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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The NHL landscape keeps shifting, and with it comes a fresh opportunity, especially for prospects signing their entry-level contracts. These deals go beyond paperwork – they show us how organizations are building for the future. For fantasy managers, that matters. Whether a player is landing on a contender or stepping into a rebuild, the surrounding context shapes their path. This week, I will dive into their short- and long-term outlooks, looking at team structure, timing of the ELC, and potential opportunity (shoutout to PuckPedia). By evaluating roster fit and likely deployment, we can start to project how these players slot in, and what kind of fantasy value they could bring.

Enjoy!

Ryan Leonard – Washington Capitals

NHL Games Played: 9 Regular Season – 8 Playoff / Total Points: 1G, 1A / ATOI: 14.11

After an electric sophomore season at Boston College where Leonard put up 30 goals and 49 points in just 37 games, the Capitals wasted no time signing him to his entry-level contract. He immediately joined the NHL roster for a nine-game stretch that included some playoff action. It was a great way for Leonard to see what the NHL was all about while playing some meaningful games and for Washington to fast-track his transition. That short stint gave Leonard a crash course in NHL pace, structure, and playoff-level intensity.

Now, heading into next season, Leonard is in the mix to earn a roster spot out of training camp. His style of play aligns well with the direction Washington is heading towards: an up-tempo system under Spencer Carbery's direction. Leonard is a straight-line, high-compete forward who thrives on forechecking, and winning puck battles. He is more than just motor – he has the hands and structured two-way game to support it. His skill set fits right into a Capitals team moving out of the Backstrom-Oshie era and embracing a younger, faster, more aggressive identity.

Leonard is a step back of Tkachuk but still looks like he's going to be a hell of a pro. https://t.co/R2MWOmo2aI pic.twitter.com/XhYIyPu5Sm

— Byron Bader (@ByronMBader) December 30, 2024

The timing may work in Leonard's favor. With players like Anthony Beauvillier, Lars Eller, and Andrew Mangiapane hitting free agency, there is a clear gap on the right side behind Tom Wilson. Even if one of those veterans re-signs, Leonard will be competing with middle-six placeholders and names like Connor McMichael, who does already have a year of NHL experience under his belt. The good news: the Capitals do have cap space, but unless they go out and land a top-six winger, there is no clear obstacle blocking Leonard's path. This front office has made it clear that youth will be given every chance to earn meaningful roles (McMichael and Aliaksei Protas are good examples of that) and Leonard checks all the boxes of a player ready to step in.

In the short term, Leonard could realistically start on the third line, see second-unit power play time, and play a physical, high-energy role. Think a more composed Tom Wilson or a Brady Tkachuk-lite. Leonard brings scoring, hits, shots, and potential power-play value to the table as early as next year, which should put him squarely on the fantasy radar.

A 45+ point rookie season with strong multi-category upside is well within reach, making him a late-round steal in deeper redraft leagues and a must-hold in dynasty. Long-term? We are looking at an easy 80+ point ceiling with banger appeal making him a fantasy asset worth investing in now. If he is still sitting in your league's free agent pool, then you are in the wrong league.

Alexander Nikishin – Carolina Hurricanes

NHL Games Played: 4 Playoff Games / Total Points: 1A / ATOI: 15.59

The Carolina Hurricanes might have landed a real difference-maker in Nikishin. Drafted in the third round back in 2020, Nikishin has taken huge strides in the KHL and now enters the NHL as one of the most polished, high-upside defensemen coming over from Europe. After a monster season with SKA St. Petersburg recording 55 points in 67 games while logging over 22 minutes a night, Carolina signed him to a two-year entry-level deal this past March.

The shorter contract had less to do with performance and more to do with visa delays and maintaining roster flexibility. The Hurricanes were hoping to bring him in ahead of the playoffs, but paperwork held up the process. By choosing a two-year deal, they gave Carolina the option of assigning him to the AHL during the postseason and into next year, something a three-year deal would not have allowed. Nikishin ended up getting into four playoff games (one vs. Washington, three vs. Florida), giving fans and management an early look at what he could offer.

His arrival also comes at an inflection point for Carolina's defense. Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov are both heading toward unrestricted free agency, and Nikishin offers a cost-effective, NHL-ready option to slide into the top four. The team still has Jaccob Slavin, Sean Walker, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Jalen Chatfield under contract, so this may present the opportunity for the front office to start shaping the next wave. Nikishin and fellow prospect Scott Morrow will be RFAs after next season, and both will likely see real opportunities on the back-end. With some cap flexibility, Carolina can either re-sign vets or add in free agency, but if one of Burns or Orlov walks, Nikishin's path to meaningful minutes could open up quickly.

Logan Stankoven SNIPES to open the Game 4 scoring 🎯🔥 pic.twitter.com/oFdq0VQvkH

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) May 27, 2025

From a systems standpoint, Rod Brind'Amour's structure fits Nikishin perfectly. He is aggressive, smart in transition, and strong in tight gaps, exactly what Carolina values on the back end. He may not start on the top power-play unit, but his five-on-five play could have an immediate impact. He has shown to be a tempo controller than a pure puck-mover, and he has the experience quarterbacking SKA's power play.

Next year, we could be looking at a second-pair usage with 30–35-point potential and solid value in hits and blocks, making him a quality add in multi-cat or deeper formats. Long-term, there is real 50+ point upside, especially if he earns PP1 time. Even if he starts with a short AHL stint, it likely will not last long and if Carolina moves out a veteran this summer, Nikishin could break camp and carve out fantasy relevance right away.

Ivan Demidov – Montreal Canadians

NHL Games Played: 2 Regular Season – 5 Playoff Games / Total Points: 1G, 3A / ATOI: 13.43

There is plenty of excitement surrounding Ivan Demidov's arrival, and for good reason. Whether you are a Canadiens fan or not, the intrigue around his first full NHL season is universal. His entry-level contract, signed in April, officially marked the beginning of his transition to North American hockey. With a toolkit that includes elite offensive instincts, strong vision, and high-end puck control, expectations are naturally high. Demidov is not just another prospect, he arrives with the upside and maturity that suggest he will contribute immediately.

A major storyline entering next season for Montreal will be how the coaching staff structures the top six, particularly the second-line center position. Nick Suzuki has established himself as the team's top-line anchor, but the role behind him is still in question. Kirby Dach is a choice, but injuries have made it difficult to rely on him consistently. Alex Newhook offers speed and versatility, yet he projects more as a flexible middle-six forward than a long-term solution down the middle. Owen Beck may be too green take that on just yet, and Michael Hage is still a couple of years away. Unless internal options solidify quickly, the Canadiens may look externally to fill that that second-line role, something that could accelerate the rebuild and give their young wingers greater consistency but it would have to at a discounted rate rather than going out to get a big fish, at least for this season.

The reason it matters is because the Canadiens are still carrying the final year of Carey Price's $10.5M contract on the books. I know this might sound like I am heading down a bit of a rabbit hole (because I am), but stick with me, this will help make more sense of Montreal's current cap situation.

Price has not suited up for three years now, but his full cap hit remains in place. That is because being placed on LTIR does not wipe the contract from the books. It simply gives the team the ability to exceed the cap during the season by the same amount of his salary (if they choose).

Montreal has used that relief before, but it has its limits. However, in the offseason, LTIR relief is not available. Every team has to be under the cap ceiling, and that means Price's full $10.5M hit counts once again until opening night of the next season. The only real way out is trading Price's contract to a team that wants to hit the cap floor. That would reset Montreal's cap flexibility, but that kind of move does not come cheap. It usually means attaching picks and/or prospects just to get someone to take the deal. Kent Hughes has been masterful in cap and asset management since joining the Canadians and managed to get rid of Shea Weber's contract last year, so it is not totally out of the question.  Okay, now that we cleared that up and out of the way, let's get back to Demidov.

He is unbelievable! Ivan Demidov is 2025 KHL Rookie of the Year!

In his first KHL season, the 19-year-old became SKA's points leader (49 PTS, 65 GP) with just 11th TOI among forwards (13:45). #KHLAwards pic.twitter.com/qVrsWsjxMH

— KHL (@khl_eng) May 29, 2025

What a setup by Ivan Demidov 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/VXOvoz5Sj1

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 28, 2025

Now, because of the above, Demidov's fit within this evolving core will be something to monitor. Whether he starts on the top line or in a more sheltered role, he has the tools to make an immediate top-six impact. His skating, spatial awareness, and offensive zone patience could make him a perfect complement to Suzuki and Caufield. If that trio comes together early, it could force a shift in how Martin St. Louis deploys his forward group, particularly affecting Slafkovsky's spot on the top line. Then you have Patrik Laine, so there is no shortage of elite wingers in this top-six. The center position is the issue.

Fortunately for Demidov, St. Louis has proven effective at developing young talent. His focus on creativity and complete-zone play should help Demidov lean into his strengths while rounding out his game. The Canadiens offer the kind of flexible environment that should ease the transition and allow their top prospect to find his footing without being rushed.

From a fantasy perspective, Demidov has the potential to push for 25–30 goals in his rookie campaign. He should generate solid shot volume and contribute on the power play early. Even if he starts on the second unit, there is a strong chance he earns a look on PP1 if the chemistry is there. He is clearly a cornerstone piece for Montreal, and for those in dynasty formats, he is already shaping up to be a foundational fantasy asset.

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.

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