Welcome back to The Journey.

How are your fantasy rosters looking? Do you have any players to dress over the weekend?

It was a tough week for hockey, as we saw a flurry of teams fall victim to COVID. I will not touch on the matter today, as you've come here for prospect talk. However, make sure to keep up with Dobber's fantastic Ramblings team, who deliver daily updates from around the league, including COVID updates.

On a personal note: If you are unaware, I also write for DobberProspects, covering the Columbus Blue Jackets and formerly the Florida Panthers. Recently, I was given the opportunity to cover my home team, the Vancouver Canucks, which I took without hesitation. So, feel free to follow me on Twitter @hall1289 for coverage on both Vancouver and Columbus prospects, as well as general prospect chit-chat. I also write a weekly Prospect Rambling on Tuesdays in addition to this column. 

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As you know, Dobber drops a variety of monthly rankings. Whether it's specific to cap leagues, keeper leagues, prospects, or roto ranks, Dobber has you covered. As you may also know, I try to keep you in the loop with its monthly movers (risers and fallers) in order to assist you in your future fantasy decisions. With North American pro hockey finally seeing playing time, these rankings saw some action this month.

This week, Dobber dropped its Top 300 Keepers League rankings. I have gone through the list and made note of all of the significant changes to prospects to provide for you. 

Alexis Lafreniere, Rangers (December: 20, January: 19, February: 38 – Change: -19)

Just one goal through his first 10 games at the NHL level, so far. Are you panicking? I sure hope not. 

I will admit, the fact that he has seen over half of his minutes (53% within the top-six) alongside some of the team's finest producers and has still managed to struggle, serves as a minor concern. However, in the reality of things, aside from Artemi Panarin, who is up to 15 points on the season, there are no players within the top half of the lineup who are performing up to snuff. 

For comparison purposes, Mika Zibanejad, owner of back-to-back 74-plus seasons, is currently sitting with a cool three points on the year. Are we expecting his poor production rate to stay flat? Absolutely not. Remain patient for the time being, let their heavy hitters and power-play units – which is currently running in the bottom-10 at 14.6% – find their games and use this as a buy-low opportunity, if possible. 

With that being said, numbers are numbers, and because of his lack of productivity, this year’s number-one pick has dropped in the keeper rankings. 

Jordan Kyrou, Blues (December: 269, January: 270, February: 145 – Change: +125)

Congratulations to those who have held on to his stock over the years or recently picked him up in your shallow/re-draft leagues – Kyrou's coming out party is upon us. Through just 11 games, the 22-year-old has blown past his previous career totals and now sits with 12 points through just nine games.

He has played almost exclusively alongside Jaden Schwartz and Brayden Schenn and can attribute all but three of those points to that line combination. Up until just two games ago, his utilization on the club's special team was limited, so I expect his opportunities to grow even further – a fantasy owner's dream come true. 

After two years of in-and-out deployment, it's safe to say that Kyrou is officially in conversation as an essential piece to the Blues puzzle. Is his 1.09 points-per-game sustainable? Time will tell. But given the club's depth charts and the players sitting behind him, he should be considered a lock for top-six deployment going forward. 

Josh Norris, Senators (December: 224, January: 224, February: 176, Change: +48)

It's been a tough stretch in Ottawa to start this condensed scheduled season, but Josh Norris has been one of the small bright spots. Although I wouldn’t necessarily attribute that to his early point production. 

Sure, he currently sits with a modest six points through 11 games, with four of those coming from the club's man advantage. But more importantly, he has looked at home in an NHL jersey, and there is no question that his two-way talents will be among the club’s top percentile for years to come.

Despite the Sens sitting second in the league in even-strength goal-against (50), Norris sits with a respectable minus-4 rating – not great, but could be worse. He has provided 15 hits and has gone 47.7% in the faceoff circle, all while sporting a strong 85.7 IPP. No, most of his numbers are by no means elite yet, but when put into perspective of what he has to work with, the numbers indicate future strength. 

Ride out the storm, Senators fans. Good things are coming.

Marco Rossi, Wild (December: 122, January: 123, February: 203, Change: -80)

News broke earlier this week regarding Marco Rossi's health status, and it's certainly worrisome.

Some news: #mnwild forward Marco Rossi has returned to Austria to rest with his family due to complications from COVID.

There is no timetable for his return to Minnesota.

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) January 31, 2021

It was known that Rossi had contracted the virus in early November – long before the WJC tournament took place – and missed several weeks as a result. However, considering he took part in the tournament, it seemed that he had been clear of symptoms.

The team has indicated that there is no strict timetable for his return, but will likely circle back and re-evaluate in March or April. I am not holding my breath that we see in him an NHL uniform this season.

I would not take his "poor" WJC tournament into account for this 80-spot drop, as Connor McDavid would have likely struggled on a team such as Austria. Ultimately, his health concerns are worrisome and provide an unknown future.

Here's to hoping for a very speedy recovery.  

Ty Smith, Devils (December: 416, January: 419, February: 218, Change: +201)    

Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you this list’s top jumper – Ty Smith. What a start to an NHL career from a young offensive defenseman, who has racked up eight points through his first nine games – a total that sits second among the entire rookie scoring list and four over the next rookie defender. 

What's even more impressive about his numbers? The majority of them have come while skating among the club's third-pairing and second unit power-play. Of course, now that the cat is out of the bag, he has been upgraded to top-four deployment and has even seen top-unit special teams duties. 

Smith has been a well-known offensive threat, dating back to his four-year stint with Spokane Chiefs (235 points). Yet, no one could have predicted a start like this. I mean, he is currently sitting at a 73-point pace. 

Expect a reality check on this current pace, but one thing is certain – he’s not going anywhere from here on out, and I expect him to only climb the ladder. Consider him a strong pickup option both now, in all league formats, and a major core piece to your future.

Trevor Zegras, Ducks (December: 174, January: 174, February: 239 – Change: -65)

I won't lie, I was a little shocked to see Trevor Zegras slip this far. I will assume that him beginning his career in the minor league system has played a major role in this drop, but still saw 239 as a surprise. Of course, as a major fan of his play, I suppose I am biased.

Zegras' skill set is undeniable. He is a quick, fluid, and flashy player with eyes on both the back and side of his head – all of which were on full display at this year's WJC. As mentioned, he has begun his year in the American League, and as a surprise to no one, has started off his pro career with two primary assists. 

His future is bright, and in my eye, is a top pick among prospects. 

Philipp Kurashev, Blackhawks (December: NR, January: NR, February: 249 – Change: NEW)

The young 21-year-old rookie has been a pleasant surprise for the Blackhawks, thus far. Given an opportunity to play was expected, considering their less-than-stellar lineup. But to see top-six minutes next to Patrick Kane, while producing four goals and six points through 11 games? Who would have thought?

It's tough to gauge his future value, considering both Jonathan Toews and Kirby Dach are out and will instantly occupy those top two center slots when they return. However, for now, he is quite the sleeper pick, and for the future, can easily be moved to the wing to continue producing alongside their top-six brass.

In all honesty, there is potential for him to become the surprise sleeper prospect of the year.

Alexandre Texier, Blue Jackets (December: 318, January: 315, February: 250 – Change: +65)

The French-born forward has been one of the more consistent players among the Blue Jackets lineup. Despite spending his rookie season on the wing, as many do, the coaching staff has gone ahead and inserted him into a center role – and it's worked for the most part. 

He has somewhat struggled at winning draws, sitting at 34.4%, but his play positionally has been strong and he has looked like the prospect we were hoping for last year – a swift skating, hands-on player, who can contribute on the scoresheet.

So far, through two games, Texier has won the sweepstakes to center the Patrik Laine line. If that can continue, his fantasy stock boosts tremendously. 

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Thanks for joining me for another week. Have a great week and stay safe.