Welcome to the Thursday Prospect Ramblings. This week I dove deeper into Fantrax ownership to find prospects owned under 10%. Let me tell you dear reader, the percentage’s go from 10% to 7%, then have 4%, and then goes to zero percent. There are really no players to own in zero percent, so I was surprised 4% is the lowest percentage.
Here is my #GoodTweet of the week too:
Was in the pub last night and mentioned I would not take Tim Stutzle with one of the top 2 picks. I was sucker punched. Is this really what we are coming to? If you don't draft him too early you are the villian? #NHLDraft
CC @DobberProspects I need insurance coverage
— Pat Quinn (not that one) (@FHPQuinn) August 26, 2020
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Henry Thrun, D (ANA); 7% ownership
Thrun is an underrated commodity in the prospect community. He was routinely overshadowed in 2019-2020 with Rathbone and Walsh getting more love at Harvard. He may not explode the doors off of the NHL and quarterback a powerplay, but he skates and thinks the game very well. He slipped to the fourth round for Anaheim a notoriously great drafting team
Peter Cehlarik, F (BOS); 7% ownership
Signing in the SHL until 2021-2022 as he was critical of his use in the NHL should not shut the door on his NHL career. He was not given the best NHL shot attempting to play on a deep Bruins squad after routinely playing well in the AHL. He may be gone for a short time but if his rights get traded, or he is welcomed back in Boston, be ready to add him on to your fantasy teams’ bench. If you can wait two years and you have room on your bench, he would be a good add if you are willing to take the risk.
Glenn Gawdin, F (CGY); 7% ownership
Speaking of flying under the radar, how is Gawdin just owned in 7% of leagues? Do people not notice that he just keeps getting better. He is obviously not the most complete player but his playmaking skills are very good. He is on the older side at 23, but he would add to the Flames attack if they could fit him in to the top nine.
Mason Shaw, F and Dmitri Sokolov, F (MIN); 7% ownership
Poor Mason Shaw and going from one major knee injurie to the next. His skill is undeniable but he needs to stay healthy to make the NHL. He also needs to add speed and be more elusive, but knee injuries can take that away. I really hope he recovers and can one day step in to the NHL. Remember to watch him
Sokolov has the shot and the skill for the NHL but many are always concerned about his commitment to competing and fitness. I believe he has taken that all seriously but when you get questioned about those two areas, prospects will routinely face underserved scrutiny (hello Josh Ho Sang). His goals per game increased in the AHL last season but he needs to add more to his playmaking. He may be two years away from the NHL if all goes right.
Garrett Pilon, F (WSH); 7% ownership
As the Capitals writer at DobberProsects I think Pilon is underrated in prospect circles, but I realize his use and stats keep him unowned in many prospect leagues. Add on to that the Capitals having really no room in the NHL for him, and his NHL certainty is pretty low. Pilon has the skills to make the NHL as he shoots a ton (once he gets more used to a league) and has great playmaking ability. The Bears are an AHL squad that plays vets over rookies as they value winning towards prime development, but it has been a very successful organization and is tough to argue against. If he can get a top line shot in Hershey for a season people will take notice, otherwise he may be relegated to Riley Barber status of: never really given a shot so he gets pigeon-holed in a role
Liam Kirk, F (ARI); 4% ownership
For a seventh-round pick in 2018, Kirk has a lot of fans in the scouting community, perhaps they are just from Britain though. Kirk has good offensive instincts but need to fill in to his frame and work to improve his skill to progress. He is quite a ways away but if you want someone to cheer for to make it Kirk is high up on the list.
Vladislav Kotkov, F (SJ); 4% ownership
Kotkov went from passed over in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, attending Sharks development camp, and then immediately signed. The Sharks obviously loved what they say as they immediately committed to him, it also helps that the teams’ prospect pool is quite shallow. He has the size NHL GMs love and with it he does have skill. He is also a way away but when any team commits immediately to a prospect notice needs to be taken. If you have room to stash him and see how he turns out, do it
Alexei Toropchenko, F (STL); 4% ownership
Obviously nine points in 59 games is not great for a first-year player in the AHL, but Toropchenko has a history of starting a high league with poor stats. He is not the best skater or skilled player but he is a big net front presence. It may take him three AHL seasons to really utilize his pros and reduce his cons but he can become a bottom-nine winger in the NHL if everything works out. In really deep leagues I would still be hesitant to have him on my prospects bench but watch his trajectory with the Blues. I get this feeling that once they need a big bodied winger there will be a spot open and he will have figured out his game by them.
Ruslan Iskhakov, F (NYI); 4% ownership
Zero reason he should be one of the lowest owned prospects on Fantrax. He is small and slight, and perhaps the stagnant NCAA production has scared fantasy GMs off. However, Iskhakov has more skill that people realize. I remain hopeful he can break out in the Liiga for 2020-2021 but he really needs to work on his skating and add muscle. Two years in Finland should really help him to develop.
I wanted to note a couple wildcard goalies since goalies are voodoo and these two could randomly develop in to each team’s starter in 3-5 years, or flame out completely. Make sure you watch:
- Felix Sandstrom (PHI); 8% ownership
- Vadim Zherenko (STL); 8% ownership
Additionally, for keeper league owners:
- Always keep a tab open on Maxim Shalunov (CHI – 7% ownership) as he could step right in to the NHL and produce 45+ points
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Thanks for reading, follow my twitter: @FHPQuinn
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