Brian Sutherby

Sutherby battled through injuries after being acquired from Anaheim, but gives Dallas a nice checking-line option when healthy. He'll be an integral part of the Dallas penalty kill, but doesn't project for any sort of fantasy significance.

Sutherby had 14 goals and 16 assists in 2005-06 but has dropped significantly in production since then and his limited ice time ever since has limited his production. Given the lack of opportunities, he doesn't warrant a roster spot in most fantasy leagues.

After five professional seasons, the Capitals seem convinced that their 2000 first-round pick isn't a top-line center. Sutherby, who is slow of foot an ill-suited for the new NHL, will center the fourth line for the Capitals again in 2007-08.

Sutherby has vexed the Capitals ever since they drafted him in the first round in 2004. He's big, talented and plays with an edge, but hasn't ever put it all together, finishing with only 30 points in 76 games last season. Worst of all, Sutherby finished next-to-last on the team with a minus-17 rating. With the departure of Jeff Halpern, Sutherby will compete with Brooks Laich and Kris Beech to be the Caps' second line center, but a more likely scenario is that he'll anchor the team's checking line again in 2006-07.

Sutherby seemed to be putting it all together in the AHL last season, putting up 29 points and 115 penalty minutes in 53 games before going down to injury. With the Caps signing Andrew Cassels, however, Sutherby will most likely have to be moved from his natural center position to make it to a scoring line in 2005-06 -- at worst, he could end up as the team's fourth line center.