – 24 G, 20 A, 44 PTS, 8 PPP
36. Bobby Ryan – Ottawa Senators – 22 G, 22 A, 44 PTS, 6 PPP
37. Mikko Rantanen – Colorado Avalanche -21 G, 23 A, 44 PTS, 9 PPP
38. Patrick Eaves – Anaheim Ducks – 21 G, 22 A, 43 PTS, 14 PPP
39. Michael Frolik – Calgary Flames -19 G, 23 A, 42 PTS, 8 PPP
40. Brendan Gallagher – Montreal Canadiens – 18 G, 23 A, 41 PTS, 11 PPP
41. Dylan Larkin – Detroit Red Wings – 20 G, 21 A, 41 PTS, 8 PPP
42. Jakub Vrana – Washington Hurricanes – 17 G, 24 A, 41 PTS, 11 PPP
43. Drake Caggiula – Edmonton Oilers – 18 G, 22 A, 40 PTS
44. Justin Williams – Carolina Hurricanes – 18 G, 21 A, 39 PTS, 10 PPP
45. Micheal Ferland – Calgary Flames – 17 G, 22 A, 39 PTS, 6 PPP
46. Patrick Sharp – Chicago Blackhawks – 17 G, 21 A, 38 PTS, 12 PPP
47. Ales Hemsky – Montreal Canadiens – 13 G, 23 A, 36 PTS, 5 PPP
48. Richard Panik – Chicago Blackhawks – 16 G, 19 A, 35 PTS, 6 PPP
49. Jesse Puljujarvi – Edmonton Oilers – 15 G, 18 A, 33 PTS, 4 PPP
50. Oliver Bjorkstrand – Columbus Blue Jackets – 14 G, 18 A, 32 PTS, 2 PPP
Other players to consider and/or keep an eye on include Travis Konecny, Connor Brown, Joonas Donskoi, Artturri Lehkonen, Nail Yakupov, Leo Komarov and Loui Eriksson.
So there you have your top 50 NHL right wings for the 2017-18 season. Judge and plan accordingly for your drafts, as right wings of value are few and far between towards the bottom of the list.
Soon to come, the top 50 NHL Defencemen and Top 30 NHL Goalies.
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