We are only a quarter of the way into the season, and we’ve already seen multiple rookies make immediate impacts in the NHL. Players like Lucas Raymond and Trevor Zegras have been integral in turning cellar-dwelling teams into potential playoff contenders. Not only are these two valuable fantasy assets, but they’ve also elevated the value of their line mates. Anton Lundell and Seth Jarvis are two other rookies who’ve slotted into top-six roles on Stanley Cup-caliber teams and have made the most of the opportunity. However, these performances come as no surprise to those who play in dynasty leagues and follow prospect progression. In re-draft leagues, these were players who were either picked in the late rounds or claimed as early-season free agents. Clearly, there’s some value in keeping an eye on the minors. With that in mind, let’s look at some other players who could be poised for breakouts this season.
Arguably the best prospect not in the NHL right now is Quinton Byfield, the second-overall pick in 2020 of the Los Angeles Kings. Byfield got a taste of the NHL last season, recording just one assist in six games. He was likely to make the opening night roster this year, but unfortunately suffered a fractured ankle in pre-season. While he may not have had the immediate success that some other top prospects have seen, the 19-year-old Byfield has incredibly high upside. At 6’4” and 215 lbs, he can use his size to win battles and create chances for himself like a typical power forward. However, his skating and puck-handling ability are anything but typical for a player his size. Having recovered from the ankle injury, Byfield has started what should be just a conditioning stint in the AHL and will likely be back with the Kings sooner rather than later. It’s incredibly rare to find a player that has Byfield’s combination of size, playmaking skill, and scoring ability. He’s worth a speculative add in redraft leagues.
Another 19-year-old who could get some NHL time this season is Alexander Holtz of the New Jersey Devils. The Swedish winger has arguably the best pure shot of any prospect and can certainly be a weapon on an NHL power-play. A future combination of Holtz with a high-level playmaker like Jack Hughes should be incredibly exciting for Devils fans. Ultimately, Holtz remains a somewhat polarizing prospect. His scoring ability gives him top-line upside, but he’ll have to prove he can play a multi-dimensional game to find success in the NHL. If he does get an extended call-up, keep an eye on how the Devils utilize Holtz, as he certainly can be a fantasy asset with the right line-mates and usage. He’ll have a chance to showcase his skills with team Sweden at the World Junior Championship, which gets underway December 26th.
One of my favorite prospects right now is Minnesota’s Marco Rossi. It’s very possible that he could have been in the NHL already, had it not been for a battle with Covid and subsequent diagnosis of myocarditis that forced him to sit out most of the 2020-21 season. Now that he’s thankfully healthy, the Austrian center will look to make an impact in the AHL and put himself in position for a call-up this season. Size will be the biggest question facing Rossi – at 5’9” he doesn’t exactly fit the prototype of an NHL center. However, his speed and offensive creativity should mitigate a lot of concern, as he’s shown the ability to put up points throughout his junior career. Minnesota has gotten off to a strong start this season, so they likely won’t feel the need to rush Rossi to the NHL. However, whenever he does get his chance, I’d expect him to run with it, and he should be watched closely in fantasy leagues.
Now, let’s get into a couple of prospects who’ve been disappointing so far in 2021. Vasili Podkolzin has suffered on an underachieving Vancouver Canucks team. Meanwhile, presumptive Calder-favorite Cole Caufield got off to a very poor start in Montreal, on the heels of a remarkable run in the 2020 postseason. It seems like expectations are higher than ever for prospects now, but it’s important to not overreact to a relatively small sample size of limited production. In Podkolzin’s case, the Canuck’s have used him in primarily a bottom-six role, limiting any potential fantasy output. However, the 6’4” Russian winger has shown that he can play in the NHL, featuring a physical, hard-working style of play that will give him a solid floor as an NHL regular. That said, Podkolzin has a very strong shot and ability to score goals around the net. If given more playing time higher up in the lineup, I believe that he can be a fantasy producer in multiple categories. Caufield is a more puzzling case. At 5’7”, he doesn’t offer the same floor as a two-way forward that Podkolzin does. However, you’d struggle to find someone with higher offensive upside, which Caufield already demonstrated in the Canadiens Stanley Cup run last season, recording 4 goals and 12 points. Montreal is clearly not the same team they were last season, and they’ve struggled generating much offense at all. I still believe in Caufield’s long-term potential, and he could still go on a hot streak this season, but it’s tough to rely on him (or anyone) in Montreal’s current lineup.
To recap, the current youth movement we’ve seen in the NHL is showing no signs of slowing down, thanks to a strong group of high-end prospects in the last three drafts. Quinton Byfield is a player I’d be stashing now, and Marco Rossi is someone who should be rostered once he gets the call to the NHL. Alexander Holtz should be watched closely, and if he’s given an extended chance with the Devil’s top line, he should absolutely be picked up.
