| 16 | THE HOCKEY NEWS ULTIMATE FANTASY POOL GUIDE 2019-
PROSPECT TIMELINES
MATTHEWS
TOC
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S PLAYERS GET BETTER at a younger age, it’s worth noting how
many phenoms are already on the radar. Yes, it’s strange to be
placing expectations on 14-year-olds, but the reality is these
kids have earned the hype with their elevated play. When it
comes to keeper leagues, you need to snag these youngsters before
your rivals have heard of the Shane Wrights and Connor Bedards of
the world. Here’s when you can expect some high-end prospects to be
ready for NHL duty. Ages are listed as of their anticipated NHL arrival.
2019-
JACK HUGHES C, 18
The No. 1 draft pick in 2019 joins an of-
fensively jacked New Jersey squad: Taylor
Hall, P.K. Subban and Nico Hischier will
keep the heat off the kid as he learns the
ropes. Not that it will take him long – his
speed game is tailor-made for the NHL.
KAAPO KAKKO RW, 18
Right behind Hughes in the draft was
Kakko, whose big frame will serve him
well as he takes on the toughest competi-
tion in the world. The Rangers are young
and fun, so there will be ample opportu-
nity for Kakko to fit right in.
CALE MAKAR D, 20
We got a preview of the Makar experience
in the playoffs when he helped Colorado
knock off top-seeded Calgary – now we
get to see the full-length movie. The gifted
defenseman could rack up a lot of points
by working with the Avs’ top line.
ERIK BRANNSTROM D, 20
It’s basically a blank slate in Ottawa right
now, so Brannstrom has a good chance to
stick with the Senators and use his great
mobility and puck-rushing abilities to help
create off the rush. Thomas Chabot will be
a fine role model for the Swedish rookie.
RYAN POEHLING C, 20
One NHL game, one hat trick. Not setting
the bar too high, eh? In all seriousness,
Poehling has the goods to become a very
important center for Montreal and his
two-way talent ensures he’ll be valuable
up and down the lineup.
2020-
ALEXIS LAFRENIERE LW, 18
He’s the top-rated prospect heading into
the 2020 NHL draft, and just for some ex-
tra spice, the draft will be in Montreal. The
Rimouski winger is the best Quebec-born
prospect in years, and he’s the frontrunner
for the QMJHL scoring title this season.KIRILL KAPRIZOV LW, 23
OK, he’s finally coming over, right?
Minnesota has waited long enough for
the dynamic Russian, but when his KHL
contract with CSKA Moscow ends, Kaprizov
will make his mark in the NHL. He’s got the
high-end skill the Wild sorely needs.QUINTON BYFIELD C, 18
The package is Eric Lindros-esque. With a
successful OHL rookie season in Sudbury
behind him, Byfield has adjusted to play-
ing against older competition. With his
size and skill, he’ll put up big numbers this
year and then jump straight to the NHL.GRIGORI DENISENKO LW, 20
He was great at the 2019 WJC and will
dominate again in 2020. Once Denisenko
completes his KHL service with Yaroslavl,
he’ll head to Florida where his skilled,
physical game will look good on a line with
Aleksander Barkov or Henrik Borgstrom.2021-
STAY AHEAD OF
THE CURVE
Keeper-league poolies know it’s important to grab future
superstars early. Some arrival dates are still many years away
BY RYAN KENNEDY
ANTON LUNDELL C, 19
Due to an October birthday, Lundell isn’t
draft-eligible until 2020 – but he already
has a world juniors gold medal in his
trophy case. A big center with smarts and
a competitive nature, he’ll go right to The
Show after cutting his teeth in the Liiga.COLE CAUFIELD RW, 20
He slipped to Montreal at 15th overall in
the draft, but Caufield still has that golden
scoring touch and confidence to make it
as a small guy in the NHL. Two years with
NCAA Wisconsin will give him time in the
weight room before making the jump.ALEX HOLTZ RW, 19
Given how incredible his goal-scoring
acumen is already, Holtz could go straight
from the 2020 draft to the NHL. But if he
wants to develop his game away from the
puck, he would have a great scenario to do
so back home in Sweden with Djurgarden.LUCAS RAYMOND RW, 19
Another uber-talented Swedish prospect
for the 2020 draft class, Raymond is in
much the same boat as Holtz, though he’s
more of a playmaker than a sniper. He’s
more rounded but a little smaller than
Holtz. He’ll develop with Frolunda.ALEX TURCOTTE C, 20
Because of the development time he
missed due to injury in his draft year, Tur-
cotte could play two years with Wisconsin
before hooking up with Los Angeles. By
that point, he’ll be primed to make an
impact as a point-producing center.VASILI PODKOLZIN RW, 20
Two years isn’t that long to wait for a
prospect, so don’t worry about Podkolzin’s
contract status in the KHL. Once he gets
some reps with St. Petersburg, he’ll come
over fully formed to Vancouver where he
can score, bang and crash.2022-
SHANE WRIGHT C, 18
As an exceptional-status player in the
OHL, Wright will be a top NHL draft
prospect in 2022 with a year’s more junior
experience (in Kingston) than most. And
given how strong he is on his skates, he’ll
go straight to the NHL in 2022-23.MATTHEW SAVOIE C, 18
Despite being turned down for exceptional
status by Hockey Canada, Savoie, the top
pick in the 2019 WHL bantam draft, will still
play a lot of WHL games in Winnipeg. The
dynamic center and 2022 draft prospect
will get opportunities on a young squad.BRAD LAMBERT LW, 18
The Finnish kid with the very un-Finnish
name (OK, he’s half-Canadian) has already
attended camp with HIFK’s men’s team.
Due to a December birthday, Lambert isn’t
eligible for the NHL draft until 2022, but
he’s well worth the wait.LUKE HUGHES D, 19
The youngest of the Hughes clan, Luke is
a gorgeous skater with the biggest frame
in the family. Once he’s done with the U.S.
NTDP, the 2021 draft prospect will attend
NCAA Michigan for a year, but the NHL will
beckon after that.JOSHUA ROY C, 19
A top prospect for the 2021 NHL draft, Roy
was taken first overall in the 2019 QMJHL
draft by Saint John, which got its usual
lottery luck. A very talented kid who will
be growing alongside the team itself. He’ll
make an impact sooner than later.ADAM FANTILLI RW, 18
Helping the Toronto Red Wings to the OHL
Cup final, Fantilli showed why he is a scin-
tillating prospect for the future. Ultra-fast
and skilled, his December birthday means
he won’t be eligible for the NHL draft until- He’s with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens.
CONNOR BEDARD C, 18
How does 64 goals and 88 points in 30
bantam games strike you? Bedard already
has an NHL-caliber shot, and he’s still years
away from the draft. He’ll go straight from
the 2023 podium to the NHL. He’s with the
West Vancouver Academy this season.2023-
CALE
MAKAR