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

****

Happy Saturday, folks! We have already touched on who the odds-on favorites are for the 2024-2025 Calder Trophy this season but the fun in fantasy sports is being that one person who can find that under the radar/sleeper prospect that nobody is expecting to have in their first year in the NHL.  We saw that last year with Brock Faber where most did not have Faber on the list to be a Calder contender. This week's article is just that, covering the dark horse candidates who may have a chance to steal the Calder away from the favorites this upcoming year.

Bradly Nadeau, LW, Carolina Hurricanes

Bradly Nadeau is flying under the radar in fantasy circles, but it’s time we start giving him the acknowledgment he deserves. He is the most NHL-ready forward in the Carolina prospect pool set to make an immediate impact. In fact, he’s arguably a top-three prospect outside of Pyotr Kochetkov and Alexander Nikishin in the Hurricanes’ system.

Nadeau’s path to a top-six role became clearer with Jake Guentzel‘s departure and a left side that’s looking thin behind Andrei Svechnikov. The Canes could use a pure goal scorer like Nadeau who is a dangerous offensive weapon with the capability to be a solid 30-goal scorer. He led the University of Maine in scoring with 46 points (19 goals, 27 assists) in 37 games.  He has the creativity and potential to be a solid 30-goal scorer with the Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes saw the value in bringing him into the organization after signing him to a three-year ELC in April. He has a good chance at making the roster straight out of training camp, but a stint in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves won't hurt him either. Long-term, there’s definite top-six upside here. If he does get a shot this season, he’ll have the chance to further develop his skills alongside guys like Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, and Martin Necas. He could be a Calder dark horse and a sleeper pick with significant upside.

Josh Doan, C/RW, Utah Hockey Club

Josh Doan, drafted by the Coyotes in 2021 was called up to the NHL near end of last season and he impressed with nine points in 11 games, offering a glimpse of his potential. He is no stranger to producing, during his stint with the Tucson Roadrunners, Doan put up 26 goals and 46 points in 62 games, showing he's got what it takes to make an impact.

Now, that the team has relocated to Utah and a young, talented roster in place, there's a fresh wave of optimism. Doan's move the NHL was a promising one, where he quickly found chemistry with players like Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley. Head coach Andre Tourigny has a proven track record of developing young talent so you wouldn't expect anything different with Doan. While Doan is projected to start as a third-line winger, don't be shocked if he and contends for some more ice time up the lineup – he's got the tools to surprise.

Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW, Washington Capitals

The Capitals have been patient with Ivan Miroshnichenko, letting him refine his skating, awareness, and physical play, and it’s paying off. In 47 regular-season games with Hershey, he scored nine goals and 16 assists for 25 points, then recorded seven goals and five assists in 20 games during the Calder Cup Playoffs, leading the Bears to back-to-back titles.

Last season, Miroshnichenko got a glimpse of the NHL, appearing in 21 games and notching six points. He still needs refinement in his game, but his recent performances suggest he's on the brink of becoming a full-time NHLer. His forechecking has become more aggressive, he's winning board battles, and he's consistently positioning himself well on the ice.

Spending time in the AHL truly honed his 200-foot game. With his strong regular-season and clutch playoff showings, Miroshnichenko looks set to make a significant impact with the Capitals soon. Keep him on your radar—he is ready.

Brad Lambert, C/RW – Winnipeg Jets

Brad Lambert is the Jets’ top prospect, ready to make his mark in the NHL. After years of ups and downs, he finally is showing that potential many expected out of him.  He led the Manitoba Moose in scoring with 55 points (21 goals, 34 assists) in his first full pro campaign. His performance was a major leap forward, showcasing his growth into a consistent, reliable threat as a top-line center and power-play asset. His strength in transition and zone entries makes him one of the better forwards in this aspect of the game.

Before his Moose success, Lambert dominated the WHL with the Seattle Thunderbirds, putting up 38 points in 26 games and another 26 points in 17 playoff games after being moved back to his natural center position. That season earned him AHL All-Star honors and a spot on the All-Rookie Team. The Jets' recent free agency losses of top-six forwards Sean Monahan and Tyler Toffoli intensifies the urgency for Lambert to step up, a point emphasized by GM Kevin Cheveldayoff during the offseason. With that, his chances of making the team immediately out of training camp is still not certain, but this element of unpredictability only adds to his allure as a breakout dark horse candidate.

Nikolai Kovalenko, RW/LW, Colorado Avalanche

Nikolai Kovalenko, has been brought up a few times over the last few weeks and it because there potential here.  While playing in the KHL the past two seasons, Kovalenko posted 32 goals and 89 points in 98 games, along with another 11 points in 15 playoff games.

His potential is worth watching, especially with the injuries in Colorado's forward group. Gabriel Landeskog may be skating, but after two years off due to major knee surgery, it's hard to expect a smooth return. Valeri Nichushkin's suspension keeps him out until November, leaving room for someone like Kovalenko to step into a top-six role and flourish. His nearly point-per-game production in the KHL speaks for itself, and with holes to fill in the Avalanche's lineup, he could be a sneaky Calder candidate. There may be a transition period to get adjusted to the NHL but if he impresses in training camp, Kovalenko could easily grab a second-line spot early in the season. His name is starting to pick up in fantasy league discussions. I thought that he would be a solid late-round flyer or waiver-wire target, especially given Colorado's need for secondary scoring but I am not starting to think he'll get picked up sooner than that.

Rutger McGroarty, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins

Rutger McGroarty wasn't initially on my list, but his trade to the Penguins has changed things. McGroarty has all the skills to make a strong case. Beyond Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust, Michael Bunting and possibly Rickard Rakell, McGroarty has a golden opportunity to make the squad if he performs well in training camp. Playing alongside Crosby or Malkin can easily catapult him into a Calder contender (more so Crosby than Malkin) and his offensive upside suggests he could snag one of those prized top-two line positions.

Of course, the possibility of paying in the AHL is still a real one and McGroarty might start his season off with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where he would get top line minutes but on the other hand, he would get the same with Pittsburgh. With Jake Guentzel and Reilly Smith gone, the Penguins are in need of winger help both now and moving forward. McGroarty can fit that need and inject some youth into this team which it most definitely needs. He is a key part of the Penguins’ future, and his NHL debut would mark a new era for Pittsburgh. I would be surprise if he doesn't at least get a shot at showing what he can do.

Jagger Firkus, RW, Seattle Kraken

This one is a bit of a long shot as he may not even see any NHL ice time this year but in keeping with the spirit of dark horses, here is one for you. I've been keeping tabs on Jagger Firkus since his early days with the Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL, and let me tell you, Seattle got a good one here with their 35th overall pick in 2022. This kid's a pure sniper, and with the Kraken’s offense struggling last year (28th in the league), Firkus could be the spark they desperately need. Last season in major junior, he went off for 61 goals and 65 assists in just 63 games.

He's only had one taste of pro hockey, with a single AHL playoff game under his belt, however signing his ELC in April 2023, Firkus is eligible for both NHL and AHL duty this season.

If he can dazzle and impress the coaching staff in training camp then Seattle may give him a nine-game audition to start the season.  If it was premature decision, off to the Firebirds for additional development. If not and he blows the doors off, he could stick with the team and away we go. The Kraken are in no rush to bring him in as they are also reintroducing Shane Wright back into the lineup and hopefully in a full-time role so I would understand the logic in not calling up Firkus just yet. Either way, there is very little to lose for him and he's got serious potential to be a contender if he cracks the lineup.

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.