Sam Steel

Steel's first and only season in Minnesota ended up being the most productive of his brief NHL career. He set new high-water marks in goals (10), assists (18), points (28), plus-minus (plus-11), and hits (46). In a somewhat surprising move, the Wild declined to qualify Steel, making him an unrestricted free agent. He signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with Dallas on July 1. The 25-year-old offers virtually no fantasy value but does make for solid depth down the middle for the Stars.

Steel has scored exactly six goals in each of his first three NHL seasons, although he played in 22 games back in 2018-19, 65 in 2019-20, and 42 a year ago. Steel was drafted as an offensive forward. The numbers haven't been there to date and Steel seems miscast in a depth role, so something will have to change in order for the Ducks to get maximum value out of their former 2016 first-round pick (No. 30 overall). Dynasty/keeper league managers should hang onto Steel if possible in hopes he finds a consistent role on a thin Anaheim roster, but he's completely off the map in redraft formats.

Steel is the leading edge of the Ducks' plentiful upcoming youth movement. His first full year in the league was rather mild, however, as he put up 22 points in 65 games and struggled to a minus-13 rating on the defensively suspect team from Anaheim. Steel produced eight of his points on the power play -- he'll likely see second-unit duties until he earns a larger special-teams role. The first-round pick from 2016 will challenge Ryan Getzlaf and Adam Henrique for a top-six job in 2020-21, but expect Steel to start the year on the third line with room to grow. Dynasty managers will want to hang onto the Alberta native, but his services will likely only be needed in deeper redraft leagues.

Steel split time between AHL San Diego and the big club during his first professional season in 2018-19, notching an impressive 41 points in 53 minor-league contests while posting an additional 11 points in 22 games at the NHL level. A first-round pick from 2016, Steel is one of the best prospects in Anaheim's system. The 21-year-old should be a lock for the Opening Night roster this year, and could ultimately end up challenging Adam Henrique for the Ducks' second-line center job. With a strong two-way game and an already capable offensive skill set, Steel will definitely be worth a flier in all fantasy formats this season. If he can earn a role on the power play, the left-handed forward could post 15-plus goals and 40-plus points in 2019-20.

Viewed a defensive-minded center when drafted by Anaheim (30th overall) in 2016, Steel proceeded to post 214 points over his final two WHL seasons and now looks like a top-six guy who should be ready to help the Ducks as early as this season. Steel is a high-character player with elite hockey IQ. Anaheim has several aging forwards on its roster and even if the prospect begins the season in the AHL, he still figures to be looking at significant playing time for the Ducks sooner rather than later. Owners in deep redraft leagues would be wise to stash Steel if at all possible.