McKeen’s Hockey: Dynasty Stock Watch
The Dynasty Stock Watch is designed to go team-by-team across the NHL and evaluate which prospects dynasty managers should be looking to buy and which they should be looking to sell. The goal isn’t to rank prospects in a vacuum, but to assess their current fantasy market value relative to long-term upside. “Buy” candidates are players whose cost is likely lower than their future production potential, creating opportunities to acquire them before their stock rises. “Sell” candidates are players whose value is inflated by pedigree, recent performance, or name recognition, making it a good time to cash out before regression or role limitations set in. Each installment provides dynasty-specific context, helping you navigate short-term hype and long-term sustainability in building your roster.
Utah Mammoth Edition
Team Outlook
The Utah Mammoth narrowly missed the playoffs last season, but with their young core gaining another year of experience, expectations are rising quickly. The roster blends emerging stars with a wave of prospects who are pushing for NHL roles, giving dynasty managers plenty to track. Utah’s system still offers a mix of volatility and upside, with high-end skill near the top and several steady contributors developing underneath, but the organization appears to be turning the corner toward sustained contention.
The Mammoth should be right back in the playoff mix this season, and with more reinforcements on the way, their long-term trajectory looks increasingly promising for both the franchise and fantasy investors.
Buy Candidates
Tij Iginla (F, 19)
Why Buy?
Iginla appeared in just 24 WHL games last season, and that missed time understandably cooled some of the enthusiasm surrounding his breakout. For dynasty managers, that lull represents a clear buying opportunity. Before the injury, he was producing at an impressive clip and showing the shot, compete, and puck-driving ability that made him a top ten draft selection. Despite the limited action, his pNHLe via the NHL Rank King application remains near a point per game, reinforcing that his offensive trajectory is still on track.
There is some risk given the disruption in his development, but his upside remains extremely high. Iginla has the skill set to grow into a top six scorer, and if he earns consistent minutes next to one of Utah’s emerging centers, his production could spike quickly. This is a player whose temporary dip in perceived value might be the best window to buy before his breakout fully resumes.
Michal Hrabal (G, 20)
Why Buy?
Goalies require patience, and Hrabal is a clear example of why waiting can pay off. He has been excellent for UMass in the NCAA and continues to shine for Czechia on the international stage, showing poise well beyond his years. His combination of size, positioning, and calm under pressure continues to impress scouts. For dynasty managers, Hrabal remains under the radar compared to flashier names, which makes him an appealing buy-low candidate before his value climbs.
With Connor Ingram no longer in Utah, Hrabal’s long-term path to the crease looks much clearer. Karel Vejmelka is the only real obstacle between him and a future starting job, and Hrabal has the tools to seize that role within a few seasons. His development has been steady, his track record strong, and his Hockey Prospecting profile shows promising comparables in Filip Gustavsson and Nikolai Khabibulin. Those would be excellent outcomes for the Mammoth, and they highlight just how valuable Hrabal could become as a long-term dynasty stash.
Artyom Duda (D, 21)
Why Buy?
Duda made his North American debut with Tucson in the AHL last season and held his own against older competition. His combination of skating, offensive instincts, and vision on the power play continues to stand out, and his transition game hints at real top four potential. His Fantasy Hockey Life skater card suggests there is still some growth ahead before he reaches his ceiling, which only reinforces his value as a long-term investment.
The uncertainty surrounding his trajectory has created a discount that patient dynasty managers can take advantage of. Duda’s upside as a mobile, two-way defender with power-play utility fits perfectly within Utah’s emerging core. If he earns a larger role or receives a look on the second power-play unit, his fantasy stock could rise quickly. With the hardest transition year behind him, he appears poised to make a steady climb toward becoming an NHL regular.
Sell Candidates
Daniil But (F, 20)
Why Sell?
But’s size and raw skill made him a first-round pick, but his skating and overall pace of play remain areas of concern. The prestige of his draft pedigree continues to buoy his perceived value, yet his development trajectory suggests he may settle into more of a complementary role than a primary scorer. Despite his imposing frame, he is not overly physical, and his production profile raises questions about whether his offense will fully translate to the NHL level. For managers who invested early, this may be an ideal time to explore trade value while expectations remain high.
According to the NHL Rank King application, But projects as a sub-60-point player at his peak, which limits his fantasy appeal without strong peripheral contributions. Since his blocks, shots, and hits contributions are more modest, his real-world effectiveness may not mirror fantasy value. While he appears likely to carve out a steady NHL career, the upside for dynasty formats looks capped. This is a moment to consider selling before his market adjusts to a more modest projection.
Dmitri Simashev (D, 20)
Why Sell?
Simashev is a smooth-skating, defensively reliable blueliner, but his fantasy upside is limited. Across 137 KHL games, he has recorded only 16 points, and he has never shown a consistent scoring touch in any league he has played. His skating and defensive awareness make him a valuable real-world player, yet his offensive instincts and involvement in transition remain muted. Given that he is unlikely to run a power play, his point totals may stall out in a second-pair, shutdown role.
His pedigree as a former high draft pick still gives him perceived value in dynasty formats, which makes this a prime opportunity to sell before expectations recalibrate. Simashev’s long-term NHL future looks solid from a defensive standpoint, but his fantasy utility will be limited unless his offensive game takes a major leap. Without scoring volume or meaningful peripherals, he is better suited to anchoring a blue line than a fantasy roster.
Maveric Lamoureux (D, 21)
Why Sell?
Standing at 6-foot-7 and carrying significant physical presence, Lamoureux draws intrigue. He’s shown flashes of activation in the offensive zone and throws his size around on defense, but his developmental curve is slow. In his first full AHL season he posted 13 points in 42 games with Tucson, plus a brief stint in the NHL for 15 games with Utah. Even so, there is little evidence to suggest he will ever be a reliable fantasy scorer, especially given his lack of history producing offense in prior leagues.
His fantasy upside is extremely limited, since he’s unlikely to ever run a power play, and his point totals may flatten out in a second-pair, defensive role. His peripheral contributions aren’t great (though he does deliver a fair number of hits), which only compounds the risk. Like Simashev, he will probably settle into a shutdown role more than an offensive one. For dynasty managers holding him for upside, this is an ideal window to explore trading him before the opportunity cost of that roster spot becomes too steep.
Summary
| Player | Role | Key Insight |
| Tij Iginla | Buy | High-upside scorer whose value dipped due to injury, prime time to buy |
| Michal Hrabal | Buy | Large, composed goalie still under the radar with starting potential |
| Artyom Duda | Buy | Skilled defenseman with power-play tools, discounted by uncertainty |
| Daniil But | Sell | Pedigree inflates value, skating/pacing issues cap long-term upside |
| Dmitri Simashev | Sell | Reliable defender with low fantasy ceiling, sell while pedigree still sells |
| Maveric Lamoureux | Sell | Shutdown project with minimal offensive upside, roster spot better used elsewhere |