Ales Kotalik

Kotalik was an add-on in the deal that brought Robyn Regehr to Buffalo, and while Buffalo was the sight of the majority of Kotalik's success as an NHLer, he's destined to spend the majority of 2011-12 with AHL Rochester.

This past offseason, Calgary dumped Kotalik and the rest of his contract reportedly valued at $6 million over two years. His status is very much up in the air, and there isn't a whole lot of news about which team - or even league - he will go to. If he does latch on with another team, fantasy owners can expect anywhere from 20 points on an offensively challenged team, to 40 points on a high-scoring contender. He could be worth the gamble in fantasy leagues, just be forewarned that you could get burned.

Kotalik was brought in to shore up a Rangers power play tha languished at the bottom of the NHL all season long. He'll be on either the first or second line for a Rangers team that has struggled to score goals lately, so there will be plenty of scoring opportunities for the veteran. The 30-year old has had some injury issues, but he enters camp healthy and ready to produce for the Blueshirts.

Twenty-three of Kotalik's 43 points came on the power play last season. He is almost 30 years old and has turned into a niche option. Kotalik scored 62 points in 2005-06 and has dropped sharply over the last two seasons, to 38 and 43, respectively. He has a deadly slap shot which is a formidable power-play weapon.

Kotalik managed only 38 points (16G, 22A) in 66 regular season games and added a lackluster four points (2G, 2A) in 16 playoff contests a year ago. He was the only Sabre to record a negative plus/minus rating in the regular season and playoffs. While a knee injury is partly to blame, Kotalik seems to be on the decline. His power-play time (usually a strength) was very limited last year. Fifty-to-55 points could be his ceiling this year.

Kotalik had a fantastic 2005-06, scoring 62 points in 82 games, nearly 30 more than his previous career high. He is an extremely talented winger and has the potential to have another great season, maybe even hit the 80 point mark. He has one of the hardest shots in hockey, so goals will probably always be his strongpoint even though he'll probably never be a superstar.

Kotalik was a bit of a disappointment at times in 2003-04, as his goal total dropped by six (to 15) while his assists dropped by three (to 11) compared to 2002-03. Still, he's a young player with good scoring skills and a bounce-back wouldn't be a surprise, especially now that he'll be fully recovered from a shoulder injury. Still, 40 points would seem to be the max, though if 18-20 goals helps you, Kotalik could hit that range.

Kotalik was a bit of a disappointment at times in 2003-04, as his goal total dropped by six (to 15) while his assists dropped by three (to 11) compared to 2002-03. Still, he's a young player with good scoring skills and a bounce-back wouldn't be a surprise, especially now that he'll be fully recovered from a shoulder injury. Still, 40 points would seem to be the max, though if 18-20 goals helps you, Kotalik could hit that range.