Welcome back to The Journey, where we track the development of prospects as they excel in junior, make the NHL, and push towards stardom.

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This week, I am covering prospects based off of Mason Black's Rank King's PNHLe chart. It is a great way to get an understanding of NHL prospects projected potential when they reach the NHL. In a 10-12 team keeper league setup, especially if your farm systems got some room. These could be some player that may not be ranked the highest but do have a lot of potential.

Before we jump into it, let's quickly cover what PNHLe is all about for those unfamiliar. PNHLe is a projection tool that estimates a player's point potential in the NHL at their peak. Rank Kings does a great job of connecting the dots between players across different leagues with varying skill levels, making those comparisons much more straightforward. This gives us, as fantasy managers, a clearer picture of who might be the next NHL star. This gives you the GM an opportunity to snag players before anyone else even notices or work out a deal to get them off other GMs for very little.

While we're on the topic, let's talk UTe. While PNHLe projects a player's peak potential, UTe tracks future point totals using an exponential moving average to map out career trends. It's a great tool when you're trying to figure out those buy-low, sell-high situations, helping you know exactly when to strike and maximize a player's value. Think of it as PNHLe's partner in crime, giving you a clearer picture of a player's point production trajectory.

Hope I didn't confuse anyone. Now that we've covered the basics, let's jump right into the prospects!

Brayden Yager – C – 80 PNHLe

This pick might not be flying under the radar, especially after the recent trade. The Winnipeg Jets acquired Brayden Yager from Pittsburgh in exchange for Rutger McGroarty in a deal that seems to benefit both sides. Pittsburgh might reap immediate rewards, while the Jets could have landed a player who perfectly fits with their future plans. Honestly, Winnipeg didn't have much of a choice with McGroarty, he made it clear he wasn't interested in playing there without offering a reason, as Kevin Cheveldayoff mentioned in the post-trade press conference. Given the circumstances, Winnipeg did well.

Now, let's talk about Yager. He's not just known for his lethal shot, his skating is one of his standout traits, keeping him constantly involved in the play allowing him to find prime scoring positions. Even though he maybe an undersized centre, he plays with a competitive edge. He has a shot-first mentality, which is exactly what the Jets have been searching for to slot in behind Mark Scheifele, a void they've struggled to fill for some time. It may take a bit for Yager to fully develop but he has the skill set to eventually thrive in that role. Yager had a stellar season with the Moose Jaw Warriors, tallying 35 goals and 60 assists in 57 games.

If we are looking to draw comparisons here from a stylistic standpoint, Yager could be compared to a someone like Carter Verhaeghe. For fantasy owners, this trade tilts in favor of those holding Yager in dynasty leagues. McGroarty might see a short-term boost, but Pittsburgh's aging core and thin prospect pool does not give much long-term confidence. On the other side however, Winnipeg's roster includes several top-six forwards still in their prime, along with the emerging Cole Perfetti, providing Yager with a solid environment to develop.

Koehn Ziemmer – RW – 66 PNHLe

Koehn Ziemmer was the Los Angeles Kings’ 78th overall pick in the 2023 Draft and has been quickly making a name for himself. He brings an exciting mix of size and shooting, making him a highly appealing prospect. He is very good at finding open spaces in the offensive zone and his smooth puck handling sets him apart from many of his peers. He also has a scoring touch, finding the back of the net 41 times before his draft year. However, Ziemmer’s skating is still a point of contention. He lacks explosiveness in his strides, which hampers his speed. Despite that, he compensates with above-average puck-handling and passing skills, showcasing flashes of creativity even though he’s not a natural playmaker. His shot is his standout weapon—quick, powerful, and accurate. Defensively, Ziemmer is solid. He displays good positioning by using his size in his own end and uses his stick effectively to disrupt passing lanes. He’s not shy about physical play either, delivering big hits when necessary.

He is still a couple of years away from the NHL, likely not debuting until the 2026-27 season, but his upside is among the top five of the Kings’ prospects. Fantasy hockey managers should keep a close watch on his progress, as Ziemmer represents the kind of high-potential player who could provide value in deep dynasty leagues. He has size, skill, and scoring ability which makes him an intriguing option. He could evolve into a 60-plus point power forward with high end peripheral stats, as highlighted by his BaSH player card below. With improved skating, Ziemmer could carve out a role as a solid two-way middle-six winger, with a primary focus on defense and the penalty kill.

Being right-handed gives him an edge in potentially securing a spot in the Kings’ top six. From a player comparison standpoint, think of someone who plays a game similar to Barclay Goodrow. While patience is still needed, his potential is there, making him a prospect worth monitoring and possibly stashing in deep keeper leagues.

Calum Ritchie – C – 74 PNHLe

Calum Ritchie is a prospect with a good mix of strengths and areas for growth, making him someone to keep an eye on as he develops. In the 2022-2023 season Ritchie was a point-per- game player.  After undergoing shoulder surgery last year, he came back strong lighting up the AHL with 28 goals and 52 assist in 50 games. His ability to bounce back and dominate speaks volumes about his resilience and skill. This season, he's likely heading to the World Juniors and will spend most of his time in the AHL, but don't be surprised if he gets a taste of NHL action before the season ends. Next year's training camp could be his chance to show he's ready for the big leagues, and it's clear he's not far.

At 6-2 and 187 lbs, Ritchie is not shy about battling in the corners to maintain offensive zone possession, though his skating and explosiveness can be hit or miss. His passing is elite and so is his stickhandling making him a constant threat with the puck. He does have a tendency to be too unselfish, he is good at driving the play and setting up teammates, but he could stand to shoot more often. His wrist shot is strong and quick, and because he does not fire off as many shots as a center typically does, he has a knack for catching goalies off guard. Defensively, he is very smart at breaking down plays and making sharp decisions in transitioning the puck out of his zone. He uses his large frame to his advantage to protect the puck.

He has all the makings of a potential as a top-six forward and being successful at it especially on a talented team like the Colorado Avalanche, where his creativity could really shine. If we are even looking past Colorado, he has the ability to drive a first or second line. On the high-end comparable you could place him alongside an Anze Kopitar type, though a more grounded comparable would-be Boone Jenner—a gritty, hard-nosed player with solid upside. In keeper leagues, Ritchie is a prospect worth stashing for long-term success, and even in redraft leagues, he could make a splash sooner than expected once he hits the NHL.

Thanks for reading! See you next week. For more content/fantasy hockey analysis, or if there’s a prospect, you’d like me to cover, follow and message me on X @Punters_hockey.