This list is the who’s who when it comes to early round NHL Fantasy Drafts, and now that NFBC is FINALLY having hockey leagues, my divorce will be coming soon. NFHC, the National Fantasy Hockey Championship! I will also have a Top 25 list for Defensemen, Goalies, and a Mid-Round and Late Round Gem pieces coming soon as well. Most people associate July and August as fantasy football prep and the doldrums of summer fantasy baseball. For the ambitious of us though, we are pulling triple time by also prepping for the NHL season, which is truly the best season besides the NHL playoffs. Now let’s get to it!

Top 25

1. Conner McDavid, C Edmonton

Best player on Earth, next great to reach 150 points in a season. Just needs the team's help to reach even higher.

2. Nikita Kucherov, RW Tampa Bay

Back to back 100 point seasons and another Art Ross coming as long as top line is together. 

3. Alex Ovechkin, LW Washington

When Yahoo added hits last year, Ovi became even more prolific points wise in Fantasy.

4. Nathan MacKinnon, C Colorado

With 97 and 99 points in back to back seasons, look for his first 100 point season this year.

5. Sidney Crosby C Pittsburgh

Tough call with Sid and Brad Marchand, but Sid does it every year regardless.

6. Brad Marchand, LW Boston

The killer on the secon best line in hockey...expect close to 100 points or over again.

7. Patrick Kane, RW Chicago

Still the straw stirring the Chicago drink, he's lethal and has great health record.

8. Auston Matthews, C Toronto

Missed 34 games in last two season. If he plays in 82, 125 points could be the norm.

9. David Pastrynk, RW Boston

Gets the nod due to possible Marner holdout, and is just as awesome.

10. John Tavares, C Toronto

He and Marner could be top five, but this is about the basement for JT

11. Aleksander Barkov, C Florida

When healthy, he is an absolute stat machine. That's a big "if" on healthy though.

12. Taylor Hall, LW New Jersey

In a contract season, look for career numbers from Hall, and an improved Devils team.

13. Leon Draisaitl, C/RW Edmonton

McDavid Effect. Look for another possible 100 points from Leon.

14. Johnny Gaudreau, LW Calgary

After winning the West, he showed up for the playoffs with a windsock, not an erection.

15. Mikko Rantanen, RW Colorado

He and Mac are extremely lethal and will build on last season’s great play.

16. Mitchell Marner, RW Toronto

Once he signs, automatically jumps into top ten. He's been a scoring machine his whole life.

17. Mark Scheifele, C Winnipeg

Scheifele was a big let down season. I picked him to win the Art Ross last year and will rebound big time.

18. Evgeni Malkin, C Pittsburgh

Only injuries keep Geno this low. When healthy he’s a top six player.

19. Tyler Seguin, C Dallas

Will the real Tyler Seguin please stand up? We need top five Tyler back this year.

20. Steven Stamkos, C Tampa Bay

Playing on the best line in hockey, they need Pointe to re-sign to keep the band together.

21. Nicklas Backstrom, C Washington

Another contract year and Nick gets to play with Ovi. Expect big numbers

22. Blake Wheeler, C/RW Winnipeg

Wheels drops dimes like Magic Johnson...and can score the goals too.

23. Sebastian Aho, C/LW Carolina

Last year was just the beginning of a great Carolina run with Aho leading.

24. Patrik Laine, RW Winnipeg

Too proud to let last year bring him down. 50 goals this year? I’m calling it.

25. Claude Giroux, C/LW Philadelphia

A drop off in goals needs to be addressed. With Simmonds gone, it’s Claude.