We previously took a look at the top 10 Fantasy Prospects from the 2019 NHL draft. Today FantraxHQ will look at the next tier of prospects from this draft. If you are a Dynasty League owner or if you are in a deep league, these players are all trending toward being NHL players and could be on the verge of making an impact within the next two seasons.
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2019 NHL Draft Projected Breakout Fantasy Players
In no particular order here are 10 players from the 2019 NHL draft to keep an eye on. Owners would be advised to consider and evaluate these prospects for their Dynasty Leagues.
Cole Caufield, Montreal Canadiens (RW) – 37% Owned
Caufield is a goal scorer. Standing at barely 5’7″ tall he has defied all odds and has established himself as one of the top goal-scoring prospects not currently in the NHL. He is tearing up the NCAA with 25 goals in 28 games this season. Despite his size, he is difficult to contain. His quickness and play-making skills are both high-end. I would expect to see Caufield to sign and see games in Montreal before the end of the 2021 season.
Ville Heinola, Winnipeg Jets (D) – 37% Owned
Heinola is a slick offensive defenseman who is on the verge of cracking the top 6 of the Jets defense. He is poised with the puck on his stick and has generated offense at all levels he has played at. As the defensive side of his game improves Heinola will become a fixture in the Jets lineup. Fantasy owners can expect 0.50 PPG production and first-line PP minutes once he makes the NHL on a full-time basis
Moritz Seider, Detroit Red Wings (D) – 33% Owned
Seider was a surprise selection at 6th overall by the Red Wings. Built in the Victor Hedman mode, Seider is a smooth skater and puck handler who can operate at effectively at both ends of the ice. He has proven to have a scoring touch as well as to be able to offer positive contributions in both hits and blocks. Seider seems destined to be a top-pairing defenseman who will play in all situations. Expect him to be a regular in the Wings lineup by next season
Alex Newhook, Colorado Avalanche (C) – 31% Owned
Newhook is an explosive forward who has great play-making and offensive skills. He was the NCAA rookie of the year at Boston College in his freshman season and has followed that up with another great start this season. He produced at a PPG rate for Canada at the recent U20 WJHC despite being used primarily in a bottom 6 role. I would expect Newhook to leave College after this season and join the Avs. Though he may need some seasoning at the AHL level, he has a high fantasy upside.
Peyton Krebs, Vegas Golden Knights (C,LW) – 29% Owned
Krebs had a short stint in the AHL while waiting for his Junior team to start up again in the WHL. Playing for Vegas’s affiliate in Henderson, Krebs put up PPG numbers over 5 games. This showing indicates that he may be ready for the NHL as early as next season. Krebs has good offensive skills and high hockey IQ. He also offers added value as a player who finishes checks and is involved in the game physically. He is also versatile being able to play all 3 forward positions. All these intangibles, along with being a good offensive player will make Krebs a must-have player in fantasy hockey.
Philip Tomasino, Nashville Predators (C) – 26% Owned
Tomasino is another highly skilled forward who has had a great start at the AHL level while waiting for his Junior team to start up again. With 11 points in 11 games at Chicago in the AHL, he has had a seamless transition to pro hockey. A later 1st round pick, he may end up being the steal of what was a very deep draft. Tomasino is an excellent skater who plays a very good two-way game. He doesn’t shy away from the physical part of hockey. As a fantasy player, he will offer good offensive numbers as well as playing both PK and PP and accumulating hits and takeaways. With Nashville in dire need of help at center, Tomasino will have an excellent chance to make the Preds in 2021-22.
Matthew Boldy, Minnesota Wild (LW) – 25% Owned
Boldy is having an excellent sophomore season at Boston College averaging 1.30 PPG. He was a key member of the gold-medal-winning U20 USA hockey team at the 2020 WJHC providing key goals and excellent defensive zone play. Boldy has a great shot and excellent vision. As he is already a very good two-way player he could crack the Wild’s lineup as soon as he leaves College.
Thomas Harley, Dallas Starts (D) – 20% Owned
With COVID delaying the start of a number of leagues, Harley is another player who has taken advantage of the opportunity of playing some pro games. He has been able to contribute offensively and take a regular shift on defense for Dallas’s AHL affiliate. Harley is very good in transition and has the skills to contribute offensively. He led all OHL draft-eligible defensemen in points in his draft year. He is calm and poised with the puck. Even though Dallas is pretty deep on defense I can’t see them being able to hold Harley back in 2021-22.
Samuel Fagemo, Los Angeles Kings (LW,RW) – 13% Owned
Fagemo opened a lot of eyes at last year’s U20 WJHC, leading the tournament in scoring. He has great hands and shot and compliments that with excellent skating ability. He has already become a significant contributor to the LA’s AHL team with 6 goals and 10 points in 15 games. LA is loaded with a very deep prospect pool but with his ability to play both wings Fagemo has an excellent chance to see games this season as well as be a key component of next season’s Kings team.
Shane Pinto, Ottawa Senators (C) – 11% Owned
Pinto is a classic late developer. The Senators surprised a number of prognosticators and took Pinto #32 overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, ahead of a number of players who were rated higher. Since then Pinto led the U20 USA hockey team in goals at the 2020 WJHC, was named his conference’s rookie of the year in 2020, was nominated for this years Hobey Baker award as most outstanding NCAA player, and just became the first unanimous winner of the NCHC player of the year. He excels at both ends of the rink and has dominated the face-off circle in his first two seasons of college hockey. Pinto seems likely to join the Sens after the end of this College season and for someone who has been sky-rocketing the last couple of years, look for him to make the jump to the NHL sooner than later.
All these players from the 2019 NHL Draft appear to be “can’t miss” prospects. You may have to take the long game on some of these players but if you are in a deep fantasy or dynasty league you should be tracking these 2019 draftees as possible additions to your roster.
For roster and lineup help in this season, check out the latest Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire.
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