Caswell has taken to the NCAA well, with two goals and 8 assists in his first 12 games. Skating with the University of Denver, he is the top scoring forward and one point behind defenseman Eric Pohlkamp for the team lead.

Caswell improved upon his draft-year totals in his first season after getting drafted. While Caswell could have elected to return to the WHL for a final year, having a year of eligibility remaining, he will take the step to the NCAA to play against tougher competition at the powerhouse University of Denver. There was little left for Caswell to prove at the WHL level, and he can now focus on getting stronger in a Denver system that pumps out NHL talent at an unmatched rate. It is difficult to predict what to expect from Caswell next year, as he could be one of the best freshmen in the NCAA or struggle to find playing time in Denver’s bottom six. However, there is an excellent game for him to build around that could see the 2024 5th rounder become an efficient everyday NHLer.

Caswell’s draft plus one season marks a decent improvement over his draft-year offensive output. He finished last season with 26 goals, 51 assists, and 77 points in 68 games, and as of writing, he has a line of 21-60-81 in only 60 games so far. He sits eleventh in total points by U-20 players in the WHL this year, and though his offensive output is undoubtedly decent, it isn’t the hallmark of his game. Touted as more of a two-way playmaker who shows responsibility and commitment defensively, Caswell likely won’t be the star of any of our fantasy rosters. However, he gives himself more chance to make the show if he can outwork and earn more minutes than his other prospect peers by being a more reliable option to put on the ice than flashier, riskier players. Managers in deeper leagues will benefit from calculated acquisitions of consistent players who can earn enough points to justify their position and contribute some peripherals. Given that Caswell is currently just 3% rostered in fantasy leagues, he is a low-risk add to at least your watchlist, if not your farm team.

Caswell made a name for himself in his draft year, catapulting from a line of 9-20-29 in 63 games the year before a 26-51-77 mark in 68 games. That sat him 5th overall in points by a U18 player in the WHL. He’s marked as a playmaker and has plenty of potential one-timer partners developing in the Kraken pipeline. He could be a sneaky buy-low candidate, as several players ahead of him on the depth chart for the Swift Current Broncos have graduated.

Caswell was selected 141st overall by the Seattle Kraken.

Clarke Caswell was a favourite of mine in early November, and while he hasn’t elevated his game a ton since then, he has maintained his play, chugging along at just over a point per game despite the more minor role after his Swift Current Broncos acquired Connor Geekie. Caswell’s calling card is his playmaking game, one of the best in this WHL class. Between his vision, deceptiveness, puck protection, timing, and middle-lane focus, Caswell is equally adept at finding streaking teammates off the rush as he is at turning a low offensive zone turnover into a backdoor play. Caswell wins battles well enough, but with so-so strength and positioning, he’s not a great defensive player. In addition to OK footspeed and shooting, it’s obvious that Caswell is not a very well-rounded player. Still, banking on the playmaking skillset, it’s possible to see him fitting into an NHL bottom-nine.

Caswell’s stock is as high as its been thus far since being drafted and is certainly worth a speculative add to ride the high if he continues this pace, and given how little he is owned in Fantrax leagues will be a low cost addition in most leagues.

April 2024Clarke Caswell makes his living as a slippery setup man and may be one of the best in the class in terms of pure playmaking. Caswell is intelligent and knows where his teammates are on the ice, allowing him to funnel pucks to the slot. He’s even quarterbacked the Broncos’ powerplay at times. While not a poor shooter, Caswell is selective to a fault and only attempts from high-danger areas. His transition game is hit-or-miss, but when it is working, Caswell can create entries with his skating or passing, find targets early in rush sequences, hold onto pucks through checks, and display an expert delay game. While it may be difficult to translate his offence to higher levels, the upside of a middle-six playmaker is within reach. Luke Sweeney