A first-round pick doesn’t have to make or break a fantasy team, but it can give a manager an elite foundation to work around, which can put some pressure on the pick.So who are the best players in Round 1? For keeper leagues, it obviously depends on who is actually available. But, no matter if it’s a keeper or redraft league, league type and scoring impact projected values. Let’s look at a few top first-rounders in different scoring systems, using this year’s cheat sheet.Points leaguesScoring system: goals (3), assists (3), shots (0.5), blocks (0.5), power-play points (1), shorthanded points (1) | goalie wins (3), shutouts (1), saves (0.5), goals against (-3)1) Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado AvalancheMacKinnon is a force. He’ll deliver scoring, shoot the puck a bunch and drive offense. He has a very slight edge in terms of fantasy value under these parameters compared to Connor McDavid. Colorado’s schedule plays into it. The Avs play on light nights more than any other team this season.2) Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton OilersBut is McDavid the wrong choice at No.1? Absolutely not. He is projected to be the higher scorer between he and MacKinnon, especially on the power play, considering Edmonton’s usual dominance and Colorado’s struggles there. So if your league weighs power-play stats heavily, there is your answer. Even if you’re in a league with the scoring parameters outlined above, McDavid is unquestionably an elite pick. There truly is no wrong answer between McDavid and MacKinnon.3/4) Zach Werenski, D, Columbus Blue Jackets; Cale Makar, D, Colorado AvalancheWerenski and Makar are as neck-and-neck as it gets in terms of fantasy value, separated by only 0.08 Value Over Replacement Player (VORP). So it comes down to overall preference. Maybe your specific league settings add more distance between the two. Or maybe, team strength alone is enough of a qualifier because the Avalanche obviously have more offensive strengths and a longer track record of contending compared to the Blue Jackets.5) Quinn Hughes, D, Minnesota WildHughes is projected to score more than the previous two cornerstone defensemen and do more damage on the power play. It’s the peripherals that set him back a bit from Werenski and Makar. He generally accumulates fewer shots, blocks and hits.6) Evan Bouchard, D, Edmonton OilersBouchard’s shot volume and power-play production will do a lot of the heavy lifting here. If your league, for some reason in the year 2026, counts plus-minus, maybe it changes your view on Bouchard. But this is another offensive ace from the blue line.7) Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay LightningKucherov is a scoring machine who any fantasy manager would be lucky to have. His regular seasons have been absolutely lights out recently, and he shows no signs of him slowing down.8) Macklin Celebrini, C, San Jose SharksAfter Kucherov, there’s a bit of a step down in terms of fantasy value to Celebrini. But managers in dynasty or keeper leagues are in luck if he is available. The sky is the limit for Celebrini, who was one of the most dynamic players in the NHL despite his surroundings last year. Now imagine what could happen if some other up-and-coming Sharks take a step forward in development this year. San Jose’s light-night action is another consideration here.9) Rasmus Dahlin, D, Buffalo SabresCelebrini and Dahlin rank this high if you have boosts on — we gave Dahlin, specficially, two boosts. The Sabres may not have made splashy adds this offseason, but it’s worth betting on this team’s internal growth, especially after last year’s turnaround. Dahlin was at the heart of it all, and his well-rounded approach should contribute more to it. One major concern in Buffalo, however, is the power play. But there were signs of the team figuring it out in the playoffs, which is promising for this season.10) Matthew Schaefer, D, New York IslandersSchaefer’s rookie year was so phenomenal and incredibly unique. At 19 years old, he’s obviously ideal for managers in keeper and dynasty leagues. But already, he makes sense for any manager looking for an elite defenseman (and this list so far should highlight just how important that position is in the early goings of the draft).11) Leon Draisaitl, F, Edmonton OilersIt’s pretty surprising to see Draisaitl down at No. 11. It’s less about him and more about emerging stars in the league and the rise of more MVP-caliber defensemen. If you want a franchise forward up front and choose Draisaitl in the top five, no one would blame you.