Dynasty Fantasy Hockey: Deep Dive Part 1

Why would one find this particularly interesting? If you’re like me, fantasy hockey is a one of your greatest passions, or an incredible interest, and you want to challenge yourself on lots of levels. I play in several very deep leagues, talking 31 teams, full 50 contract limits, custom cap-hits, clauses, deep prospect drafts and with that comes very deep prospect pools. So, in this article my goal is to highlight some of these prospects that have shown me that they can be a very valuable asset to anyone’s team down the road.

Without further delay let’s take a dive!

Jack Dugan – LW, 6’2, 185lbs.

Draft: 2017, 5^th round, VGK. (Drafted his 2^nd year of eligibility)

Age: 21

Current team: Providence College, NCAA.

14GP/6G/23A/29P.

Jack Dugan is a powerful skater that helps him fight through checks and create separation between him and defenders. His puck-handling is excellent and has ability to create offensive at full-speed. Plays the power forward game to a T. He’s exceptional in board battles. Dugan likes to get in on the forecheck quick and heavy and controls the puck down low very well to create a cycle. Dugan is lighting the NCAA on fire. His offensive game has gone off to say the least. If your dynasty/cap leagues counts hits as a category or has a set amount of points for them he’s absolutely someone to consider to help with those particular categories.

Upside: Middle-six power-forward, has the capabilities of becoming an effective physical NHL player.

Tyler Madden – C, 5’11, 150lbs.

Draft: 2018, 3^rd round, VAN.

Age: 20

Current team: Northeastern Univ, NCAA.

15GP/ 11G/ 10A/ 21P

Tyler Madden is an impressive skater who uses his quick agility to open lanes and create plays. That’s not just it – he can really fly, this kid can skate. His explosive first few steps are a monumental asset in his game, it helps him create space between him and his defenders. He’s always a threat to create scoring opportunities or finish plays, whether that’s with a slick pass or his shot. Not only does he like to create scoring opportunities he likes finishing them. He shoots the puck with exceptional accuracy, and an under-rated release.

In points heavy dynasty or cap league pools Madden is someone to keep your eye on closely. His numbers in the NCAA don’t lie, his trajectory is a good one and he’s not someone you’re going to happy about missing.

Upside: 2nd line scoring center.

Jan Jenik, LW/RW/C, 6’1, 161lbs.

Draft: 2018, 3^rd round, ARZ.

Age: 19

Current team: Hamilton Bulldogs.

24GP/20G/33A/53P.

Jan Jenik is as lanky as they come, the Czech prospects biggest downside is his size. He’s listed at 161lbs, some other sites have him listed as sub-160. The kid is a noodle. But, don’t let that deter you from taking a closer look at him, he’s packed full of raw talent. He skates very well; he knows which areas to go to score goals and this is all created by his savvy offensive smarts. His mantra is to score goals, but his speed and vision also create a lot of chances by dishing the puck also. Don’t overlook his stick handling abilities, he’s capable of deking his way out of a wet paper bag, an extremely shifty player to say the least. Another positive is his versatility, he plays all three forward positions and doesn’t look uncomfortable in any of them.

What’s one thing that we’re constantly looking for in fantasy hockey? Versatility, we like it when players that are offensive minded players that give us flexibility in our lineups. It’s no different in dynasty leagues, we are always looking for someone to give us a step on our competition. Jan provides that upside.

Upside: Top 9 player, good chance at a top 6 role if he fills out, plus powerplay time.

Zachary Jones – D, 5’10, 176 lbs.

Draft: 2019,
3^rd round, NYR.

Age: 19

Current
team: UMass(Amhurst), NCAA,

13GP/ 3G/ 8A/ 11P.

Zach is no stranger to the offensive side of the puck. He’s a mobile, nimble, puck moving player who takes his offensive game very seriously. His 4-way directional skating his exceptional, it enables him to jump on loose pucks quickly and easily. His stick handling ability is another great tool in his bag of tricks, he can slip his way out of in tight situations, chip the puck out with great ease or make a crisp tape to tape pass with sublime accuracy and speed.

Zach has a lot of skills that will translate well to the NHL. If your dynasty or cap team is missing out on some offense from the back-end, this may be your answer or a key piece to that answer.

Upside: Top 4 offensive d-man, has the tools to run a powerplay effectively.

Max Gildon – D, 6’3, 192lbs.

Draft:
2017, 3^rd round, FLA.

Age: 20

Current
Team: Univ. of New Hampshire, NCAA

13GP/5G/8A/13P

Gildon is a big kid, but an extremely mobile and agile skater. He’s capable of changing directions with a great amount of ease. His balance is superb which helps play into his agile skating capabilities. He possesses a very heavy and powerful slapshot that he can get off quickly. Gildon will be used on the powerplay and he is going to produce from that spot.  He does need to work on his shot accuracy, but he will get there. It will never hurt that he has a bit of an edge to his game, physically he is very hard to play against. Gildon’s development arc has taken a very nice turn since his draft year.

If he’s not currently on another team’s roster in your cap league or dynasty league, he’s worth the investment now and in the future. His development arc is promising and you need to keep a close eye on it.

Upside: Top 4 two-way defenseman with PP1 upside.

Cayden Primeau – G, 6’3, 198lbs.

Draft:
2017, 7^th round, MTL.

Age: 20

Current
team: Laval Rocket, AHL.

11GP/7W/1L/1OTL/2.35 GAA/.915SV%

If Cayden isn’t on your watch list or someone you’re watching closely please, do it. Cayden is everything you want in a future number 1 goalie.  He’s a big, athletic, strong tender with very good vision, senses and athleticism. He plants his feet well, reacts to shots quickly and effectively. Gets his pads flush to the ice for when he pushes across the crease, he isn’t leaving any gaps along the ice. He rarely over plays the puck, he almost always is square to the shooter and takes away angles with great ease.

As he’s developed over the last two years his rebound control has cleaned up a lot, but still has some work to do with controlling where his rebounds go. Cayden will be in the AHL for this season and maybe next, but he’s being groomed to be handed the reigns when Carey Price decides to hang them up.

Cayden is a must add prospect, in any deep cap league or dynasty pool, he’s going to be an unbelievable goalie for many years. When you read this, check your pool and if he’s not taken, sign him or place him on your must-add draft list.

Upside: High-end NHL starter.

Thanks for playing along! The season is still young, and so is this series! Please stay tuned for the next installment of the Dynasty Fantasy Hockey Deep Dive series.