Max Plante Prospect Write-Up
- One Team at a Time
- Nov 22
- 3 min read
Max Plante: Detroit's Skilled Forward Prospect with Dynasty Fantasy Appeal.
Max Plante, a 19 year old forward prospect for the Detroit Red Wings, stands at 5'11" and 170 pounds, bringing a compact frame to a league that increasingly values speed and skill over sheer size. Selected 47th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, Plante entered the process with moderate expectations as a high IQ playmaker from the U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP), ranked around the mid second round by scouts. His draft hype centered on elite passing vision and hockey sense, though concerns about his undersized build and inconsistent physical engagement tempered projections, labeling him a potential boom or bust pick with top six forward upside in dynasty fantasy formats.
In the 2025,26 NCAA season with the University of Minnesota Duluth, Plante has elevated his stock significantly, leading the nation in points through early November with 19 (9 goals, 10 assists) in 10 games, a 1.90 points per game pace that ranks him among the top scorers across college hockey. This follows a strong freshman campaign in 2024,25, where he posted 28 points (9 goals, 19 assists) in 23 games, demonstrating consistent production against older competition. His current output has generated buzz in fantasy circles, positioning him as a riser in prospect rankings for keeper and dynasty leagues, where his playmaking could translate to multi category contributions in assists and power play points.
(Breaking out on the rush and burying a goal short-handed)
Plante's game revolves around high end puck distribution, with a knack for threading backhand passes through tight seams and elevating linemates' production. His shooting has improved this season, converting at a higher rate than in juniors, but assists remain his primary fantasy driver, evident in his team leading 53 assists during his final high school year before the USNTDP. Weaknesses include limited physicality due to size, which may cap his hits and blocks in fantasy stats, and occasional lapses in defensive engagement. Skating and pace are assets, allowing him to push transitions, but he'll need to add strength to handle NHL checking.
Draft year evaluations pegged Plante as a skilled but risky selection, with projections ranging from 40th,75th overall due to his lineage (son of former NHLer Derek Plante) and flashes of elite sense, offset by size concerns. Current hype has surged amid his NCAA dominance, with analysts calling him a "draft steal" and fantasy outlets highlighting his potential as a future 50,70 point producer in a top six role, especially if Detroit's rebuild provides sheltered minutes early on. In dynasty contexts, he's worth stashing now, as his value could climb with continued college success, though injury risks tied to his frame warrant caution.
For a player comparison, Plante draws parallels to Nick Schmaltz of the Utah Hockey Club. Both share similar builds, Schmaltz at 6'0" and 177 pounds, with elite playmaking and vision as core strengths. In juniors, Schmaltz posted 63 points (18 goals, 45 assists) in 55 USHL games during his draft year (2014), while Plante's 61 points in a comparable USNTDP stint and current college explosion suggest analogous scoring trajectories. Draft positions differ, Schmaltz went 20th overall and Plante 47th, reflecting Schmaltz's slightly higher pre draft pedigree, but Plante's rapid post draft growth mirrors Schmaltz's NHL adaptation in fantasy terms, projecting as a high assist contributor with 40,60 point potential. Schmaltz also as it stands had better skating at this age which might limit Max Plantes ceiling, but I have a higher grade on projected linemates for Detroit.
(Max might need to get some weight to stay in the show)
Timeline projections for Plante's NHL arrival hinge on his college progression and Detroit's depth. As a sophomore excelling in 2025,26, he could sign an entry level contract post season, potentially debuting in the AHL for seasoning in 2026,27 to build strength and adapt to pro speed. A full NHL role might emerge in 2027,28, aligning with Red Wings' forward openings, though an exceptional playoff push or international showing could accelerate this to late 2026,27. Fantasy owners in deep leagues should monitor for an early call up if injuries hit Detroit's lineup, but expect 2,3 years before consistent production. Ceiling: 60 plus points as a playmaking winger; floor: Middle six specialist with 35,50 points if size limits deployment.
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