The top end of most any Dynasty League’s prospects are likely either stashed already or well-known to poolies. Today we are going to dive a little deeper and look for the hidden gems that may be lurking but still not recognized in most Fantasy Leagues. These players were either very late-round draft picks or have taken a somewhat slower path to be considered top-level NHL prospects.
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8 Under the Radar NHL Prospects to Stash
Jack Rathbone, 21 years old – Vancouver Canucks (D) – 10% Owned
Rathbone was drafted in the 4th round, #95 in the 2017 entry draft. Rathbone plays an uptempo offensive game. He’s a very good skater with a big shot. He lost a year at the NCAA this season with Harvard’s season being shut down but is primed to slide into the Canucks top 6 as early as next season. He has begun his pro career at Utica in the AHL with 9 PTS in his first 8 games. An indication he is on the verge of making the jump to the NHL.
Jonathan ‘Jack’ Dugan, 23 years old – Vegas Golden Knights (C,LW) – 10% Owned
Dugan was drafted in the 5th round at #142 in the 2017 entry draft. Dugan is a late bloomer as evidenced by being skipped over in his original draft year. At Providence College, he had two outstanding offensive seasons and has carried that over to a successful first pro season in the AHL. He possesses size and aggressiveness as well as excellent skill. Dugan is almost certain to get time with the Golden Knights soon, as he looks to be NHL ready.
Wade Allison, 23 years old – Philadelphia Flyers (RW) – 7% Owned
While Allison was a 2nd round pick back in 2016, he stayed in college for 4 full seasons as he also battled injuries during that time. This took Allison off the fantasy league radar. He is described as a Wayne Simmonds-style player which would endear him to fantasy owners whose leagues value PIMS, hits as well as points. His return to play from injury saw him earn 9 points in 8 AHL games before getting a call up to the Flyers. As he was a consistently high-scoring winger at Western Michigan U, Allison could emerge as an interesting under-the-radar pickup going into 2021-22.
Riley Damiani, 21 years old – Dallas Stars (C) – 7% Owned
Damiani was drafted in the 5th round at #137 in the 2018 entry draft. He’s a playmaking center who has put up PPG numbers in his first season in the AHL. He also put up big point totals in his last 2 Junior seasons with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL. Undersized at 5’10” he possesses excellent speed. The question will be if he can continue to score at the pro level. So far so good.
Wyatt Kalynuk, 24 years old – Chicago Blackhawks (D) – 6% Owned
Kalnyuk was originally drafted in the 7th round by the Philadelphia Flyers at #196 before moving over to the Hawks. Kalynuk is a mobile puck-moving defenseman who put up excellent point totals during his 3 seasons at the U. of Wisconsin. He immediately showed his offensive prowess in the AHL with 10 points in 8 games at Rockford. This earned Kalenyuk a call-up to Chicago where he impressively registered 8 points in his first 15 games. Kalenyuk is one of the NHL prospects to consider stashing as soon as possible.
Morgan Barron, 21 years old – New York Rangers (C,LW) – 4% Owned
Barron was drafted in the 6th round at #174 at the 2017 entry draft. A big physical center who has put up 3 straight seasons of PPG; two at Cornell in the NCAA and this season in the AHL with the Rangers affiliate in Hartford. Barron isn’t considered a highly-skilled forward but he continues to put up numbers as well as get both PK and PP at Hartford. Even though I would consider Barron a sleeper he is a player who continues to defy expectations.
Drew O’Connor, 22 years old – Pittsburgh Penguins (LW) – 3% Owned
O’Connor was undrafted and subsequently signed as a FA by the Pens. He has the makeup of a classic power forward. Intelligent, size, and good hands. After 21G and a PPG production in his final year at Dartmouth, he followed that up with PPG production with the Pens AHL team in Scranton. With a lack of prospect depth in the Penguin’s organization, O’Connor is going to get a good look at next season’s training camp and has a good chance of sticking with the big club.
Angus Crookshank, 21 years old – Ottawa Senators (LW) – 0% Owned
Perhaps one of the best names in professional hockey, Cookshank was selected in the 5th round at pick #126 at the 2018 entry draft. Crookshank is the type of player coaches love; feisty, aggressive as well as providing a strong offensive game. He completed his NCAA career at the U. of New Hampshire at a PPG pace and slid into the Senators AHL team with the same production over his first dozen games. Crookshank is someone to keep an eye on if you’re in a deep dynasty league.
If you are like me, finding that needle in the haystack player that sticks with your fantasy team is one of the many enjoyable parts of owning a dynasty league team. These 8 players may not move the radar at the top end of your draft but keep your eye on them as they could be valuable adds to your roster as late-round picks or waiver wire pick-ups.
Looking to dig even deeper into some under-the-radar NHL prospects? Fantalytica highlights Prospects You Don’t Know But Need To.
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