Martin Necas

While his raw production was fairly flat compared to his rookie campaign, Necas' play took a big step forward in 2020-21. The 22-year-old saw spikes in his points per game, plus-minus rating and faceoff win percentage as he took on a larger role for the Hurricanes, and he seems secure in a top-six role and a key spot on the power play headed into 2021-22. If he continues on his current developmental trajectory, a 20-goal, 70-point season for Necas seems well within reach.

Necas played well as a rookie in 2019-20, collecting 16 goals, 20 assists and nine power-play points in 64 games. The 21-year-old should see a significant jump in ice time during his sophomore campaign, as he'll be locked into a full-time, top-six role as well as a spot on the Hurricanes' second man-advantage unit. Necas has all the tools to produce at or above a 20- goal, 50-point pace while chipping in double-digit points on the power play in 2020-21, making him worthy of a late-round pick for fantasy managers looking to add forward depth during this year's drafts.

Necas got a cup of coffee at the NHL level last season, recording a goal and an assist over seven games for Carolina. He was then sent down to AHL Charlotte, where the Czech pivot delivered a respectable 52 points in 64 games. The Hurricanes' 2017 first-rounder will push for a permanent spot with the big club in camp, but it won't be handed to him given the team's substantial forward depth. While Necas could be worth a flier in redraft leagues if he makes the team, there's a good chance he'll get sent down for another year of AHL seasoning.

After returning to HC Kometa Brno in the Czech league last year, where he scored 17 points in 24 games (nine goals, eight assists), Necas went on to play in the IIHF World Junior Championships in December, tying for the tournament lead in scoring with 11 points (three goals, eight assists). The Canes are currently pretty thin down the middle, so the team won't hesitate to promote Necas to a full-time roster spot with the big club once it feels he's ready. At the Canes' development camp in June, Necas was noticeably bigger and oozed confidence, playing on a line with this year's second overall draft pick, Andrei Svechnikov - a hint of what a future line combination might look like in Carolina. Necas is certainly a player to keep an eye on for fantasy purposes.