Kucherov-Marchessault-Couturier 2-23

We're almost at the three-quarter mark of the 2017-18 season (Feb. 24), so it's time to dive into what has gone right and wrong in fantasy leagues.
Based on standard-category production and Yahoo average draft position, NHL.com has identified fantasy award selections at the three-quarter mark. These picks are based solely on fantasy performance to date, not on expectations for the rest of the season.

MORE FANTASY COVERAGE:
Top 100 'F'
|
Top 50 'D'
|
Top 25 'G'
|
Projected lineups
Most-valuable players at each position and rookies are based on highest Yahoo current rank. Bounce-backs, steals, surprises and disappointments have taken Yahoo rank and average draft position (ADP) into account. Skaters who have missed more than five games because of injury have been excluded from the list of fantasy disappointments.
NOTES: Standard Yahoo leagues include goals, assists, plus/minus, penalty minutes, power-play points and shots on goal for skaters, and wins, goals-against average, save percentage and shutouts for goalies. ... Any dual-eligible skaters in Yahoo have been categorized at their primary position. Injured goaltenders (e.g. Carey Price, MTL) have been excluded from the list of disappointing fantasy players.
---

Fantasy MVP (Overall)

Nikita Kucherov, TBL (Current rank: 1)
Honorable mentions: Evgeni Malkin, PIT (2); Alex Ovechkin, WSH (3); Blake Wheeler, WPG (4); Andrei Vasilevskiy, TBL (5); Steven Stamkos, TBL (6)

Top center

Evgeni Malkin, PIT (2)
Honorable mentions: Steven Stamkos, TBL (6); Sidney Crosby, PIT (10); Nathan MacKinnon, COL (15); Connor McDavid, EDM (16); Tyler Seguin, DAL (18)

Top left wing

Alex Ovechkin, WSH (3)
Honorable mentions: Taylor Hall, NJD (9); Claude Giroux, PHI (11); Johnny Gaudreau, CGY (13); Jonathan Marchessault, VGK (17); Jamie Benn, DAL (24)

Top right wing

Nikita Kucherov, TBL (1)
Honorable mentions: Blake Wheeler, WPG (4); Phil Kessel, PIT (7); Jakub Voracek, PHI (8); Vladimir Tarasenko, STL (23); Reilly Smith, VGK (34)

Top defenseman

P.K. Subban, NSH (20)
Honorable mentions: Victor Hedman, TBL (31); Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI (33); Brent Burns, SJS (36); Drew Doughty, LAK (46); John Klingberg, DAL (47)

Top goaltender (minimum 25 games)

Andrei Vasilevskiy, TBL (5)
Honorable mentions: Carter Hutton, STL (12); Pekka Rinne, NSH (14); Connor Hellebuyck, WPG (25); Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK (28); Tuukka Rask, BOS (38)

Most-valuable rookie

Mathew Barzal, NYI (39)
Honorable mentions: Yanni Gourde, TBL (56); Brock Boeser, VAN (68); Clayton Keller, ARI (139); Nico Hischier, NJD (154); Mikhail Sergachev, TBL (156)
Video: NYI@TOR: Barzal cleans up in front to extend the lead
---

Biggest bounce-back

Nathan MacKinnon, COL (Current rank: 15; ADP: 138.9)
Honorable mentions: Jakub Voracek, PHI (8; ADP: 88.8); Taylor Hall, NJD (9; ADP: 92.6); Claude Giroux, PHI (11; ADP: 68.4); Anze Kopitar, LAK (26; ADP: 95.5); Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI (33; ADP: 117.3); Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK (28; ADP: 138.3)

Biggest steal

Jonathan Marchessault, VGK (17; ADP: 162.4)
Honorable mentions: Connor Hellebuyck, WPG (25; ADP: 175.7); Vincent Trocheck, FLA (27; ADP: 168.1); Matthew Tkachuk, CGY (50; ADP: 119.2); Brayden Point, TBL (51; ADP: 159.0); Mikko Rantanen, COL (53; ADP: 163.2)

Biggest surprise

Sean Couturier, PHI (21; ADP: 145.1)
Honorable mentions: Reilly Smith, VGK (34; ADP: N/A); Dustin Brown, LAK (40; ADP: 152.1); William Karlsson, VGK (43; ADP: N/A); Tom Wilson, WSH (55; ADP: N/A); Josh Bailey, NYI (62; 135.8)

Biggest disappointment

Erik Karlsson, OTT (193; ADP: 18.3)
Others: Nicklas Backstrom, WSH (99; ADP: 20.7); Cam Talbot, EDM (523; ADP: 25.6); Max Pacioretty, MTL (120; 31.0); Mitchell Marner, TOR (116; ADP: 33.3); Jake Allen, STL (284; ADP: 34.1); Duncan Keith, CHI (280; ADP: 40.5); Zach Werenski, CBJ (201; ADP: 56.4)