Kobasew is another unrestricted free agent, who like fellow veteran Milan Hejduk appears to be an odd man out in Colorado this upcoming season. At just 31, Kobasew will seek out other offers from teams as a fourth line winger capable of providing a veteran presence and about 10 goals a season. Avoid him on draft day, but monitor the wire if he get hot.
After spending two seasons in Minnesota, Kobasew signed a two-year, $2.5 million contract with the Avalanche in July. Still just 29 years old, the Avalanche get a veteran winger with speed and a rigid work ethic in Kobasew. On the downside, he has averaged just 56 games over the past two seasons, with injuries largely accounting for the abbreviated campaigns. Given that he had just 16 points last season with the Wild last season, we don't expect Kobasew to have an expensive price tag in fantasy drafts ahead of the 2011-12 season. He will likely open the season on one of the Avs' checking lines.
Kobasew was traded to the Wild from Boston early last season and then missed two months with a strained knee ligament and it continued to be a problem when he returned. He'll be given a higher profile with the Wild and will be counted to score as he'll be featured on one of the top lines. He still has upside as he's shown in the minors and in stretches in the NHL that he can put the puck in the net, but he's struggled to stay healthy the past two years.
Kobasew, who had 21 goals and 21 assists in 68 games last season, at times flies under the radar with the B's, but he's just the sort of fast and hard-working winger that helps make any team's forward unit better. With a half dozen or so higher upside scorers ahead of him up front, he's on the fantasy bubble, but if injuries thrust him into a more prominent role (such as one the power play), he can have some value.
Kobasew has had a career revival in Boston and was a decent fantasy surprise with a career-high 22 goals this past season before the broken leg ended his regular season five games early. He's just 26, so he'll make a nice top second or third line mainstay for the next few seasons, along with talented youngsters like Milan Lucic, Phil Kessel, David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron. .
Kobasew is a risky pick this season given the two concussions he suffered last season. Scoring-wise, he hasn't shown the same ability at the NHL level that he demonstrated in the minors. He is not expected to spend any time on the Bruins' top two scoring lines this year, so he should only be drafted in deeper leagues. Expect 20-25 points at the most.
Kobasew had his flashy moments in 2005-06 with 31 points in 77 games, but displayed very little consistency. Since Kobasew is only 24, that inconsistency could disappear with experience, so he could improve markedly in the next couple seasons. Expect around 35-45 points from him n 2006-07, but he has the potential for 50.
The Lockout allowed Chuck to hone his skills in the AHL. He led Lowell (AHL) in goals (38), points (75), game winning goals (12), shots (250), +/- (+37), second in assists (37) and power play goals (9). The gritty forward fits coach Sutter’s mold and watch out for increased power play time.
