They emerge every campaign. Fantasy gems who exceed preseason expectations with unprecedented performances, all the while helping their respective managers climb the standings. Rostering even one of these perceived overachievers can make the difference between securing the ultimate fantasy prize and falling short. Particularly in deeper leagues.
While some of these unanticipated showings are momentary flashes-in-pans – sizzling seasons amidst otherwise more pedestrian careers – others serve as harbingers for many more fruitful fantasy campaigns. Here’s a handful of such candidates who not only burst onto the fantasy scene in 2023-24, but stand to enjoy similar success in years to come.
Wyatt Johnston, F, Dallas Stars : A key component of the Stars’ most dangerous line to wrap 2023-24, Johnston is fully justifying his 23rd-overall selection back in 2021. Forging palpable chemistry with veteran Jamie Benn and rookie Logan Stankoven, the 20-year-old center hit the 30-goal mark in only his second NHL season. He’ll score more than 35 next year, along with contributing an equal number of helpers. That Johnston remains available in nearly half of ESPN Fantasy leagues right now suggests he might again not garner proper respect next fall. Which could prove lucky for drafting managers who do pay proper attention.
Alexis Lafreniere, F, New York Rangers : Some promising young players clearly need a little more seasoning than others. While the first three fell short of expectation, even the most grumbly of Rangers fans can’t complain about the value the No. 1 draft pick (2020) is providing in his fourth NHL season (on a two-year bridge deal worth $2.325-million AAV). A current fixture on a scoring line with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck, Lafreniere is piling up the points in the waning days of 2023-24, rewarding his managers to the tune of 2.7 fantasy points/game since March 14. No question, his performance through the postseason, however long or short that stretch runs, will be further scrutinized. But this still-only-22-year-old appears to have finally found his scoring stride heading into that final contract year in New York. He’s definitely worth a late-round fantasy selection next fall.
Seth Jarvis, F, Carolina Hurricanes Now an integral piece of Carolina’s top-six, the third-year skater is proving to be a legitimate 30-plus goal scorer and, not coincidentally, valuable fantasy commodity. After putting up a disappointing 39 points in his sophomore campaign, the 13th-overall draft pick (2020) is on pace for 65, and still improving. A solid asset all season long, like others on this list, Jarvis is gaining steam late, averaging 2.3 fantasy points/game this past month. I can promise you, the 22-year-old won’t remain available post-draft in savvy, deeper leagues next fall. Nor should he.
Philipp Kurashev, F, Chicago Blackhawks: No question, there’s an advantage to skating on a line with the best young player in the league, and Connor Bedard’s linemate would be the first to admit as much. But full credit to Kurashev for making the most of such a ripe opportunity, in collecting seven goals and 12 assists in 16 games since Mar. 2. Unless he’s supplanted from that admirable position – and the Blackhawks have a host of other issues to first address before fiddling with something that’s working well enough – Kurashev sports the potential to bag 65 to 70 points in a full season. A talent in his own right, the 24-year-old has one year left on his current contract before becoming a restricted free agent.
Jake Neighbours, F, St. Louis Blues: That Drew Bannister is still skating the sophomore on his top line as St. Louis desperately tries to chase down a playoff spot is telling. (At least until Neighbours suffered an upper-body injury on Saturday.) Plus there are the 27 goals through 77 games – 25 of them scored since mid-November – to consider. A projected fixture in the Blues’ top-six and on the power play next season, the final of his entry-level deal, Neighbours sports the potential to average 2.0 fantasy points/contest in ESPN Fantasy’s standard game. The 26th-overall draft pick (2020) should make for a sneaky late-round fantasy selection in deeper leagues.
Gustav Nyquist, F, Nashville Predators : The veteran forward provides tangible proof of the upside in skating regularly on a top line and power play with a consistently healthy Filip Forsberg. Enjoying the most productive campaign of his career – his first with the Predators – the 34-year-old is quietly on pace for 75 points. Again, no small thanks to the fantastic chemistry he’s developed with Forsberg and top center Ryan O’Reilly. Gaining fantasy momentum throughout 2023-24, Nyquist should feel extra inspired to replicate, if not better, this impressive run next season; his final before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Juraj Slafkovsky, F, Montreal Canadiens: Not only does “Year Two” appear much different than his inaugural NHL season, but Slafkovsky’s second half to 2023-24 is further on another level. Settling in on a top scoring line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, the No. 1 draft pick (2022) has 12 goals and 18 assists in 30 games since Jan. 15. It certainly feels like the big winger – still only 20 – has arrived.
Brock Faber, D, Minnesota Wild: Providing a bright spot in an otherwise dimly disappointing season for the Wild, the rise of their rookie defenseman offers extra optimism for the future. Minnesota’s top power-play anchor today and tomorrow, the 21-year-old is on comfortable pace for 45 points – a third of them counting with the extra skater. If not for a certain young forward in Chicago, Faber would be considered the Calder favorite. Averaging 25 minutes/game, he checks off most conventional fantasy boxes, and already a top-25 fantasy defender, he’s only going to grow in value.
Stuart Skinner, G, Edmonton Oilers : Remember when Jack Campbell served as a threat to eat into Skinner’s playing time? Way back before puck drop in October? Right. Since early November, the club’s No. 1 hasn’t just managed to keep the Oilers competitive, but has flourished through long stretches (see: late December through all of January). Essentially tied with Juuse Saros for fifth spot, only four other netminders have more total fantasy points in ESPN.com’s default league: Connor Hellebuyck, Thatcher Demko, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Igor Shesterkin. Elite company indeed. Just imagine if Edmonton hadn’t got off to that bizarrely awful start. After holding his own last year, the 25-year-old workhorse can now be counted on to give his (Connor McDavid-led squad) a shot, game in an out.
