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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With most of the elite free agents now signed, we can start to get a general idea of what lineups might look like for the upcoming NHL season. With that, I thought it was the perfect time to discuss young players whose value has risen, both from a hockey standpoint and, more importantly, from a fantasy perspective after the free-agent frenzy. So, let's get straight into it.

Pavel Dorofeyev – Vegas Golden Knights

Dorofeyev made a significant jump in last season finishing with 35 goals across a full 82-game schedule. This may be a little obvious based on his season but it becomes even more impressive considering he has only played 148 NHL games. He now enters the upcoming season with a legitimate shot at locking down a top-line role on yet again a retooled Vegas roster that added Mitch Marner, a move that could elevate Dorofeyev's game even further.

Marner brings elite playmaking ability and vision, producing 102 points last season while driving possession and dictating tempo. Pairing him with a natural finisher like Dorofeyev makes sense. Marner's ability to draw defenders and deliver passes into high-danger areas could be exactly what unlocks Dorofeyev's next level.

There is also strong evidence that Dorofeyev's season was no fluke. His 13.8 shooting percentage is both reasonable and sustainable, especially when paired with his 3.1 shots per game. That is a solid shooting volume, particularly for a winger who was not consistently deployed on the top power play unit. His even-strength numbers are just as encouraging at 5v5 with xGF of 54.37 and an xG% of 56.8 point to a player generating real offense, not simply riding hot finishing or inflated linemate production.

He scored 17 points on the man-advantage with 13 of them being goals, finishing just one power play goal behind Tomas Hertl for the team lead. That kind of efficiency suggests he could potentially earn a full-time spot on the top unit.

If he sticks with Marner and Jack Eichel, Dorofeyev could once again approach 35 goals, with his overall production potentially pushing well above is 52 points last season. More power play time and a slight uptick in shooting volume would help unlock that. Dorofeyev is no longer just a breakout name, he is positioning himself as one of the more dangerous scorers in the NHL.

Isaac Howard – Edmonton Oilers

Howard's arrival in Edmonton brings in another consistent conversation, especially for a team actively seeking cost-controlled scoring to support its elite core. Following a strong season at Michigan State, where he recorded 52 points in 37 games and claimed the Hobey Baker Award, Howard immediately becomes a prospect to watch. The real question is whether Howard can earn a top-six role in the Oilers' lineup, and if so, how soon. We know Edmonton's top-six forward depth with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl but the wings flanking those two have seen turnover, leaving the door slightly open. One strong camp or preseason run could put Howard in position to push his way up the lineup. However, expectations must be kept in check. Jumping from college hockey directly into a top-six NHL spot is rare, even for players with Howard's skillset.

Originally drafted 31st overall by Tampa Bay in 2022, Howard was seen early on as a gifted scorer with high-end puck skills and plenty of confidence. His road to a full-time role comes with a few challenges. The concern lies in how that style holds up against NHL-level size and speed. For him to earn trust in a top-nine role, he needs to show that his competitiveness and skill can overcome the physical mismatch he will face early on.

With Edmonton having thinned its system through trades and picks over recent years, Howard's acquisition serves both as a development project and an upside play. The Oilers' left side lacks depth, and with Matthew Savoie also joining the mix, the opportunity is there. Whether he starts in Bakersfield or earns a sheltered role in Edmonton, his trajectory depends on how quickly he adapts. He is not a lock, but he is absolutely on the radar and at the very least he should be viewed as a long-term bet with top-six potential.

Rutger McGroarty – Pittsburgh Penguins

McGroarty enters the Pittsburgh Penguins system with a clear opportunity to establish himself, and he fits the mold of exactly what this team needs. With Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin still producing but surrounded by an aging roster and a thinning prospect pool, the Penguins are in real need of young, affordable forwards who can step into meaningful minutes. McGroarty, fresh off a full AHL season, could be one of the few internal options capable of filling that void.

McGroarty lit AHL on fire early last season, but he steadily found his game, finishing the season with 14 goals and 39 points over 60 games. He also played eight games with the Penguins, where he chipped in a goal and two assists. More important than the numbers was how comfortable he looked. He played like someone who understood what was required at the NHL level and didn't look out of place doing it.

McGroarty's game checks a lot of boxes: he is heavy on pucks, smart without it, and brings a consistent effort every shift. He is not going to outdo the opposition with flash, but he thrives in the hard areas and plays a style that can help Pittsburgh's identity. Top veterans like Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell will still holding down prime deployment but there are gaps in the top-six that do not have the same level of certainty it once did and because of that McGroarty has the kind of all-around game that can slide up seamlessly. He is not locked in yet, but he is right there in the mix, and if he keeps trending up, he can force his way into a bigger role sooner than later.

Arseniy Gritsyuk – New Jersey Devils

Gritsyuk played five seasons in the KHL and capped it off with a 44-point showing in 49 games with SKA St. Petersburg and now arrives as a polished, pro-ready option rather than a long-term project. He blends offensive touch with maturity and could become more than just another depth piece.

New Jersey's top six is set with Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Timo Meier driving the offense, but what sits behind them looks murky. The team has lacked reliable secondary scoring, and that is where Gritsyuk could step in. While he will need to earn his role, there is a clear path to the middle six if his play translates. The transition to North American ice will be the key test. The smaller surface, faster decisions, and heavier style can challenge even the most talented imports. Devils' fans will remember the Nikita Gusev experience, flashes of skill but an inability to find sustained traction. Gritsyuk will need to prove he can adapt to the speed and physicality, while maintaining his offensive instincts. If he shows he can think the game quickly and manage his play without the puck, his opportunity will come.

He is signed on a one-year entry-level deal, which benefits both sides. New Jersey takes no long-term risk, while Gritsyuk gets a full training camp and regular season to prove he belongs. A start on the third line with second power play duties looks like the future, but his skating and finishing touch suit the Devils’ up-tempo style. If he builds chemistry with someone like Dawson Mercer, his role could expand quickly. This is a great low risk move for the Devils who need depth scoring and a real opportunity for Gritsyuk to prove he can do more than just that. He will arrive in mid-August to get prepared for the upcoming training camp and season. If the adjustment phase goes well, he could settle in as a long-term top-nine piece with room to grow.

Zach Benson – Buffalo Sabres

Benson enters the season with a real shot at cementing himself in Buffalo's top six and there is a plausible path to the top line. JJ Peterka's departure creates a clear opening, and while Jason Zucker brings veteran presence and Jack Quinn still carries promise, neither are guaranteed to hold down that role. That puts Benson in a strong position to potentially slot alongside Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, or even Jiri Kulich. If he can build chemistry with that group, he could lock in a premium offensive role sooner than expected.

Benson's first two seasons show slow and steady growth where he recorded 58 points in 146 games, while averaging roughly 14:40 of ice time, more indicative of a third-line role, however he still managed 1:15 per game on the power play, earning a 27.4% share of Buffalo's total power play minutes. His offensive zone starts increased to 50.8% along with his shot volume and his puck possession metrics trended in the right direction. The one dip came in his IPP, which dropped from 65.2% to 53.8% but that is more likely a reflection of changing linemates and deployment than a step back in performance.

This is a pivotal year. Benson has a legitimate shot to climb the lineup quickly if he makes the most of his early-season looks. The Sabres have roster flexibility and they are still shaping their long-term core. If Benson opens strong, he could stick in the top six all season and possibly make a long-term claim on that role.

Thanks for reading and see you next week! Follow me on X  @Punters_hockey for more content and fantasy hockey analysis.