2021 Fantasy Hockey Right Winger Rankings

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: December 19, 2020.

1. Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning
   
   
   Nikita Kucherov is the best right winger in the NHL. He's been the best right winger in the NHL since about 2015 after being a 2011 second round pick that fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Nikita Kucherov also has four consecutive seasons with 85 points or more during regular season play. Nikita Kucherov is a first round prospect.
   
   
   
   
2. Patrick Kane, RW, Chicago Blackhawks
   
   
   Patrick Kane was drafted first overall in 2007. He has been a cornerstone player on the Chicago Blackhawks since being picked first overall helping Jonathan Toews secure three Stanley Cups during his tenure in Chicago. Patrick Kane has at least five consecutive seasons of 84 points or more and is the only other first round right winger outside of Kucherov in Fantasy Hockey.
   
   
   
   
3. David Pastrnak, RW, Boston Bruins
   
   
   The Boston Bruins first round pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft has at least 70 points or more in each of the last four seasons. That's one reason why David Pastrnak has earned the distinction of being a top 3 right winger in Fantasy Hockey. I have a second round grade on David Pastrnak in Fantasy Hockey.
   
   
   
   
4. Mikko Rantanen, RW, Colorado Avalanche
   
   
   Mikko Rantanen was the tenth overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft displaying the skill set of a two-way forward that could play center or right winger coming out of TPS on an SM Liiga team in Finland. He was a top 7 prospect in that draft, and Colorado got somewhat of a steal when Rantanen fell to 10. Mikko Rantanen improved his point total in each of his first three regular seasons. Last year, his production declined in a shortened 2019-2020 season. Mikko Rantanen is still worth a second round pick in Fantasy Hockey leagues.
   
   
   
   
5. Blake Wheeler, RW, Winnipeg Jets
   
   
   Blake Wheeler was drafted fifth overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He never played for the Coyotes. He spent a few seasons on the Boston Bruins as well as the final season on the Atlanta Thrashers before they relocated to Winnipeg. Once Wheeler got to Winnipeg he finally began to showcase his potential and play like the top five pick he was hyped up to be in a draft that also featured Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin. Wheeler had 41 points or more in each season with the 41 points coming in the shortened lockout season in 2012-2013. Wheeler has 61 points or more in every other season with Winnipeg excluding the lockout which is a big reason why Blake Wheeler is the team captain of the Winnipeg Jets. I would take Blake Wheeler with a third round pick, but you can argue he warrants a late second round pick if the other forwards you are looking at are all off the board.
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Patrik Laine, RW, Winnipeg Jets
   
   
   Patrik Laine was drafted second overall behind Auston Matthews in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Laine was the clear cut second best prospect in that draft class along with the top overall prospect from Finland playing for Tappara in SM-Liiga. He'd be a line 1 right winger on about any other NHL team besides Tampa Bay, Chicago, Boston, Colorado, or Winnipeg. He plays on the second line behind Blake Wheeler.
   
   
   
   He averaged a minimum of 30 goals in each of his first three seasons under his rookie deal before getting a two-year $13.5-million dollar deal where Laine is set to make $6.75-million per year. Laine had a career low 28 goals in a shortened 2019-2020 NHL Season.
   
   
   
   Blake Wheeler is 34-years-old and makes $8.5-million per year. The 22-year-old Laine may command a higher salary than Wheeler. There are also reports that Laine will not re-sign with Winnipeg once he's an Unrestricted Free Agent which won't be at least for another 3-5 years. This really complicates things for the Winnipeg Jets since Kyle Connor, Blake Wheelers, and Nikolaj Ehlers all have long-term contracts at the moment.
   
   
   
   I don't see Patrik Laine getting traded before the 2021 NHL Trade Deadline unless an NHL team gives up the kind of premium the Seattle Seahawks gave the New York Jets to get Jamal Adams. That would be at least two first round picks, a future fourth round pick, an NHL ready contributor at forward on the back 6 for the third or fourth line, and a top prospect from an NHL teams prospect pool.
   
   
   
   You would have to give all that up without your team or Winnipeg going over the cap to get Laine out of Winnipeg. The other thing to take into account is outside of the New York Islanders, none of the other teams that have good salary cap space to work with were playoff teams last year which is why Laine won't be leaving the Jets for now. If Barzal signs his RFA, then the Islanders will not have the cap space to trade Laine which is why Patrik Laine should end up staying in Winnipeg.
   
   
   
   Regardless of whether Patrik Laine, stays or goes, he's an assist for Winnipeg for both the short-term and the long-term if they manage to keep him. I have a third round grade on Patrik Laine in Fantasy Hockey.
   
   
   
   
7. William Nylander, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs
   
   
   William Nylander was a 2014 first round pick drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He didn't make Toronto's roster until 2016 when William Nylander, Mitch Marner, their 2015 first round pick, and Auston Matthews were all on the same roster. Once Toronto got that trio through the draft, they kept that trio by paying them whatever they wanted hoping that trio could help Toronto do what the Pittsburgh Penguins did with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal.
   
   
   
   William Nylander is on the Toronto Maple Leafs first line at right winger with Auston Matthews. I have a third round grade on William Nylander in Fantasy Hockey.
   
   
   
   
8. Mitch Marner, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs
   
   
   Mitch Marner was a 2015 first round pick from the London Knights drafted fourth overall. Marner has rotated between first line left winger, second line left winger, second line center, first line right winger, and second line right winger throughout his NHL career. He's a top six forward on Toronto's first two lines.
   
   
   
   Despite being listed as a second line right winger, he's recorded a minimum of 61 points per season in Toronto and has been more consistent in terms of generating points than William Nylander. I have a third round grade on Mitch Marner as well as William Nylander in Fantasy Hockey.
   
   
   
   
9. Jake Virtanen, RW, Vancouver Canucks
   
   
   Jake Virtanen was the sixth overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. I liked him when he was on the Calgary Hitmen in the WHL. He hasn't been the player many expected him to be at the NHL level. Despite this, his point total has improved, and he may end up beating out Brock Boeser for line 1 minutes at right winger. I have a third round grade on Jake Virtanen.
   
   
   
   
10. Brock Boeser, RW, Vancouver Canucks
    
    
    Brock Boeser, the former Waterloo Blackhawk in the USHL, was Vancouver's first round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Despite falling to the late part of the first round, his production in terms of points has been better than Jake Virtanen. Both Virtanen and Boser are capable of playing the first or second line at right winger. I have a third round grade on Brock Boeser in Fantasy Hockey.
    
    
    
    
    
    
11. Jakub Voracek, RW, Philadelphia Flyers
    
    
    Jakub Voracek has a minimum of 24 assists in each of his seasons with the Flyers. The 24 assists came in his first season with the Philadelphia Flyers. He's had 39 assists or more in each season with the Philadelphia Flyers since his second year in the league. Jakub Voracek is worth a fourth round pick in Fantasy Hockey leagues.
    
    
    
    
12. Vladimir Tarasenko, RW, St. Louis Blues
    
    
    Vladimir Tarasenko was drafted sixteenth overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Vladimir Tarasenko had five consecutive seasons with 66 points or more before suffering a season ending injury in 2019-2020. I have a fourth round grade on Vladimir Tarasenko, but this feels like a boom or bust pick for this season since he may be out long-term.
    
    
    
    
13. Elias Lindholm, RW, Calgary Flames
    
    
    Elias Lindholm was drafted fifth overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. His two best seasons in the NHL came after he was traded to the Calgary Flames. I have a fourth round grade on Elias Lindholm in Fantasy Hockey leagues.
    
    
    
    
14. Alexander Radulov, RW, Dallas Stars
    
    
    Alexander Radulov was a first round pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft drafted fifteenth overall by the Nashville Predators. Radulov didn't really breakout until he signed with the Dallas Stars as a free agent a few years ago. Alexander Radulov is the best right winger on the Dallas Stars and warrants a fourth round grade in Fantasy Hockey leagues.
    
    
    
    
15. Brendan Gallagher, RW, Montreal Canadiens
    
    
    Montreal drafted Brendan Gallagher in the fifth round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and managed get a line 1 right winger that late in the NHL Draft. I have a fifth round grade on Brendan Gallaher in Fantasy Hockey leagues.
    
    
    
    
    
    
16. Kasperi Kapanen, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins
    
    
    Pittsburgh drafted Kasperi Kapanen in the first round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and drafted a top 15 player in that draft late in the first round. Then they traded him to Toronto for Phil Kessel. Now you trade the fifteenth pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft to get Kasperi Kapanen back who will be the line 1 right winger on the Pittsburgh Penguins. I have a sixth round grade on Kasperi Kapanen in Fantasy Hockey leagues.
    
    
    
    
17. Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, Columbus Blue Jackets
    
    
    Columbus has two top twenty right wingers in Fantasy Hockey with Oliver Bjorkstrand and Cam Atkinson. Both are great value picks in the seventh round of a Fantasy Hockey league.
    
    
    
    
18. Cam Atkinson, RW, Columbus Blue Jackets
    
    
    Columbus has two top twenty right wingers in Fantasy Hockey with Oliver Bjorkstrand and Cam Atkinson. Both are great value picks in the seventh round of a Fantasy Hockey league.
    
    
    
    
19. Reilly Smith, RW, Vegas Golden Knights
    
    
    The Vegas Golden Knights have two of the NHL's best right wingers in Reilly Smith and Mark Stone. Reilly Smith is the line 1 right winger on the Vegas Golden Knights. Both of these guys are great value picks in the seventh round of Fantasy Hockey leagues.
    
    
    
    
20. Mark Stone, RW, Vegas Golden Knights
    
    
    The Vegas Golden Knights have two of the NHL's best right wingers in Reilly Smith and Mark Stone. Mark Stone had more points than Reilly Smith on the Vegas Golden Knights in 2019-2020 despite being the teams second line right winger. Both of these guys are great value picks in the seventh round of Fantasy Hockey leagues.
    
    
    
    
    
    
21. Teuvo Teravainen, RW, Carolina Hurricanes
    
    
    Teuvo Teravainen has three consecutive seasons with 63 points or more. He had 64 points in the last two seasons before a shortened season due to Covid-19 in 2019-2020. Carolina has a reliable first line right winger that they can depend on. Teuvo Teravainen is worth an eighth round pick in Fantasy Hockey.
    
    
    
    
22. Kyle Palmieri, RW, New Jersey Devils
    
    
    Kyle Palmieri has five consecutive seasons with 24 goals and 20 assists since joining the New Jersey Devils. Palmieri may be worth a ninth round pick in Fantasy Hockey.
    
    
    
    
23. Anthony Mantha, RW, Detroit Red Wings
    
    
    Anthony Mantha was the Detroit Red Wings 2013 first round pick drafted twentieth overall. Mantha has at least 19 assists in each of his first four seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. Mantha is the line 1 right winger on the Detroit Red Wings. I currently have a tenth round grade on Anthony Mantha in Fantasy Hockey leagues.
    
    
    
    
24. Jordan Eberle, RW, New York Islanders
    
    
    Jordan Eberle is the line 1 right winger on the New York Islanders. I got a tenth round grade on him in Fantasy Hockey because you can argue he's more consistent than Anthony Mantha despite having slightly less upside.
    
    
    
    
25. Bryan Rust, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins
    
    
    Bryan Rust made the transtion from third line center to second line right winger in 2019-2020. Rust compliments Jason Zucker and Evgeni Malkin on Pittsburgh's second line as the Pittsburgh Penguins second line right winger. I have an eleventh round grade in Fantasy Hockey on Bryan Rust.
    
    
    
    
    
    
26. Denis Gurianov, RW, Dallas Stars
    
    
    The Dallas Stars 2015 first round pick is one of the best players on the Dallas Stars. Denis Gurianov scored 20 goals in 2019-2020 and broke out even more during the playoff bubble with a strong playoff performance which helped Dallas win the Western Conference and get to the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals. I have an eleventh round grade on Denis Gurianov.
    
    
    
    
27. Tom Wilson, RW, Washington Capitals
    
    
    The Washington Capitals have two right wingers that are good enough to play on the first line at right winger in Tom Wilson and T.J. Oshie. Neither is a star like Alexander Ovechkin. Tom Wilson is the line 1 right winger on the Washington Capitals after being a 2012 first round pick that was drafted sixteenth overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Take both Washington right wingers in round 12 of your Fantasy Hockey leagues.
    
    
    
    
28. T.J. Oshie, RW, Washington Capitals
    
    
    The Washington Capitals have two right wingers that are good enough to play on the first line at right winger in Tom Wilson and T.J. Oshie. Neither is a star like Alexander Ovechkin. T.J. Oshie was the St. Louis Blues 2005 first round pick. He dominated for Team USA in the Winter Olympics before signing a huge deal with the Washington Capitals. Oshie has more points than Tom Wilson despite playing on the Washington Capitals second line. Take both Washington right wingers in round 12 of your Fantasy Hockey leagues.
    
    
    
    
29. Dustin Brown, RW, Los Angeles Kings
    
    
    Dustin Brown was the team captain on both Los Angeles Kings team that won the 2012 and 2014 Stanley Cup Finals. Dustin Brown is still a line 1 right winger on the Los Angeles Kings even after losing the captain job to Anze Kopitar in 2016-2017. Dustin Brown is another player you can get in round 12 of your Fantasy Hockey leagues.
    
    
    
    
30. Rickard Rakell, RW, Anaheim Ducks
    
    
    Rickard Rakell was drafted thirtieth overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He was teammates with Tyler Seguin on the Plymouth Whalers in the OHL before the Ducks got him with that first round pick they received from the 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins. Rakell is the line 1 right winger on the Anaheim Ducks. Take Rickard Rakell in the thirteenth round of your Fantasy Hockey leagues.
    
    
    
    
    
    
31. Matthew Tkachuk, RW, Calgary Flames
    
    
    The sixth overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft is the oldest son of Keith Tkachuk. Matthew Tkachuk is versatile enough to play left wing or right wing. He is a very consistent line 2 right winger and has dominated on the second line for Calgary ever since the Flames traded for Elias Lindholm. I have a thirteenth round grade on Matthew Tkachuk in Fantasy Hockey.
    
    
    
    
32. Travis Konecny, RW, Philadelphia Flyers
    
    
    Travis Konecny had 68 and 70 points in his two seasons with the Ottawa 67's after being named the 67's team captain in 2014-2015 leading up to the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Philadelphia took the Ottawa 67's forward with their second 2015 first round pick at twenty four overall. Konecny improved his point total in each of his first four seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers. He's projected to score between 55 and 60 points this season. Take Travis Konecny in the thirteenth round of Fantasy Hockey league drafts.
    
    
    
    
33. Victor Olofsson, RW, Buffalo Sabres
    
    
    The Buffalo Sabres have two right wingers that warrant fourteenth round picks in Fantasy Hockey league drafts. Those right wingers are Victor Olofsson who returns as the line 1 right winger and Dylan Cozens, Buffalo's 2019 first round pick.
    
    
    
    
34. Dylan Cozens, RW, Buffalo Sabres
    
    
    The Buffalo Sabres have two right wingers that warrant fourteenth round picks in Fantasy Hockey league drafts. Those right wingers are Victor Olofsson who returns as the line 1 right winger and Dylan Cozens, Buffalo's 2019 first round pick.
    
    
    
    
35. Josh Bailey, RW, New York Islanders
    
    
    Josh Bailey got drafted ninth overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Josh Bailey was one of the players from that 2008 NHL Draft class along with Steven Stamkos and Drew Doughty to play right away as a rookie. Josh Bailey has been the line 2 right winger on the New York Islanders for twelve years now. He's a reliable one as well. I have a fifteenth round grade on Josh Bailey in Fantasy Hockey leagues.
    
    
    
    
    
    
36. Filip Zadina, RW, Detroit Red Wings
    
    
    Filip Zadina played 9 games in 2018-2019 before returning to the Haliax Mooseheads for another year of development after Detroit took him sixth overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. Filip Zadina had 8 goals, 7 assists, and 15 points in the first year of his three year rookie deal. Filip Zadina should improve even more as the line 2 right winger on the Detroit Red Wings. He's now 21-years-old and due to breakout. I have a sixteenth round grade on Filip Zadina in Fantasy Hockey.
    
    
    
    
37. Martin Necas, RW, Carolina Hurricanes
    
    
    Martin Necas was drafted twelfth overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He had two NHL seasons where he played under 10 games before the first rookie season which affected his three-year rookie deal in 2019-2020. Martin Necas is now expected to be the line 2 right winger on the Carolina Hurricanes this upcoming season. Take Martin Necas in the seventeenth round of Fantasy Hockey leagues.
    
    
    
    
38. Viktor Arvidsson, RW, Nashville Predators
    
    
    Viktor Arvidsson is the line 1 right winger on the Nashville Predators. He had 61 points in 2016-2017 when Nashville made the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals. His point total has declined each season since, but this line 1 right winger is still worth a seventeenth round pick in Fantasy Hockey leagues.
    
    
    
    
39. Zack Kassian, RW, Edmonton Oilers
    
    
    Edmonton has two right wingers that round out our top 40 for the right wingers in Fantasy Hockey. Those Edmonton Oilers right wingers that I have seventeenth round grades on are Zack Kassian and Kailer Yamamoto. Zack Kassian is the line 1 right winger on the Edmonton Oilers that warrants a seventeenth round grade in Fantasy Hockey.
    
    
    
    
40. Kailer Yamamoto, RW, Edmonton Oilers
    
    
    Edmonton has two right wingers that round out our top 40 for the right wingers in Fantasy Hockey. Those Edmonton Oilers right wingers that I have seventeenth round grades on are Zack Kassian and Kailer Yamamoto. Kailer Yamamoto was Edmonton's first round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, and was once projected to be the top pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft at one point despite his size. He's been one of the bigger steals of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Take him with a seventeenth round pick if he's there.
    
    
    

1. Lucas Raymond, RW, Detroit Red Wings
   
   
   The fourth overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft dominated with the Frolunda Indians. Lucas Raymond will go back to the Frolunda Indians as he cntinues to develop while Anthony Mantha and Filip Zadina play on the Detroit Red Wings top two lines at right winger. By 2021-2022, I think Lucas Raymond takes over Detroit's second line. By 2022-2023, Lucas Raymond should be the line 1 right winger on the Detroit Red Wings.
   
   
   
   Lucas Raymond has a higher ceiling than anyone on the Red Wings, including Filip Zadina. Lucas Raymond has a potential grade of 94 with Zadina having a 91 potential grade when both players reach their ceiling. Detroit will not see Raymond or Zadina reach their ceiling until 2025 which is why Detroit is going to be in a tough spot, but the Red Wings have drafted well dating back to 2017, but haven't seen the results they would like translate yet. Steve Yzerman made the right pick by taking Lucas Raymond at 4, but Detroit needs to do more to ensure that this team has pieces in place to compliment their stars when both Raymond and Zadina reach their ceiling in 2025.
   
   
   
   
2. Alexander Holtz, RW, New Jersey Devils
   
   
   Alexander Holtz has a higher ceiling than any of the right wingers on the New Jersey Devils. Holtz was drafted seventh overall and could eventually supplant Kyle Palmieri simply due to having a much higher ceiling.
   
   
   
   
3. Lukas Reichel, RW, Chicago Blackhawks
   
   
   Lukas Reichel was the only player outside of Alexis Lafrenierre that I did a film cut on for the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Chicago used the 2019 NHL Draft to take Kirby Dach as a successor to Jonathan Toews. They got Patrick Kane's successor with this pick by drafting Lukas Reichel who will be a stud at some point when he gets called up to the NHL.
   
   
   
   
4. Seth Jarvis, RW, Carolina Hurricanes
   
   
   Seth Jarvis was my third best right winger in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Carolina has Teuvo Teravainen and Martin Necas on their top two lines for the next four seasons at right winger. Seth Jarvis may end up developing in Portland until 2022 and then easing into a third line role until he earns more minutes.
   
   
   
   
5. Tyson Foerster, RW, Philadelphia Flyers
   
   
   Tyson Foerster started out at center and moved to right winger. He kind of reminds me of Travis Konecny. Jakub Voracek and Travis Konecny will remain under contract for the next five years. Sean Couturier and Claude Giroux are both Free Agents in 2022 so I'm guessing Tyson Foerster will spend two more seasons in OHL before making the jump to the NHL where he'd earn more minutes when Couturier and Giroux are Free Agents.
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Jacob Perreault, RW, Anaheim Ducks
   
   
   Jacob Perreault had the best shot of any prospect in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He can stay in the OHL for two more seasons and then come up and replace Rickard Rakell in 2022.
   
   
   
   
7. Jack Quinn, RW, Buffalo Sabres
   
   
   Jack Quinn even admitted in public interviews that Marco Rossi had a better work ethic than him, so it came as a surprise to most when Buffalo took Jack Quinn over Marco Rossi at 8 in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Jack Quinn will not be ready for the NHL until 2022 and by that point he may be a third line right winger on the Buffalo Sabres behind Victor Olofsson and Dylan Cozens.
   
   
   
   
8. Ozzy Weisblatt, RW, San Jose Sharks
   
   
   Ozzy Weisblatt may be ready by the 2021-2022 NHL Season. That's how thin San Jose is at right winger, so the sooner Weisblatt makes the jump to the NHL, the better for San Jose.
   
   
   
   
9. Noel Gunler, RW, Carolina Hurricanes
   
   
   I had a first round grade on Noel Gunler, but he fell to the second round due to character concerns. Carolina has Teuvo Teravainen and Martin Necas on their top two lines for the next four seasons at right winger. Seth Jarvis will end up being the third line right winger which leaves Noel Gunler on the fourth line whenever he finishes developing in the SHL in Sweden.
   
   
   
   
10. Jan Mysak, RW, Montreal Canadiens
    
    
    I really like Jan Mysak on tape. Montreal's three best right wingers are all under contract for the next five years. Montreal could bring Jan Mysak up to the NHL as a fourth line right winger for the 2021-2022 NHL season, but I doubt they do that. Jan Mysak may end up spending two seasons in the OHL and three seasons in the AHL before making the jump to the NHL.
    
    
    

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