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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Welcome back to this month's edition of my coverage into Mason Black's Rank King PNHLe chart and app. This week is a continuation from previous months of where I break down how PNHLe helps project a player's potential point production in the NHL and how it's a powerful tool for fantasy managers. In case you missed it, you can take a quick read here where we touched on UTe—a tool that works hand-in-hand with PNHLe, helping you spot those buy-low, sell-high opportunities by tracking career trends. Let's jump back in.

Riley Heidt – C/LW – 72, Minnesota Wild

Riley Heidt is the kind of player who makes you sit up and take notice. With elite hockey sense, incredible playmaking ability, and smooth skating, he's quickly becoming another exciting prospect in the Wild's system.  Now in his fifth WHL season Heidt's has posted 34 points (11 goals, 23 assists) in just 20 games this season, he's on track for another 100-point campaign. If he hits that milestone, he'll become the first player in Prince George Cougars' history to do it twice. Not to mention, he was recently selected for the upcoming World Juniors selection camp roster. Not bad for a guy taken in the third round (64^th overall) in the 2023 draft.

Heidt's skating is another highlight of his game. His quick acceleration and edge work make him a problem for defenders, giving him the tools to create space, avoid pressure, and keep plays alive. The overall commitment to improving defensively is equally impressive and he's shown glimpses of consistent progression even though his defensive zone play still needs refining. His work ethic and hockey sense suggest he's willing to improve and round out to develop into a key piece for the Wild. He does however, need to add more to his overall frame to handle the grind of the NHL, especially in board battles and around the net.

Looking ahead, the Wild seem content to play the long game with here, and GM Bill Guerin is a big fan of his competitiveness, grit, and all-around "gamer" mentality. Heidt has everything he needs to become a top-six forward in Minnesota's lineup in the near future.

Kirill Kudryavtsev – D – 68, Vancouver Canucks

Kirill Kudryavtsev was the Vancouver Canucks' seventh-rounder (208th overall) from the 2022 NHL Draft who has been developing into a key depth defensive prospect. Previously playing in Russia before his draft year, Kudryavtsev showed a drastic improvement in his game primarily focusing around his spatial awareness and technical staking skills. While he was a late pick, he has the physical tools and skillset to potentially carve out a reliable role in the NHL.

Kudryavtsev found his offensive groove in 2022 while playing for the Soo Greyhounds. That year he racked up an impressive 50 points (8 goals, 42 assists) in 67 games. He's not exactly known as a dynamic offensive threat but he has shown flashes of creativity and has often handled top power-play duties with confidence. His passing game is a standout, especially his ability to spark the rush with precision. His shot isn't the heaviest, but it's accurate enough to complement his ability to generate offense from the blue line.

Fast forward to this season, and the big question is how he'll navigate the Canucks' crowded defensive depth chart. So far, Kudryavtsev's proving he's ready to compete for his spot. He's even had the chance to pick up some wisdom from Sergei Gonchar, Vancouver's Defensive Development Coach and one of Russia's all-time great blueliners, a golden opportunity for a young player like him.

So, where can we possibly see Kudryavtsev headed? Best case, he could develop into a low-end top-four NHL defenseman with some power-play contributions on a second unit. If his offensive game doesn't take another leap, he's more likely to settle as a high-end AHL defender and a depth NHL option. Either way, his mix of poise, skating, and vision makes him a prospect worth keeping on your radar as he continues to grow within Vancouver's system.

Nate Danielson – C – 55, Detroit Red Wings

So, there is a lot of excitement around Nate Danielson and the potential he brings to the Detroit Red Wings. Steve Yzerman drafted Danielson 9^th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft and at the time many were not expecting Danielson to be drafted that high but Yzerman has a plan.  We're not going to that as it has been covered already a few times by our Dobber Hockey writers. Danielson is shaping up to be a key piece of Detroit's rebuild. He's a 6-1- and 185-pound right-handed centre with a tantalizing mix of size, speed, and hockey IQ. With his strong two-way play and top-six potential, he offers just about everything the Red Wings are hoping for.

His calling card remains his defensive responsibility, an attribute that draws comparisons to fellow Red Wings first-round pick Marco Kasper, who experienced a similar trajectory in Grand Rapids before finding his stride offensively. A fluid and powerful skater, Danielson boasts strong acceleration and top-end speed, allowing him to impact play in all three zones. However, adding unpredictability to his offensive game could elevate him to a true top-line center.

Danielson's offensive game leans more on efficiency than flash, but nonetheless its effective. Last year with the Portland Winterhawks he tallied 41 points (12 goals, 29 assists) in 28 games. This year he's a little slower out of the gate with three goals and 10 assists in 20 games.  His offensive style is built on maintaining puck possession and creating opportunities for linemates, making him more of a playmaker than a pure goal scorer. He's not projecting to be a 100-point player however he could potentially be closer to a point per game as a ceiling while his floor would be closer to 60 points. 

As a player, his heavy, accurate shot and willingness to drive the net ensures he remains a scoring threat, particularly in transition and off the rush. Danielson has all the makings of a reliable, two-way force for Detroit, offering a solid compliment to the first line with contributions in all situations. For Danielson, this likely means securing center position down the middle behind Dylan Larkin.

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.