Seven players worthy of your N/A spot
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In both keeper leagues and standard leagues, the last few rounds of a draft often involve taking shots on high-upside youngsters. Oftentimes, these players don't even make the NHL and wind up getting assigned to the AHL. Just because they didn't make the team to start the year, it doesn't mean they should be completely taken off your radar.
If you are lucky enough to be in a league with an N/A spot, then one of these late-round picks who didn't make the big leagues can still be stashed. And for those without a designated N/A spot, the following players should still be monitored closely and added when they get called up.
LW/RW Jakub Vrana, Capitals
Vrana was drafted 13th overall by the Capitals in 2014. His best asset is easily his shot, which he is able to get off quickly in tight spaces. As a 19-year-old, Vrana tore up the AHL last season, scoring 16 goals and collecting 34 points in 36 games.
There are some roadblocks for Vrana, however. Washington has a deep crop of forwards at the NHL level, so it will likely take an injury to someone in the top six in order for Vrana to get called up and see significant playing time. If that were the case, though, playing on a line with either Nicklas Backstrom or Evgeny Kuznetsov would provide him with substantial fantasy value.
LW Adrian Kempe, Kings
Kempe doesn't quite have the skill that Vrana has, but he has a clearer path to playing time. Injuries and a lack of scoring depth have forced wingers like Dwight King, Trevor Lewis, and Devin Setoguchi to shuffle in and out of the top-six forward group.
Kempe, also a first-round pick in 2014, had just 28 points in 55 games in the AHL last season. The Swede is strong on the puck and has a heavy shot, so if he gets off to a strong start in the AHL this year, he could be called up and would likely be given a shot to play alongside Anze Kopitar or Jeff Carter.
RW Timo Meier, Sharks
Meier, 20, actually made the Sharks this season but was sent back down to the AHL following a mono diagnosis. It's unclear what type of role Meier would have played had he stuck with the team. He has the skill to play with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski on the top line, but also the defensive ability to play somewhere in the bottom six.
The ninth overall pick in 2015, Meier had 87 points in 52 games during his final season in the QMJHL. He has great skill, a high hockey IQ and isn't afraid to play below the hash marks. Once he recovers from his illness, he will likely play a few games in the AHL before he is back up with the big club.
D Julius Honka, Stars
Honka is your prototypical offensive defenseman loaded with skill. The goal below gives you an idea of what he can do offensively:
It wasn't a major surprise to see Honka left off the opening season roster considering he is still just 20 years old. Despite his youth, he still posted an impressive 44 points in 73 games in the AHL last season.
Dallas' blue line has some major holes. If Patrik Nemeth, Stephen Johns or Esa Lindell falter, you can bet Honka will be up with the big club. Given the firepower Dallas has up front, he could make a similar impact as a mid-season call up that John Klingberg had in his rookie year (40 points in 65 games).
D Anthony DeAngelo, Coyotes
DeAngelo is also an extremely talented offense-first defenseman. Another 2014 first-round pick, he had 43 points in 69 games in the AHL last season. He is an electrifying skater with great creativity in the offensive zone.
Arizona's D-core is full at the moment, so DeAngelo would have to post eye-popping numbers in the minors in order to earn a call up if there are no injuries. However, the Coyotes are in rebuilding mode, so DeAngelo will likely get a taste of the NHL near the end of the season when a playoff spot is already out of reach.
G Jack Campbell, Kings
The Kings' goaltending situation is a mess. Jonathan Quick could miss three-to-four months if he undergoes surgery on his injured groin. That leaves the crease to journeymen Jeff Zatkoff and Peter Budaj. Neither are inspiring options.
Campbell was drafted 11th overall by Dallas back in 2010. No goalie has been drafted as high since then. Despite the prospect he was as an 18-year-old, he has failed to live up the hype, struggling in the OHL and the AHL. He has only played in one NHL game, back in 2013-14.
A trade to Los Angeles this offseason might be the best thing to ever happen for Campbell. Sometimes a change of scenery is all that is needed for someone who has failed to live up to expectations.
Campbell posted a .944 save percentage in 20 games in the ECHL (a step below the AHL) last season, and is off to a great start in the AHL this year, recording a shutout in his first game. If Campbell can play well in the AHL, you can bet he'll be given a shot with the Kings if Budaj or Zatkoff struggle.
G Thatcher Demko, Canucks
Demko might be the best goaltending prospect in all of hockey right now. However, the 20-year-old is still a long shot to make the NHL this season.
This will be his first season in the AHL, but last season with Boston College he was a nominee for the Hobey Baker Award (nation's top player) and was the recipient of the Mike Richter Award as the nation's top goaltender.
Canucks starting goaltender Ryan Miller is on the last year of his contract. If he can play admirably through the first part of the season he could be moved at the deadline to a contending team in need of a goalie. If this happens to be the case, Demko could be called up if he has proved his worth in the AHL.
Demko is an ideal N/A stash for keeper leagues.