Jovanovski used to be a high-end fantasy commodity, but the years have certainly taken their toll on him. He only suited up for six games last season and, in addition to being injury prone, he hasn't scored more than 15 points in a season since 2009-10. He'll provide veteran leadership for the Panthers blue line, but he gets slower every year. It's not likely he'll log a 35+ point season again.
Jovanovski posted 13 points in an injury riddled 66-game season for the Panthers last year. Jovanovski still has value in deeper leagues, but his ability to stay healthy, on a consistent basis, is a cause for concern. Back-to-back 13 and 14-point seasons are not doing the veteran defender any favors and should be considered when reviewing the available options before and during the season. His best offensive days may have ended when he left Vancouver; Jovanovski is counted on to shut down the opposition while the Panthers have several other defenders on whom they rely to spark the attack.
Jovanovski brings toughness and a powerful slap shot to the Panthers this season after spending the past five with the Coyotes. At age 35, injuries and being a defensive liability could cause Jovanovski to miss extended periods of time. Jovanovski is capable of posting a 25-30-point season considering the new-look Panthers are a better team than some people will give credit to, and he'll probably see a modest amount of PP time.
During 2009-10, Jovanovski contributed important points from the blue line: 10 goals and 24 assists. Known for his physical play, which caused him to sit out some games last season, the rugged defenseman can light the lamp with his booming slap shot from the blue line. In 2010-11, he enters the final year of his contract. If he can stay healthy, the blueliner could put up numbers in the 30-point range.
Another former first rounder for the Coyotes, only, most of his teammates were just starting kindergarten when Jovanovski was drafted first overall in 1994. He's 33 years old, and while he ranked 36th amongst all NHL defenders with 36 points (nine goals, 27 assists), his terrible minus-15 rating negates a lot of his offensive production from the blue line. Jovanovski has a huge contract that renders him virtually untradeable, which has likely kept him in Phoenix longer than he otherwise would have been. A young team that suffered through the painful goal-scoring droughts that Phoenix endured last season needs to keep the puck out of the net. Jovanovski is a defensive liability, and youngsters Keith Yandle and Zbynek Michalek have proven to be more than capable offensively, so Jovanovski could begin to see less time on the ice this season.
Jovanovski only missed two games during 2007-2008 and the blueliner was able to contribute in other areas besides defense. He was fourth on the team in points scored with 51 (12 G 39A) and routinely went up against the opposition top lines, which accounts for his lower than normal plus/minus rating. If he stays healthy again this year, he will no doubt improve from his performance and continue to help his team get better.
Before having season ending surgery last season, Ed Jovanovski was having a solid season by adding some offensive punch and defensive skill by scoring 29 points (11 goals and 18 assists) with a minus 6 rating. When it was clear that the Coyotes were not making the playoffs, and that his abdominal issues were not healing, the Coyotes placed him on the DL and they missed his presence on the ice. Provided that Jovanovski stays healthy, he should be a force to be reckoned with on the blue line. His hard hitting style of play and his booming slapshot will help the Coyotes both offensively and defensively.
Jovo is looking to recapture the elite status that has left him after some injury-riddled seasons. He is offensively gifted and will be asked to assume that role on the Coyotes. He may lose minutes later in games where is defense becomes a liability.
Jovocop is arguably one of the top five blue liners in the game in terms of being a complete player. He's got speed to go along with size, can play a physical, defensive game or can put points on the board in bunches with great offensive awareness. Health problems have been a bit of a concern the last few seasons. However, if he can stay intact for an entire season, he'll put up where from 10 to 15 goals and 35 to 45 assists.
