Andrew Peeke

Peeke inked a three-year, $8.25 million extension with Columbus prior to the start of last season and he rewarded the club with a minus-41 rating in 80 games, the worst mark in the entire league. In Peeke's defense, the defensive struggles of the Blue Jackets certainly weren't his fault, but it's hard to be an asset when you're only posting 13 points and producing a plus-minus rating as horrific as his. On a more positive note, Peeke had 180 hits and finished tied for second in blocks with 197. That is the type of production that warrants a fantasy selection if you're in a format which values such numbers, but keep in mind the red flags regarding the rest of Peeke's game before you take the plunge.

Peeke seized a full-time role for a rebuilding Columbus team a season ago, playing in 82 games for the club. He managed two goals, 15 points, 191 hits and 169 blocks while averaging 21:28 of ice time per game. The Jackets were impressed enough with Peeke's efforts to hand him a new three-year, $8.25 million contract during training camp. It's an awful lot of money for a player who offers next to nothing offensively, but Peeke could have some deep-league fantasy value in formats which value hits and blocks. Just keep in mind there will be little in terms of point production.

The 34th overall pick in the 2016 draft, Peeke made his NHL debut last season and had a solid showing in 22 games. The 22-year-old has good size, mobility and smarts, and he showed flashes of developing his offensive game at AHL Cleveland with five goals and 16 points in 29 games. While he'll likely never be a top-pairing stud, Peeke is on his way to becoming a strong two-way asset. Given the Jackets' depth on the blue line, he might spend one more season bouncing between the AHL and NHL, but an impressive camp could allow him to win the spot vacated by Ryan Murray.