Fantasy Hockey Young Guns Scoring Leaders: Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini and More

Folks, the scoring race in the NHL and in fantasy league is upside down. We have three young kids in the top five among the veterans who should be on top, but are being outscored.

Even looking at their ADPs, we are looking at one and two for the veterans vs. 20, 60, and 264 for the kids!

Dynasty players are frothing at the mouth looking at the numbers to start this season. These youngsters are drafted in dynasty leagues to help carry rosters in the future, and in the one and two spots already this year, up to this point they are carrying already against all odds.

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Connor Bedard - Chicago Blackhawks

Last season, there was a lot of doubt in the media about the hype, and projections of Bedard who was drafted No. 1 overall by the Blackhawks to be their franchise player and lead them back into a dynasty era. 

Do you know what he is No. 1 overall today? Points! Yes, from doubts to leading the league in scoring, with an unreasonably little amount of support. It's safe to say that Bedard is carrying the load and elevating his linemates to above expectations. Blackhawk fans are thrilled at the early success of this hockey club that is supposed to still be in their rebuild phase.

Before being drafted from the Regina Pats, he was projected to be the next generational player who could put a franchise on his back and carry them to a dynasty team. While this may yet happen, Chicago needs to get him some help. It's possible for the Blackhawks to get back to their dynasty status, even Jonathan Toews didn't do it without Patrick Kane.

Bedard has nine goals, 16 assists, and eight powerplay points in 16 games played as a forward. He also has 52 shots on goal, five hits, and six blocked shots.

Macklin Celebrini - San Jose Sharks

The next big thing, Celebrini has been a dynamo offensive weapon who keeps taking steps forward. Alongside Will Smith, Celebrini has been an absolute tear since the season started and together the pair are raising the Sharks up from the bottom of the tank to the surface.

This may not reflect in the standings, as offense can't win games alone, it is a glimmer of hope for the franchise as the games are always fun to watch, and never boring.

Celebrini seems to always be pedal to the metal, with his foot always on the gas. He gives every shift his all, and leaves nothing left in the tank by the time he hits the bench. It's this kind of work ethic that is going to see his continued success.

Years ago, teams dreaded flying into California for what was coined “Death Valley,” playing against all three teams there was always tough, and you seldom came out of those road trips ahead.

If Celebrini's offense ever dips this season, no matter what type of league you're in, prioritize trading for him.

Celebrini has 10 goals, 14 assists, and seven powerplay points in 16 games played as a forward. He also has 49 shots on goal, 13 hits, and 10 blocked shots.

Nathan MacKinnon - Colorado Avalanche

Nate Mack is the year over year consensus No. 1 pick in fantasy league, so it's no surprise he is on this list. But third? That in itself is a surprise. The Avs have only lost one game in regulation this season, but they haven't done it with mountains of offense that would be considered the norm for Colorado.

MacKinnon is surrounded by talent, as the Avs are among the deepest teams in the league. His linemates on the top line are Artturi Lehkonen and Martin Necas, while he has the best defensemen in the league behind him in Cale Makar.

MacKinnon may not be the best statistical player in the league (although he is often considered in second place), he is universally considered the best player in fantasy league due to his peripherals. He not only scores, but is a playmaker who has a physical style of play on a team who year over year is in contender status.

MacKinnon has 12 goals, 12 assists, and six powerplay points in 15 games played as a forward. He also has 67 shots on goal, 14 hits, and nine blocked shots.

Leo Carlsson - Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks, again? Seriously. Yes! With an average draft position (ADP) of 264, all the way to fourth in the league for scoring, that is a fantasy home run! You are certainly getting a bang for your buck with Carlsson, who is having the best season of his career. 

From 29 points in his first season, 45 points in his second, to now 23 points this season in just 14 games, the steps forward for this youngster are unbelievable. 

Is this growth sustainable? Probably not. But the Ducks are having a very unexpected successful season and are riding high on early success. If this early play is any forecast of what is to come for this young core, they will be contenders a lot earlier than anyone anticipated.

Is it too much to ask their young core for a “Flying V” one day?

Carlsson has eight goals, 15 assists, and seven powerplay points in 14 games played as a forward. He also has 34 shots on goal, one hit, and eight blocked shots.

Connor McDavid - Edmonton Oilers

The best player in the world is only fifth on the list? Honestly, it's not bad considering the Oilers' slow start to the season, and McDavid's winger Zach Hyman has not played a game yet due to an injury sustained in last year's playoff run.

It's almost laughable to say that two points per game is a slow start for any player, but expectations are always so high for McDavid that even on a poorly performing squad, two points per game is below expectations, still.

McDavid will no doubt pick it up, especially once Hyman gets back on his wing to grind out corner battles and get him the puck, once he shakes off the rust. The perennial No. 2 ADP for every fantasy league format, it's never a worry that McDavid's production will dip to a level where he is not worth a top pick.

If the Oilers can figure out their goaltending, and Hyman returns to even 90%, it's expected that McDavid's production will increase, as will his abysmal +/- rating, which is at a -6.

McDavid has five goals, 17 assists, and 11 powerplay points in 16 games played as a forward. He also has 49 shots on goal, two hits, and four blocked shots.