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Pahlsson will never make a fantasy splash but he's a strong defensive center who wins over half his faceoffs, and he'll continue to anchor the Blue Jackets' checking line.
Sami P's name shouldn't be coming up in any fantasy drafts. He does a great job of getting in the way of his opponents, earning his fare share of hits (151 last season), but he's more important to the Jackets as a penalty killer and faceoff man than he'll ever be to your average fantasy owner.
The Blue Jackets didn't make many additions to their roster this offseason but general manager Scott Howson's biggest acquisition was Pahlsson, a rock-solid defensive player who's expected to provide an upgrade over Michael Peca and Manny Malhotra as the team's primary checking center. Pahlsson has a little offensive ability, but he's being brought in expressly to center the third line and he has a career high of just 26 points. Despite the fact that the team still doesn't have a name-brand No. 1 center, don't be fooled into thinking Pahlsson has sleeper potential or will get any kind of chance on Rick Nash's line. Columbus is looking for a Selke Trophy nomination from Pahlsson, not a scoring title.
As the third-line center for Anaheim, Pahlsson will get consistent playing time but he's an excellent defensive-minded pivot that helps out on the penalty kill, rather than the playmaking fantasy friendly variety. You'd be unwise to expect anything more than a 30-point campaign from Pahlsson this season.
Pahlsson will be entering his seventh NHL season, and in his six years prior to that has never had much of a fantasy worthy season. Unless you want to count his 34 points (17 goals and 17 assists) in the 1998-99 season with the MoDo Hockey in Sweden. If you play in the deepest of leagues, and need a player who will reach twenty points Pahlsson is a safe bet. He posted 26 points (eight goals and 18 assists) in 82 games this season.
Pahlsson is far from a major fantasy contributor, although his physical style of play can be beneficial as a fourth-line center and he did pot 11 goals in 2005-06.
This could be the season the talented Pahlsson steps up his game. While he only managed 22 points in 2003-04, we wouldn't be surprised if that jumped to 40 points this season -- even with the fact he'll be on the third line for most of the season. Pahlsson has the skills to be a decent scorer in the NHL, but he has to shoot the puck more and become a factor in front of the net.
