Looking for a Michael Bunting or a Mortiz Seider to help win your fantasy league? Rookies are notoriously hard to project, even those who played a few games late in the season following the conclusion of their amateur careers.
They’re often overlooked but could provide major surplus value in the draft’s later rounds. Even if they don’t produce enough to earn a spot on your fantasy team, plenty of them can go on a hot run for a month or two. Trevor Zegras and Lucas Raymond were worth the late-round picks, and Cole Caufield and Matt Boldy were both good sources of goals later in the season. There are always a few surprises, too, including Anton Lundell (44 points, +33 rating), Dawson Mercer and Seth Jarvis (both 40+ points), and a new banger on the block in Tanner Jeannot (24 goals, 130 PIM, 318 hits).
Here’s a look at 15 rookies who can make a significant impact for the upcoming season.
Short List:
Mason McTavish, LW, Ducks
McTavish has the potential to be a multi-category beast. He’s not the biggest player on the ice but he’s hard to miss with his mix of brilliant offensive play and physical edge, scoring three points to go with eight hits and six blocked shots in nine games with the Ducks last season. He’s Canada’s captain at the rescheduled WJC and practically a lock to win a roster spot with the Ducks in the fall. His fantasy value will depend on where he plays in the lineup; if he’s a center (which will help him earn dual-position eligibility), he will be behind Zegras and Ryan Strome, but if he’s a winger, he will get more top-six opportunities.
Matty Beniers, C, Kraken
In what should be a star-studded 2021 draft class, Beniers came into the league as a two-way forward without top-end scoring skill. Yet, in 10 games with the Kraken, Beniers put up three goals and nine points, including four on the power play, on a team lacking wingers who could consistently finish, and also won 39 faceoffs. With consistent top-six minutes at center and some power play time, Beniers is already an attractive asset in keeper leagues.
Owen Power, D, Sabres
Arguably the most hyped defenseman to come into the league, Power is an all-around defenseman who can make a Moritz Seider-like impact for the Sabres. In limited action last season, Power scored three points with 10 shots and nine blocked shots while averaging 22:05 TOI in eight games. He’s worth a late-round pick in most formats, especially in leagues with four…
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