Jason Chen and Michael Amato discuss the options for stashing players with the NA slot in fantasy hockey from a mailbag question.
The Sleepers and Keepers fantasy hockey podcast hosts Jason Chen and Michael Amato answer your mailbag question:
The NA slot is reserved for players who are suspended or playing in a league that's not the NHL.
It's a tricky spot because injured players are not eligible for NA slots.
Top options for NA slots are usually top scorers in the AHL and prospects.
Usually, players in those two groups don't have any fantasy value until the end of the season when teams out of the playoff hunt call up players to help them gain a few games of experience.
The Ducks' Cutter Gauthier, acquired in the Jamie Drysdale trade, and Sharks prospect Will Smith are two big names that could sign following the conclusion of their NCAA seasons who could skate top-six minutes right away.
Top scorers in the AHL, such as Dallas' Logan Stankoven, may not have much fantasy value even though he's older and more accomplished because Dallas is in playoff contention. If Stankoven is called up, he'll also likely play limited minutes.
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Other AHL players who could see action later in the season are: Montreal's Justin Barron, perhaps when David Savard is traded; Philadelphia's Bobby Brink, when they need more offense; Nashville's Jusso Parssinen; Columbus' David Jiricek, Washington's Hendrix Lapierre; and Detroit's Jonatan Berggren.
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