PQBR - Powerplay Quarterback Rankings

The Quarterback position is arguably one of football’s most important. Hockey quarterbacks? Maybe they are even more important? I don’t think the value of an elite defenseman can be stated enough. The guys like Makar, Hughes, Bouchard, Werenski – they will rack up at least 25-30 Power Play Points (PPPs). Not to mention they play with the best forwards, typically direct a lot of shots on goal, and experience heavy usage – all presenting opportunities for points. The biggest takeaway is that there is real scarcity at the elite D-man position. Now when you have 12 managers with 4 D spots each (maybe some managers will carry a bench D or 2) – that’s 48 defensemen minimum who will be rostered, with the real number being closer to 60+. If you can get 2 studs on the blueline that puts your squad at a significant advantage. Obviously, you need productive forwards (and good goaltending) to propel you to the fantasy glory land. It’s been my experience that it’s easier to find sleeper forwards than it is sleeper D-men.

At Sedated Sleeper Picks we continue to delve deeper into the depths of insanity and present to you the PQBR – the Powerplay Quarter Back Rating. Unlike the QBR or passer rater known to NFL fans, the PQBR is a ranking of all 32 NHL powerplay QBs based on:

·       Statistical performance since start of 2024 NHL season

·       Job security on PP1

·       Strength of PP/strength of powerplay linemates

It’s a bit early but we may also begin to consider how each team’s powerplay is performing in the start of the 25/26 season.

1.      Cale Makar – With 18 points in 14 games this guy is an absolute weapon and the prototypical powerplay QB. Let us all bask in his greatness

2.      Josh Morrisey – 11 points in 13 games, Morrisey actually started the year with only a single point through 5 games. He has been cooking as of late and gets to share PP1 with some great linemates

3.      Quinn Hughes – It feels like Q-man is off to a bit of a slow start but he does have 8 points in 11 games. He missed a few games but let’s hope for good health the rest of the way

4.      Zach Werenski (CBJ) – He has definitely been a bit streaky with 3 multi-point performances to his name, but 6 games with no points. He averages 3.6 shots/game though, so that does help those pointless nights

5.      Lane Hutson (MTL) – Sitting 2^nd in D-man scoring with 13 points. Only 3 of those points have come on the PP – this man could just be getting started. This guy wants on that US Olympic roster and he’s out to prove he belongs in Italy for the winter games.

6.      Jake Sanderson (OTT) – Yet another American D-man, the US is clearly stacked on the backend. The Sand-man has had anything but a slow start. 11 points with 6 on the power play, this kid is getting about 24 minutes of ice/game.

7.      Adam Fox (NYR) – The Rangers have been dismal as a team, but Fox certainly has been doing his part offensively, with 11 points. Only a single point has been on the PP. He’s due for some positive regression, as are the Rangers collectively.

8.      Evan Bouchard (EDM) – This feels like a bit of a low ranking, but he’s a bit from reaching his ceiling and challenging Makar from the top spot. Defensive blunders aside, Bouch has been heating up with 10 points in his last 9 games

9.      Rasmus Dahlin (BUF) – The Sabres have been better as of late, so we can only hope the powerplay and all the star players it employs will start to pick it up. More than half (5 of 9) of his points have come on the PP.

10.  Victor Hedman (TBL) – Old Faithful is off to another good start with 11 helpers, 5 on the PP. Say what you want about the Lightning in the playoffs, but this team is a regular season (& therefore fantasy hockey) powerhouse.

11.  Erik Karlsson (PIT) – EK65 is looking like his old self with 12 points thus far, half coming on the man advantage. He has his defensive short comings but damn can he be dynamic offensively. Here’s to hoping the Pens can get this nursing home aged roster back into the post-season.

12. Miro Heiskanen (DAL) - Miro has returned very nicely from his injury last season. He has 10 points and is looking like his old self. Thomas Harley (see below) lurks in the shadows but Miro could hold onto this gig all year if things keep going well.

Thomas Harley (DAL) – If you just look at his stats quickly, 9 points thus far certainly doesn’t raise any red flags. I want to point out that Harley has probably been one of the best offensive defenseman (top 5 anyways) in the entire league since the 4 nations tourney. He had 177 SOGs last year, or 2.27/game. It’s hard to ride the Harley Davidson as a true #1 fantasy D-man when he only has 18 SOGs in 14 games?? What’s up with this drop off a SOG cliff?

13.  Matthew Schaefer (NYI) – The Calder frontrunner has been simply phenomenal to start his NHL career, notching 11 points in hist first 13 games. The thoughts of him going back to junior after being drafted first overall sure seem preposterous right now. I think this ranking is rather conservative, but he’s just getting started. Not to mention he has the looks of a high volume shooter, currently sitting in 3rd among D-men with 41 shots.

14.  Charlie McAvoy (BOS) – Ensuring no one has forgotten about him, McAvoy has likely had the least expected strong start to the season. 4 of his 12 points have come on the PP, which is part of the reason (in addition to me not fully buying Boston’s strong start) why he is in the middle portion of these rankings.

15.  Mikhail Sergachev (UTA) – Everything seems to be clicking for Utah in year 2 and that includes their PP QB, Sergy. Clearly this guy is invigorated living with his fellow countryman Dmitry Simashev, raising chickens and distilling potato vodka.

16.  John Carlson/Jake Chycrun (WAS) – This has been an ever-changing situation, so stay up to date with the Caps’ PP QB situation. Last night’s game (Nov. 6) featured the classic (& my favourite – why don’t more coaches do this?) 2 D-men on the 1^st unit. These studs both have 10 points through the first 14 games, but Chyc has been a real PP merchant – 9 of his 10 points have come on the PP!

17.  OEL (TOR) – A situation that’s worth monitoring given the threat of Morgan Rielly potentially taking over the QB1 reins. However, OEL has been good with 9 points thus far. He doesn’t shoot as much as he once did, but he is still offensively capable and gets to share that PP1 with a bunch of All-star forwards

18.  Dougie Hamilton (NJD) – This guy has returned from his injury ravaged season last year with a vengeance. Unfortunately, he left last night’s game after playing about 10 minutes and his status for Saturday’s game is questionable. Luke Hughes will waste no time in taking the QB1 spot over if Hamilton misses significant time. There’s a good chance he may never relinquish it.

19.  Mo Seider (DET) – Mo’s 6 points aren’t that impressive, but consider for this write-up that 5 have come on the PP. Definitely a more valuable real-life all-round defenseman than true PP1 QB, Seider is heating up a bit, with 4 points in his last 5 games.

20.  Vince Dunn (SEA) – The Kraken as a whole are kind of “meh”. Not their top 2 offensive D-men though. Dunn and Montour are both excellent offensive players (Can I get both of these guys on PP1?) Unfortunately, given the threat of Montour taking over and the lack of star power up front, we end up with this middling ranking

21.  Sean Walker (CAR) – Walker has been great as of late with back-to-back 2 point games. At 30 years old, I don’t think we are witnessing the start of a breakout, but who am I to question it? It would happen in Carolina though, just saying. I am concerned about the stability of his role given that K’Andre Miller has just returned to the lineup and had taken some PP1 reps earlier in the year. The real PP1 QB Shayne Ghost is on the shelf with an abdominal injury and has no return timeline, so there could be a bit of runway here

22.  Shea Theodore (VGK) – 5 points so far is a bit underwhelming for this usual steady offensive presence. I’m sure he will pick it up soon (not sure if you heard but it’s an Olympic year) if he wants to be pulling that big red Maple Leaf over his chest in Feburary. You gotta love the supporting cast of star characters in Vegas.

23.  Seth Jones (FLA) – Are the Panthers finally beginning to show some crack in their armour? Florida has unfortunately dealt with significant injuries and this Power play unit is a shell of what it looked like at the start of the year. I’m sure this team will find a way into the playoffs but it doesn’t look great in Sunrise at the moment

24.  Justin Faulk (STL) – I feel as though the PP1 QB role will rotate between Faulk & Cam Fowler all year. The Blues do have some offensive weapons up front, which could make this gig appealing. I feel as though we should just put Faulk and Fowler on PP1 and call it a day.

25.  Jackson Lacombe (ANA) – Another example of a better real-world defenseman than a PP1 offenseman, Lacombe has only 5 points thus far. This, despite the Ducks having the league’s best offense with 4.15 goals/game. Clearly, he has other business to take care of than just offense, but he could be a buy-low candidate.

26.  John Klingberg (SJ) – If you look quick he only has 5 points, but he has only played 8 games. The Sharks will have growing pains, but they have shown us in the early going that they can rack up goals with the best of them, with 3.43/game. There’s definitely some interesting forwards to play with, just not much depth.

27.  Jared Spurgeon (MIN) – Spurg is on his annual trip through the PP1 QB carousel. With both Faber and Buium lurking on PP2, I would think this will be a short ride on the merry-go-round for the Wild Captain. Once Buium or Faber are running the 1st unit, expect this ranking to move up a fair bit.

28.  Brady Skjei (NAS) – Josi is on IR currently with an upper body injury. For now, the Shea-man gets to run PP1. Looks as though the Preds could be turning a corner here.

29.  Jamie Drysdale (PHI) – I like Drysdale and think he has the offensive chops to be a good PP1 QB…in the right situation. I’m not sure that situation involves Rick Tocchet as the head coach however. He has no PP points at the moment which is why he is buried at the bottom of the ranks.

30.  MacKenzie Weegar (CGY) – With only 4 points and a -11 rating this guy should only be rostered in deep or bangers leagues. Until the Flames turn it around (unlikely) or he gets traded to a better team (more likely).

31.  Artyom Levshunov (CHI) – The Hawks are definitely looking improved compared to last year, which is always nice to see for an original six franchise. I should be writing about Sam Rinzel here, but he has had a slow start to the year. You can pass on this QB room at the moment.

32.  Drew Doughty/Brandt Clarke (LA) – The Kings PP1 employs 5 forwards. These 2 D-men run the 2^nd unit, which is why they are ranked last. If one of them should move to PP1 they would move up the rankings significantly. Or they can both run PP1, like the good old days.

Good luck to all you managers in navigating the PP QB Carousel. It can be a dangerous ride at times. Keep your hands and feet inside when the ride is moving. And remember, there are 2 types of fantasy hockey managers: those who draft Cale Makar and those who regret not drafting Cale Makar.

Doc out.

Stay sleepy zzz