This article is part of our The Kids' Table series.
As usual, a lot of the NHL's young hopefuls were forced to pack their bags toward the end of the 2015-16 preseason and head back to the AHL or juniors. For most, the demotion is a good thing, helping them develop their games away from the rigors of an NHL season. For some, the taste of disappointment will linger in their mouths, motivating them to get better each and every day until they taste the big leagues again. Nobody in their right mind enjoys sitting at the kids' table, but for now, they'll have to suck it up and eat their vegetables.
Many of these demotions come as no surprise, but a few may be cause for concern. Let's take a look at some of the top prospects who were sent down and how they're faring in the minors thus far.
Sent to AHL
Edmonton Oilers: Darnell Nurse, D, and Leon Draisaitl, C
Outside of Connor McDavid, Nurse and Draisaitl are the Oilers' two top prospects. Many believed that Nurse would find a home along Edmonton's blue line this year, but his demotion on Sept. 30 was a clear indication that he isn't quite ready. It could also mean that the Oilers are in no rush to make Nurse an NHL regular with the amount of youth already on the roster. Draisaitl's demotion makes much more sense. Edmonton is stacked down the middle with McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Draisaitl wouldn't make sense on the third line,
As usual, a lot of the NHL's young hopefuls were forced to pack their bags toward the end of the 2015-16 preseason and head back to the AHL or juniors. For most, the demotion is a good thing, helping them develop their games away from the rigors of an NHL season. For some, the taste of disappointment will linger in their mouths, motivating them to get better each and every day until they taste the big leagues again. Nobody in their right mind enjoys sitting at the kids' table, but for now, they'll have to suck it up and eat their vegetables.
Many of these demotions come as no surprise, but a few may be cause for concern. Let's take a look at some of the top prospects who were sent down and how they're faring in the minors thus far.
Sent to AHL
Edmonton Oilers: Darnell Nurse, D, and Leon Draisaitl, C
Outside of Connor McDavid, Nurse and Draisaitl are the Oilers' two top prospects. Many believed that Nurse would find a home along Edmonton's blue line this year, but his demotion on Sept. 30 was a clear indication that he isn't quite ready. It could also mean that the Oilers are in no rush to make Nurse an NHL regular with the amount of youth already on the roster. Draisaitl's demotion makes much more sense. Edmonton is stacked down the middle with McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Draisaitl wouldn't make sense on the third line, so he was sent down to get more minutes. He'll be 20 years old on Oct. 27, so he's another player who could definitely use a bit more seasoning.
Despite the cuts, both Nurse and Draisaitl remain on the cusp of the NHL. If an injury were to occur along the blue line or to anyone in the top six, these two would immediately get a phone call. Nurse may also get a look if fellow youngsters Oscar Klefbom and Griffin Reinhart struggle out of the gate. In two games thus far for Bakersfield, Nurse and Draisaitl have been held scoreless. Chances are both will be owned in dynasty leagues, but they are worth monitoring in standard formats and for use in DFS in case of a call-up.
Philadelphia Flyers: Samuel Morin, D, Robert Hagg, D, and Shayne Gostisbehere, D
Heading into training camp, the Flyers were expected to undergo something of an overhaul on defense. And indeed, there was some turnover: Nicklas Grossmann and Braydon Coburn were traded, and Andrew MacDonald was demoted in the preseason. But instead of opting for youth to fill out the last three spots, Philadelphia has gone a different route under new head coach Dave Hakstol. Thus, Morin, Hagg and Gostisbehere will start the season in the AHL and continue their development.
It's hard to narrow down which of the three will have the most long-term fantasy value, but Morin is the cream of the crop in terms of offensive upside. Hagg is a solid two-way player, but doesn't figure to be a top-pairing defenseman. Gostisbehere is the most intriguing. He scored 34 points in 42 games and helped lead Union College to an improbable win in the Frozen Four back in 2014. Last year, his season was cut short after he tore his ACL. Now, Gostisbehere must compete every day for a potential spot with the Flyers, and I think it will fuel him. In Lehigh Valley's opener, Morin and Hagg posted a minus-1 rating and were held off the scoresheet, while Gostisbehere notched an assist with two shots on goal. As with Nurse, an injury on the blue line could give any of these three guys a crack at the NHL. All of them are worthy of tracking for dynasty consideration.
Detroit Red Wings: Anthony Mantha, LW
Mantha had a nice preseason, collecting three goals and six points in five games before being sent down on Oct. 4. Surprisingly, newcomer Dylan Larkin made the Opening Night roster instead and has seen time next to Henrik Zetterberg on the first line. This isn't a bad sign for Mantha, but it sort of tells us that he's more of a one-dimensional player. The Red Wings are already riddled with scoring wingers, and Mantha's services just aren't needed in that capacity right now. So he'll start out in the AHL, where he scored 15 goals and 33 points in 62 games last season.
New head coach Jeff Blashill has praised Mantha in the press and coached him in Grand Rapids, so one can imagine he knows what's best for the young forward. Another full season in the 'A' seems likely, pending a slew of injuries to the Red Wings' top six. Mantha is still worth stashing in dynasty leagues because of his potential and the fact that he isn't too far from playing in the NHL. He's been quiet with no points and just four shots through two games with Grand Rapids.
Additional AHL Prospects to Watch:Kevin Fiala, LW, NSH; Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, CBJ; Jakub Vrana, RW, WSH; Josh Morrissey, D, WPG; William Nylander, C, TOR.
Returned to Juniors
Arizona Coyotes: Dylan Strome, C
The No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, Strome got a long look at Coyotes camp, but was ultimately shipped back down to OHL Lake Erie on Oct. 4. He won a scoring title there last season, posting 129 points in 68 games and outscoring teammate Connor McDavid in the process. McDavid was injured for a good chunk of itme, but Strome still managed to produce in his absence. The Coyotes clearly aren't in a rush with Strome, and rightfully so. His brother Ryan was also a top-five pick back in 2011 and also played out his final junior season before progressing through the AHL and breaking out for the Islanders last season.
Arizona's first-line center, Antoine Vermette, signed a two-year contract extension this offseason, so chances are that will mimic Strome's timetable for cracking the NHL. Once he's ready, Strome will be asked to center the Coyotes' top line, most likely between Max Domi and Anthony Duclair. Strome has produced at the highest level in juniors, but still has much to improve, particularly his skating. Chances are, he'll remain with the Otters for their entire season before getting another look at the NHL level, considering he still has those nine games to play before his entry-level deal would kick in. Strome wasted no time making his presence felt back in the OHL, tallying five assists in a 7-2 win against Niagara last Friday. He has six assists with a plus-3 rating in two games, and appears poised to force the Coyotes' hand.
Strome is a no-brain stash prospect in dynasty leagues. If he gets a shot at the end of the Coyotes' season, he may be worth a pickup in shorter-term keeper leagues as well, considering his chances of contributing next season will be far greater and he would cost virtually nothing.
New Jersey Devils: Pavel Zacha, C
Zacha is the prized prospect in a Devils system that is rebuilding after a front-office overhaul. Former GM Lou Lamoriello and scouting director David Conte may have drafted Zacha, but he still remains the biggest asset the Devils have in the prospect ranks. He got a long look during training camp and preseason, but it just didn't make sense to risk his development on a team that doesn't figure to contend this season, so they sent him down to OHL Sarnia. It would have been nice to see Zacha play alongside his idol, fellow Czech native Patrik Elias, who missed the entire preseason with a knee injury. The good news is Zacha still has a lot to prove at the junior level. He was hurt for much of last season and only produced 34 points in 37 games for Sarnia. The Devils are hoping a healthy Zacha will lead to a breakout season, something he can build on before making the jump to either the AHL or NHL next season. He's helped his cause thus far, recording a goal and two assists with a plus-2 rating through three games with Sarnia to start the season.
New Jersey can't risk ruining a prospect this important, since the prospect cupboard is pretty barren. The sheer fact that the Devils don't have any elite talent makes Zacha an interesting stash player in dynasty leagues. He could be centering a top-six line for the Devils as soon as next season, which could translate to big minutes and solid production.
Florida Panthers: Lawson Crouse, LW
Crouse was the most polarizing figure not named McDavid at June's draft. He was demoted to OHL Kingston mostly because he projects as a top-six forward and Florida only had room next to Shawn Thornton. Many scouts oozed about Crouse's size, while others were concerned about his production. Well, we won't know anything for sure because he'll get another season to work out the kinks in juniors. The Panthers will watch Crouse closely in hopes that his scoring increases as the leader of a Kingston team that failed to make the postseason in 2014-15. Luckily, the Frontenacs are off to a hot start, though Crouse hasn't played a game yet while serving a suspension handed to him from last season. If he can jump right in and be the lead guy, it should do wonders for his development.
Crouse is a risky prospect to consider in dynasty leagues at this point. He's got the potential to turn into a Rick Nash or Milan Lucic type of player, but he also comes with a lot of risk. Big bodies don't always translate into elite point producers at the NHL level. Crouse has a wicked shot and plays a physical game, but many experts think he looks like more of a bottom-six role player. Only time will tell, so if your dynasty league is of the deeper variety, Crouse could pay dividends when his time comes. He could also end up like Zack Kassian, so beware.
