NHL Fantasy: 9 players to consider stashing in keeper leagues

There's nothing quite like snagging a prospect in your keeper league and watching them become an important piece down the road.

Here are nine players who may not be relevant in fantasy for the 2024-25 season but could become immensely valuable and are worth stashing in non-active slots.

Jiri Kulich, LW/C, Sabres

Kulich is knocking on the door of the NHL after back-to-back quality AHL campaigns, bagging 51 goals in 119 contests as a junior-aged player with the Rochester Americans.

It's only a matter of time before Kulich gets a legitimate shot with Buffalo, either to start the year or midseason. His goal-scoring upside, highlighted by a wicked one-timer, makes him worth stashing.

Rutger McGroarty, W, Penguins

It feels like it's only a matter of time before we see McGroarty feature alongside either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. The hard-skill forward was a weapon at Michigan and could be a key addition to a Penguins power play that stumbled so much last season.

McGroarty might not start the season in the NHL, but he'll be a lineup regular before long.

Brad Lambert, C, Jets

Few prospects drafted outside of the top 10 have the electrifying qualities that Lambert possesses. One of the best skaters outside of the NHL, Lambert found his mojo last season after a couple of tough campaigns at the pro level.

After tallying 21 goals and 55 points in 64 AHL contests, Lambert's preseason opener came playing with Alex Iafallo and Gabriel Vilardi on Saturday. The Jets desperately need a top-six center, and though Lambert likely doesn't start on Winnipeg's roster, he'll get a run before long.

Denton Mateychuk, D, Blue Jackets

Mateychuk makes the jump to pro hockey after a stellar WHL campaign. He racked up 17 goals and 75 points in 52 regular-season games, only to add a whopping 11 goals and 30 points in 20 postseason contests.

His path to NHL minutes becomes much clearer when Ivan Provorov comes off the books at the end of this campaign. A future power-play quarterback and a slick offensive threat, Mateychuk is among the top defensemen to stash at this stage.

Nikolai Kovalenko, RW, Avalanche

Kovalenko isn't a well-known name outside of Denver, but that could change quickly. The 24-year-old gears up for his first season in North America after scoring 89 points in 98 KHL games over the past two years.

It looks like the Avalanche will give Kovalenko a run high in the lineup as he's started training camp on the second line with Casey Mittelstadt. Kovalenko is a stash candidate who could become a factor sooner rather than later.

Fabian Lysell, RW, Bruins

Lysell looks to break into the Bruins' lineup after scoring 50 points in 56 games in the AHL last season. He's beginning camp with Charlie Coyle and could have Brad Marchand on the opposite wing when he's healthy.

A high-upside swing back in the 2021 first round, now is the time to stash Lysell before he makes his initial impact in the NHL.

Sebastian Cossa, G, Red Wings

Yaroslav Askarov and Jesper Wallstedt have been popular goaltenders to stash in recent years, so how about a different option?

The Red Wings have a bevy of goaltenders on the NHL roster, which will likely prevent Cossa from getting reps this season. But patience is key, especially for netminders. Ville Husso and Alex Lyon are impending free agents, which should free up a spot for Cossa by 2025.

The 6-foot-6 former first-round pick is coming off of a very strong AHL campaign and will almost certainly get a shot to take the starting gig in Detroit in the next 12-18 months. If you believe in the Yzerplan, Cossa is a worthwhile goalie to stash.

Quentin Musty, LW, Sharks

Musty looks to be a surefire future winger for either Macklin Celebrini or Will Smith after he scored 43 goals and 102 points in just 53 games for the OHL's Sudbury Wolves last season. The 2023 26th overall pick should also benefit from both talents on the power play for years to come.

He's likely going back to junior this season, but you'll be rewarded long term if you make a bet on Musty now.

Zachary L'Heureux, LW, Predators

This one's for the folks in banger leagues. L'Heureux had 197 penalty minutes in 66 contests last season in the AHL. He's had more penalty minutes than games played at every level. L'Heureux is a menace who'll be a mainstay in banger leagues before long.

The former first-rounder also tallied 48 points in 66 games as an AHL rookie and added 10 goals in the playoffs. Take the swing on L'Heureux if your league values PIMs and hits.