Best under 23 keepers

[Goal]

My league introduced a new rule this year for next year where we have 5 keepers but 1 must be born 1997 or later (under 23). I am trying to figure out who I should be targeting, or looking at (within reason). Obviously players like McDavid, Mathews, Marner are all very high end players but that also means they will require a lot to acquire and only have limited keeper (for the pre-1997 rule). Players below based on age and ordered by points so far in NHL.

1997:
McDavid
Marner
Matthews
Aho
Tkachuk
Barzal
Konecny
DeBeincat
Boeser
Provorov
Chabot
Hronek

1998:
Laine
Keller
Dubois
Pettersson
Sergachyov
Bratt
Girard
Mittelstadt
Makar
Steel
Fox

1999:
Hischier
Tkachuk
Thomas
Heiskanen
Chytil
Necas
Suzuki
Comtois
Zadina
Glass

2000:
Svechnikov
Dahlin
Kotkaniemi

2021:
Hughes
Kakko

The majority of the 1997 guys are high asking prices with limited return on fitting under this rule.

My top 10 rankings (based on age, and availability)

1. Svechnikov
2. Makar
3. B. Tkachuk
4. Dahlin
5. Kakko
6. Hughes
7. Heiskanen
8. Necas
9. Zadina
10. Glass

I am wonder what you guys think? I currently have Fox as my underager and looking to improve my team this year and beyond. The year after would be under 23 still (so 1998 then 1999 etc)

[TruNorth]

I agree that Svech and Makar would be top of mind. I'd also target Chabot and DeBrincat as possible buy-low candidates at the moment.

[Goal]

Interestingly after I posted this, Kako and Jack Hughes were both dropped.

I am thinking of picking one of them up. I know they wont be great for the rest of the year but should do alright and should be solid keepers going forward.

[TruNorth]

I’d probably pick up Kakko between the two. I suspect that he will eventually be solidified on a top line with Zibanejad and Panarin. I don’t like the possible wingers accompanying Hughes in NJ. This all depends on who you’re going to drop for one of them.

[hockeymanG23]

That’s a very odd rule but with both those guys available you better snatch one up pronto. Vatanen looks like your best drop at the moment.

I still prefer Hughes though Kakko is obviously a great add as well. Considering they’ll cover that keeper requirement for the next 4 seasons makes them that much more valuable as well.