The Philadelphia defenseman’s play has been declining over the last three seasons, but Kubina still offers some depth and a veteran presence to the Flyers. He’s not, however, likely to put up impressive offensive numbers and certainly struggled defensively upon arriving from Tampa Bay last February.
The decline has begun. Kubina's days as a consistent 35-40-point, 90-110-PIM defender are behind him. He'll still get time on the second-unit power play but his already slow feet have lost a step and he's been forced to play a more conservative game. That's OK -- it'll help the team's younger defenders develop beside him. But it won't deliver fantasy owners more than 30 points and about 60 PIMs this season. Does that fit in your format?
Kubina's return to Tampa Bay will be just like going home. He returns to the city where he sipped from Lord Stanley and discovered the true power of his slap shot. Tampa Bay is woefully thin on the blue line, particularly on the power play, and Kubina will benefit significantly from the increase in the team's firepower up front. Draft him as a 40-point defender who'll deliver 80-100 PIMs.
Kubina tallied 40 points last season with the Leafs with 14 goals and nine on the power play. Kubina is a great skating defensemen and has an offensive mentality. Now joining the Thrashers he should be the other point man on the power play with Kovalchuk which is a great place to be. Kubina should have a pretty good year for the Thrash, minuses could be a problem, but deserves a look in all fantasy formats.
Kubina woke up in the second half last season and finished with a career-best 40 points. He's a decent player and a coach favorite, but he's just not the brightest bulb in the tanning bed. He won't replicate his offensive output this year or next.
Kubina woke up in the second half last season and finished with a career-best 40 points. He’s a decent player and a coach favorite, but he’s just not the brightest bulb in the tanning bed. He won’t replicate his offensive output this year or next.
Kubina scored a career-high 38 points in '05-'06 and fell just shy of his third 100 PIM season. He's got all the physical tools to be a top NHL defenseman but doesn't seem to have the head or drive to make full use of them. In fantasy terms (although certainly not in real life at $5 million a season) he's a poor man's Bryan McCabe.
We issued a buyer beware on Kubina last year and we couldn't have been further off base. His rebound from two shaky seasons was immense, and it was mostly attributable to an increase in confidence and maturity. Expect Kubina to log heavy ice time and to repeat his offensive escapades of 2003-04. He should be given serious consideration after the league's elite in those leagues where power-play points are counted.
