Sauer is under contract with the Coyotes, but has not played since mid-2009 due to post-concussion symptoms.
Sauer has played in just one NHL game in the past two seasons due to injury. He's never been much of a threat to score from the blue line, but the Coyotes could use his physical presence, not to mention the plus-17 rating he brought while with the Avalanche in 2007-08.
Sauer isn't going to threaten any scoring records, but he's the best defensive blue-liner that the Coyotes have. Sauer put up a very impressive minus-one on a team that hemorrhaged goals last season, and compliments some of Phoenix's more offensive-minded defenders well. Sauer is the equivalent of an offensive lineman in football; he plays a very important role on the team, but gets none of the spotlight.
With the departure of Keith Ballard and Nick Boyton, Sauer will definitely be the defenseman to pick up the slack. Last season, he went a plus-17 and appeared in all of the Avalanche's post season games. Next to Jovanovksi, Sauer might be a solid pickup for fantasy owners for leagues that award points in the plus/minus category.
Sauer, who cuts an imposing figure at 6-4, 225, is a stay-at-home defender with very little in the way of an offensive game. He'll be on Colorado's final defensive pairing.
He appeared in 37 games as an injury replacement last season. Sauer contributed five points and 24 penalty minutes. If he makes the team this season, he will be a depth guy and not much of a fantasy factor.
Sauer will likely stick with the team but sits at no better than sixth on the team's depth chart on defense and will see zero power-play time.
