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Moore missed the first two months of the 2019-20 campaign while recovering from shoulder surgery, and was often a healthy scratch, particularly towards the end of the regular season, upon returning, ending the year with just three points in 24 games. The 30-year-old blueliner will likely be in and out of the lineup as a rotational, bottom-pairing option in 2020-21, and won't put up many points when he does get the call, so he won't be a useful fantasy option.
Moore, a free-agent acquisition last offseason, is under contract with Boston through 2022-23. While in and out of Boston's lineup at times due to the team's blue-line depth, Moore logged four goals and 13 points in 61 games in 2018-19. Though the 28-year-old is an outstanding skater, he sees limited power-play duty for the Bruins, and as long as that remains the case, Moore's fantasy upside will be capped.
Moore's not a spectacular player by any means, but he emerged as a solid depth piece with the Devils over the past three seasons, averaging just a shade under 20 points from the blue line. The smooth skater's steady play landed him a five-year deal at $2.75 million per year from the Bruins this offseason, and he figures to slot into a third-pairing role in Boston. Switching teams should mean great things for Moore's rating considering five Bruins defensemen finished at plus-10 or better last season, but he can also expect his sparse power-play time from the past few years to evaporate almost completely with his new club.
Moore set career highs with 12 goals, 22 points and 39 PIM last season despite suiting up in only 63 games. The lack of proven alternatives on the roster should allow Moore to skate on the first or second defensive pairing, but it’s fair to be skeptical of the 26-year-old’s ability to replicate his 2016-17 production considering that came on the back of an 11.8 percent shooting percentage that blows his career 5.1 percent mark out of the water. Throw in his minus-19 rating in two seasons since joining the Devils, and the question marks surrounding Moore start to outweigh the advantages that come with his clear path to playing time.
Moore’s first season in New Jersey was his most productive to date, as the 25-year-old blueliner managed a career-high 19 points in 73 games. His minus-12 rating indicates that Moore’s defensive play still leaves much to be desired, but he has the offensive instincts to earn some power-play time on a team devoid of strong options at the point. Opportunity shouldn’t be a problem, but Moore needs to take his game to the next level if he wants to be a fantasy difference-maker.
After being traded to New York in the Marian Gaborik deal two seasons ago, Moore has enjoyed a fresh start in the Rangers organization, alleviating some of the pressure placed on him as a former first-round draft pick. While the blueliner did manage to capitalize on consistent minutes on the team's third-line pairing in his second full NHL season, doubling his career-high in points (14) in the process, something tells us he's capable of a bit more. Moore, who already saw his share of chances on the team's second power-play unit last season, is likely one of head coach Alain Vigneault's first choices to fill out the team's top-four pairings should injury strike at some point during the upcoming campaign. Dynasty owners should have already decided their interest level on Moore, but owners in standard formats should monitor his early-season numbers before considering scooping him up.
When the 23-year-old Moore was acquired with Derek Dorsett and Derick Brassard in exchange for Marian Gaborik at the 2013 trading deadline, not much was expected of the former first round (2009) pick. Since making his NHL debut with Columbus in the 2011-12 campaign, Moore (minus-28) had collected just two goals and six assists in 84 games. However, since arriving on Broadway, the 6'3, nearly 200-pound blue liner has not only played well defensively (36 blocked shots), but earned praise as a power-play specialist and has almost doubled his career totals with a goal and six assists through 25 games in red, white and blue. Despite a very crowded defensive core headed to camp, Moore is nearly a lock to make the team. If the third-year Illinois native makes the leap, keep an eye on him closely as this sharp-minded defenseman could very well be developing before our eyes.
Moore's first full season in the NHL went about as well as you could expect from a rookie playing on the worst team in the league, which is to say he produced no almost offense and was a minus-23 in 67 games. His offensive fortunes aren't likely to change much over the next couple of years as Jack Johnson, James Wisniewski and Fedor Tyutin will hog most of the power play time. As he starts adapting better to the speed of the pro game, Moore's slick skating and passing ability should quickly make him a key component on Columbus's blue line.
Moore's first season as a pro wasn't what the Blue Jackets were hoping from their top pick in 2009, as his offensive production (24 points in 73 games) and -27 plus-minus rating in the AHL were both well below what he's capable of. Moore still has a lot to learn, but his speed and skill mark him as a potential future impact player. That future is just a little farther off than Columbus was hoping.
The Blue Jackets’ top pick in 2009, Moore has the potential to be a true offensive dynamo from the back end. He’s got top-shelf speed and acceleration, a quick release on his shot, and great vision and passing instincts. Although he’s not particularly physical he does have decent size and shouldn’t be a one-dimensional player at the NHL level either. Moore nearly made the Blue Jackets’ roster last season in camp and followed that performance up with 47 points in 61 games for Kitchener in the OHL, and an impressive playoff run with 16 points in 20 games. Columbus desperately needs offense from their defense, and if Moore looks like he’s ready they likely won’t hesitate to give him a job in the big leagues.
The Blue Jackets' first round pick in 2009, Moore figures to be the power-play point man the club has always lacked when he's finally ready for the NHL. Moore has great wheels and superb offensive instincts while still possessing the size and smarts to be an asset in his own end of the rink. He opted for the OHL over the NCAA this season to continue his development, and while he won't get a sniff of the NHL roster for a couple of seasons yet he's still expected to play a huge part in the Blue Jackets' future.