Welcome to the Pharling Files.  My name is Peter Harling, and you may remember me from such shows like, DobberProspects Report Podcast, DobberProspects Managing Editor, and Contributions to the Fantasy Prospects Report among others.

After a year sabbatical, I am back in the rinks and scouting for Fantasy Hockye Prospects. This column will be where I wax poetic about prospects I have seen live, updates on drafted prospects stock, draft eligible prospects and all things fantasy hockey prospects.

While the season is still early, several players have had hot starts, let’s start there.

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Tyson Jugnauth, LD – Seattle Kraken (7% Fantrax Roster)

The road to the NHL for Jugnauth has certainly been the road less traveled. From the BCHL, to the NCAA where he detoured to the WHL and is now a sophomore in the AHL. The 5-11, 183-pound defender struggled in the NCAA. He produced in the WHL with Portland to the tune of 130 points in 106 career games (1.23 PPG) gave hope to the 100^{th overall} pick from the 2022 NHL Draft. The question was, can he do it at a higher level after struggling in the NCAA against older, stronger and more developed players. The answer is yes. As a freshman in Coachella, he climbed the depth chart passing Lucas Dragicevic as the top offensive defender finishing his rookie season with 45 points in 72 games. His physical game leaves a little to be desired (28 hits), but he did produce 100 blocked shots and 130 shots on goal to provide added value in banger leagues. After the first four games of the season, the sophomore jinx is nowhere to be seen as he leads the league in defense scoring with eight points. The DobberProspects Fantasy Prospect Report Upside comp for Jugnauth is Vince Dunn with a 60-point upside. So don’t sleep on this file, Jugnauth is a free add in 97% of fantasy leagues, and he is tracking to be one of the top offensive defenders for Seattle in the next few seasons.

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Tim Washe, C – Anaheim Ducks (10% Fantrax Roster)

The undrafted NCAA alumni was signed by the Ducks following a Natty with Western Michigan in 2025 and made his NHL debut playing two games. He was held pointless but made it into 39 games in his first full year and posted only five points. Ho-hum. But he did produce 27 points in 36 AHL games, and he is a force on draws and provides good peripheral stats. Washe made the Ducks roster this year and is here to stay having signed a new four-year deal with a $2.25 AAV. Through the first five games, Washe has a goal and two assists, five shots, 21 hits, eight blocks, and 46 FOW (51%). While Washe will never win the Art Ross or Rocket Richard Trophy, he should be a free, cheap add in your dynasty capped league and provide good multi-cat production.

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Moving on to some live and video views from the season:

Alessandro Di Iorio, C – Columbus Blue Jackets (3% Fantrax Roster)

The Sarnia Sting made their loan visit to Kingston early this year and fortunately for me, Di Iorio was already returned from his first NHL training camp as the Blue Jackets third round selection (94th overall). Returning for his third OHL season, this should be a breakout year for Di Iorio as he is on pace for an 84-point season with the Sting. Di Iorio showed exceptional hockey sense in this game, constantly reading and anticipating plays. He finds open ice and lanes to attack when on offense. Where his vision really stood out was in the defensive zone. He was reading Kingston’s plays so well and at an advanced level. He was constantly timing his positioning perfectly to skate into passing lanes precisely as Kingston made a pass. He made it look like Kingston was passing to him on more than one occasion. Still a long way from the NHL, his stock could rise with a breakout OHL season. Next year he is a Boston University commit and could play a top six role with the Terriers for a year or two before he pushes for an NHL job. His offensive game as it stands may not project to a top six NHL role, but he has a floor of a strong middle six, two-way player if developed correctly.

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Aiden Celebrini, RD – Vancouver Canucks (2% Fantrax Roster)

The Boston Terriers played their first two games of the season in Alaska, and Flo Hockey broadcasted them. It was a nice birthday gift for me to watch the Terriers. The Terriers won both games, but they were both close. The older brother to Macklin is a right shot defensive defender and a 2023 sixth round (171^st overall) pick of the Canucks. The Terriers have been flush with offensive defenders the past few seasons with the lane and Cole Hutson, and Tom Willander. Freshman Xavier Villeneuve may take over the top offensive defender and PP quarterback this year for the Terriers, but in the first two games, Celebrini was getting all the top deployment and big minutes for B.U. Wearing an “A” for the Terriers in his senior season he was flexing his offensive muscle, running the PP, rushing the puck and attacking the net. He registered an assist in the 4-0 win and was arguably the best player in the games. Celebrini will need to be signed by the Canucks following his final season at Boston University or he could become a UFA and possibly sign in San Jose with his brother. Regardless of where he signs, he will play a season or two in the AHL before his NHL window opens. Celebrini has a limited offensive ceiling, but if he can develop his offensive game and maintain that at the pro level, his file will become fantasy relevant. He is a player to watch for now.

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That’s all for now folks. Thanks for reading and shout out at me on X (Twitter) @pharling if you have feedback on the column or players you want to talk about.

Peter Harling