All right, let me paint a picture for you – It's in the (very) deep stages of your fantasy draft, and you have yet to purchase your Dobberhockey Fantasy Guide (available as of Friday, October 30th). You are in uncharted territory and are currently drowning in a long list of lower-valued players, most of which you have little-to-no knowledge about. So, rather than set up an auto-draft, you decide to close your eyes and start making blind picks in the dark. Does this sound like a situation you experienced?

Not to worry. I’m here to help you with a few choices that I’ve personally scoured through, and believe could be worth a late draft reach. Players, who I argue, could hold more stock than their current Fantrax valuation has them at.

Of course, it is important to note that these players are certainly deep options, and are only to be targeted late in your drafts, some even in the waiver wire after the fact. Make sure you take a good look through the entire list on Fantrax yourself before each of your drafts – there are always hidden gems to be found. 

For the sake of this piece, I have kept out all 2020 drafted prospects. There is a large pool of them remaining in the 2-10% range. Please feel free to find me on Twitter @hall1289 with any potential prospect questions. 

20-25% Range – Immediate Impact Potential 

Alexander True, C, Sharks – 24% Fantrax owned

A "true" 6-foot-5 power forward who has certainly earned his keep down in the minor league system.  Over the course of three seasons, he’s brought in 108 points, while acting as one of the more consistent players on the San Jose Barracuda. His solid form etched him a 12-game stint with the big club last season where he notched four assists. 

Given the current setup of their lackluster roster, he should receive an opportunity to get on the team on a more consistent basis. perhaps even see some time on the secondary powerplay unit. Regardless, in a pinch, he’s definitely worth the risk.  He is a proven peripheral player and certainly knows how to rack up the PIMS, a detail that he has worked to cut down over the years. 

Tanner Laczynski, C, Flyers – 24% Fantrax owned

Laczynski just completed a four-year run with Ohio State University, finishing as one of the top point-getters in each season, firing at an impressive 1.04 clip through his career. Without any professional experience, you certainly run the risk of experiencing some transitional growing pains as an owner, however, the long-term output looks promising.

There is general consensus that the 23-year-old stands a strong chance of making the club out of camp, and if so, should slot in on their bottom-six, likely on the third line. He brings a solid two-way game, and can also get his name on the scoresheet – His fundamentals stand a good chance of translating well. I consider him a low risk-high reward play.

Dryden Hunt, LW, Coyotes – 24% Fantrax owned

Hunt, who has spent the past four seasons in the Florida Panthers organization, has inked a deal with the Arizona Coyotes. This new deal could spell an instant role within the club’s bottom-six, which should be a major draw for fantasy owners. His roster spot is by no means guaranteed – far from, actually. But in the past, has proven to be a respectable bottom-six role player, with a hint of offensive touch. 

Over 63 games he’s recorded 15 points in Sunrise, and 150 over 214 among the AHL ranks, so the potential is certainly there. He also adds a nice mix of physicality and defensive play, which certainly shows in his fantasy track record.

Matthew Highmore, W, Blackhawks – 23% Fantrax owned

Primarily a bottom-six forward, but has shown that he can move up and play as a middle-six if need be. A fantastic role player and shows a history of putting up points, both in the American League and most notably in the QMJHL. In 36 games with Chicago last season, he posted six points, 38 hits, and 35 shots – all in just 9:49 of ice-time.

He has proven that he is capable of playing NHL hockey, and I would not be shocked to see him earn a full-time tenure, with extended minutes to boot.

Gabriel Carlsson, D, Blue Jackets -21% Fantrax owned

Don’t expect any big numbers on the offensive side, instead, just enjoy a nice well-rounded mix of everything else. With names like Ryan Murray and Marcus Nutivaara out of the mix, Carlsson should get a solid crack at making the roster on a full-time basis out of camp. If not, will be right in the bubble looking in.

This one is likely for multi-cat owners only, but he will be a sound deep option in your line-up. At 21% owned, go for it.

Aidan Dudas, C, Kings – 21% Fantrax owned

Despite a long list of prospects charging for spots next season, Dudas should find himself right in the conversation. At the very least, he will be in the AHL, with a good chance of becoming a King within the next two years. I suspect he has lost some of his stock given the list of heavy-hitting prospects that the club has accumulated. However, if you have the means to be patient, I recommend this pick.  

He’s an undersized pivot, with a deadly shot who can be relied upon in his own defensive zone. In six games with the Ontario Reign last season, he produced two assists, while also playing a role in Team Canada's gold medal-winning run. Once again, you risk waiting longer than expected, yet, you could reap the benefits of him developing into a very solid NHL player in a few short years – perhaps earlier.

10-19% Range – Mid-Range Impact Potential

Oskari Laaksonen, D, Sabres – 19% Fantrax owned

To be honest, Laaksonen has quietly become one of my favorite low-key prospects as a deep back-end option. He’s a two-way defender with terrific mobility and high offensive intelligence. Weighing in at 165 pounds, he is quite small for a defenseman. However, playing amongst men for the better portion of four seasons, his game has improved ten-fold, while learning to adjust his game, using a more skilled approach to survive.

So far, in nine matches with the Pelicans (Liiga), he has notched seven points and looks to be well on his way to securing a spot in Buffalo's depth chart as soon as the 2020-21 season begins.

Dmitry Voronkov, C, Blue Jackets – 19% Fantrax owned

If you happen to follow my work with Dobberprospects, where I cover the Columbus Blue Jackets, you’ll know that I’m very high on Voronkov. Not as a high profiled top-six player, but for his tremendous compete and peripheral contributions. He sports a large frame and the drive to grind his way onto the scoresheet. He has a sneaky skating stride and enjoys mucking it up in the dirty areas. 

In his sophomore season with AK Bars (KHL), he's been handed second-line deployment, while manning the front of the net on their top power-play unit. These indications show me that his development is trending in the right direction, and the coaching staff has taken notice – and we all know how tough it can be to see regular minutes as a young skater in Russia.

He has no contract and is still a few seasons away from making any sort of fantasy splash. But, if, and when that day comes, he could be a serviceable middle-six option with a plethora of multi-cat upsides.

Chad Krys, D, Blackhawks – 17% Fantrax owned

He's an elite skater with decent offensive potential. Since turning pro last season, following a 3-year stint with Boston University, he has somewhat struggled to find offensive consistency. As a rookie, he finished with a total of 12 points in 50 games with Rockford (AHL). Although I would take those totals with a grain of salt, I do not think we have seen the best from him just yet.

With the Blackhawks going through a clear "rebuild", spots are sure to open up for those who bring their top game to training camp. The competition will be fierce, with a handful of new recruits chomping at the bit to earn a spot, but Krys has shown in the past that his skillset more than qualifies him to be in the mix. 

Samuel Walker, C, Lightning – 17% Fantrax owned

Looking for a boom-or-bust? Well, Sammy Walker may be your guy. Drafted at 5-7, he was truly undersized, which likely served as a large catalyst for him dropping to the seventh-round back in 2017. Yet, he had since gone thru a casual growth spurt, shooting up to 5-11, which has alleviated those concerns.

He is a tremendous skater and a proven point-producer. He has since committed to the University of Minnesota for his Junior year, but the Lightning has made it clear that they are quite bullish on their late-blooming prospect. Tampa, who has been a consistently strong organization for years now, have had to find ways to be creative late in the draft, and they very well could have done that again.

Jake Christiansen, D, Blue Jackets – 14% Fantrax owned

With no pro experience to his name, it’s hard to pinpoint how Christansen will transition, but if his junior career serves as any indication, the skill is certainly there to allow for a promising future. Although he went undrafted, the 21-year-old defender is an offensive dynamo that has feasted on the WHL for years. Last season, as a fourth-year veteran, led the entire league in goals by a defender with 22, and in just 38 games finished with 50 points. He led that same list in points-per-game, firing at an impressive 1.32 clip.

He’s a strong puck mover, with a keen eye for the game. He has a long history of playing quarterback on the man-advantage and takes shots like they’re going out of style. He will likely need some grooming at the AHL level to get his feet wet, but when ready, could be the club's best-kept secret. 

2-9% Range – Long Shots/Bubble Players

Calvin Thurkauf, C, Blue Jackets – 8% Fantrax owned

Don’t expect huge offensive output, or even consistent playing time, if any. However, when inserted into the lineup, he brings a great amount of energy in a role-playing position. He is a workhorse, who finishes his checks while showing a hint of offensive touch.

While a spot on the bottom-six out of camp is a possibility, chances are that he spends most of his time in AHL as a bubble player. In a year like this, nothing’s for certain, and teams may even have the opportunity to carry more players than usual. If that’s the case, he is likely to remain with the club. He is a very deep option, but worth holding in a pinch.

Jalen Chatfield, D, Canucks – 3% Fantrax owned

With some big names in Vancouver now a lost memory, and the Canucks failing to alleviate cap space to bring in additional players, Chatfield has a chance of earning a more permanent promotion. He has provided bubble service for some years now, and his two-way abilities and aggressive manner could be the option they are looking for as a member of their third-pairing. 

Do not expect a ton of production in the points department, but should add a few peripherals here and there.

Yegor Sharangovich, C, Devils – 3% Fantrax owned

New Jersey's 2018 fifth-round-pick is in the midst of an attempt to gain some offensive momentum with a trip back to the KHL (on loan from New Jersey). So far, he has been able to make the most of that attempt, producing 10 goals and 12 points through 20 games. He has spent the past two seasons in the AHL, where his play has been somewhat sheltered, but by no means a flop. 

He has the size, he can attack with speed, and he can shoot the puck. If he can combine all three at the professional ranks, his upside remains very much alive. At 22, there is still time to join the exciting uprising of offensive talent in Jersey. If you are in a scramble in the basement of your draft, go with the skilled Russian 

Maxim Mamin, RW, Panthers -2% Fantrax owned

Bear with me, he is an unrestricted free agent as of now, so he may not even play. With no contract, he’s heading back to Russia, where he’s been playing for CSKA Moscow in the KHL. So far, he’s racked up 13 points in 21 games and also has a history of producing. On top of that, he enjoys the grittier side to the game, adding peripheral benefit to those who take a chance.

Should he re-sign in the NHL, whether it’s with Florida or another club, look out for him to potentially edge his way on a middle-six role. He did produce 25 points and 32 games in the AHL just two years ago with the Springfield Thunderbirds, so the talent is there. This is basically as sleepy as I’ll go. 

Thanks for reading, I hope I gave you some ideas. As mentioned, do not hesitate to reach out to talk about fantasy.