Rob Blake

Listed at 6-foot-4, 225, Blake is a brute force with 18 years of NHL experience. This will be his first season with the Sharks after spending the majority of his career with the Kings. Known for his ability to lay out opponents with bone crushing force, Blake's production has drastically faded the past few seasons. Since youth is abundant in the Sharks' locker room, it's up to the 38-year-old to provide veteran leadership while teaming up with Dan Boyle on the power play. What this means is Blake will do a fantastic job at improving the fantasy value of his fellow Sharks' defensemen - not his own.

Blake saw his numbers drop last season to 14 goals, 20 assists and a minus-26, the worst number on the team, on the heels of the 2005-06 campaign, where he collected 51 points and a plus-2 rating. Blake is also coming back from offseason hip surgery as he enters his 18th year in the NHL. He might have a little left in the tank, but it is doubtful that he'll even come close to his once-elite fantasy numbers.

He will be expected to lead the Kings from the blueline and help on the scoring front. A solid 50 to 60 point season is what you'll get from this veteran blueliner.

Blake is playing out his contract so there's even more motivation to pile up the points this season. Furthermore, with less offensive talent up front this year in Colorado he'll be encouraged to join the rush more often. We like Blake to for 45+ points this season along with a positive double-digit plus/minus total.