After missing all but 11 games last year, Latendresse is out to prove he can return to 25-goal form. He will certainly miss Martin Havlat but could benefit from a fully healthy Pierre-Marc Bouchard on his line.
The former 8th overall pick has potential to post 60 points if fully healthy. His 12 goals and 38 points in only 59 games prorate to 17 goals and 53 points over a full 82-game season
Kessel is coming off back-to-back 30 goal campaigns but should score even more with a bonfide playmaking center like Connolly.
BizNasty with fantasy value would be amusing to say the least. He holds a career-high of 117 PIM attained two seasons ago when he played in 41 games.
If Gormley fails to make the team, he will be returned to the Moncton Wildcats, where he should dominate and represent Team Canada at the WJHC. This young two-way defenseman has a bright future whether it begins this year or next.
If healthy for a full season, Orr should be good for 200 PIM per season.
Two years ago Beleskey received a chance to play on the top line and returned the favor by scoring 11 goals in 60 games. Last season due to injury and inconsistency, the 2006 4th-round pick saw his playing time almost evaporate due to better prospects like Brandon McMillan and Kyle Palmieri. He should have a chance to earn back some playing time but likely can be acquired via waivers in most fantasy hockey leagues.
Playing alongside Lubomir Visnovsky on the team's top 5-man unit, Lydman posted a plus-32 rating to go along with three goals and 25 points. In deeper leagues he could provide some value as a depth defender.
This injury prone winger should benefit from a lighter workout regime considering his track record. Expect an up-tick in production as he moves from a fledgling offense to a powerhouse.
Whitney should miss another week but will prepare to start the season on schedule. The former 5th overall pick posted 2 goals and 27 points in only 35 games before missing the rest of the season with his aforementioned ankle injury.
Hemsky was planning on getting healthy for the beginning of the season but it appears he will now have a setback. The often-injured winger has missed 105 games over the last three seasons. Expect a winger like Jordan Eberle or Taylor Hall to benefit from his absence.
The former 3rd round pick might have made the team as a 6/7th defenseman but will miss a significant period of time due to this shoulder injury. As a quad-A player, he likely holds no fantasy value.
Murphy will challenge for a spot on the team's blue line but will battle heavy competition like fellow prospects Justin Faulk and Bobby Sanguinetti and veterans Derek Joslin and Jay Harrison. If he cannot make the team, he will be sent back to his OHL team, the Kitchener Rangers.
The Canucks will need Samuelsson more than ever with Ryan Kesler expected to miss the first month. The right wing has four consecutive seasons with 40 points or more so he remains fully capable of filling the net in a secondary role.
Hamhuis will play a large role on the Canucks' blue line, pairing with Kevin Bieksa. With a full, healthy season look for the 28-year-old to improve on his totals from last year -- 6 goals, 23 points, plus-29.
Spaling scored 8 goals and 14 points in his first full NHL season, toiling mostly on the lower lines. After a strong postseason, he may be a candidate to push for more playing time.
Bouillon is expected to begin the season on IR with numerous youngsters fighting for his roster spot. If he can come back this season, he would add a great deal of depth to the Preds' blue line.
Stay tuned as we continue to monitor the situation. If Anisimov misses any time, the team would likely keep Derek Stepan at center, taking over on the second line.
Rask remains one of the elite handcuffs in the League. If you take Tim Thomas in the early rounds, it only makes sense to give yourself a contingency plan and take the 24-year-old in a later round.
With Horton entering this season fully healthy, he should have no problem scoring 20-or-more goals for the seventh time in his young career.
