Janssen will see himself shuttled between Albany (AHL) and Newark this season after signing a one-year deal in July. Janssen appeared in a scant four games last season, seeing an average of 3:58 worth of ice time.
The veteran fighter grabbed 75 penalty minutes in 48 games last season and should put up similar numbers in limited duty again this coming season. Janssen will be battling with newly-signed Krys Barch for goon minutes.
Janssen returns for his second stint with New Jersey and will likely have another season with high penalty minute totals and minimal offensive impact. Janssen's a high-energy checker and is worth a look in goon leagues, provided he receives regular ice time, something that won't be guaranteed by the Devils.
Janssen is St. Louis' resident tough guy. When he isn't a healthy scratch (43 games played in 2009-10), he's picking fights (20 major penalties, 190 PIM). He's a local guy and is well respected in the locker room and community, so it seems there will always be a spot for him on the roster. However, other than the penalty minutes, he possesses limited fantasy value.
Janssen and D.J. King are the two enforcers on the team, but it looks like only one will make it out of training camp/preseason. King has been injured (thumb), giving Janssen a leg up in the competition. He's not very skilled as a puck-handler or scorer, with just two goals and four assists in 163 career games.
Janssen's only fantasy value comes in leagues that positively count penalty minutes. He's not the type of enforcer who can be counted on to start every game but he'll likely make the team and dress when needed or more often if his overall game improves.
Janssen finally posted his first NHL point last season, snagging a lone goal. He has just 19 shots in 95 career games and regularly leads the league in fighting majors when he's in the lineup. He could be a decent pick in goon leagues, but he doesn't see regular ice time.
A fourth line winger who drops the gloves often, Janssen won't bring much else to the fantasy hockey world.
