Leon Draisaitl remains one of the safest elite selections in fantasy hockey, but his 2026-27 ceiling may be even higher than last season’s final total suggests. My projection for the Edmonton Oilers superstar is 47 goals, 72 assists and 119 points in 79 games. That forecast places Draisaitl just below the most aggressive 120-point expectations while still treating him as a legitimate top-five overall fantasy pick.
The key number is not simply his 97 points from 2025-26. It is that he produced those 97 points in only 65 games, a 1.49 points-per-game pace that translates to approximately 122 points over a full 82-game schedule. A lower-body injury ended his regular season early, so fantasy managers must account for durability, workload and the possibility that Edmonton manages his minutes more carefully. Even with that risk, Draisaitl’s combination of elite finishing, playmaking, faceoff value, heavy minutes and first-unit power-play deployment gives him one of the strongest statistical floors in the NHL.
Leon Draisaitl’s 2026-27 Fantasy Hockey Projection
Draisaitl finished the 2025-26 season with 35 goals and 62 assists for 97 points in 65 games. His scoring pace would have produced approximately 44 goals, 78 assists and 122 points over 82 games. That is the statistical foundation behind my projection rather than an assumption that he must suddenly generate more offence.
I have Draisaitl playing 79 games and finishing with 47 goals, 72 assists and 119 points. The slight increase in projected goals reflects his established history as one of hockey’s most dangerous finishers. He scored 52 goals in 2024-25 and has repeatedly demonstrated that he can convert chances at a rate few NHL players can match.
The assist projection is slightly below his 2025-26 full-season pace. This creates room for natural shooting-percentage swings, lineup changes and a potentially more balanced approach under Edmonton’s new coaching staff. Mike Babcock takes over behind the bench for 2026-27, creating some uncertainty regarding line combinations and workload distribution. However, Edmonton’s offence will still be built around Draisaitl and Connor McDavid.
Leon Draisaitl Fantasy Projection
| Season | Games | Goals | Assists | Points | Points per Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 71 | 52 | 54 | 106 | 1.49 |
| 2025-26 | 65 | 35 | 62 | 97 | 1.49 |
| 2026-27 projection | 79 | 47 | 72 | 119 | 1.51 |
Projected cap efficiency: Based on his $14-million cap hit, a 119-point season would equal approximately 8.5 points per $1 million of annual cap space.
Leon Draisaitl Career NHL Stats
| Type | GP | G | A | P | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 855 | 434 | 619 | 1053 | 100 |
| Playoffs | 102 | 55 | 96 | 151 | 12 |
Why Edmonton’s Power Play Keeps Draisaitl Among the Fantasy Elite
Draisaitl’s power-play role remains one of the biggest reasons fantasy managers can confidently select him near the top of the first round. Assuming Edmonton retains its familiar first unit, he will continue receiving premium opportunities alongside McDavid, Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Evan Bouchard.
Draisaitl scored 16 power-play goals during the 2025-26 season despite appearing in only 65 games. His ability to score from sharp angles near the goal line forces opposing penalty kills to account for a shooting location that would be considered low percentage for almost any other player.
My expectation is that Draisaitl will finish with approximately 17 power-play goals and 42 to 45 power-play points in 2026-27. That production makes him especially valuable in leagues that reward power-play points, shots, goals and faceoff wins.
What separates Draisaitl from many other high-end fantasy forwards is that his value does not depend entirely on playing beside McDavid at even strength. Edmonton can centre separate lines with its two superstars and reunite them when chasing offence or deploying the top power-play unit. That arrangement gives Draisaitl access to elite linemates while allowing him to drive his own line.
Is Leon Draisaitl Worth a Top-Five Fantasy Pick?
Yes. Draisaitl should be selected within the first five picks of most standard fantasy hockey drafts. NHL.com’s early 2026-27 rankings place him fourth overall, and I believe that is an appropriate valuation.
McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Nikita Kucherov may be selected ahead of him in many drafts, but Draisaitl belongs in the next conversation. His realistic floor is approximately 105 points if he remains relatively healthy, while his ceiling extends beyond 125 points if Edmonton’s power play dominates and he plays close to 82 games.
The primary concern is health after the lower-body injury that ended his 2025-26 regular season. Edmonton management has also discussed protecting the workload of its superstars. Fewer minutes could slightly reduce his maximum scoring total, although better workload management may improve his chances of remaining healthy over the full schedule.
My final Leon Draisaitl point projections for 2026-27 are 47 goals, 72 assists and 119 points in 79 games. He should once again provide elite power-play production, strong shot totals and valuable positional flexibility while challenging for the NHL scoring lead.
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The post Leon Draisaitl Point Projections 2026-27: Can He Reach 120 Points? appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
