As the dust settles on this year’s NHL draft, let’s talk about up-and-comer University of Minnesota defenseman, Ryan Chesley, who was selected by the Washington Capitals in the second round of the 2022 draft. Minnesota is a NCAA D1 school and has fourteen players out of their 25 man roster who have been drafted by an NHL team. It’d be easy for Chesley to fade into the background on a team boasting this much NHL-level talent, especially given that his point total was an unimpressive eight points across 39 games, which is low for the NCAA. Despite this stat, he possesses a cluster of significant qualities that piqued the interest of the Caps as early as his freshman year, and it is those same qualities that should land him on your future fantasy radar.
What really caught my interest was Ryan's play in this year’s World Junior Championship series (his fourth IIHF appearance- in addition to his silver medal play at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics), during which he undeniably contributed to the USA winning gold against host country Sweden. Chesley finished a +9 with four points in seven games and not only outshined players on his own team, but proved he can play against high-level, stalwart competition. In the gold medal game, Ryan played in the top pairing with Lane Hutson, garnering the second most minutes on the team at 25:06 minutes, only trailing behind Lane Hutson's 27:12 minutes.
Throughout the tournament, Chesley exhibited a penchant for two-way play and was comfortable lugging the puck down the ice when the space was given and precisely passing cross-ice to spark breakouts. He consistently demonstrated world-class defensive prowess and an accurate awareness of the ice, always being in the right space at the right time. Being a stout 200 pounds at 6'0” (at age 20, no less), Ryan has no problem separating the puck from a forechecker and has excellent gap control. Despite all the minutes logged, Ryan remained poised throughout, which really speaks to his level of conditioning; even late in the third, he still executed the right plays when most guys would start making mistakes out of fatigue or pressure.
This might seem an overly simplistic comparison, but Ryan’s current play and possible NHL trajectory remind me of Brock Faber, who also played for Minnesota in college and had middling total points early in his collegiate career until he really turned it on during his senior year. Brock might have a higher hockey IQ (though time will tell), but he and Chesley are the exact same size and play a very similar style of game. The Minnesota Wild’s cap constraints from the Suter and Parise buyouts might have forced them to use Brock more than normal this past season, but I can envision for Ryan a similar career path, minus a few total points.
Those that just skim elite prospects for the guys with the highest scoring stats might miss an absolute gem like Chesley. As of right now, he may not be lighting the stats sheet on fire, but he’s got the skill and just needs the right opportunity. Ryan is currently unsigned on the Washington Capitals, whose prospect cupboard is just about wearing thin. Ryan can really carve out a top four role on their roster, especially with John Carlson retiring soon. Unless the Capitals make some significant free agent moves over the next few years, he is only competing with Nick Jensen, Trevor van Riemsdyk, and Ethan Bear. While there are a lot of variables affecting the debate over his current point total, something I don't think is debatable is that Ryan Chesley is an NHL quality player and someone to keep your fantasy eyes on.
Ceiling: Brock Faber
Floor: Dylan Demelo
Photo Credit:
Ryan Chesley at University of Minnesota: Brad Rempel / University of Minnesota Athletics
Ryan Chesley on Capitals: Cara Bahniuk/RMNB
Ryan Chesley on Team USA, 2024 World Junior Championship: Martin Rulsch, Wikimedia Commons
Brock Faber at University of Minnesota in 2021: Mike Miller, Big Ten Conference Photographer
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