Deryk Engelland

After a third season in Calgary, Engelland was left exposed at the expansion draft and was selected by the Golden Knights. The veteran defensemen made an immediate impact in Vegas with his leadership and also set a career high with 23 points on the season. While he's much more valuable to the Golden Knights than he is to fantasy owners, Engelland still has plenty to offer in fantasy settings. The gritty blueliner is more known for his steady defensive play, so while another 20-point season is a possibility, look for Engelland to continue being a steady source of hits and blocked shots.

Engelland was selected by the Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, and the team was likely attracted to the veteran blueliner for his hard-nosed style of play and years of professional experience. The Edmonton native averaged the highest ice time of his career last season (18:20), which allowed him to thrive in terms of peripheral stats, as he posted 135 hits, 134 blocked shots and a career-high 107 shots on goal. However, all of this did nothing for the 35-year-old’s offensive game, and his meager 16 points actually represented the second-highest total of his career. His move to the desert isn't likely to stimulate a sudden increase in offense, so Engelland’s skill set is only useful for leagues that count his hits, blocks and PIM.

The Flames seem to have found that sixth defenseman they were looking for in Engelland, as he played 76 games last season as well as every playoff contest. He has the inside track for the final blue-line spot heading into the upcoming campaign, as he is a steady, veteran presence with solid defensive ability. Engelland's fantasy utility is limited, however, as his career high in points came back in 2011-12 with 17, and he doesn't brawl enough to contribute in penalty minutes either.

Engelland spent time at both defenseman and forward for Pittsburgh in 2013-14, showcasing a versatility that enticed the Flames to sign him to a three-year deal. The tough blueliner recorded 12 points and 58 PIM last season, and is a favorite to take the seventh defenseman spot in the fall.

With 70 hits and 57 blocked shots in 42 contests, Engelland holds some fantasy value. He profiles as a fifth or sixth defenseman, however, and is at risk for a healthy scratch on a regular basis. He picked up 54 penalty minutes, but he doesn't fight as much as when he was a rookie. He only had six assists last season and really doesn't project as anything more than an in-season waiver-wire pickup.

Engelland's game matured in 2011-12, much to the chagrin of fantasy owners who picked him for his pugulistic abilities. The heavyweight fighter took on greater responsibity in the defensive end and compiled 56 PIMs after totaling 123 PIMs the season before. Engelland beat out Ben Lovejoy for consistent playing time, registering 174 hits and 77 blocks shots in the process. He scored 17 points (4G, 13A) in 73 games, numbers that seem about right for the blueliner once again in 2012-13. If the team promotes some of its young defensive prospects, then Engelland could lose his regular minutes and revert into more of a fighter. If that happens, then his fantasy value goes up in leagues that reward penalty minutes.

A one-punch knockout of NHL heavyweight, Colton Orr, on Oct. 13 put Engelland on the map in 2010-11. He doesn't play a very strong defensive game and it's rare for him to pick up points (10 in 63 contests last year), but he provides the Pens with needed muscle. Engelland earned 10 fighting majors in 31 contests through the end of December, but fought just one time in the final 20 regular-season games. The fact that he didn't suit up for any of Pittsburgh's postseason contests shows exactly why he's on the roster. Perhaps with seasoning he can mature into a better rounded blueliner, but right now his forte is fighting (123 PIM) and hitting (122 hits). From a fantasy perspective, the fact that he takes up a roster spot on defense rather than as a forward -- something that's fairly unusual among fighters -- affords fantasy owners to pick strong offensive forwards rather than wasting a prime spot on a pugilist.

Engelland is one of the more polished defensive minor leaguers. He's got a nasty streak, but offers little other than penalty minutes to poolies. He'll battle for the team's seventh defenseman role out of camp, but more than likely he'll end up back at Wilkes-Barre. A reinforced defensive unit makes it less likely Engelland, already 28, finds himself in Pittsburgh for more than a few games at a time.