NHL Draftkings Picks for Jan 18, 2026

Daily Player Picks

Updated Throughout the Day

Player expected costs and values are calculated every thirty minutes throughout the day.


Center

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Connor McDavid EDM $10,500 24.91 2.37
Tim Stuetzle OTT $7,200 14.03 1.95
Wyatt Johnston DAL $6,600 12.81 1.94
Dylan Larkin DET $6,400 11.12 1.74

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Nick Bjugstad STL $2,600 6.82 2.62
Andrew Copp DET $3,900 9.77 2.51
Connor McDavid EDM $10,500 24.91 2.37
Jack Roslovic EDM $3,600 8.13 2.26

Wing

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Nikita Kucherov TBL $8,400 20.11 2.39
Brady Tkachuk OTT $8,000 16.88 2.11
Zach Hyman EDM $6,700 15.38 2.30
Alex DeBrincat DET $7,200 14.99 2.08

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Ridly Greig OTT $3,100 8.83 2.85
David Perron OTT $2,800 7.76 2.77
James van Riemsdyk DET $4,000 10.87 2.72
Kasperi Kapanen EDM $2,900 7.75 2.67

Use our SFTB Plus optimizers to perfect your DFS roster. Include or Exclude players and teams, and see our 10 best rosters for every available slate.


Defenseman

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Darren Raddysh TBL $6,200 15.77 2.54
Evan Bouchard EDM $7,300 14.80 2.03
Jake Sanderson OTT $6,800 13.87 2.04
Moritz Seider DET $6,400 12.76 1.99

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Jake Walman EDM $3,700 9.85 2.66
J.J. Moser TBL $3,000 7.84 2.61
Darren Raddysh TBL $6,200 15.77 2.54
Darnell Nurse EDM $4,200 10.07 2.40

Goalie

Best Rating

Name Team Cost Expected Value
John Gibson DET $7,900 14.29 1.81
Andrei Vasilevskiy TBL $7,800 14.27 1.83
James Reimer OTT $7,500 10.95 1.46
Connor Ingram EDM $8,200 10.62 1.30

Best Values

Name Team Cost Expected Value
Andrei Vasilevskiy TBL $7,800 14.27 1.83
John Gibson DET $7,900 14.29 1.81
James Reimer OTT $7,500 10.95 1.46
Jake Oettinger DAL $7,600 10.31 1.36

Picks are based on historical performance and match-up. Picks are updated regularly, but we advise that you keep up to date on late-day roster moves and injuries – those are not taken into consideration. Sports from the Basement provides no warranty on these suggestions and readers should make picks at their own risk. Sample lineups are provided as thought-starters, and are not intended for direct use.