The Journey: Top Rising Forward Prospects – Part Two

Dave Hall

2021-03-20

Welcome back to The Journey. If you missed it last week, I covered the first half of Dobber's latest Top 200 Forward Prospect rankings rising prospects. As promised, I will be continuing this list, as March saw a significant number of jumps and dumps. Let's get right into it.

Jonatan Berggren, Red Wings (Ranked – Jan: 112, Feb: 80, Mar: 67)

Looking to add a points-only beast? Detroit's own Jonatan Berggren is making an interesting case for himself as a potential NHL threat in the next few seasons. With knee injuries standing in his way of seeing proper growth over the past two seasons, the second-rounder is enjoying a hefty statistical boost in 2020-21.

His 41 points are good for sixth league-wide (SHL), all-the-while dominating his age class in the same regard. He's an offensive-minded, somewhat undersized winger with soft hands, fluid skating abilities, and the potential to become a solid top-six threat with the Red Wings. While it is a possibility, it's likely that we do not see him in Red and White next season, but owners should expect potential deployment over the next 2-3 seasons.

Trent Frederic, Bruins (Ranked – Jan: 101, Feb: 103, Mar: 81)

From a points-only playmaker to a banger league dynamo. Trent Frederic plays polar opposite to Berggren, in that he loves to go hard on the puck carrier and isn't afraid to shed the mitts when asked, either. With just five NHL points on the year, and 32 his AHL career-best, the point totals are few and far between. However, he brings much value in all the uncommon areas and should be targeted in deeper multi-cats. 

Dylan Holloway, Oilers (Ranked – Jan: 116, Feb: 118, Mar: 82)

Holloway, Edmonton's lastest first-round pick, is as versatile as they come and basically fits in all fantasy formats. At 6-1, 203-pounds, he has the size to handle his own, more importantly, has the work ethic to effectively utilize that size. He has a "never quit" motor and should translate well as a pro. While he doesn’t have the softest hands in the league, he has no issues creating offense and racking up points.

This season, as a sophomore, Holloway finished fourth in NCAA scoring with 34 points (G+ A) for the Wisconsin Badgers, a total that has awarded him a Hobey Baker nomination. He has sure top-six potential, meaning he should slide in alongside some true superstars to pad his stats over the next decade. 

Matthew Phillips, Flames (Ranked – Jan: 106, Feb: 109, Mar: 84)

Phillips, 22, looks to be developing quite nicely at the AHL level. After two seasons of continued statistical growth, the 5-7 winger now sits seventh in AHL scoring with 15 points in 12 matches. His size is certainly an area that gets brought up with his transition, however, his extremely swift and silky playing style should allow him to stay out of danger areas at any level. He has the offensive awareness and skillset to keep him in a middle-six conversation at the NHL level, with definite special teams deployment in his future. 

Jesse Ylonen, Canadiens (Ranked – Jan: 113, Feb: 116, Mar: 93)

After two years (and change) in the Liiga, Ylonen has officially made his transition to the AHL and is fitting just fine. Through his first 14 games, the Finnish winger has three goals and nine points to sit comfortably within the top-15 in rookie scoring. He is a dangerous skater, who knows to create offense for himself. 

There is one small setback for his immediate upside. With Cole Caufield able to make the transition to the pro level, Ylonen could get bumped in the immediate depth chart, so I would not bank on seeing him in a Habs uniform within the next year. 

Kole Lind, Canucks (Ranked – Jan: 127, Feb: 129, Mar: 108)

Kole Lind began the 2020-21 campaign with a bang, scoring five goals through his first eight games, four of which coming off of the man advantage.

The 22-year-old has certainly grown over his two-year stint in the AHL, enjoying a 27-point bump in his second year, and now firing at a point-per-game clip in his third. He’s got a good shot, above-average vision, and is working towards becoming a middle-six threat for the Canucks in the very near future. 

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Trey Fix-Wolansky, Blue Jackets (Ranked – Jan: 188, Feb: 188, Mar: 139)

An extremely consistent producer at the WHL level. A 100-plus producer, to be exact. He’s undersized (5-7), but has tremendous pace which can leave defenders looking silly. To top that off, he's got a non-stop motor and can be a nightmare for opposing players.

He’s currently skating in his sophomore season with the Cleveland Monsters, where he leads his team with nine points. He has the upside to become a major speedy middle-six threat, potentially as early as next season.

Riley Damiani, Stars (Ranked – Jan: 218, Feb: 217, Mar: 151)

Transitional issues? Damiani knows no such thing. As a rookie in his first season as a pro, the 2018 fifth-rounder is off to an incredible start, leading all rookies and second league-wide with 17 points. 

He doesn't seem to be "elite" in any specific area on the ice, rather, effective in all. He skates well, shows terrific awareness, and capitalizes with a solid shot and vision. His instant success likely caught many off-guard, and it should be interesting to see how the organization handles him as a result. I wouldn't expect a promotion anytime this season, though.

Jonah Gadjovich, Canucks (Ranked – Jan: 293, Feb: 293, Mar: 195)

This looks to be Jonas’ coming out season, leading the Comets with eight goals and nine points. Gadjovich may never be a top producing player at the NHL level. However, he casts a large shadow over goalies in their crease and basically lives in the blue paint. He could be utilized well in a bottom-six role and could provide headaches goalies as a net-front presence on a power play.

Do not be completely shocked to see him promoted at some point this season. 

Zayde Wisdom, Flyers (Ranked – Jan: 514, Feb: 514. Mar: 200)

This was supposed to be Wisdom's third season with the Kingston Frontenacs (OHL). However, as a result of the stoppage, he was fast-tracked to the AHL, where he made one of the better pro debuts of the year. He posted five points through his first four games, and currently sits sixth in rookie scoring with 10 in total. 

Taken in the fourth round, he is still some time away from even thinking of sniffing some time in the NHL, however, the organization will surely take this as a pleasant surprise win. Fantasy owners can expect a variety of categories here. 

Thanks for reading. Follow me on Twitter @hall1289 for more prospect updates.

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