Now that we are past the first few weeks of NHL action, many dynasty league owners already know where their teams stand and if it’s time to start retooling their rosters. Today I’m going to take a look at 8 keeper league stashes at the forward position who you may be able to buy low on this season with the hope they may blossom into keeper status and accelerate your climb to the top. Even if your team is not rebuilding these players could end up being “found money.”
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Keeper League Stashes at Forward
My criteria for inclusion:
- Age 25 and under – still in a phase of their career where they should not have peaked.
- Likely not to be considered a rookie or minor eligible by season’s end. This will vary depending on the parameters of each Dynasty or Keeper League.
- Fantrax ownership below 75%. An arbitrary percentage but one that shows that there is not a consensus for the player featured.
- Focused on players who can play center or multiple positions. In most fantasy leagues centers are inherently more valuable due to added categories such as face-off wins (FOW) as well as often being more consistent point-getters. Skaters who play multiple positions allow for more roster juggling in maximizing your lineups.
Nolan Patrick (Age 22) – Philadelphia Flyers (C) – 46% Ownership
It was only 3+ years ago Patrick was selected 2nd overall in the NHL entry draft. After solid 30-point years as an 18- and 19-year-old, Patrick missed the entire 2019-20 season with a migraine disorder and fell off the fantasy hockey map. He got off to a strong start to this season and is currently centering a line with Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek, as well as getting significant power play (PP) time. Seemingly now a fixture in the Flyers’ top six, if he remains healthy look for Patrick to put up strong point totals and FOWs.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi (Age 20) – Montreal Canadiens (C) – 52% Ownership
Kotkaniemi is another high draft pick, selected 3rd overall in 2018; it’s easy to forget Kotkaniemi is only 20. After a solid rookie season as an 18-year-old, he struggled in his second season and spent time in the AHL. A strong performance for the Habs in the 2020 playoffs which included 4 goals in 10 games showed the offensive upside he possesses. With Kotkaniemi getting significant PP time and centering a line that includes the red hot Tyler Toffoli, it promises to be a breakout offensive season for the Finn. Have a look at grabbing him now if you can, while he remains somewhat under the radar.
Nico Hischier (Age 22) – New Jersey Devils (C) – 60% Ownership
As a former No. 1 overall selection (2017) Hischier hasn’t exactly been tearing the door down to stardom but he has been very good since entering the league as an 18-year-old, averaging 0.65 PPG over three seasons. He’s made significant positive strides in FOWs and he will also get good looks on the PP and penalty kill (PK). His point totals should continue to rise along with the Devil’s improvement as a team. Given that he has also been on Injured Reserve, this is an excellent time to make a move on him.
Alexandre Texier (Age 21) – Columbus Blue Jackets (C,RW) – 51% Ownership
Texier was a role player for most of 2019-20 but in the playoff bubble, he became one of John Tortorella’s most trusted forwards averaging over 21 minutes of ice time/game. With the Jackets #1 center Pierre-Luc Dubois having just been traded, Texier will be leaned on even more and his point totals will undoubtedly grow. His good start offensively this season will be enhanced with Patrick Laine expected to be on his wing. Add in increased PP time and there is much to like about picking up Texier for your fantasy team.
Joel Eriksson-Ek (Age 24) – Minnesota Wild (C) – 65% Ownership
Eriksson-Ek spent his first four years with the Wild as a very effective checking center. As the Wild have started to retool their roster he now finds himself as the team’s No. 1 center and his early-season point totals have jumped dramatically. There is a lot more offense in this former first-round pick and at 24 he could be on the verge of breaking out. Ek also gets significant PK time and this season he is also a mainstay on the PP, which makes him a valuable asset in a number of Dynasty Leagues.
Jordan Kyrou (Age 22) – St Louis Blues (RW, C) – 70% Ownership
Kyrou was a high-scoring player in the OHL and the Blues had high expectations of him being able to transition his offensive skill into the NHL. It’s been a somewhat slow growth into becoming a regular player on a deep Blues team. He has started this season on fire, averaging over a point per game (PPG) over the first 9 games of this season. He looks like he is well on his way to establishing himself as a fixture in the Blues top 6. Currently on the second PP unit, expect to see Kyrou’s PP time increase going forward. As a winger who can also play center, there is also added value in Kyrou’s flexibility when setting your daily or weekly lineups.
Roope Hintz (Age 24) – Dallas Stars (LW, C) – 72% Ownership
Hintz has had the wow factor since breaking into the league in 2018-19. His game grew last season to a shade over a 0.5 PPG and he has carried that over into this season averaging over a PPG over the first 5 games the Stars have played. At 24 and now getting prime-time, PK, and PP minutes (especially with Tyler Seguin out indefinitely), look for Hintz to continue to show growth in his offensive output. For those leagues that have hits as a category Hintz also adds value as he does like to get physical. Like Kyrou, he is also valuable for his ability to be slotted in as center or winger.
Josh Norris (Age 22) – Ottawa Senators (C) – 52% Ownership
The good news is Norris has jumped into the #1 center position with the Ottawa Senators. The bad news is that to date, the Senators are a truly awful hockey club. That aside, Norris has had a good start offensively with 6 points in 10 games. As this season progresses and the Sens fortunes improve, the offensive growth in his game should steadily climb as well. He has been getting looks on the first PP unit and while his face-off percentages have been up and down so far with a success rate of just 46%, this area of his game should also improve as we get deeper into the season.
Catching a player who is about to break out is one of the more satisfying moves a dynasty or keeper league Owner can make. A strong retool and rebuild often comes with grabbing one or two of these types of players who are somewhat under the radar. Hopefully, with a roll of the dice, some of these budding stars will reap your dynasty team its rewards.
Love these keeper league stashes but need some help this year? Check out Brandon Altomonte’s Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire.
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