Matt Bartkowski

After being used sparingly over five years in Boston and playing 131 NHL games without scoring a goal, Bartowski appeared in a career-high 80 games as a third-pairing defenseman for the Canucks, scoring six goals and 18 points in 2015-16. His minus-19 rating, however, was second-worst among Vancouver blueliners, and though the 28-year-old is considered a good skater and able puck mover, he’s a depth option at best.

In his first full season with the Bruins, Bartkowski recorded 18 assists with a plus-22 rating and 30 penalty minutes in 64 contests in 2013-14, while helping fill the void created by an injury to Dennis Seidenberg. The 26-year-old Bartkowski - who has 84 NHL games under his belt - is still looking for his first regular-season goal, but despite the lack of tallies, he's a good skater, whose mobility and ability in the transition game are assets to the Bruins' deep blue line corps.

Bartkowski spent the bulk of the 2012-13 season with AHL Providence, where he recorded 24 points in 56 games. In 18 NHL games, including the playoffs, he recorded one goal and four points. Bartkowski was almost traded by the Bruins in a deal that would have landed the team Jarome Iginla, but the organization is probably glad that fell through, as the blueliner played solid and poised hockey while with the big club and is now in line to compete for a full time job in the wake of Andrew Ference’s departure. While he’s not likely to develop into a major fantasy force, Bartkowski skates well and makes a good first pass, traits that will help him perform well in the transition game.

Bartkowski, who recorded 22 points in 50 games for AHL Providence last season, is among the slew of blueliners jostling for position behind the Bruins’ top-six defenders. He has a good shot from the point and is a candidate for an in-season callup, but injuries would have to hit hard for him to achieve fantasy relevance at the NHL level.

Although he appeared in six NHL games this past season, Bartkowski spent most of his time in the AHL, leading the team's defensemen in scoring with five goals and 18 assists in 69 games. His minus-17 rating is worth noting, but his big shot is an asset that could help him earn duty with the big club in 2011-12. As it is, he's one of a handful of young blueliners the team has lined up to seamlessly cycle in when injuries hit.

Bartkowski, acquired from Florida last season in the Dennis Seidenberg trade, is a physical player with a big shot, who gives the Bruins' organization some added blue line depth. He's slated to start the 2010-11 season with AHL Providence.