Martins Karsums

Despite an opportunity to earn a spot on one of the Bolts' bottom two lines, Karsums bolted to the KHL this past summer and it appears as though he may never be back.

Karsums is small but fiesty with third-line potential. But then again, he could get an audition on a scoring line if the Bolts can't find someone else to fill those skates. Don't overrate him -- he really should just be a third-line player without penalty minutes.

The 5-10 Karsums, who had 20 goals and 63 points in 79 games in the AHL last season, will fight for a spot on the B's roster, but more likely will have to settle for an in-season call-up. He has a chance to stick at some point, but whether it's as a top-six forward or as a checking line type remains to be seen.

As a rookie in 2006-07 with the Providence Bruins, Karsums missed a good portion of the regular season with injury, which slowed his development. He tallied 35 points (13 goals, 22 assists) in 54 games. Karsums' intense, gritty style of play has translated well to the pros, and with more experience, his numbers should improve as well.

Karsums might be vertically challenged (5'10") but he is fast and strong, with great skating ability, and he loves to muck it up in the corners and in front of the net. He's incredibly underrated, even after earning himself the playoff MVP title last season in the QMJHL. His future is bright but don't bother with him this season.