Fantasy hockey managers often overlook players who start slow but heat up midseason. As teams approach the halfway mark of the 82-game schedule, recent ESPN rankings highlight several risers who deserve roster spots. Steven Stamkos and Brandon Bussi stand out for their dramatic improvements since late November.
These shifts reflect injuries, trades, and hot streaks reshaping lineups. Stamkos has exploded offensively, while Bussi has solidified his role in net. With the Olympics looming, now is the time to scout these trends for playoff pushes.
Steven Stamkos’ resurgence with the Predators
Steven Stamkos sat outside the top 300 in ESPN rankings as of November 28. He managed just 27.9 fantasy points over 24 games, averaging a dismal 1.2 FPPG. That changed dramatically in December.
Since early December, Stamkos has racked up 43.0 fantasy points in 16 games, boosting his average to 2.7 FPPG. His total ranks 20th league-wide in that span. He now sits at No. 169 overall, a massive leap.
This hot streak includes 10 goals and seven assists in his last 12 games. Playing for the Nashville Predators, Stamkos benefits from top-line minutes and power-play time. Managers who scooped him off waivers are reaping rewards.
His prior best was a two-game stretch with four points, but consistency eluded him early. Recent form suggests a return to elite production. Keep an eye on his role as the Predators push for playoffs.
Brandon Bussi emerges as a must-have goalie
Brandon Bussi was unranked in the top 300 back in November. Now at No. 73, his stock soars with the Carolina Hurricanes. He competed closely with Pyotr Kochetkov for starts amid Frederik Andersen’s struggles.
Kochetkov’s season-ending injury cements Bussi’s path to more ice time. With Andersen winless lately, Bussi is the reliable option on a contender. This combo screams fantasy success.
Bussi’s crease share has grown steadily. He delivers wins backed by Carolina’s defense. Availability in most leagues makes him a priority add.
As the Hurricanes navigate a tough schedule, Bussi’s value could climb further. His metrics align with top goalies on winning teams. Don’t sleep on him for streaming or long-term holds.
Other key risers shaking up rankings
Darren Raddysh jumps 204 spots to No. 85 with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Victor Hedman’s long-term injury thrust him into power-play duties. Raddysh now averages 2.25 FPPG on the top unit.
John Gibson climbs to No. 160 with the Detroit Red Wings. His steady wins mirror Darcy Kuemper’s late surge last season. Still available in many leagues, Gibson offers consistency.
Mason Marchment hits No. 205 after a trade to Columbus Blue Jackets. Top-line minutes and power-play reps fuel his scoring. Sean Monahan’s absence helps, but Marchment’s form might keep him there.
Brent Burns at No. 223 with Colorado Avalanche shows flashes. A steady power-play role yields 1.8 FPPG in recent stretches. Not a lock, but worth monitoring.
- Raddysh: PP point man, 2.25 FPPG
- Gibson: Steady wins, top-3 potential
- Marchment: Trade turnaround, top PP
- Burns: Streaky but valuable on AVS
Goalie snapshots across the league
Goalie situations evolve quickly, impacting fantasy decisions. In Anaheim, Lukas Dostal’s shine fades with losses mounting. His 0.78 FPP60 suggests bench time soon.
Buffalo’s Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen sees increased work with Alex Lyon sidelined. The Sabres’ soft January schedule favors him at 1.66 FPP60.
Columbus’ Jet Greaves dominates at 67.7% crease share, posting 1.98 FPP60. Workload concerns loom; Elvis Merzlikins might spell him.
Detroit’s Gibson leads with 54.7% share and 1.83 FPP60. Cam Talbot backs him up reliably.
Los Angeles’ Darcy Kuemper returns strong, owning 61.7% share and 2.55 FPP60. He’s lineup-ready post-injury.
These trends highlight streaming opportunities. Contender goalies like Bussi thrive most.
Power-play specialists to watch
Power plays drive fantasy points. Alexander Nikishin of Carolina edges Shayne Gostisbehere with recent PP goals.
Andre Burakovsky benefits from Connor Bedard’s absence in Chicago. His PP role could expand post-return.
Valeri Nichushkin nears a hot streak on Colorado’s top unit. James van Riemsdyk nets PP points for Detroit.
Aaron Ekblad gains QB duties with Florida amid Seth Jones’ injury. Stefan Noesen returns to New Jersey’s net-front role.
Alexis Lafreniere scores with Adam Fox back for the Rangers. Matias Maccelli fills in on Toronto’s top unit.
Ryan Leonard steps up for Washington’s Capitals sans Tom Wilson. These deployments offer waiver-wire gold.
For more on Stamkos’ stats, check his NHL profile. Recent fantasy analysis appears in The Athletic.
As 2026 unfolds, these risers could define fantasy success. Prioritize Stamkos for offense and Bussi for goaltending stability. Monitor injuries and roles closely to stay ahead.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.