Michal Hrabal – McKeen's Hockey

NHL: Victor Nuño – DYNASTY STOCK WATCH – Utah Mammoth Edition

Victor Nuño — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 20:34:56 +0000

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

2024 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP – December 26th, 2023 Game Review

Derek Neumeier — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 13:29:51 +0000

Gavin Brindley of USA during the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship between USA and Norway on December 26, 2023 in Gothenburg.
Photo: Carl Sandin / BILDBYRÅN

Slovakia 6 vs. Czechia 2

The most recent match between these hockey rivals and former nation siblings went in the favour of Slovakia, with the Slovakians riding a three-goal burst early in the third period to extend a narrow 2-1 lead into a 5-1 rout and eventual 6-2 finale. It was an impressive victory considering their last medal at this tournament was a bronze in 2015, as well as the fact that the two best eligible players for their country, Juraj Slafkovský and Šimon Nemec, are currently playing for their NHL clubs instead. Forward Servác Petrovský led the way offensively for the winning side, with two goals and one assist, while Samuel Honzek, Filip Mešár, Maxim Štrbák and Viliam Kmec all chipped in two points apiece. Czech starting netminder Michal Hrabal was never quite able to find stable ground in his crease, allowing six goals on 34 shots while looking shaky throughout.

Canada 5 vs. Finland 2

Canada's depth and balance will be their most important attributes at this year's event, and they utilized both masterfully on Tuesday, skating away with a 5-2 win in a game that they were in control of throughout, aside for some penalty troubles. Despite being assembled as more of a checking line, the trio of Nate Danielson, Owen Beck and Owen Allard was Canada's best overall, generating the first two goals and tilting the ice throughout most of their shifts. Projected 2024 1st-overall draft selection Macklin Celebrini also had a huge goal in the second frame on a net-front scramble that needed video review to be confirmed. Crucially, the undrafted Mathis Rousseau made 24 saves and looked plenty sharp, instilling some confidence about the team's seeming weakness between the pipes. Defenseman Arttu Kärki recorded assists on both Finnish goals, while goaltender Niklas Kokko turned aside numerous quality scoring chances but wasn't able to deny all of them.

United States 4 vs Norway 1

If the Americans were expecting a casual skate in their tournament opener, they were given a quick wake-up call, as the heavy underdog Norwegians came out ready to play hard. While the outcome of a U.S. win was easily predicted the narrowness of the 4-1 score and the back-and-forth exchange of scoring chances in the first half certainly wasn't. Gavin Brindley's 2-0 goal finally broke the dam for the red, white and blue, and he followed it up with another two and a half minutes later, snuffing out most of the spark that their opponents showed early on. The diminutive Markus Stensrud was simply sensational in net for Norway, making a multitude of stellar saves, and 40 overall, while preventing the score from getting obscene, which could end up being important later on in the tournament if goal differential comes into play as a tiebreaker.

Sweden 6 vs. Latvia 0

The last match of the day was by far and away the least eventful of the opening four, as the host Swedes outshot Latvia 35-20 and trounced them on the scoreboard to the tune of 6-0. At no point did the game ever really seem close, though that didn't deter the cheers from the raucous home crowd. Latvia had a five-minute powerplay just 25 seconds into the first period, on a nasty boarding penalty by Swedish defender Elias Salomonsson, but wasn't able to generate anything from it, and shortly after it ended it was obvious that a vitally important opportunity for them as underdogs had been unfortunately squandered. Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Filip Bystedt, 1st-round picks of the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks, respectively, each scored two goals apiece, while goaltender Hugo Hävelid didn't face the toughest of tests to earn the 20-save shutout.

Three Stars:

1) Gavin Brindley — United States

The first half of the game between the United States and Norway had all the necessary ingredients for an historic upset. However, Brindley had other ideas. A notorious workhorse and spark plug who was also part of the bronze medal-winning American roster last year, he narrowly pounded home a powerplay one-timer to make it 2-0 and then went beautifully bar down shortly afterwards to make it 3-0. That second marker took the wind out of Norway's sails for a while and they never fully recovered.

2) Maveric Lamoureux — Canada

Lamoureux didn't have a particularly flashy or exciting game, but that was by design, focusing his attentions instead on keeping the Finns quiet and under control over the course of his team-leading 24:50 of ice time. The rangy blueliner was a suffocating defensive presence and undoubtedly frustrating for his opponents to get through. He did, however, help create the game's opening goal when his shot from the point went off Danielson and in, and he was similarly rewarded on the score sheet in the dying minutes when he calmly buried an empty-net goal from center ice.

3) Adam Gajan — Slovakia

Things easily could have gone south for the Slovakian netminder Gajan after allowing a goal just 1:01 after puck drop, but to his credit he immediately bounced back and once again looked like the star player who was crucial in almost upsetting Canada in the quarterfinals of the 2023 tournament. Dialed in and on his toes, he kept things tight and tidy for the remainder of the game's opening 40 minutes, which in turn helped his confident teammates break the deadlock late in the second period and then produce their outburst of goals in the third.