Colby Armstrong

Armstrong works the wall well, chirps with the best and can still occasionally blow guys up with explosive, open-ice hits. But he’s tempered his game -- for the better -- from his early head-hunting years and he’s grown into the role of third-line leader. He can contribute 0.50 points per game while giving you the same number of PIMs as games played. And he might even give you 120 hits … if he’s healthy, something he’s struggled to be so far in Toronto. Right wing is unbelievably shallow so third-liners likely have a role to play in most fantasy formats, particularly if they can contribute in peripheral categories.

Armstrong is an abrasive, mouthy little twerp who's despised by everyone except his own teammates and the fans of his current team. He showed some offensive promise while in Pittsburgh but that came while riding shotgun with Sidney Crosby. Unfortunately, he has never scored more than 40 points or delivered more than 75 PIMs in any season and he sure won't reach that in Toronto. He's best suited for a third-line role but will probably be miscast as a second-liner in Toronto. Be cautious on draft day -- let a tried, true and blue Buds fan draft him instead.

Armstrong finished the 2008-09 season with 40 points (22G, 18A). Although he did reach the 20 goal plateau, he didn't register many helpers and ended up with a low scoring campaign. The gritty forward will likely start on the third line this season which hurts his value even more.

Armstrong is the leading canidate to start on the first line with Ilya Kovalchuk in the 2008-09 season. The hard-nosed forward had four goals and 11 assists in 18 games with Atlanta after he came over in Pittsburgh. In Pittsburgh, he had an impressive 40 points in 47 games. This could be the big year for the 25-year-old winger. If he is able to keep his first line/ first PP unit duties, expect him to collect at least 60, probably 70 points this season.

Armstrong is one of those players who's probably more value to his ice hockey team than he is to his fantasy team owners. Miscast as a scorer alongside Sidney Crosby after netting 40 points in 47 games as a rookie, Armstrong chipped in with just 34 points in 80 contests. Bordering on some dirty hits -- Patrick Eaves and Trevor Letowski come to mind -- Armstrong is more of an agitator than scorer. Last year he started on a line with Crosby and Nils Ekman but the unit was unable to consistently produce (well, Armstrong and Ekman, anyhow). Look for him to find his way next to Crosby on occasion in 2007-08 at even strength but not on the power play. Armstrong is a gamer who tied a club record with three overtime goals in 2006-07.

Playing on a line with Crosby can do wonders for one's career. Exhibit 1: Armstrong. Armstrong totaled 40 points (16,24) in 47 games, good for the third-best points per game mark among the top 15 rookie scorers. He also registered an amazing plus-15 rating for the Penguins, easily the best on the squad. A look into his minor-league numbers reveals a solid player without a high offensive ceiling. The 23-year-old right winger played for AHL Wilkes-Barre in parts of the last four seasons and never finished with more than 55 points. As a result, all bets are off if Armstrong gets booted from Crosby's line, but in the meantime he's a good pick.

Armstrong was one of the Baby Penguins most improved players in 2004-05, and figures to play for the parent club in Pittsburgh at some point this year. He finished with 55 points (18,37) with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton while playing in all 80 regular season games.