Welcome back to the DobberProspects Ramblings. After an extended scouting assignment, we are back and ready to share our thoughts, observations, and opinions regarding prospects on a weekly basis.

This week I think a good place to start is looking at three breakout prospects you need to know.

Don’t sleep on Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Protas. The 2024 third round pick is quietly tearing up the OHL in his D+1 season. The 6-5 winger is only 5% Fantrax rostered but tied for third in league scoring with 70 points, and on pace for a 50 goal and 115-point season. The Belarussian played his draft year in the USHL posting 51 points in 61 games with the Des Moines Buccaneers. Selected by Windsor in the CHL Import draft he has been dominant and one of the leagues best players, driving the offence in Windsor with Liam Greentree.

Already signed to his ELC by the Caps, if he does not make the NHL roster his options are wide open. Since he was drafted out of the USHL he can return to the OHL if the Caps decide that is best. He now has the option to play in the NCAA as that door has been opened, or if he is ready to play pro he could go to Hershey in the AHL.

Another sleeper prospect you don’t want to ignore is Winnipeg Jets 2024 sixth round selection, Kieron Walton. The big 6-6 center had a nice draft season in Sudbury with 18 goals and 43 points in 65 games. Nice, but nothing to get overly excited about, right? Hold the phone, in his D+1 season he is on pace for 44 goals and 114 points! Before you ask, no he was not an overage redraft player, he is an April ’06 kid with potentially one more season in the OHL before he turns pro. Our Winnipeg Jets writer and recently promoted Editor Mark Henry has been keen to Walton since he was selected by the Jets, here is a sample of his assessment on Walton;

“A creative, 200-foot power forward with good vision who can stickhandle in tight areas, often finding teammates with ease. Due to his size on the offensive end of the ice, he easily maintains and protects the puck. However, his production and work ethic are inconsistent; more opportunity and experience can help improve this aspect of his game. He has the potential to become a top-six playmaking power forward with special team contributions or, at worst, a reliable bottom-six depth player.”

After reading this you should probably rush to Fantrax and search to see if he is available in your league, he is only rostered in 3% of leagues.

A final need to know prospect I want to share with you Dallas Stars undrafted free agent signing Justin Hryckowian. The 23-year-old forward is the AHL rookie scoring leader with 32-points in 32-games, and he has been recalled to the Dallas Stars to play in four games so far this season. I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but this is a player I identified last season on an episode of the DobberProspects Report Podcast after his impressive performance with Northeastern in the Beanpot last year. The Dallas Stars have an impressive track record recently of finding and developing prospects. Jason Robertson, Wyatt Johnston, Logan Stankoven, and Mavrik Bourque have all provided value early and equal to or better than their daft. I am not saying Hryckowian has superstar upside like these players, but given their track record, and the fact he is only 2% Fantrax rostered makes him a prime free agent target in your dynasty league.