Kaspars Daugavins

Daugavins is a great energy player and was a key cog in Binghamton's 2010-11 Calder Cup champtionship run. He parlayed that performance into 65 games with the big club in 2011-12, scoring five goals and six assists. "K-Daug" did suffer from consistency issues, especially later in the season, and was benched for all of Ottawa's seven playoff games against the Rangers. Recently signed to a one-year, one-way contract, Daugavins will need to prove he's more than just an energy player and can contribute on a consistent basis or his time in Ottawa will likely be shortlived with the number of skilled forward prospects coming up through Ottawa's system. He's a third or fourth-line winger with a bit of offensive skill, but has little value in all but the very deepest of leagues.

Daugavins had his best year as a pro in 2010-11, finishing the season with 19 goals and 35 assists in 73 games. He stepped up his game during Binghamton's 2011 AHL Calder Cup Championship run with 10 goals and 10 assists in 23 games. The 23-year-old left winger is skilled with the puck and plays on both the penalty kill and powerplay. The 2011-12 season is a make-or-break year for Daugavins as he'll need to prove to Ottawa's brass that he has what it takes to make it at the NHL level otherwise he'll likely join a pro team in Europe after the season is finished.

Daugavins made great strides in 2009-10 and hopes to continue his progress this season. He should be a top-6 forward for Ottawa's AHL affiliate in Binghamton with the potential to be a callup should injuries strike Ottawa's group of forwards. Daugavins has some nice offensive potential, but needs to gain a little more strength and fight problems with consistency if he hopes to make the NHL fulltime.