Evgeni Artyukhin

Arty is like an out-of-control locomotive on tiny blades of steel. He's 6-5 and 254 pounds, and officials tend to whistle him down a lot even if his handiwork is within the rules. It's the peril of being a big guy. He's a third or fourth line energizer who can deliver critical PIMs to your squad... without sacrificing points.

The enigmatic Artyukhin spent last season playing in Russia and looks to do the same in 2007-2008. It's really too bad as he has the physical attributes -- size, speed and talent -- of the new poster boy for the NHL. He has pretty much burned his bridges in Tampa Bay so if he's ever coming back to the NHL, it will be with another squad. Until then, he's not even worth that last spot on your minor league keeper team.

If a huge player with untapped potential falls in the forest, does anyone hear him? Artukhin's greatest accomplishment in 2004-05 was to finish at plus-one on one of the AHL's worst teams. OK, that's pretty good for a youngster. But the 6'5", 255-lb behemoth was suspended not once but twice for dirty play during his tenure in Springfield. Perhaps it was a function of his ever-expanding size and his inability to figure out how to handle it on the ice. He still has potential and he's only 22 years old, so he has a bit of time. He'll spend the year at Springfield again so he's of no use to you this fantasy season. However, monitor his progress because he could be a steal next season if he figures out how to use his hands, wheels, head and body at the same time.