Every fantasy season has players whose name, hype or previous production pushes their price higher than it should be.
That doesn’t mean these players will be bad in 2026-27. The concern is simply value.
Here are five players Dynasty Puck would be cautious about at their current price in both redraft and dynasty leagues.
5. Pavel Zacha – C/LW, Boston Bruins
Zacha is coming off a strong 2025-26 season, but fantasy managers should be careful about paying for a repeat.
His scoring efficiency jumped considerably, and he doesn’t generate enough shots or peripherals to completely offset a potential decline in goals.
At 29, there also isn’t much untapped dynasty upside left.
Dynasty Puck Verdict: A useful fantasy player at the right price, but don’t draft him expecting another career-level season.
4. Roope Hintz – C, Dallas Stars
Hintz has always had the talent to become an elite fantasy center, but the massive breakout has never quite arrived.
He produced 44 points in 53 games last season before a lower-body injury, continuing a frustrating pattern of strong production mixed with missed time.
Dallas also has plenty of other offensive weapons, including Jason Robertson, Mikko Rantanen and Wyatt Johnston.
Dynasty Puck Verdict: Still a good player, but at nearly 30 years old, we’d rather bet on a younger asset with more breakout potential.
3. Sergei Bobrovsky – G, Toronto Maple Leafs
Bobrovsky brings an incredible résumé to Toronto, but fantasy managers aren’t drafting his past accomplishments.
They’re drafting a goalie who turns 38 in September.
Toronto should give him plenty of opportunities for wins, but workload management and age-related decline are legitimate concerns. His dynasty value is even more limited.
Dynasty Puck Verdict: Fine for a contender at the right price, but we wouldn’t reach. In dynasty, Bobrovsky is much more of a sell than a buy.
2. Alex Ovechkin – LW, Washington Capitals
Betting against Ovechkin has been dangerous for two decades, but he’ll turn 41 before the season begins.
He can still score goals, shoot the puck and produce on the power play. The concern is how quickly his fantasy value could disappear if his ice time, health or efficiency declines.
For dynasty managers, there’s essentially no long-term value remaining.
Dynasty Puck Verdict: Still useful for contenders, but treat Ovechkin as a short-term rental rather than a core dynasty asset.
1. Gavin McKenna – LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
McKenna could eventually become one of fantasy hockey’s biggest stars.
The problem is that fantasy managers may already be asked to pay like he is one.
The first-overall pick enters the NHL with enormous hype, and early rankings already have him going ahead of plenty of established fantasy producers. Even prospects with McKenna’s talent can take time to adjust to the NHL.
In dynasty leagues, the price could be even crazier. If another manager is willing to value McKenna as though his superstar outcome is guaranteed, we’d rather take the haul.
Dynasty Puck Verdict: Elite prospect and potential future superstar — but don’t get caught paying superstar prices before he’s played an NHL game.
The Bottom Line
Avoiding a player doesn’t mean expecting him to fail. It means recognizing when the price outweighs the risk.
Zacha could regress. Hintz carries health and consistency concerns. Bobrovsky and Ovechkin are fighting age. McKenna could be priced near his ceiling before his NHL career even begins.
At the right price, any of them can help your team.
At their expected price?
Dynasty Puck is looking elsewhere.