After a solid performance as a depth forward during Washington's Stanley Cup run, expectations were high for Stephenson entering 2018-29. He didn't rise to the challenge, posting a meager five goals and 11 points in 64 games - and an abysmal minus-13 rating. With a new crop of bottom-six forwards in the fold, the unsigned RFA could be the odd-man out on a cap-crunched Capitals team, and his fantasy value remains virtually non-existent at the moment.

Stephenson took a significant step forward in his career in 2017-18. The third-round pick from the 2012 NHL Entry Draft posted six goals and 18 points in 67 games while averaging 11:52 of ice time. He elevated his game in the playoffs, adding two goals and seven points over 24 contests. Though Stephenson spent much of the season on the wing, his two-way abilities and improving faceoff skills make him a prime candidate to inherit the fourth-line center position left vacant by Jay Beagle's departure in free agency, and his strong postseason efforts should help him maintain a consistent presence in the lineup. However, while such an assignment is great for keeping his hold on an NHL roster spot, he has a ways to go before he'll captivate a fantasy hockey audience.

After receiving a nine-game tryout at the NHL level (no points), the 23-year-old was returned to AHL Hershey for the balance of the 2016-17 season, recording a career-high 10 goals and 38 points in 72 games. Stephenson has been given plenty of opportunities to stick as a depth player for the Capitals over the last few seasons. No longer waiver eligible and with a thinner depth chart in front of him than in years past, the time is now for the former Regina Pat to lay his claim on a full-time NHL roster spot. However, he faces stiff competition on that front and therefore has extremely limited fantasy value at the moment.

Drafted in the third round of the 2012 NHL Draft, Stephenson concluded a successful four year career in the Western Hockey League, tallying 73 goals and 195 points in 230 career regular season games. The skilled forward will need to time to develop his game and will likely spend the balance of 2014-2015 in Hershey of the AHL, but may see limited action at the NHL level if injuries open the door for him to crack the lineup. Stephenson has the upside to be a serviceable top-6 forward at the NHL level if he develops properly.