Rupp's fantasy value is mostly in penalty minutes as he doesn't get much ice time. He'll serve on the fourth line and adds toughness to the lineup as a quasi-enforcer.
Rupp tallied five points 60 games last year, but his career-high is 19, as Rupp has never been a big scorer. The 32-year-old winger's value primarily comes from his toughness, as evidenced by his average of 119.25 penalty minutes per-season over the past four years. An experienced checking forward, Rupp won't provide much scoring to owners in 2012-13, but he does serve a purpose for owners in leagues that count penalty minutes as a category.
The Rangers signed Rupp to replace the late Derek Boogard as their enforcer. He offers some toughness, size and can play decently alongside top-line players, but this combination doesn't help fantasy owners very much.
Rupp potted 13 goals in 2009-2010, one more than in his three previous seasons (in 212 games). He dabbled on the Pens' top two lines, but make no mistake -- he's a grinder on the third or fourth line. He totaled 120 penalty minutes last season and may have a bit of added fantasy value this year in Yahoo! fantasy leagues because of his 198 hits, a new fantasy category.
Rupp will be playing in his fifth organization in the last eight years with Pittsburgh in 2009-10. He's developed into somewhat of a fighter and eclipsed the century mark in penalty minutes (136) for the first time last season. The Penguins signed him for his leadership and feisty play, and it wouldn't surprising to see him collect 100 PIM for Pittsburgh. On the downside, Rupp has collected just nine points in each of the last three campaigns.
Rupp saw ice time in many different situations last year, but didn't excel much during any of them. He has just 13 goals over the last three seasons and likely will be used in a checking role by the Devils.
Rupp won't be much of a factor in the fantasy hockey world.
