Pegging a player poised for a big season is a key ability of any astute fantasy hockey GM with aspirations for finishing in the money. Expecting big things from a highly touted draft pick or quickly-rising prospect is clearly a much safer endeavor than digging into the trenches for a player with less shine, but that doesn't take away from the importance of drafting at least a couple of young players set to establish themselves at the NHL level next year. The names below should get any GM fired up over their potential to take the league by storm this upcoming season while also cementing themselves as top fantasy targets of the present and future.

Here are some of our favourite young guns from the Eastern Conference that could explode over the coming months.

Luke Hughes, New Jersey Devils

First and foremost, the Devils should be considered one of the deepest fantasy goldmine options in the Eastern Conference which can be counted on to serve up productive fantasy targets at basically all positions – especially on the blue line. Some might say, because of that loaded backend, Hughes might have to battle for minutes; no disrespect to Dougie Hamilton, Simon Nemec, or even Brett Pesce, but Hughes is the blue-liner that will anchor this core for many years to come and he will easily surpass 20 minutes a night moving forward. More than enough opportunity for him to get comfortable while expanding on his offensive output and peripheral category value that he is sure to do during the 2024-25 campaign with the Devils primed to be one of the most-improved clubs which now has a legit number one holding down the blue paint in Jacob Markstrom. Sixty-plus points is definitely within his grasp and with the expected uptick in shots, hits, and power-play proficiency, Hughes is going to be an extremely valuable target whose value increases in keeper/dynasty leagues.

Adam Fantilli, Columbus Blue Jackets

A season cut short – pun intended – by a lacerated calf saw Fantilli finish with only 27 points in 49 games, but Fantilli should be considered a prime candidate for the focus on young guns ready for takeoff as the 19-year-old was clearly comfortable with the NHL's high-octane pace and punishing physical play. Not afraid to mix it up, get in the dirty areas, and throw his body around, Fantilli is a potent mix of size and skill that is sure to give opposing defenders fits next season who will also chip in with penalty minutes, blocked shots, and hits. With a number of dangerous young players in Columbus and the team expected to take a step forward, Fantilli should be targeted as a player off of most draft boards well before the eighth-or-ninth rounds. The sky’s the limit for the Michigan product who also has a nasty, underrated shot more than capable of beating NHL netminders with regularity.

JJ Peterka, Buffalo Sabres

Speaking of dangerous young players, the Sabres seemingly employ a number of them and we're looking at Peterka as a piece not only primed for takeoff, but one also ready to cement himself as a top fantasy and scoring option in Buffalo this year. Not to be looked at for peripheral category coverage, Peterka is a pure shooter who should be targeted as a solid scoring option who has the potential to be a perennial 40-goal man in the NHL. Not buying it? How about 28 goals on 226 shots just last season with a release that opposing goaltenders have trouble keeping up with. At only 21 years old Peterka already has proven he can get it done at every level he plays at, including the World Juniors Championships (WJC), top German elite league, and AHL. Experience, elite shooting, dynamic scoring ability, you name it, Peterka has it going on in the offensive end. As for the Sabres squad around him, Buffalo is only a season removed from being a top offensive team with one of the best power-play units in the business which has plenty of dangerous offensive pieces who will rack up goals this campaign.

Alexis Lafreniere, New York Rangers

Considering how good Lafreniere was during his days in the QMJHL and then brief stint on the world stage at the WJC where he looked like a man amongst boys, his development on the NHL stage has come a lot slower than most pundits predicted. However, the come up is real with Lafreniere and at 23 years old when the season starts, Lafreniere is poised for a breakout-type season where 70 points seems very attainable for a player finally starting to look very comfortable shooting the puck. Laffy's hit totals went down last season, but his shot total went from a previous career high of 135 to a much more respectable 217 to go along with career numbers in goals (28), assists (29), and of course, points. Snap him up before others do, Lafreniere will be huge for the Blueshirts this campaign.

Juraj Slafkovsky

Quickly turning into a banger-league beauty who can fill out categories like a seasoned veteran while also producing offensively, Slafkovsky is looking like Montreal got it right by selecting him with the first-overall selection from the 2022 NHL Draft over the likes of Simon Nemec, Logan Cooley, Cutter Gauthier, and others. Much like others on this list, the future is bright in La Belle Province due to a deep and talented prospect pool that Slafkovsky is sure to benefit from being entrenched in while the Habs continue to find an identity in the increasingly-tough Atlantic Division. Fifty points, 152 hits, 71 blocked shots, and 55 penalty minutes should have any fantasy GM salivating at Slafkovsky's potential to be an extremely productive fantasy hockey piece for a very long time.